St. Mary Catholic Church
About St. Mary
St Mary Catholic Church, under the patroness of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was established by Bishop Gilmore on January 1, 1873 due to the growing Catholic population in Defiance. At that time St John the Evangelist Catholic Church predominantly served the German community, but did have English speaking members as well. This second church would serve in English per request of many German families to help them and their children learn English. The First Mass was celebrated in early January of 1876 by Fr Peter P. Mazuret. He was appointed as the resident pastor from March of 1875 until January 4, 1877. Although the Church had begun services, the interior of the Church would not be completed until 1897. In 1909 St Mary’s beautiful stained glass windows were donated by many parishioners and were installed. In 1886 Pastor Rev. Kinkead saw the need for his young parishioners and had St Mary’s first school erected. The Sisters of St Dominic from Cadwell, New Jersey staffed the school and so the sister’s convent was also built at the same time. Then, in 1901 the construction of the new rectory followed. When Rev. Gerald F. Conolly was appointed as pastor in December of 1936 he immediately set out to dissolve the church’s debt by organizing some of the parish’s first societies that are still in existence today, like the Saint Vincent De Paul Society. Soon after Vatican II, St Mary Parish began to focus on the church as “The People of God” and emphasized that all are called to ministry. Parishioners began ministries in the areas of the liturgy, church life, and outreach. The church would maintain organists, choirs, ushers, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, greeters, and coordinators to have a fuller participation in the liturgy. Three of its members have become permanent deacons and other important ministries were established like a parish staff, pastoral council, finance and maintenance committees, and a school council. St Mary currently has a very active St Vincent De Paul Society, Food Pantry, and Furniture Bank.
Mission: We are members of the Body of Christ who strive to Know, Love and Serve God and Our Neighbors.
Church Information
715 Jefferson Ave
Defiance, OH 43512
Phone: (419) 782-2776
Email: receptionist@stmarydefiance.com
Website: https://www.stmarydefiance.com/
St. John The Evangelist
About St. John
The first church was built at this site before the end of 1844, a small log structure, and was named after St. John the Evangelist. The first resident pastor, Rev. Louis J. Filiere, was appointed to St. John in 1850. There were 15 families in the parish. Our second pastor was Rev. Francis Westerholt and he spearheaded the drive to build a new brick church 35×75 feet and twice the size of the first church. The cornerstone was laid in 1856. Almost from the beginning, St. John parish had a Catholic grade school. For a time, the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood from Minster, Ohio conducted classes, continuing until 1870. In 1953, Msgr. John J. Vogel became pastor of the parish. One of his first projects was to clear out the basement of the church and convert it into a modern auditorium, complete with kitchen and stage. Formal opening was in December 1954.
Mission: Living and loving like Jesus.
Church Information
510 Jackson Ave
Defiance, OH 43512
Phone: (419)782-7121
Email: stjohn@stjohndefiance.org
Website: https://stjohndefiance.org/