St. Francis de Sales Parish
Parish History
Early in 1841, John McCarthy bought a two-acre plot of land located on Granville near Sixth Street. On May 21, 1842 the property was transferred to Bishop Purcell for the use of the Catholic Church for the residents of Newark. Fr. Jean Baptiste Lamy, pastor of Danville, who served Newark and surrounding missions, became pastor and built a small church in honor of St. Francis de Sales.
In 1854 Fr. Frederic Bender became pastor and realized the need for a larger church. A second building was built on the present site and a second story was added to the original church building which was moved to the rear of the property and was used as a school. A residence for priests was built on the corner of Pearl and Granville, the former O’Boylan Hall.
By 1887 the parish had grown to over 2,000 parishioners and was regarded as one of the largest in the Diocese of Columbus. Fr. William Hayes built a third church which we now occupy.
Fr. McGinty purchased the current residence for priests and administration offices in 1946.