About the time many families were moving into the Firelands and Western Reserve territory from eastern states, many Irish immigrants were also arriving. They came to work on the railroad being built between Cleveland and Toledo from 1850-1855 and to claim and clear land for farming. Nearly all the original immigrants that formed St. Mary's Parish came from Connaught, County Galway or County Clare, Ireland.
The first Irish settler to venture this way was Thomas Conry, followed by Patrick Cashman from Vermont. Soon to follow were the Fords, Donahoes, Murrays, Burkes, Collins, Dunns, Gradys, Mocklers, Nestors and many more. They spent their first winter in railroad box cars, and later built shanties or cabins along the track clearing. They settled in what is now known as Green Street, Butler Road, Townline Road (then known as "Little Dublin"), and Fitchville River Road (then "Canfield Road"). As clearing of the land progressed, they branched into farming, building fine homes, barns, and orchards. Here they raised their families in the Catholic faith they had brought with them and hoped for the day when they would have their own church. Wakeman remained primarily Irish until the 1920s when other ethnic groups arrived.
In November, 1853, a young Irish missioner from Elyria, Rev. M. Healy, began to serve the religious needs of this settlement and St. Mary's Parish came into existence. In 1863 the parish was turned over to the care of the priests at St. Mary's in Norwalk and five years later Rev. T.P. Thorpe, pastor, purchased for his mission an excellent site for a church in the heart of the village. For some unexplained reason it was never used. Mass was celebrated in private homes, rented halls and store rooms until 1872 when Rev. T. Healy sold the above mentioned lot and with the proceeds of the sale built the present frame church, at that time 30' x 42'. The church was built on a one-acre tract of land on the outskirts of the village. The land had been donated by Horace Griffin in April, 1869. Much of the work on the new church was done by men of the parish. In April, 1874, Fr. Healy bought the present cemetery east of the church covering about one acre.
Rev. F.X. Nunan was appointed the first resident pastor in October, 1875. Shortly after his arrival he built the parish house. During the pastorate of Rev. John Kelley (1905-1922) the house was enlarged and modernized by the addition of indoor plumbing, electricity, and other improvements.
From 1878 until 1905, St. Mary's was served by different pastors for short periods of time, some resident, some commuting from Vermilion. In 1892 resident pastor Rev. James Quinn, built an addition of twenty-two feet to the rear of the church (present sacristy) to serve as a chapel for weekday Mass and to accommodate the growing congregation.. He also built a tower for the bell that had been purchased several years earlier by Rev. A. Sauvadet. The church was renovated at the cost of about $3000 and then rededicated by Bishop Horstmann on October 9, 1892.
The Toledo Diocese was carved out of the western section of the Cleveland diocese in 1911, and Wakeman, along with all of Huron County, was transferred to the newly created Diocese of Toledo in 1922. St. Mary's was well known for its annual Labor Day Chicken Dinners. Parish volunteers, especially members of the Altar and Rosary Society, worked for three days preparing for the event. They cooked on kerosene stoves and made coffee in wash boilers. On Labor Day, under a large tent, parishioners served at least a thousand people coming from as far away as Cleveland.
In 1954-55 the parish hall was built by Rev. Karl Burger to accommodate such social activities and fund raising events. A barn and a house stood on the site of the present hall. The house still stands, having been moved across the street and a little farther east. With pledges amounting to $30,000 and a small loan from the bishop, ground was broken. Fr. Burger provided most of the direction for the construction and parishioners volunteered many hours. Several years later classrooms were added on the second floor to accommodate the religious education of young parishioners.
Two shrines grace the parish property. The one in front of the parish hall was built in honor of Mary, the patroness of the parish, with donations from the Mothers of Sons in the Korean War. A second, in the parish cemetery, was donated and erected in 1991 by Albert Pecora in memory of Margaret "Peg" Martin.
In July, 1984, St. Mary's became the first parish in the diocese to be led by a non-ordained person, Sr. Mary Lou Ruck, S.P. A similar arrangement for pastoral ministry perdures. Priests from neighboring parishes in Vermilion, Milan, Norwalk, and soon-to-be New London have continued the sacramental ministry among St. Mary's parishioners.
As the new millennium begins St. Mary's has a registered membership of 173 households. Nearing its sesquicentennial, the parish, though much more diverse in ethnicity, still displays its original strength of character, community spirit, and deep faith in God.
Revised and Updated, 1999
Special thanks to Sister Edna Michel from St. Mary's Wakeman for providing this history