Moshi

Parish History

In 1929, Middlebranch, Ohio was a small village adjacent to the Diamond Portland Cement Company. The village consisted largely of Italian Catholics whose families had emigrated here to work at the cement factory.

Unfortunately, the needs of the Catholics in the Middlebranch area were not being met. Mrs. Augustus M. Hickey of North Canton, who was then president of the local chapter of the National Council of Catholic Women, recognized the need for a mission to serve the people of Middlebranch and the surrounding area. In addition to her, Mrs. Caroline Bircher of Middlebranch discovered that most of the Catholic children in the Middlebranch area had not yet received their First Communion and with her encouragement Mrs. Rose of St. Paul Parish, Canton, wrote letters to the Most Reverend Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland.

With the Bishop’s authorization, the old Middlebranch public school building on Williams Street, which had been converted into a residence, was obtained for the diocese with the cooperation of Nick Grant so that it could be used as a chapel for the mission. Men and women of the mission parish renovated the old school house and transformed it into an attractive place of worship. “Little Theresa” was chosen as the patron saint of the mission parish because of her great affection for mission churches, and because of favors granted through her intercession to the Eucharistic Lord.

On December 15, 1929, the first Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland, at the dedication of the newly acquired chapel. Shortly afterwards, the Little Flower Mission Parish was attached to St. Paul Parish, North Canton. In a parish bulletin dated December 20, 1929, Father Ralph Kotheimer, the pastor of St. Paul Parish, North Canton, wrote "No doubt you have heard the Rt. Rev. Bishop has placed the burden for caring for the newly organized Mission parish in Middlebranch, O. upon your Pastor." In a report to the Diocese dated December 31, 1929, Fr. Kotheimer reported  "The Mission has about 32 families, mostly Italian. There are approximately 150 children of school-age and younger."

Of course, the beginning of the parish during the Great Depression was not easy. In a report to the Diocese dated December 31, 1931, Fr. Kotheimer reported "The shutting down of the local cement works has thrown practically all out of work." But despite the difficulties, the work of the Lord continued:

First Baptism: Celesta Therese Campanelli (Janello), the daughter of Atlee Campanelli and Jennie White Campanelli, born January 28, 1930, baptized February 9, 1930 by Reverend Ralph C. Kotheimer, Achillo & Josephine Capuano godparents.

First Marriage: Nicolas Guarnieri & Mary Bessalli, both from Italy and residing in Middlebranch, had their marriage validated on March 22, 1930 before Reverend Ralph C. Kotheimer, witnessed by Marco Cavalieri & Philomena Venditti.

First Marriage “in the Church Building”: Leonard Mastri & Rochina Janello, October 4, 1930, before Reverend Ralph C. Kotheimer, witnessed by Antonio Janello & Louise Cavaliere.

‘First’ First Communion class: May 25, 1930 consisting of 12 children, administered by Reverend Ralph C. Kotheimer.

First Funeral: Leonard Cook, age 83, died January 17, 1931 and was buried January 20, 1931, Reverend Ralph C. Kotheimer presiding.

First Confirmation class: April 18, 1932, administered by the Most Reverend Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland, to 20 children.

In 1933 it was decided that because a majority of its communicants were of Italian descent, Little Flower Mission was assigned to St. Anthony Parish, Canton. On May 2nd, 1937, the Reverend Walter Conley, an Associate Pastor at St. Anthony Parish, was appointed the administrator of the Little Flower Parish Mission. Bishop James McFadden, then the Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, encouraged Fr. Conley "to give these good people complete service week days and Sundays." A month later, Fr. Conley wrote back "I have found these people to be good people at heart and surely they are worthy of every service that I can give them." However, Fr. Conley did not live in Middlebranch, but lived at a private residence at 813 11th Street NW in Canton. It was during Fr. Conley’s administration that the first Summer Festival was held at the parish.

On August 13, 1941 the Reverend James Stevenson was appointed pastor of Little Flower Parish. Fr. Stevenson was also the chaplain at St. Joseph Hospice, Louisville, and during his early years at Little Flower he lived at the Rectory at St. Louis Parish, Louisville. During Fr. Stevenson's eight years as pastor the church building on Williams St. was enlarged and remodeled. A vestibule was added to the front and a brick veneer was added to the outside. A parish house was built and Fr. Stevenson took up residence there on May 1, 1947.

When Little Flower Parish began, all of Northeastern Ohio was part of the Diocese of Cleveland. On May 15, 1943 the Diocese of Youngstown was established from six counties in Northeastern Ohio, including Stark County. The Most Reverend James McFadden, the Auxillary Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, became the first Bishop of Youngstown. Records indicate that Bishop McFadden visited Little Flower in 1944 in order to bless the vestibule addition to the church, as well as in 1947 to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation and bless a bell dedicated to the memory of Paul DeMarsh, killed in World War II. (This bell is now near the west entrance of the church.)

On July 7th, 1949, the Reverend Bartley Kennedy was appointed pastor by the Most Reverend James McFadden, Bishop of Youngstown. During Fr. Kennedy's 17 years as pastor another addition was made to the church; new pews were installed and new floor covering. The Altar Rosary Society was active (there is evidence of an “Altar Society” having been organized in February of 1941), and the Men's Club was founded in 1963.

