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.
1915...Weekly Mass alternated between Madison mission and the K of C Hall in Geneva.
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.
1900-Congregation dwindled- average attendance at Mass only 7. Needed repairs resulted in the roof being shingled, but the inside was in "terrible conditions".
1902-10 families
April 13, 1902-Rev. Kieran P. Banks assigned to Willoughby (and Madison).
Oct. 1903-Rev. Julius M. Kitter, Willoughby, served Madison as a mission.
July 17, 1909-Rev. William H. Mosely was appointed pastor of Willoughby with Madison as a mission.
1912-Letters petitioned the Bishop to have Mass more than once a month "as 4 or 5 weeks between Masses is apt to weaken the faith, especially in a country where there is so many non-Catholic families".
1915-Weekly Mass alternated between Madison mission and the K of C Club in Geneva.
July, 1915-The Bishop directed Madison mission be transferred from Willoughby and attached to St. Mary's, Painesville.
July 12, 1915-Rev. Hugh Leo Collin, Asst. St. Mary's began to administer to Madison Catholics.
Sept. 21, 1918-Rev. Michael J. Ready, Asst. St. Mary's, Painesville, served Madison-later became Bishop of Columbus.
1920-Yearly report: 75 families; 8 Baptisms, including 1 convert; 10 Confirmations, including 1 adult; 20 children received First Communion; and 40 were attending Catechism classes taught on Saturday morning. Acquired the oil painting of "Immaculate Conception."
Sept. 20, 1920- Rev. Daniel T. Gallagher, pastor of Geneva, served Madison as a mission.
1922- Assessment for N.C.W.C was $1.92.
Oct. 1, 1929- Rev. Raymond A. Kathe was assigned pastor of Geneva-the last priest to serve ICC as a mission.
1930-3 marriages and 2 deaths reported- also a Holy Name Society, and an Altar and Rosary Society.
Aug. 22, 1934-Rev. Virant arrived to serve as first resident pastor.
1937-Mass schedule included: 4 Sunday masses in the summer; a 5:30 am Mass on Holydays; and a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
1940-150 families- 17 in First Communion Class- 38 Confirmed- 9 Baptisms, including 1 convert- 6 deaths. Mass schedule was 8:30 and 10:30 in the winter; 7-8-9-10-11:30 from July to September; 5:30 and 8:30 on Holy days; vespers and benediction on Sunday after Mass.
1945-Obtained 8.32 acres from about $4,500 from Joseph L. Barrett on west side of Hubbard Rd.
Oct. 4, 1950-Rev. John F. Muholland assumed responsibility as pastor.
1952-Second parcel of 9.68 acres, adjoining other land on Hubbard Rd., was purchased from Ralph J. Gillett for $5,000.
Sept. 14, 1952-Ground was broken for new Church, and construction began.
March 25, 1953-Cornerstone laid.
Dec. 25, 1953-First Mass was celebrated in the new Church on Christmas Day. 350 families; summer residents doubled number attending- 5 masses on Sundays.
1954-Construction of church completed.
Oct. 18, 1955-Dedication of ICC by Most Rev. Archbishop Edward F. Hoban.
1955-56-Fund-raising campaign.
1961-Tithing-program initiated.
1962-Mortgage of new Church paid off.
1960-1963-Second Vatican Council.
Dec. 7, 1974-Rev. Mulholland died.
1975-Rev. Goebel arrived.
1976-Rev. John Vovko came as an assistant.
1977-Changes recommended by the Vatican Council began- option of receiving Communion in the hand, guitar Masses, emphasis on ecumenical services, county program for divorced and separated Catholics. Rev. John Rehak arrived as an assistant- Srs. Judy and Angela Kelly took up residence-a seminarian helped in summer.
April 9, 1978-Ground breaking for Parish Hall.
May 21, 1978-First Men's Renewal held at ICC.
1978-Re-did the Confessional.
Aug. 15, 1978-Sr. Ann Seay joined the staff.
April 24, 1979-Began moving into multi-purpose building.
June 18, 1979-Fr. Harry J. Fagan arrived as pastor.
Sept. 9, 1979-Sr. Thaddeus and Sr. Jean Ann, sisters of the Incarnate Word, joined the staff.
Oct. 7, 1979-Sr. Jean Ann organized senior citizens for liturgy and other activities.
Oct. 11, 1979-Bingo began.
June 8, 1980-Parish Center dedicated by Bishop Griffin.
1980-Parish Grounds and Education Commissions established.
Dec. 14, 1980-First Parish Council elected.
March, 1981-First annual Comalya held.
1982-Mary's Shrine moved from St. John's College to parish grounds.
June 29, 1984-Rev. Michael G. Woost arrived.
June, 1984-Installation of Rebecca Fountain between parish house, Church, and Parish Hall.
March, 1988- Comalya- celebrating 125th Jubilee.
May 15th, 1988—Church to be consecrated by Bishop Pilla.
June 1988—Outdoor Mass at the Shrine.
August 1988—Old Fashioned Picnic.
1994—Father Fagan retired to become Pastor Emeritus and on October 18, 1994, Father Luigi C. Miola was installed as the fifth pastor.
April 28, 1995—Fagan Hall was dedicated.
October 14, 1997—Pastor Emeritus, Father Harry J. Fagan died and his Funeral Mass was concelebrated by four bishops and an abbot, with about one hundred priests in attendance.
May 2002—Father Miola celebrates his 25th anniversary to the priesthood with Mass celebrations and receptions at St. Francis of Assisi and ICC.
September 2003—Father Miola leaves ICC. Parishioners declare the area behind the shrine as "Miola Field".
November 24, 2003—Father Sean Donnelly arrives becoming the sixth pastor of Immaculate Conception.
January 11, 2004—Father Donnelly is installed by The Most Reverend Roger W. Gries
( To be continued )