St Philip Catholic Church Parish

Melbourne

St Philip Catholic Church Website
 

EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
 

In 1865 Mr. George Wolters purchased. 58 acres of land for $2400.00 from General James Taylor, whose family owned most of Campbell County. Mr. Wolters son, John, and heir, donated the land the church is built on. Mr. George Wolters was the Great Grandfather of Ervin Greis, formerly of St. Philip's parish.

Sand and gravel for the foundation was obtained from the middle of the Ohio River by horse and wagon. This was before the dams were built and it was possible at times to walk near the Ohio side on dry sand.  The rock for the foundation was obtained from Wolters and Tiemeyer's farm.

The people between Brent and Oneonta, along the River Road or Twelve Mile Turnpike Road, as it is called in the old deeds, were members of St. Joseph's Church, Camp Springs or Four Mile: However it was more than four miles for most of them to church and school. Catholics should always locate within easy reach of church and school, otherwise religion will suffer and many will grow careless in fulfilling their religious duties. This fact urged them to secure a church of their own nearer by.

In the year 1907 there were thirty-four families in this district. The location of the C. & 0. R. R. yards and shops at Silver Grove at that time gave them hope of success. A delegation (John Wolters, Pat O'Bryan and Felix Greis) called on the Most Reverend Bishop C. P. Maes, D. D., to plead with him for a new parish at Melbourne. His Excellency gave them a favorable reply and urged them to raise a building fund and then report to him.

A meeting of the members was held in a blacksmith shop. John Wolters and Pat O'Bryan were appointed to solicit contributions. A sufficient amount having been secured, the Bishop gave his consent and directed David Davis of Cincinnati to draw up plans for a combination church and school. Mr. Anton Schuchter of Newport obtained the building contract for $7,000.00. October 31, 1908 the Bishop appointed John Wolters, Frank Neltner, Pat O'Bryan, Felix Greis and Louis Vogel as church committee. On the 8th day of November, 1908 the Very Reverend Ferdinand Brossart, V. G., blessed and laid the cornerstone of the new church.

In the summer of 1909 the structure was finished but the dedication was delayed till next spring. At this time Father Joseph Haustermann, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Camp Springs was given charge of another parish. He had taken a great interest in the daughter church and had contributed most generously towards its building. The new pastor, Charles Woeste, received the appointment as pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Camp Springs and also as pastor of St. Philip's Church, Melbourne. He opened up the school, September 1, 1909. The Sisters of Divine Providence had in the meantime started St. Anne's Convent and Motherhouse. Sister Balbina of this order was the first teacher and resided at the Convent. Father Woeste gave religious instruction to the children. He then raised $2,000.00 to furnish the church interior, i.e., altars, pews, statues, etc. Jos. Morscher and Will Tiemeyer were at this time put on the Committee.

The church was finally blessed and dedicated on Monday after Pentecost, May 16, 1910 by Bishop C. P. Maes. Father Stephen Schmid offered up the first Mass in the church, Sister Gabriel Mary presided at the organ. Father Charles Rolfes was appointed pastor of the new parish and Father Woeste was relieved of its charge. The pastorate of Father Rolfes lasted till November 1, 1911. During this short time he administered-faithfully to the spiritual needs of his small flock.

After the church was built, a shed was constructed with stalls for the horses to protect them from the weather when people came to Mass on Sundays with horses and buggies. The horse shed was located where the school now stands.

The school was started in the back of the church with one large room. Later, a folding partition was added, placing the first four grades in one room and the fifth through the eighth grade in the other.

In the first class of school were Hilda Steffen, August Martz, Frank Martz, Bernadine Tiemeyer, George Tiemeyer, Peter Braush, Edward Braush, Carl Bertram, Theresa Pfeifier, Rosie Pfeiffer, Ben Huck, plus a few others.