About us

History of the Church

St Mary Catholic Church, under the patronage of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was established by Bishop Gilmore on January 1, 1873 due to the growing Catholic population in Defiance. At that time St John the Evangelist Catholic Church predominantly served the German community, but did have English speaking members as well. This second church would serve in English per request of many German families to help them and their children learn English. The First Mass was celebrated in early January of 1876 by Fr Peter P. Mazuret. He was appointed as the resident pastor from March of 1875 until January 4, 1877. Although the Church had begun services, the interior of the Church would not be completed until 1897.  In 1909 St Mary’s beautiful stained glass windows were donated by many parishioners and were installed.

In 1886 Pastor Rev. Kinkead saw the need for his young parishioners and had St Mary’s first school erected. The Sisters of St Dominic from Cadwell, New Jersey staffed the school and so the sister’s convent was also built at the same time. Then, in 1901 the construction of the new rectory followed. When Rev. Gerald F. Conolly was appointed as pastor in December of 1936 he      immediately set out to dissolve the church’s debt by organizing some of the parish’s first societies that are still in existence today, like the Saint Vincent De Paul Society. 

Soon after Vatican II, St Mary Parish began to focus on the church as “The People of God” and emphasized that all are called to ministry. Parishioners began ministries in the areas of the liturgy, church life, and outreach. The church would maintain organists, choirs, ushers, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, greeters, and coordinators to have a fuller participation in the liturgy. Three of its members have become permanent deacons and other important ministries were established like a parish staff, pastoral council, finance and maintenance committees, and a school council. St Mary currently has a very active St Vincent De Paul Society, Food Pantry, and Furniture Bank.  

St Mary, in its 150 years of existence, has been blessed with many Pastors, Vicar Priests, and parishioners and continues to serve the Catholic faithful of Defiance, Ohio. St Mary is currently under the leadership of Pastor Very Rev. David Cirata and Parochial Vicar Rev. Jason D’Souza.

We thank God for His goodness and the many blessings he has bestowed upon us as well as the ones to come. We extend our welcome, not only to our members, but all those who wish to join our Parish Family and those who come and visit.

Our Mission Statement

We are members of the Body of Christ who strive to Know, Love, and Serve God and our neighbors.