Center for Archival Collections

Introduction | Agency History | Order of Microfilming

 Introduction

The records of St. Mary Catholic Church, 1876 - 2001, were transferred for microfilming to the Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403, in July 2001, with the cooperation of Reverend Timothy Kummerer of St. Mary Catholic Church, Defiance, Ohio.

The collection consists of baptisms * , first communions, confirmations, RCIA, 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.)

This register and this collection was prepared by Jennifer Golis in July 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

St. Mary was established by Bishop Gilmore as Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish on January 1, 1873. It was established to serve the English speaking Catholics in Defiance. Their church was completed in 1875. In the same year the parish received their first pastor. It should be noted that the church, since 1875, has also been known as St. Mary Catholic Church.

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 65 - 67.

 Order of Microfilming

Roll 1

1. Baptisms, 1876 - 1897
2. Record Book, 1878 - 1963
   • First Communions
   • Confirmations
3. First Communions, 1972 - 2001
4. Confirmations, 1971 - 2001
5. RCIA, 1983 - 1991
6. Book of the Elect, 1989 - 2001

Roll 2

1. Interments, 1877 - 1962
2. Deaths, 1950 - 1999
3. Deaths, 1999 - 2001

Roll 3 (RESTRICTIONS APPLY)

1. Record Book, 1956 - 1971
   • Baptisms
   • First Communions
   • Confirmations
   • Marriages
   • Deaths
2. Baptisms, 1897 - 1956
3. Baptisms, 1951 - 1984
4. Baptisms, 1963 - 1973
5. Baptisms, 1984 - 2001

Roll 4 (RESTRICTIONS APPLY)

1. Marriages, 1876 - 1957
2. Marriages, 1950 - 1982
3. Marriages, 1982 - 2001

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