Immaculate Conception
164 West Elm Street
North Lewisburg, OH 43060
Pastor:

Rev. Shawn Landenwitch

Parochial Vicar:

Rev. Jacob Lindle

Business Manager:

Mrs. Amy Brinker

Office Assistant:

Miss Sophia Day

Parish Office:

(937) 653-1375

E-mail:

stmarychurchoffice@gmail.com

Facebook:

Champaign County Catholics

FAX:

(937)653-1383

For Information about registration or to request the Sacraments of Baptism or Matrimony or Anointing of the Sick, please contact the Parish Office. You may also call if you wish to speak with a priest and schedule an appointment for reconciliation.

Immaculate Conception History

1863

Organized as a mission in 1863, Masses were offered periodically by “missionary circuit riders” in the homes of people in Woodstock and North Lewisburg. With some growth in sight, interest was sparked to establish a permanent site for a parish in the northern part of Champaign County. Ground for the church was donated by Patrick Moran and his wife. They were among a group of Irish immigrants who followed the railroad to the North Lewisburg area, purchased parcels of land, and began farming. A frame structure was built under the pastorate of Fr. Nicholas Young.

1869

The church was completed in 1869 (the same year the cornerstone was laid), while the Morans’ home, presently owned by Virginia Reid, wasn’t completed until the following year.

The church’s foundation is of unmatched stone gathered from the land. The church is a tall frame structure, smaller than many homes, and perched on the edge of Elm Street on the way out of town. Insider are 11 pews, with aisles only on either side, and stained glass windows memorializing the founding families: the Morans, Dolans, Benedicts, Landes, Burkes, and John Shea Sr. Other windows were in memory of Archbishop William Henry Elder, living/deceased members of the Altar Society, Rev. John Venneman and Rev. Nicholas Rohden. According to Fr. John Wolbert, pastor from 1987 to 1993, the church’s bell tower came from Mt. St. Mary’s major seminary, when it was in Price Hill (on Cincinnati’s west side — sometimes referred to as “God’s holy mountain”).

1920

In the 1920’s, the Mass schedule alternated with St. Michael’s in Mechanicsburg, and was certainly not to be followed without a calendar. “First Sunday of the month — Mass at 10 a.m. Third Sunday of the month from May to October, Mass at 7:30 a.m. From November to May, services at 3 p.m. (Note: Low Mass on Mondays at 8:00 a.m.) (Catholic Congregation of Marysville, Mechanicsburg, and North Lewisburg, by Rev. J. J. Kelly, 1920)

1942

Until 1942, these churches were administered by the priests from the nearby town of Marysville. Although Marysville was part of the Columbus diocese, the parishes were attached to Marysville as mission churches. After 1942, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati began to assign priests to pastor St. Michael’s in Mechanicsburg and Immaculate Conception in North Lewisburg.

As many parishes might record in their histories, Immaculate Conception parish has had its share of colorful pastors. The virtue of charity has been the blessing most of them have received from their flock, but some attest that a few of them “were difficult.” Most, therefore, scored flowers in the hearts of those they served, and find themselves endeared in memory.

1944
Celebrating our 125th anniversary in 1994, Immaculate Conception Parish rejoices for the great faith that has been shared by so many people in its history. In thanksgiving to our Almighty God, we continue to place our lives at the service of the Gospel, and to live as His people. Drawing our strength and encouragement from the Blessed Mother, we strive to imitate her trust and to live as fully aware of our weaknesses, as we rely on the grace we received in our redemption. Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us!.
1950

Shortly after his arrival, Fr. John Berning (1950-1953) received permission to keep the blessed sacrament received at Immaculate Conception Church. He obtained the tabernacle that is now used. In recent writings, Fr. Berning states that he still holds dear the joys of this assignment, and cherishes the fine people. At 87, Fr. Berning enjoys hearing from those he served and loved so well.

1954

Fr. Charles Ford was given permission to celebrate an evening Mass on each First Friday of the month at 8:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church. A request was made that “every effort… be made to fully instruct the people in the regulation for the Eucharistic Fast for the reception of Communion at this Mass.”

1965

Permission was granted Fr. Jesse Lonsway for the renovation of the sanctuary at Immaculate Conception to provide an “altar facing the people.”

1966

Fr. Lonsway received the old pews from St. Mary’s Church in Urbana, along with the ceiling lights. These items brought about a renewed look at Immaculate Conception. About this time also, the stations of the cross from St. Michael’s were put up when he received the stations from the chapel at Mercy Hospital.

1977

Fr. Albert DeFrancisco attempted to have hall built at North Lewisburg, but the concern was that “not enough continual use of the building” would exist, therefore, not justifying the labor and material costs. At the time, the October count was 53 for the one Sunday Mass. (He was trying to get the diocese to back most of the material and volunteers would provide the labor.)

1984

This was a time for seeking some cleanup and fix up energies. An ice cream social and flea market were undertaken to raise additional funds to make needed repairs on the church. Some local publicity opened the generous hearts of people near and far. Donations came in various sizes from wood carvings to a set of steel-plated front doors. Insulation and new siding were put on the church, and the church was warmed inside and out. Our thanks to all who helped make needed repairs and improvements!

The cornerstone of the church contained some artifacts from the time during which it was laid. Some of those items were “a few pieces of our national coin, several of our leading papers, and a glass bottle in which was sealed a small manuscript.” Perhaps this is a good place to reprint the words:

 

“In the year of our salvation, 1869, on the 12th day of September, the day dedicated in Christian liturgy to the holy name of Mary the Virgin Mother of God, the redeemer; and in honor and in invocation of that name, many people standing devoutly around, Rev. Nicholas Raymond Young, by the favor of, and in virtue of faculty granted by the bishop of the diocese, laid this corner stone as a perpetuate testimony to truth and faith. Pope Pius IX sitting in the chair of St. Peter, John Baptist Percell being Archbishop of Cincinnati; Ulysses S. Grant being President of the United States; Rutherford B. Hayes being governor of Ohio; the American people happily reposing in the bosom of peace.”

 

Schedule of Liturgies

Sunday Mass

Sunday:
See bulletin

Weekday Mass Times

Held at St. Mary

Parish Events

March 21, 2024
  • Mar 21st
    5:30 pm
    Vespers at Immaculate Conception 5:30 pm

    Open to all.

March 23, 2024
  • Mar 23rd
    4:30 pm
    Rosary at St. Mary 4:30 pm
  • Mar 23rd
    5:00 pm
    Vigil Mass at St Mary 5:00 pm
March 28, 2024
  • Mar 28th
    5:30 pm
    Vespers at Immaculate Conception 5:30 pm

    Open to all.

March 30, 2024
  • Mar 30th
    4:30 pm
    Rosary at St. Mary 4:30 pm