Dominican Sisters: Newark, Ohio

History of the Dominican Sisters
in Newark, Ohio

Through their teaching and influence, the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs played an important part in the lives of the Catholic citizens, in the thriving little town of Newark, Ohio.

Just a decade after Newark finished its “new” stone courthouse on the Square, horses were still pulling carriages in the streets and the town’s population of about 6,000 – many of them Catholic German and Irish immigrants – was busily building factories and railroads. The Catholic community also was in a building mode. In 1887, a new St. Francis de Sales church was built to accommodate 1,200 parishioners – a very large number at that time. In 1888, a new school, St. Francis, was built in Newark with bricks salvaged from the demolition of the earlier church. It stood until 1924.

from an article by Kathy Wesley
Newark Advocate, July 1999

Newark, Ohio: A Brief Outline of Events

1821

Bishop Fenwick appointed to new diocese includes Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

1827

Bishop Fenwick visits Newark

1830

Dominican Sisters establish St. Mary’s Academy in Somerset

1840

first baptismal record of Newark resident recorded in St. Mary’s church, Lancaster

1841

1st Catholic Church in Licking County, established in the old Methodist Church in Linnville.

1842

Transfer

1850

1st Catholic School in Newark, Fr. Bender, Pastor. Pupils are taught by lay teachers and classes held in private homes.

1865

Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati start a day school in Newark, St. Francis

1870

Dominican Sisters take over St. Francis, a four room school building.

1887

Church razed; the bricks were used for new school building.

1904

Blessed Sacrament parish formed from the original St. Francis de Sales parish

1905

Dedication of new building - combination, Church, school, convent

1907

Three year commercial course offered at Blessed Sacrament

1923

School building razed

1924

Present school building erected. Elementary 1-8; High School 9-12
Residence for sisters built

1925

High school accredited as a “first grade” school with direct eligibility for college without exams.

1931

High School classes discontinued at Blessed Sacrament as students attend St. Francis High School

1958

Cornerstone laid for New High school - Newark Catholic

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History of the Dominican Sisters in Newark, Ohio

Newark, Ohio: A Brief Outline of Events

History of the Dominican Sisters
in Newark, Ohio