Francis Xavier Church in Chippewa. OH. For the more than 20 years before the mission of St. Vincent was established. Catholics from Ireland. Germany. France. and other parts of Europe were without the consolation of priests. Originally. these immigrants had come to this country to work on the Ohio Canal. The church became a community center for immigrants. a school for their children. and helped provide a recorded history of their lives in Akron: the citys first baptism December 11. 1837. first marriage January 11. 1838. and first funeral January 27. 1838. were all recorded by the parishs original pastor. Father Basil A. Shorb.
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