About Mary Help of Christians · Fort Recovery, Ohio
Mary Help of Christians is a Catholic parish in Fort Recovery, Ohio, founded in 1881 by 25 founding families and named by Mrs. Jacob Anthony, Sr., who chose the patroness "Mary Help of Christians." It is one of seven parishes in the Holy Cross Family of Parishes in southwestern Mercer County, part of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light initiative. The parish serves over 575 member families and worships at its current church, dedicated in 1977, on the corner of State Route 49 and Sharpsburg Road.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- Mary Help of Christians
- Rector
- Rev. Alexander Witt
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
Mary Help of Christians is a 140+ year-old parish with deep roots in Fort Recovery, now grown to over 575 member families. As part of the seven-parish Holy Cross Family of Parishes, MHC offers daily and weekend Mass, frequent confession times, Eucharistic adoration on Fridays, and a parish hall available for community events — all in a beautiful 1977 church whose stained-glass windows and bells carry the history of the original 1881 and 1902 buildings. The parish also supports a shared family-of-parishes staff with three priests and deacons serving the wider Coldwater/Fort Recovery Catholic community.
Mass times at Mary Help of Christians
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:45 pm – until line ends
- Sunday 8:25 am – until line ends
- Wednesday after the 7:15 am Mass
- Friday 11:30 am – until line ends
Adoration times
- Fridays 8:00 am – 11:45 am
History of Mary Help of Christians Parish
Mary Help of Christians Church was established in 1881 by 25 founding families in Fort Recovery, Ohio, with Mrs. Jacob Anthony, Sr. choosing the patroness name. Early parishioners had been baptized at St. Joseph, the Mother Church. Rev. Augustine Seifert, C.PP.S. built the first little church for $1,200 (seating 100) and started the parish school staffed by the Sisters of the Precious Blood. The parish grew through a second church (1902, $16,000) on South Wayne Street, the consolidation of St. Mary's School with Fort Recovery Public School (1952), and finally the dedication of the present church on December 11, 1977, on the corner of State Route 49 and Sharpsburg Road. Stained glass and bells from the 1902 church were saved and incorporated into the new building.
- 1881 – parish founded by 25 families; Mrs. Jacob Anthony, Sr. chose the patroness name
- Rev. Augustine Seifert, C.PP.S. – founding pastor; built first church ($1,200)
- 1888 – Rev. Jacob Marte, C.PP.S. built a new two-room brick schoolhouse
- 1902 – Rev. Bernard Dickman, C.PP.S. dedicated the South Wayne Street church ($16,000)
- 1952 – St. Mary's Parochial School consolidated with Fort Recovery Public School
- 1977 (Dec 11) – present church dedicated; stained glass and bells preserved
- 2004 – joined the Fort Recovery Cluster (St. Joseph, St. Peter, St. Paul)
- 2022 – became part of the Holy Cross Family of Parishes (Beacons of Light)
Parish Staff and Clergy
Mary Help of Christians is served through the Holy Cross Family of Parishes, with Rev. Alexander Witt as Pastor and three Parochial Vicars: Rev. Ethan Moore, Rev. Joseph Kumar Pasala, and Rev. Barry Stechschulte. The parish is also served by two deacons, Ron Johnson and Rob Schmidt, along with parish staff including Amy Lennartz. Pastoral assignments for the family are made through the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light initiative.
- Rev. Alexander Witt – Pastor (Holy Cross Family of Parishes)
- Rev. Ethan Moore – Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Joseph Kumar Pasala – Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Barry Stechschulte – Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Rob Schmidt
- Deacon Ron Johnson
- Amy Lennartz – staff
The Undercroft and Hall Rental
The parish maintains a parish hall / undercroft space that is available for community events such as receptions, meetings, and gatherings. Renters should contact the Fort Recovery Parish Office at 419-375-4153 for availability and pricing.
- Hall rental inquiries: 419-375-4153
- Available for community and parish events
Holy Cross Family of Parishes
Mary Help of Christians is one of seven parishes in the Holy Cross Family of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, implemented July 1, 2022 under the Beacons of Light initiative. The family includes St. Peter, St. Joseph, St. Paul, St. Anthony, Holy Trinity, and St. Mary (Philothea), serving Fort Recovery, Coldwater, and surrounding communities in southwestern Mercer County. The family shares pastoral leadership (one pastor and parochial vicars) and collaborates on ministries and community projects, such as a community prayer garden built by parishioners and local businesses.
- Seven parishes: St. Peter, St. Joseph, Mary Help of Christians, St. Paul, St. Anthony, Holy Trinity, St. Mary
- Implemented July 1, 2022 under Beacons of Light
- Shared pastor (Rev. Alexander Witt) and parochial vicars
- Collaborative community projects include a community prayer garden
Contact and Location
Mary Help of Christians is located at 403 Sharpsburg Road, Fort Recovery, OH 45846, at the corner of State Route 49 and Sharpsburg Road. The Fort Recovery parish office can be reached at 419-375-4153, with a secondary Coldwater office at 419-678-4802 for the broader family of parishes. Email inquiries can be directed to [email protected], and the parish is served through the Holy Cross Family of Parishes website.
- Address: 403 Sharpsburg Road, Fort Recovery, OH 45846
- Fort Recovery Office: 419-375-4153
- Coldwater Office: 419-678-4802
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://fortrecoverycatholics.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Augustine Seifert, C.PP.S.1881 (founding)
Founding pastor; built the first church ($1,200, seating 100) and started the school staffed by Sisters of the Precious Blood.
- Rev. Jacob Marte, C.PP.S.1888
Oversaw the new two-room brick schoolhouse.
- Rev. Bernard Dickman, C.PP.S.1902 dedication
Led building and dedication of the new Mary Help of Christians Church on South Wayne Street ($16,000).
- Rev. Rudolph Soltz, C.PP.S.around 1929–1941
Demolished old rectory and built a smaller, modern house in 1941.
- Rev. George Heinzen, C.PP.S.1956 anniversary
Led the 75th anniversary (225 families); built the new Sisters' Convent (1958) and cafeteria/parish hall (1961).
- Rev. Fred Falce, C.PP.S.1974
Led the decision to build the present church; groundbreaking 1976, dedication Dec 11, 1977.