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The History of St. Martin of Tours Valley City |
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The Parish teaches
Christ's saving doctrine; |
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St Martin of Tours Valley City, Ohio -- 1822-1899 |
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| 1822 | Missionary activity in the area. | |
| 1840 | 30 families establish the first parish community for the area. Cincinnati Bishop Purcell, head of Diocese that included all of Ohio suggested flooding of the Rocky River might require 2 churches: | |
| 1841 | Log church, Queen of All Saints, (approx area Route 252 & Neff Rd.) | |
| 1842 | Small brick church, St. Mary's, (on Abbeyville Rd. near
Zion church). Order of the Precious Blood priests, served the communities, until 1861. (1842 to the end of the century, 23 different priests pastored the parish.) |
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| 1847 | Diocese of Cleveland established. | |
| 1849 |
Previous churches became too small, 3rd church built (brick), St Martin of Tours (Station Rd.) |
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| 1850 | Current cemetery is established. | |
| 1854 | First resident pastor was the Rev. Peter A. Capeder. | |
| 1858 | 1st School organized (frame building was later destroyed by fire) | |
| 1861 |
 Another larger church, was the 4th built. All construction was done by local farmers who agreed to give a year of their time. They did their spring plowing and then left the fields to the Lordís care. They dug clay and fired bricks within a short distance from the church. Legend says the harvest following was "one of the best" in years. The building's construction was completed at a cost of $30,000.
(Interior unfinished.) |
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| 1862 | Rev. J. Dolweck was the first Diocesan priest to serve as pastor. | |
| 1864 | School was moved into the old church building. | |
| 1872 | Father Rebholz (pastor from 1872-1885) began the work to finish the interior of the church, including the beautiful Gothic Altars and Statues from Germany, terra cotta Stations of the Cross, Pews and Organ. The altar front contains statues of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Higher, on each side, are Peter and Paul. |
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| 1873 |
School operation became permanent.
Over the years, staff alternated between religious and lay personnel. |
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| 1881 | Pipe organ (built in Milwaukee, WI) was brought into the church. Medina County Gazette Article | |
| 1894 | Rectory was built. | |
| 1897 | Father Braeunig (pastor 1897-1909) guided
the installation of the stained glass windows. The original green glass
windows were packed and sent to a mission church in the Dakotas. |
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