Center for Archival Collections

Introduction | Agency History | Order of Microfilming

 Introduction

The records of St. Mary Catholic Church, 1868 - 2001, were transferred for microfilming to the Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403, in September 2001, with the cooperation of Father Herman F. Scherger of St. Mary Catholic Church.

The collection consists of baptisms*, first communions, confirmations, Book of the Elect, marriages*, interments and deaths. Due to inconsistencies in pagination and transcription of data, researchers are encouraged to refer to all volumes within each series. (See order of microfilming for a detailed list of these records.)

There are records for Missions and Stations served by St. Mary found in the record book dated 1868 - 1890. They are as follows: Delaware Bend: 1870 - 1884 (later records found at MS 912); Junction: 1869 - 1883 (later records found at MS 876); Cecil: 1874 - 1884 (later records found at MS 285); Mud Creek: 1869 - 1874 ; Hicksville: 1880 - 1884 (later records found at MS 880); Payne: 1883 - 1888 (later records found at MS 888); Flat Rock: 1868 - 1882; North Ridge: 1868 - 1874; Furnace: 1868 - 1880; Blue Creek: 1868 and Emerald: 1868 - 1880. (See note before book for detailed list.)

This register and this collection was prepared by Jennifer Golis in September 2001.

*There is a seventy (70) year access restriction on baptism and marriage records. No restrictions apply to the remainder of this collection.

 Agency History

For the first Catholic settlers of Antwerp, the closest Catholic Church was in Defiance, which was twenty-one miles away. By 1857, Antwerp became a Station of Defiance, but was served by the priests irregularly. Their mass was said in private homes until 1869, when the parish built a small frame church. The status of the Antwerp parish changed from a Station to a Mission. The parish was served by Defiance until 1873.

In 1873, Antwerp received their first resident pastor, Reverend John Michenfelder. Beginning in this same year, Antwerp began to serve a number of Missions including Hicksville, Delaware Bend, Cecil, Junction, and Payne.

In 1900, it was decided by the congregation that a larger church was needed. The church was completed in 1901.

The number of members dropped severely during the Depression Era, but the church began to gain new members in the 1950's and their numbers grew significantly.

Mossing, Lawrence A. S.T.D. History of the Diocese of Toledo. Northern Ohio - West Section Missionary and Parish History. Diocese of Toledo. Toledo, Ohio. 1985. Pages 123 - 127.

 Order of Microfilming

Roll 1

1. Record Book (Also contains various Missions and Stations, see note before book), 1868 - 1890
   • Baptisms
   • First Communions
   • Marriages
   • Deaths
2. Record Book, 1893 - 1954
   • First Communions
   • Confirmations
   • Interments
3. First Communions, 1919 - 1943
4. Confirmations, 1919 - 1944
5. Record Book, 1919 - 1954
   • First Communions
   • Confirmations
6. Book of the Elect, 1984 - 2000

Roll 2 (RESTRICTIONS APPLY)

1. Record Book, 1948 - 1972
   • Baptisms
   • First Communions
   • Confirmations
   • Marriages
   • Deaths
2. Record Book, 1970 - 1997
   • Baptisms
   • First Communions
   • Confirmations
   • Marriages
   • Deaths
3. Record Book, 1993 - 2001
   • Baptisms
   • First Communions
   • Confirmations
   • Marriages
   • Deaths
4. Baptisms, 1891 - 1951
5. Marriages, 1890 - 1948

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