Parish History

Parish History

Sheep grazed in the green grasses of the rich fertile soil, cows waited impatiently for the milking process to begin, sows and boars, muddy in dirt, snorted while smacking the rich feed slopped before them. Horses whinnied in anticipation of their daily frolicking, and roosters crowed in the early morning dawn awaking God's creatures.

It happened! A deep-rooted growth of spiritual awareness. It happened because God's people yearned. It happened in a community that surrounded a small town, where neighbors stopped to visit with each other in the midst of their daily errands. In the outskirts where sheep were shorn, chickens hatched eggs and the air from time to time was heavy with odors from barn cleaning.

Who can say, if on one of those sweet summer evenings, when honeysuckle fragrances blended with the smells of fresh cut grass, when autumn's brisk breezes became winter's blustery winds, that the Holy Spirit did not gently blow through the minds and souls of those people, touching them ever so slightly, whispering to their inner souls. For in their hearts a thought began to form, to take shape - the beginning of a new parish was conceived.

The concept, a building where the people of the area could come together in prayer, in friendship, in sorrow, in joy, a group of neighbors who would embrace their faith in unity.

And for this dream, the people sacrificed. The sacrifice was embellished with joy and anticipation. They came together working in unison, measuring, digging, sawing, hammering, laying cement, painting, toiling in harmony. From these labors a small country church was born, a church that came into being, not from a hierarchy far away, but from the hearts and hands of friendly neighbors and the guidance of an understanding priest, Father George Schlegel.

From an acorn a mighty oak was born, from a yearning of the soul a beautiful church was born, love poured into the very foundation. After the erection of the building, a young pastor and an older nun were sent to guide the young budding parish. One parishioner explained on the tenth anniversary of its completion: The Lord sent us a clown, a saint, and Tom Terrific!

A clown, Father Patrick Toner the first pastor, had a tremendous sense of humor that helped the infant congregation laugh at themselves while meeting the Lord, rejoicing in prayer. The nun, Sister Pauline Devine, was a saint who met them where they were and for what they were, and called each and every one of them by name. Tom Terrific, Father Tom Bender, now monsignor, a pastor who helped heal any brokenness, while gently leading his growing congregation in the paths that were right.

Since those early days the Lord sent many more wonderful priests and nuns. Those trained ministers each brought their own special gift, that special talent that the Lord bestows on each of his children. One of the last was Father James Walter who strove tirelessly, along with this faith filled community to see a new building brought into existence, a dear nun, Sister Julie who ministers to the sick and dying, and now the Lord has sent a new pastor, Fr. David Sizemore, for this congregation to train and to love and to experience the Spirit's touch.

The ministers who came shepherded a people who, in their belief, were strongly united, yet were as diversified as the clouds that pass overhead, and in their own unique way had come together, vitally important to each other, in their growing Faith.

Many changes have occurred since the church's humble beginning. Growing, the small country structure has evolved into a school for spiritual education, a social center for hosting the Lord's people. Looming beside the original building stands a new home of worship, a rose window - in stained glass, high above the altar, a dove soars. In the glowing midst, a reminder of the Holy Spirit who touched the hearts of so many years ago.

As the years go by where fields of corn had stood, the silk of the cob has been replaced by window coverings of various hues and shapes as different as the numerous homes that are rapidly devouring the neighboring farmlands.

"If you build it, they will come", and so they come and are greeted with welcoming hearts, hands extended in hospitality and are asked only that the legacy of love and giving continue to be past on to each new member, knowing that in doing so there is a treasure trove of unexpected rewards.

It happened! In the beginning - a group of people who longed for their Lord and their church and a new church was brought into being, St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church of Sunbury, Ohio. Coincidence? Was it only a bishop listening to the advice of a knowing priest? Or was it perhaps the Holy Spirit who gently blew the love of the Lord into the hearts of a yearning people kissing them ever so lightly on their brows? And these people are sometimes unaware that they themselves are the Church.

St. John Neumann Parish was founded in 1977 as a mission of St. Paul’s Parish in Westerville, which is located about 10 miles south of Sunbury. The first Mass was held at the American Legion Hall in Sunbury. Within five weeks there was such an influx of people attending, the Mass had to be moved to a larger location.

In September 1977, Masses were held in the Harrison Street Elementary School gymnasium until the original church was constructed in 1983. Pauline’s Pavilion was dedicated October 1995 in loving memory of Sister Pauline Devine, the pastoral assistant from 1983 until her death in 1992.

The original rectory/office was located on the corner of St. Rt. 36/37 and Domigan Road. In 1996, nine and a half acres of property north of the church grounds were purchased. Originally this house was used as the pastor’s residence, the church office, classrooms and meeting rooms. Presently this house is used as the pastor’s residence. This rectory property includes a marble altar for outdoor Masses behind the pond. The office has temporarily moved to 801 W. Cherry Street, Suite 120 until the current social hall is renovated, with the anticipated completion date is Summer, 2012.

Groundbreaking for the new church building occurred September of 2003. Dedication of the new church was September of 2004. Groundbreaking for the new Parish Community Center occurred in June 2011. Today there are more than 1075 families and the parish continues to grow in God’s favor in the Sunbury area.