Priests began saying Mass in the home of Matthew Patton. Since 1812 a small number of Catholic families including the McFadden, Patton, O'Boyle and Eddington families had lived in the area. Visiting priests from St. John Canton suggested building a log church on an acre of land donated by Philip McGuire. A small church was built and used from 1831 to 1845. In 1844 three lots were donated by Mrs. Mary Fassett, those 3 lots are still part of the campus today. A wooden frame church was constructed and Rev. Bishop Purcell of the Cleveland Diocese dedicated this church in 1847.
Traveling priests continued to say mass in Canal Fulton until 1862 when Fr. Joseph Lais was appointed the first pastor of SS Philip and James. While he was pastor 12 more lots were purchased that became the rectory, school and cemetery.
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kirch - till 1875. The new church plans were drawn and under roof by 1868, completed 1869 and dedicated by Rev. Bishop Toebbe in 1871.
Rev. Fr. Wimar Mueller 1875 till 1987. A one room school for 12 boys and 16 girls was built in 1875. 1883 - 1885 The school was staffed by sisters of Notre Dame. The bell was purchased and installed in 1876.
The bell is now located between the rectory and the church. It was cast by Troy Foundry, New York and weighs 3, 300lbs. It was removed from the tower in 1991.
Fr. E. J. Vattman 1878 - 1891 had the rectory built. Fr. Vattman was said to be a friend of President Roosevelt and McKinley. Tradition says that President McKinley on occassion spent the night in the rectory. Further tradition has it that Fr. Vattman was sent for when Pres. McKinley was shot and on returning said, "They can do what they want with his body, I've taken care of his soul.
Fr. Keubler 1891 -1898
Fr. Gerhardstein 1898 - 1904
Fr. N.A. Hassel 1904 - 1906
Sept. 18, 1904 was the biggest Catholic Day in Canal Fulton as 2,000 visitors, including 600 Knights of Columbus gathered with Bishop Horstmass to consecrate the marble altar donated by Phil Bernower in memory of his parents.
Fr. George Forst 1906 - 1916 The memorial in the cemetery was donated by the John Hammer Family and dedicated.
Fr. Emil L. Schaider 1917 - 1921
Fr. Aloysius Sutter 1922 - 1927
Fr. Battes 1927 - 1934
The Leaver Sisters
Miss Rose Leaver was a teacher for more than 57 years. 43 of them at SS Philip and James. She attended the school in her youth and was the first formally trained teacher. 1885 - 1941 she staffed the school, often by herself.
Miss Ellen Leaver was the church organist from 1887 (her high school graduation) until 1941.
Fr. John Maurer 1934 - 1961 The Fire
The church was destroyed by fire believed to be started by a lightning strike on June 13, 1947. According to tradition Fr. Maurer had feared the church had been struck in the night and had gone into the attic to search for flames finding none he returned to bed only be awoken to the fire. He rushed into the building to rescue the Blessed Sacrament and was restrained as he attempted to re-enter the church to retrieve other sacred vessels. When the cross on the steeple fell into the cemetery and interior of the church they new the surrounding homes would be saved. While the fire still burned a young girl gave Fr. Maurer a one dollar bill and told him it was to rebuild the church, she was never identified. The story and her dollar were included in the corner stone of the rebuilt church.
The insurance would only cover one-third of the cost of rebuilding. Finding the walls intact the decision was made to reconstruct the church with minor changes to seating and the altar. To further save money Fr. Maurer was an accomplished wood worder and had knowledge of building so he supervised the work and purchase of all needed materials.
The final cost to rebuild was $89,000 a third of what the expert had told him it would cost. To make sure the church would never burn again, Fr. Maurer provided for the cross at the top of the tower to serve as a lightning rod and used fireproof lumber.
Fr. Maurer had kept his promise to the parish and Christmas Mass was celebrated in the rebuilt church in 1948.
During his pastorate, he also enlarged the school to twice it's capacity, hired the Notre Dame Sisters to teach, and built the convent. Fr. Maurer did general repair and maintenance work in the parish and found time to carve beautiful furniture and other items. The figures of St. Peter and Jesus the Good Shepherd in the arches along the choir loft were carved by Fr. Maurer.
Fr. Blaine Pierce 1962-1967 built the current social hall
Fr. John Cassidy 1967-1968
Fr. John Ryan 1968-1969
Fr. Cunningham 1969 - 1983 In 1975 the Notre Dame Sisters opted to leave and the school was staffed totally by lay faculty. In 1979, the second floor of the school was constructed on top of the first. Fr. Chuck Sarachman and Fr. Shipe served as associate pastors.
