PERRYSBURG—In the mid 1800s, the priests of Maumee St. Joseph crossed the river to celebrate Mass for the Catholics in Perrysburg.

As the need for a parish on the opposite side of the river grew, St. Rose formed in 1861. This year, the parish celebrates 150 years of Catholic faith and education in its local community.

“We obviously have a beautiful setting on the Maumee and in downtown Perrysburg. Beautiful church, of course, very historic,” says Msgr. Marvin Borger, pastor. “But it’s our parish community, our parish family, that is the heart of what it means to be a parish … and that’s what makes it beautiful — the faith of our people, faith that’s been handed on for 150 years now.”

Since February, the parish has offered monthly tours of its historic church, built in 1889. Additional anniversary events include parish missions and concerts.

The highlight of the anniversary year is a Mass Aug. 28 with Bishop Leonard P. Blair, says Msgr. Borger. It is to be celebrated the Sunday after the feast day of St. Rose, and former priests of the parish are invited to concelebrate the Mass.

“One hundred fifty years is something to say thank you for and also is an inspiration to look into the future with faith,” Msgr. Borger says.

The parish recently installed granite and bronze Stations of the Cross in its cemetery in honor of the anniversary.  Each station was purchased by a parish family, says Deacon Larry Tiefenbach. A statue of the risen Christ is also to be placed in the cemetery.

A fall mission on stewardship emphasizes an understanding of the parish that its members are “grateful stewards of God’s gifts.”

“In our 150th year, we want to think and pray about how we want to share our blessings and what will we hand on to the future generations of St. Rose parish,” Msgr. Borger explains.

Over its 150-year history, St. Rose has grown from a rural church to a large suburban parish. Many of its early members were German and Irish immigrants, Msgr. Borger says.

In its first year, Father Seraphim Bauer from Maumee St. Joseph celebrated Mass in parishioners’ homes before the parish purchased a place of worship, according to “The History of the Diocese of Toledo” by Msgr. Lawrence Mossing. Fr. Bauer’s deceased mother, Rose, was the inspiration for choosing St. Rose as the patron of the new parish, according to the parish website.

In 1862, the parish purchased a Universalist meeting house on the corner of Front and Elm streets to serve as its first church building.  Fr. Charles Griss became the first resident pastor in 1867, and he purchased the current property on Front Street a few years later.

The current church was built in 1889 in a Victorian Gothic Revival Style. Constructed with Sandusky blue-stone, it was the first stone church in the Maumee Valley, according to the parish website.

Many physical aspects of the church have remained the same through renovations, says Fr. Thomas Leyland, retired pastor.  His family moved into Perrysburg in 1941 when he was 3 years old. After growing up in the parish, he returned to serve as pastor from 1999 to 2007.

Fr. Leyland remembers Perrysburg was once a rural village and many parishioners were farmers and traveled in from a distance, he says.

As Perrysburg grew, St. Rose grew with it. The parish is now one of the largest in the diocese with more than 7,000 members.

Despite its large size, Fr. Leyland says the parish is possibly more close-knit now as a suburban parish because more parishioners live in town.

The parish offers many activities including retreats, Bible studies, book clubs, parish missions and service to those in need.

“There’s something for everybody,” Msgr. Borger says. “Every day somehow the faith is being celebrated, it’s being handed on, it’s being put into action.”

Since its early days, St. Rose has provided Catholic education through its parish school, which opened in 1867 and was rebuilt in 1924.

“One of the main ways we seek to deepen discipleship in our parish is what we do for our children — our school, our religious education program,” Msgr. Borger says.

Peggy Russell remembers attending the school in the 1940s and being taught by Ursuline nuns. Four sisters taught eight grades because the school had two grades per classroom, she says.

“I loved the nuns,” Mrs. Russell said. “I had a wonderful experience at St. Rose school and wanted to make sure my children attended there too, and they did.”

Mrs. Russell can trace her roots at St. Rose back through her grandparents.

“I am very thankful to the people in my family and all those immigrant families who worked so hard to build our church, and to the people and especially the priests who have worked so hard to help us to keep the faith and to build this community,” she says.

St. Rose is offering tours of its historic church at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month and at additional times. Visit www.saintroseonline.org for a complete listing of dates and times on the parish calendar.