NEW RIEGEL—A significant part of Catholic and Ohio history

Sisters of the Precious Blood Deb Huss and Rita Rogier, both from New Riegel, unveil the new historical marker. The congregation arrived in New Riegel just before Christmas 1844, and immediately began their tradition of Eucharistic adoration. The sisters served in New Riegel until 1979. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison, Sisters of the Precious Blood.

was officially and permanently chronicled Oct. 14, at New Riegel All Saints.

The unveiling and blessing of a new Ohio historical marker on the parish grounds on Perry Street took place following the 10 a.m. Mass.

All Saints’ pastor Father Randy Giesige and about 75 parishioners and representatives of the Precious Blood women’s and men’s religious congregations attended, along with historians, officials and well-wishers for the event.

The newly-erected historical marker commemorates the 1844 arrival in New Riegel (Wolfscreek) of the Sisters of the Precious Blood and the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (priests and brothers).

After settling earlier in the year in Peru, Ohio, they moved to New Riegel, which is considered the “cradle” for the two religious communities. Both groups trace their subsequent U.S. expansion to this Seneca County location.

New Riegel remained an active Precious Blood ministry site for more than a century — 135 years for the sisters and 159 years for the priests and brothers.

The double-sided bronze marker places the New Riegel site on the Ohio Historical Society list, attesting to the location’s historical importance in the state.

Fr. Giesige welcomed those in attendance to the dedication celebration. Precious Blood Sister Noreen Jutte, the congregation’s archivist, served as master of ceremonies.

Also on hand for the dedication ceremony was J.D. Britton, director of the local history office of the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus. After remarks on the significance of the marker and the site’s contribution to Ohio history, Mr. Britton presented certificates of official documentation to the religious communities, represented by Sister Florence Seifert, president of the Sisters of the Precious Blood; and Father Scott Kramer and Brother Jerry Schulte of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

New Riegel historian Allen Huelskamp gave a brief overview of the site’s historical impact and the beginnings of Precious Blood presence and ministry in New Riegel.

Mr. Huelskamp noted that with the arrival of Precious Blood priests, brothers and sisters, New Riegel was unique among northern Ohio’s Catholic communities not only for having a resident pastor, but for the added ministry of sisters and brothers as well.

Sr. Seifert, Bro. Schulte and Fr. Kramer offered brief reflections on the significance of New Riegel in the lives of the communities and their members.

Long-time parishioners Dan Borer and Josephine Kimmet untied the ribbon on the marker for the unveiling.

Two Precious Blood Sisters who hail from New Riegel, Rita Rogier and Deb Huss, unveiled the marker, and Precious Blood Father Scott Kramer, a native son of the parish, offered the blessing and prayer of thanksgiving.

In 1844, Bishop John Purcell, at the time bishop of Cincinnati, invited the young communities to serve the growing German immigrant population at St. Boniface Church (today’s All Saints). As the text of the marker notes, “More than 200 acres of land were purchased for the communities’ use. The Missionaries brought spiritual support, farm labor and education…. The sisters began their ministry of prayer in the convent, Mary at the Crib, on Dec. 22, 1844.”

Almost immediately after their arrival, the Sisters of the Precious Blood opened a school that served both boarders and orphan children. The orphanage was in operation until 1912. From their first school, the sisters went on to continue teaching in the New Riegel public school until 1976. The Sisters also established a cloister (contemplative branch), which provided a unique praying presence at the site from 1954-1979.

St. Boniface Parish was served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood until 2003, when the parish was returned to the pastoral care of the Toledo Diocese. In July 2005, St. Boniface, Alvada St. Peter and Frenchtown St. Nicholas formed a new parish called All Saints.

Following the dedication of the historical marker, participants were invited to lunch in the parish hall, hosted by the parish.