Fr. Daniel Kulesa 1983 - 1995 The interior of the church was repainted using a rose and blue color scheme. Fr. Kevin Fete served part of his deaconate here. Fr. Daprile and Fr. Popovich lived in the rectory during Fr. Kulesa's pastorate.
Fr. John Lody 1995-2001 The SS. Philip and James school endowment fund was started while Fr. Lody was pastor. This fund continues to provide strength and stability to the school.
Fr. Robert Hannon 2001- 2003. While Fr. Hannon was pastor annual silent auctions to benefit the school were started.
Fr. John Warner 2003-2011 The interior of the church was renovated in 2005. In May 2010 the parish celebrated Fr. Warner's 40th anniversary to the priesthood.
Fr. Thomas Acker 2011-2012 administrator. The church roof was replaced and exterior renovations began. Fr. Manning from Walsh University assisted on the weekends.
Fr. Kevin McCaffery 2012 -2023 The 150th anniversary of the parish was celebrated on Sept. 23, 2012 with Bishop Murry in attendance. Prior to the pandemic Fr. Kevin brought perpetual adoration Monday - Friday to the parish.
Fr. Thomas Cebula 2023 - Administrator
Deacons
Thomas Cihon 1981 - 1993
Thomas Rohr 1983 - 2011
Harold Krause 1983 - 1998
Peter Pohl 1992 - 2002
Thomas Hughes 1994 - 1996
Louis Centric 1998 - 2004
Michael Waldron 2008 - 2012
Dennis Stricker 2019 - 2022
Priests from Africa studying at Walsh University have often assisted at our parish
Fr. Isaac Amani,
Fr. Francis Adeponle,
Fr. Augustine Njuu,
Fr. Freddy Ocun
Fr. Milton Process,
Fr. Peter Asantebwana
The stain glass windows in the church, starting on the left side and circling to the right
Mary Meets Gabriel
The Nativity
Holy Family
Jesus in the temple
The baptism of Jeus
Jesus's First Miracle
Agony in the Garden
Jesus Meets the women
Parish Organizations
The Knights of Columbus chapter 11037 started in 1993
The Altar and Rosary Society started in the 1930's with membership records from 1939
Boy Scout troop 915 was sponsored for more than 30 years by the parish
Kentucky work week mission has been repairing homes since 1997
Sodality group began in 1922 to promote friendship, social interaction and charitable giving. This group is now known as the Community committee.
Traveling priests continued to say mass in Canal Fulton until 1862 when Fr. Joseph Lais was appointed the first pastor of SS Philip and James. While he was pastor 12 more lots were purchased that became the rectory, school and cemetery.
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kirch - till 1875. The new church plans were drawn and under roof by 1868, completed 1869 and dedicated by Rev. Bishop Toebbe in 1871.
Rev. Fr. Wimar Mueller 1875 till 1987. A one room school for 12 boys and 16 girls was built in 1875. 1883 - 1885 The school was staffed by sisters of Notre Dame. The bell was purchased and installed in 1876.
The bell is now located between the rectory and the church. It was cast by Troy Foundry, New York and weighs 3, 300lbs. It was removed from the tower in 1991.
Fr. E. J. Vattman 1878 - 1891 had the rectory built. Fr. Vattman was said to be a friend of President Roosevelt and McKinley. Tradition says that President McKinley on occassion spent the night in the rectory. Further tradition has it that Fr. Vattman was sent for when Pres. McKinley was shot and on returning said, "They can do what they want with his body, I've taken care of his soul.
Fr. Keubler 1891 -1898
Fr. Gerhardstein 1898 - 1904
Fr. N.A. Hassel 1904 - 1906
Sept. 18, 1904 was the biggest Catholic Day in Canal Fulton as 2,000 visitors, including 600 Knights of Columbus gathered with Bishop Horstmass to consecrate the marble altar donated by Phil Bernower in memory of his parents.
Fr. George Forst 1906 - 1916 The memorial in the cemetery was donated by the John Hammer Family and dedicated.
Fr. Emil L. Schaider 1917 - 1921
Fr. Aloysius Sutter 1922 - 1927
Fr. Battes 1927 - 1934
The Leaver Sisters
Miss Rose Leaver was a teacher for more than 57 years. 43 of them at SS Philip and James. She attended the school in her youth and was the first formally trained teacher. 1885 - 1941 she staffed the school, often by herself.
