Parish History - 1800's

In 1852, a single track Cleveland-Painesville-Ashtabula railroad was built through Madison and in 1853 three Catholic families from Ashtabula moved to Madison to work on the recently completed CP& A Railroad. On July 15, 1863 a Mission was established and Rev. John Tracy celebrated the first Mass at the Cornelius Roark home on Stafford Street...

In June of 1868, church building on Lake Street began. Mass continued to be held in private homes once a month until the church was completed. On June 17, 1872, the warranty deed transferred property on Lake Street to Bishop Gilmour...

January 28, 1878...10 paying families and 6 non-paying families were reported on the Status Aninarium. On July 19, 1879, Rev. John C. Desmond began serving ICC, which was now a mission affiliated with South Thompson. In July of 1881, Rev. Joseph J. Gocke was assigned to South Thompson, with Madison as a mission.

July 27, 1884, First Church dedicated; received the title of Church of the Immaculate Conception; afterward a class of 14 were confirmed. The parish was without debt!

1884- 1898, Pew rent- $ 2.00. Eventually twice monthly masses were held.

Jan. 3, 1890- Rev. Francis J. Hroch began serving the parish- Mass held on the fourth Sunday of every month.1890- Status Aninarium reported that Forty Hours was held for the first time- also the first First Communion class- 1

Jan. 1, 1893- Rev. John Johnson named pastor of South Thompson with Madison as a mission- he then became pastor of Geneva in January, 1895, and subsequently pastor of Jefferson in May, 1895- retained charge of Madison.

Jan. 18, 1898- Madison mission changed from Thompson jurisdiction to Willoughby- Rev. Gerald Gergen appointed pastor of Willoughby, with Madison as a mission.