Roman Catholics, largely from Germany and Ireland, began to arrive in large numbers in Ohio during the early 1800s. The first Catholic communities were established at Gallipolis in 1790, and near Somerset, Ohio in 1818. The first Catholic Church was erected in West Liberty, Logan County, Ohio in 1828. By the 1870s, Cleveland had one of the largest Catholic populations in the United States. Ursuline College was established in nearby Pepper Pike by the Catholic Church in 1871. At the turn of the 20th century, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo also had large Catholic populations.
Below are lists of select archival and library materials related to the Roman Catholic Church, available for research at the Ohio History Connection Archives & Library. Review the catalog links below, or explore our Online Collections Catalog using a specific church name or related search terms for more information [example search terms: "Catholic Church", "Catholic Church -- Ohio", "Catholicism"].
Catholic church [graphic], [ca. 1873]. [SC 325]
Church ledger, 1845-1851. [VOL 631]
Illustrated history of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Upper Sandusky, Ohio, with biographical sketch of active members in the past and present [282.77126 St81i]
St. Vincent de Paul Church : celebrating 150 years, 1837-1987 [282.77136 St1 1987]
St. Stephen's 100th anniversary [282.77132 St25 1970]
St. Rose sesquicentennial, 1839-1989 [282.771415 St1 1989]
St. Raphael's Church, Springfield, Ohio : golden jubilee 1849-1899 : fiftieth anniversary. [282.771491 Sp84g]
The history of the Catholic Church in Ross County [282.77182 C811h]
An historical sketch of St. Joseph's parish, Maumee, Ohio, 1841-1941 [282.77112 Sa23h]
History of Mt. St. Mary's Seminary of the West, Cincinnati, Ohio [207.771 K297h]
History of the Catholic Church in Coshocton County, Ohio. [282.77165 K542h]
History of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, 1821-1921 [282.77178 L193h]
Parishes of the Catholic Church Diocese of Cleveland : history and records [282.77132 H629p]
Burial records from St. Joseph Catholic Church, Monroeville, Ohio from 1863 to 1900. [R 929.377125 B916 1988]
Church records, St. Peters and Paul Roman Catholic congregation of Pusheta Township, Auglaize County, Fryburg, Ohio : 1833-1954 [R 929.377143 D265c]
Hamilton County, Ohio Roman Catholic baptism records : early - 1849 [R 929.377177 H415ha 2018]
Hamilton County, Ohio Roman Catholic baptism records : 1850-1859 [R 929.377177 H415ha1 2018 pt. 1 & pt. 2]
St. Luke's records, 1829-early 1900's : Danville, Knox County, Ohio [R 929.377152 K811s 2001]
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