St. Mary Parish was established on the Feast of Our Lady of the Snows, August 5, 1949, in a decree from The Most Reverend Karl J. Alter, Bishop of Toledo. Originally part of St. Peter Parish, the territorial limits were set as the area lying north and east of Pennsylvania Railroad, beginning on the northwest of the city limits and continuing south and east to the Richland County limits. The decree stated that the new parish would become effective the first Sunday of September, 1949.
The old Newman School, located on Newman, Grace, and Wayne Streets, was purchased for $35,000 on August 5, 1949. The parish's first pastor, Fr. Robert Ruffing, took charge on September 2 of that same year.
A chapel was set up on the first floor of the old school building to provide facilities for Mass during the week, but the size of the room was not large enough for Sunday liturgies. The first Mass was offered in the newly remodeled church on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950, with nearly 1,100 members of the parish gathered for worship.
Nearly nineteen years after the new parish of St. Mary was established, Fr. Roger Bonifas and parishioners broke ground for the new building at 1630 Ashland Road. Fr. Thomas Marlboro, the previous pastor, acquired the property from Ray Morgan.
The new building was officially opened with a Mass offered on August 5, 1969, exactly twelve years after the formation of the parish. In November, 1971, all facilities of the parish were moved to the Ashland Road property. The Newman Street building was sold for $25,000.
The new facility included a school and a residential wing for the sisters. Beginning with the All Saints Day Masses on November 1, 1971, the cafeteria of the new school and the small adjoining chapel were used for all Masses of the parish. The building debt was paid off in the fall of 1977, and the hearts and minds of the parishioners turned toward the day when plans could be made for a church building to be erected on the property.
A building fund was begun, and on June 28, 1981, a ground-breaking ceremony was held and construction began on the "new church," under the direction of Fr. Sylvan Obergefell. Work progressed and it imparted to parishioners a feeling of great pride, accomplishment, and gratitude to God to see His "house" being built.
On June 20, 1982, the dedication of the new church building became a reality when The Most Reverend John A. Donovan, Bishop of Toledo, consecrated the new church and presided over the first Eucharist.
In July of 1984, Fr. Robert Dendinger became pastor of St. Mary Parish. He aggressively attacked and paid off the sizable $325,000 debt during his tenure. Fr. Dendinger also attended to maintenance of the school and rectory roof and established the Christian Formation committee, Bible Study, and Christ Renews His Parish retreats. He welcomed the first lay principal of the elementary school. A school endowment fund was established to provide for the security of the school's future; ministry to the elderly and shut-ins was intensified, and the permanent diaconate provided two deacons in service to our parish, Allan Kopp and Russell Shoemaker.
In July of 1994, Fr. Gregory Hite became the eighth pastor of St. Mary Parish. With the debt out of the way, Father turned his attentions to many long overdue projects which had been put off due to lack of funds. A much needed resurfacing of the parking lots, along with landscaping and an addition of the Marian Shrine, beautified the grounds. Over time, many other much needed improvements were made. The most outstanding of which was the addition of our life size crucifix over the main altar of the church. Another change of note was the ending of our long time social Bingo games and the replacement of the stage curtains in the school hall. As part of the approaching 50th Anniversary celebration, a Parish Endowment Fund was established in order to meet the impending expenses of a maturing property. Also, a much needed outdoor sign had been ordered, but due to Fr. Hite's premature re-assignment he was unable to see the installation.
In July of 1999, just a few short weeks before our 50th Anniversary celebration was to take place, Fr. Keith J. McCormack became our pastor. The timing of his appointment required that he step right in without missing a step! This he has done well. We have seen the results already with the new arrangement of the Stations, the improvements in the Eucharistic Chapel, as well as this pictorial directory, just to mention a few.
We have come far in the last 50 years and we have yet far to go. Much recognition must be given to all the dedicated of this parish who give tirelessly of time, talents, and treasure in order for this community of worshipers to grow in love and service of the Lord.