On January 21, 1966 the Reverend Edward Varble was appointed pastor by the Most Reverend James W. Malone, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Youngstown. The 29 years that Fr. Varble served as pastor were marked by significant growth and development of the parish. Fr. Varble’s innovations included printing the Sunday bulletin, election and installation of first Parish Council members,  a parish town hall meeting with Bishop Malone to plan future of the parish, and  renovating the church to conform to Vatican II directives.

Not long after he became pastor Fr. Varble oversaw the purchase of 32 acres of land on Diamond Street about a mile east of  the original Williams Street location. The first building to be erected on the new property was the rectory, which was built in 1967 by men of the parish under the supervision of Walter Maurer. The parish hall, classrooms, and a temporary church were built in two phases in the late 60's.  The west wing of the building, where the library and parish offices are now located, served as the place of worship for about seven years. The buildings were by the Most Reverend James W. Malone, Bishop of Youngstown, on October 7, 1973.
Although the parish never realized its dream of opening a parochial school, a preschool was started in 1974 that continues to this day. But the parish did realize its dream for a permanent church building when the first Mass was offered in the new church building in May of 1977. The Most Reverend William A. Hughes, Auxiliary Bishop of Youngstown, dedicated the present facilities on October 2, 1977.

In 1979, the same year that Little Flower celebrated its 50th Anniversary, Holy Spirit Parish, Uniontown, was formed from one-third of Little Flower Parish.  New Stained Glass windows were installed in the church building that same year. Similar additions were made in the following years:
1980 — Bell Tower and Chimes built in front of church.
1983 — Parish Picnic Pavilion built .
1986 — 15 foot tall St. Therese Frieze attached to Bell Tower.
June 2, 1986 — Dedication of the new Pipe Organ and Concert.

Fr. Varble retired in February of 1995 and the Reverend Homer Oliver was appointed interim pastor by the Most Reverend James W. Malone, Bishop of Youngstown.

On July 1st, 1995, the Reverend William A. Petrunak was appointed pastor by the Most Reverend James W. Malone, Bishop of Youngstown, serving at Little Flower Parish until the Summer of 1996. 1996 was also the year that the parish Summer Festival resumed.

On September 21, 1996, the Reverend Kevin L. Fete was installed as pastor by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Youngstown. The sanctuary of the church building was renovated in the Summer of 1997 and it's rededication occurred on October 1st, the 100th anniversary of the death of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the “Little Flower”. In 1998, the Social Hall was renovated and renamed “Varble Hall” in honor of the pastor who built the existing facilities.

In these 75 years, Little Flower Parish has tremendously grown and developed as a vibrant community of faith. In order to give continued direction to Little Flower Parish as a unique gathering of God's people, in 1998 Parish Pastoral Council articulated ten "Eternal Goals" to serve as "the foundation of the total parish, to include individuals, families, groups and community."

1. To be holy.
2. To perpetuate the teachings of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
3. To promote an Apostolic Spirit.
4. To foster the Catholic identity.
5. To live a common vision directed by the Holy Spirit
6. To obtain Universal stewardship.
7. To possess a strong moral and social conscience.
8. To promote all vocations.
9. To perpetuate the faith through the care of our youth
10. To manifest an admirable presence.

Pastors/Administrators

Fr. Walter Conley 1937-1941
Fr. James Stevenson  1941-1949
Fr. Bartley Kennedy 1949-1966
Fr. Edward Varble 1966-1995
Fr. Homer Oliver 1995
Fr. William Petrunak 1995-1996
Fr. Kevin Fete  1996-2006

Fr. Robert Hannon 2006-2007

Fr. John Zuzik 2007-present

“Weekend Help”

Fr. John C. Rath  1970’s  (Pastor Emeritus Our Lady of Peace)
Fr. Kawishe   1975-1977 (Tanzania, student at Walsh College)
Fr. Dacian Barrette  late 1970’s (Pastor Emeritus St. Therese, Brewster)
Fr. Patrick Soka late 1970’s (Tanzania, student at Walsh College) 
Fr. Philbert V. Lyimo early 1980’s (Tanzania, student at Walsh College)
Fr. Terrence Hazel  1986-1995 (Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas H.S.)
Fr. Ralph Friedrich  1990’s  (Maryknoll Associate Missioner) 
Fr. Matthew Munishi  1997-2000 (Tanzania, student at Walsh University)
Fr. John R. Sargeant 1997-2004 (Pastor Emeritus St. Peter of the Fields)
Fr. Wilhelm Malasi 2000-present (Tanzania, student at Walsh University/Akron U.)
Fr. Peter Siamoo 2003-present (Tanzania, student at Walsh University)

Fr. Aloyce Kenyange 2006-present (Tanzania, student at Walsh University)

Permanent Deacons

Deacon Edgar Cobett 1998-2002
Deacon Harold Krause1998-2002

Seminary Interns

Fr. John-Michael (Jack) Lavelle 1999
Fr. Maciej (Mathew) Mankowski 2000-2001
Fr. Shawn Conoboy