History

In 1915 approximately 20 families pulled together to for a new parish. The first Mass was celebrated July 18, 1915 by Monsignor William Gallena, Pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Painesville, Ohio. Prior to this date, the few Catholic families from the Geneva area had to travel to St. Mary's in Painesville to attend Mass, or Mass occasionally was held in the private homes of Geneva's faithful. There were at that time, only about a dozen Catholic families in the congregation. They had no building so they worshipped in various downtown sites. A Mission Church was established in the Tyler Building on North Broadway in Geneva, then moving later to the Munger Building. After purchasing land, they started in a basement church and worshipped there until the sanctuary could be built. The first Mass in the current church sanctuary was held on September 25, 1927.

History Dates
YEAR	PASTOR*	IMPORTANT EVENTS
1915	Fr. William Gallena	Provisional Pastor. Membership was at 20 families. A Mission Church was established, meeting a the4 Knight of Pythias Hall on North Broadway, later moved to the Munger Building. Under Pope Benedict XV O.F.S.
1915	Fr. Leo Collins
1918	Fr. M.J. Ready	World War I
1919	Fr. Daniel Gallagher	Membership was at 25 families.
1922		Fr. Gallagher, the first "resident pastor". Membership now at 35 families. Land was purchased at West Main Street at Lockwood for the site of a new church. Under Pope Pius XI O.F.S.
1924		Ground was broken for the new church on April 14. On May 25, the cornerstone for the new church was laid. July 20, the first Mass was held.
1927		September 25, the first Mass was held in the new completed church. It was dedicated under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Assumption into Heaven. There were 60 families in the congregation.
1929	Fr. Raymond Kathe	Interior of the church was redecorated and landscaping begun. Membership was 75 families.
1939		Under Pope Ven. Pius XII O.F.S
1943	Fr. Thomas Gallagher	Assumption becomes part of the Youngstown Diocese under Bishop James A. McFadden. World War II (1941-1945)
1951	Assistant	Fr. Fred Anzivino
1952	Assistant	Fr. Dan Reidy. Diocese under Bishop Emmet M. Walsh
1953	Fr. John Rath	Fr. Rath makes a motion to expand the facilities.
1956		Ground is broken for Assumption School and convent.
1957	Assistant	Fr. Donald Oser. Assumption School opens to five grades, staffed by the Sisters of the Divine Spirit.
1958		Under Pope Bl. John XXIII O.F.S.
1959	Assistant	Fr. Robert Sfara
1963		Under Pope Paul VI
1965	Fr. John Welsch	Assistant Fr. Joseph Werner joins Assumption. Congregation is up to 450 families. Parish celebrates its Golden Jubilee. Assumption Hall was built. Festival ground were obtained and the annual festival began. The charter class of Assumption School graduates fom eighth grade.
1968	Fr. John Cassidy	Diocese under Bishop James W. Malone
1972	Fr. Joseph Bennett
1973	Fr. Francis Zapitelli
1974	In Residence	Fr. Carl Kish
1975	In Residence	Fr. Bill Bantz
1976	In Residence	Fr. John Mulqueen
1977	Fr. Robert Hill	Church interior was redecorated. New buildings were constructed on the festival grounds, and with the help of Fr. Howard Ziemba, our Parish Renewal Program was begun.
1978		Under Pope John Paul I and Ven. John Paul II
1981	In Residence	Fr. Phil Miller
1983	In Residence	Fr. Howard Ziemba
1987	In Residence	Ronald Nuzzi
1991	Fr. Homer Oliver	Interim Pastor
1991	Fr. Steven Popovich
1992	Fr. Paul Tobin	Fr. Tobin former principal of St. John High School in Ashtabula joins Assumption.
1993	Mrs. Lipphardt	School princiapl. Kindergarten classes were added to the Assumption School.
1995		Diocese under Thomas J. Tobin
1996	School Principal	Sr. Mary Gloria Auer R.S.M. Congregation currently at 449 families
2002	School Principal	Michael Cahil
2004	Director of Religious Edu.	Sr. Joyce Schreiber S.N.D. joins the Parish
2004	Fr. Nicholas Mancini	Interim Pastor.

2004	School Principal	Mrs. Cheryl Woodward named Assumption School's new principal.
2004	Fr. Melvin Rusnak	September 4, Fr. Rusnak joins Assumption.
2005		Church Under Pope Benedict XVIII
2005	Fr. Robert Obol	September - Student, Fr. Robert Kyeko-Obol from the Archdioese of Gulu, Uganda performs his first Mass.
2008		Becoming a Stewardship Parish is introduced with a focus on Time and Talent. New Ministry Books and Questionaires available.
2009	Mission House	Fr. Mel personally purchases the house just West of the Rectory for possible future use of the Church and other charities
2010	Fr. Robert Obol	May - Fr. Obol receives his doctorate from St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland. He is now; Fr. Robert Nyeko-Obol, D. Min (Doctor of Ministry) and is head chaplin in a Toledo Hosp.
2010	Leaving-Aug	Principal Cheryl Woodward moves on to be Principal of Sts. John & Paul-Ashtabula
2010	Principal	Mrs. Charlotte Brafford moves into the role of our School principal.
2010	Leaving-Aug	Sr. Joyce Schreiber moves on to a new calling.
2010	ABC	Assumption Booster Club formed to help raise money for the Parish
2010	Rel Edu	Teams are assembled for CCD, Confirmation, and Youth Ministry. Fr. Mel takes over RCIA
2010	Fr. Thomas	Joins us from Uganda to help say Sunday Mass.

The parish was continually growing as years went by. In 1957, under Fr. John Rath, the school opened and was staffed by the Sisters of the Divine Spirit (who served until 1991). Assumption School celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007. New buildings were erected such as the multipurpose room (Assumption Hall), and festival buildings added in the 1960's

After Vatican II, laity involvement in the liturgy developed. Renewal and Renew came to Assumption to assist in the spiritual growth of the people. New areas of involvement continue to open for the people to show their faith and love to and for each other.

History is written every day through your participation sharing your time, talent and treasure.

*For information on previous priests, contact the Diocese of Youngstown.

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