Miss Ellen Leaver was the church organist from 1887 (her high school graduation) until 1941.
Fr. John Maurer 1934 - 1961 The Fire
The church was destroyed by fire believed to be started by a lightning strike on June 13, 1947. According to tradition Fr. Maurer had feared the church had been struck in the night and had gone into the attic to search for flames finding none he returned to bed only be awoken to the fire. He rushed into the building to rescue the Blessed Sacrament and was restrained as he attempted to re-enter the church to retrieve other sacred vessels. When the cross on the steeple fell into the cemetery and interior of the church they new the surrounding homes would be saved. While the fire still burned a young girl gave Fr. Maurer a one dollar bill and told him it was to rebuild the church, she was never identified. The story and her dollar were included in the corner stone of the rebuilt church.
The insurance would only cover one-third of the cost of rebuilding. Finding the walls intact the decision was made to reconstruct the church with minor changes to seating and the altar. To further save money Fr. Maurer was an accomplished wood worder and had knowledge of building so he supervised the work and purchase of all needed materials.
The final cost to rebuild was $89,000 a third of what the expert had told him it would cost. To make sure the church would never burn again, Fr. Maurer provided for the cross at the top of the tower to serve as a lightning rod and used fireproof lumber.
Fr. Maurer had kept his promise to the parish and Christmas Mass was celebrated in the rebuilt church in 1948.
During his pastorate, he also enlarged the school to twice it's capacity, hired the Notre Dame Sisters to teach, and built the convent. Fr. Maurer did general repair and maintenance work in the parish and found time to carve beautiful furniture and other items. The figures of St. Peter and Jesus the Good Shepherd in the arches along the choir loft were carved by Fr. Maurer.
Fr. Blaine Pierce 1962-1967 built the current social hall
Fr. John Cassidy 1967-1968
Fr. John Ryan 1968-1969
Fr. Cunningham 1969 - 1983 In 1975 the Notre Dame Sisters opted to leave and the school was staffed totally by lay faculty. In 1979, the second floor of the school was constructed on top of the first. Fr. Chuck Sarachman and Fr. Shipe served as associate pastors.
Fr. Daniel Kulesa 1983 - 1995 The interior of the church was repainted using a rose and blue color scheme. Fr. Kevin Fete served part of his deaconate here. Fr. Daprile and Fr. Popovich lived in the rectory during Fr. Kulesa's pastorate.
Fr. John Lody 1995-2001 The SS. Philip and James school endowment fund was started while Fr. Lody was pastor. This fund continues to provide strength and stability to the school.
Fr. Robert Hannon 2001- 2003. While Fr. Hannon was pastor annual silent auctions to benefit the school were started.
Fr. John Warner 2003-2011 The interior of the church was renovated in 2005. In May 2010 the parish celebrated Fr. Warner's 40th anniversary to the priesthood.
Fr. Thomas Acker 2011-2012 administrator. The church roof was replaced and exterior renovations began. Fr. Manning from Walsh University assisted on the weekends.
Fr. Kevin McCaffery 2012 -2023 The 150th anniversary of the parish was celebrated on Sept. 23, 2012 with Bishop Murry in attendance. Prior to the pandemic Fr. Kevin brought perpetual adoration Monday - Friday to the parish.
Fr. Thomas Cebula 2023 - Administrator
Deacons
Thomas Cihon 1981 - 1993
Thomas Rohr 1983 - 2011
Harold Krause 1983 - 1998
Peter Pohl 1992 - 2002
Thomas Hughes 1994 - 1996
Louis Centric 1998 - 2004
Michael Waldron 2008 - 2012
Dennis Stricker 2019 - 2022
Priests from Africa studying at Walsh University have often assisted at our parish
Fr. Isaac Amani,
Fr. Francis Adeponle,
Fr. Augustine Njuu,
Fr. Freddy Ocun
Fr. Milton Process,
Fr. Peter Asantebwana
The stain glass windows in the church, starting on the left side and circling to the right
Mary Meets Gabriel
The Nativity
Holy Family
Jesus in the temple
The baptism of Jeus
Jesus's First Miracle
Agony in the Garden
Jesus Meets the women
Parish Organizations
The Knights of Columbus chapter 11037 started in 1993
The Altar and Rosary Society started in the 1930's with membership records from 1939
Boy Scout troop 915 was sponsored for more than 30 years by the parish
Kentucky work week mission has been repairing homes since 1997
Sodality group began in 1922 to promote friendship, social interaction and charitable giving. This group is now known as the Community committee.