Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
A History
| Beginnings |
The 1950's |
The 1960's |
The 1970's |
The 1980's & 90's |
1998 - Present |
Beginnings
The need for a new parish on Dayton’s Eastern edge first
became evident as more families settled in the Belmont area. It was
Archbishop John T. McNicholas who then asked the Marianist Order to
assume the responsibility for this new parish and suggest a name. On
May 10, 1938, with the appointment of Fr. John Rausher S.M. as pastor,
the parish of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception began.Originally, our parish contained 250 families, most of whom were former members of St. Anthony Church. Shortly after Fr. John Rausher’s appointment in 1938, the parish leased - and then bought - a former bowling alley at the corner of Smithville and Watervliet. This building underwent a number of renovations and additions to accommodate the growing number of parishioners; its final capacity was 850 people. The parish also set out to build a school and completed the first story in 1940 (a second story was added in 1949). Four Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur served as the first faculty for 190 students.
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The 1950’s
By 1955, our parish had grown to 1700 families and the school to 1000 children, and the area was still expanding rapidly. In that same year, Archbishop Alter appointed Fr. James E. Sherman pastor of Immaculate Conception, while also establishing the new parishes of Ascension and St. Luke.Within a year of Fr. Sherman’s installation, the parish community embarked on an ambitious program to provide permanent buildings for parish services. These buildings went up in rapid succession. By the fall of 1957, a new south wing to the school provided an auditorium and eight additional class rooms, thus alleviating the need for double sessions. In 1958, Archbishop Alter came to dedicate the newly completed Shrine of Our Lady of Belmont. And, in 1959, a new convent was ready to house the 22 sisters of Notre Dame, then teaching at Immaculate Conception and Carroll High School.
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The 1960’s
By 1962, after paying off its construction debts, our
parish began its final project of a new church and rectory. In 1963,
the parishioners pledged to give $500,000 over the next three years in
addition to their weekly offerings. By 1966, the priests were living in
the rectory and Archbishop Alter had returned to dedicate the new
church. By 1969, our parish was again debt free. Throughout these years
of building, Fr. Sherman gave financial wisdom, leadership, and support.to top
The 1970’s
In 1976, Frs. Richard McKenny and Jack Fillippine began a three-year co-pastorate, with Fr. Jack continuing as pastor until 1986. The co-pastors began the parish renewal programs: Christ renews his parish in 1978, followed by renewal in 1985. These programs deepened the spiritual lives of the parishioners and motivated them to become involved in leadership and ministry positions. Fr. Jack also developed new sources of income to keep the parish solvent, provide for efficiency, and encouraged the Renovation Committee to have acoustic tiles placed in the church.to top
The 1980's
Fr. Tim Kallaher, came to Immaculate Conception Church in
1986. The chapel in the church was renovated to accommodate more
people, enabling its use for daily masses and small weddings and
funerals. In 1988, the parish celebrated its Golden Anniversary and
looks forward to new challenges. In Oct. 1993 the parish adopted a five
year strategic plan and in the course of implementing that plan, held a
capital campaign in 1995. Over $800,000 was pledged to meet the
restoration goals of the parish.to top
1998-Present
Fr. Anthony J. Geraci arrived at Immaculate Conception on
July 1, 1998. Future goals include comprehensive stewardship, strategic
planning, replacing the church roof and addressing needed capital
improvements. Volunteerism, lay ministry, school programs, RCIA, all
parish involvement in sacraments and liturgy, along with adult
education are being addressed and emphasized. Mr. Frank Donaldson of
the Institute for School and Parish Development was the facilitator of
our strategic planning process. Executive/ Advancement team was a
result of our strategic planning and has received a generous donation
for tuition aid for our parishioners who are in need of
assistance. We are currently creating innovative solutions to the
challenges that many parishes are facing at this time before they begin
to have an impact on our parish community.to top
937-252-9919 (rectory) 937-252-0890 (fax)
