St. Marys Church, Philothea

Phone: (419) 678-4802 Website Mass Times: Sun. 9:15; Vigil of Holy Day: 7:30 Parish Founded: 1851 Church Built: 1868 Architect: ? Architectural Style: ? History: St. Marys Parish at Philothea was established on Sept. 6, 1851. Nine men had traveled to Cincinnati to request permission to build a church. These same nine men purchased forty acres to build a church and school. When the Archbishop learned that this little settlement had no name, he named it Philothea, Greek for God-loving, presumably because of the people's deep love for God and Religion. The first church was dedicated on Sept. 8, 1853. In the early days, Mass was not offered each Sunday, but since January 1862 Mass has been offered every Sunday.

Eventually, the log church became too small, and in 1868 the 65 families in the parish voted to build a new church. The cornerstone was laid on August 15, 1868, and the church was dedicated on June 11, 1871. Improvements added to the church in the 1890's included a marble baptistry, stained glass windows and a pipe organ. A parochial school existed from the early days of the parish. Eventually this parish school became part of the Coldwater School District. Today it again is the property of St. Mary's Parish, and it is used for CCD classes and as a parish hall. The rectory of the parish was erected in 1905.