St. Michaels Catholic Church at Corner of W. High St. and Antwerp Dr., Hicksville, OH 43526 US - Reaching Out to Others With the Love of Christ

St. Michael's

Although the early history of St. Michael's parish is sketchy, undoubtedly the desire to form a congregation began prior to 1846. Sometime between 1841 and 1846, a few inspired pioneers from Hicksville went to Defiance and attracted the interest of Rev. Amadeus Rappe. During his two visits in 1846 he said Mass and administered the sacraments in the house of Patrick Smith. Father Rappe became the first priest to attend the flock in Hicksville. Hicksville was served by a number of priests from Defiance until 1873 when Antwerp was given its first resident Pastor. We were served by Antwerp until 1888. From 1888-1915 we were a Mission of The Bend. We then were served by Antwerp again. IN 1879, Fr. Rupert received a parcel of land from A.P. Edgerton. At this time a small wood frame church, 30 X 50 ft., at the cost of $1,800 was constucted on the corner of Edgerton and Fountain Streets. We were no longer considered a Station. We now had gained the status of Mission since we had a church. The pastor and councilmen decided that it would be the best policy to build on the so-called "Cost-Plus" plan. Mr. Johnson of W.L. Johnson Contracting Co. of Hicksville accepted our proposition and entered with us into formal contract to build the shell of the new church, he to direct and supervise the work, hire the labor, furnish the tools, etc., and we to furnish material, and pay him ten percent (10%) of the total cost as commision. The 'new' church, which posed much conern due to the times, and caused much concern during the Depression was built according to the Lombard-Romanesque style of architecture. The furniture, altars, and windows were all made to coordinate with the rest of the building. The white oak furniture was made by the Tiffin Maufacturing Company. The altars each contained original paintings from the hand of well-known artist Robert Vittur, Lima, Ohio. The stained-glass windows were made by the Emil Frei Art Glass Company of St. Louis, MO and the Bell was poured and formed at the foundry of the McShane Bell Company in Baltimore, MD. The pastor had made arrangements with the Right Rev. Bishop to lay the first Foundation stone on May 9, 1920. The Foundation stone was made and donated by a good friend of the pastor, Mr. John Birkmeyer of Delphos, Ohio. In it were placed a number of small coins, a copy of the latest issue of the "Hicksville Tribune", and also the document, written on parchment, commemorating the event. The document was singed by the Right Rev. Bishop; the pastor; the councilmen Lewis Balser, William Hertel, David Slattery, and Anthony Thiel; the contractors W.L. Johnson and Mr. Rowe; as well as by all the Clergy present. Renovation of St. Michael's Church came about in the 60's because of Church growth. In 1960 the original main entrance was enclosed. A classroom and storage space was also added. In 1966-67 . new gymnasium, kitchen, and chapel side was added to the church. A rectory was built for the time we would get a resident priest. Fr. Robert Tucceri was St. Michael's priest from 1985-1996 In 1992 A Renovation team was formed to look into a possibility of revitalizing the church building. he Art and Envirionment partment from the Diocise was contracted and they made recommendations to us. We then contacted Winterich's from Cleveland. It was decided to do the Renovation projects in phases. First on thagenda was the restoration of the beautiful stained glass windows.(on the Beatitudes) Fr. Tom Oedy became our Pastor in 1996 he is also the Pastor for St. Mary's our sister Church in Edgerton. In 1996 Painting of the ccd house and entryway have made us anxious for other noticeable changes. Furnace problems surfaced and a new heating/AC system was needed. fter that job was completed a need for rewiring the basement was discovered. When completed, the parish and parish organizations finished the lighting, new ceilings in the basement, kitchen, and dishwasher room as well as finishing thewalls with plaster and glassboard. The windows in the basement were replaced several years earlier. The next project was a new roof over the complete complex. The expansion and repavement of the parking lot was next. Now at long last a new Renovation to bring the inside together as one is in the making. As you can see in the pictures the church in the inside was like looking at two differant church's. The old side was Romanesque and the side they added in the 60's was more modern. When Fr. Tom or a visiting priest was giving Mass one side or the other had his back to them. We are looking forward to this New Renovation which we hope and pray will get started this fall. Beginning in July 2005, St. Michaels and St. Mary's Church in Antwerp will be sister church's. With Fr. Tom still our Priest. How blessed we are that he is still with us. Close enough for those at Edgerton to be able to stay in touch with him. For they too love him very much. More to come as it happens.

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