Peru Township near Norwalk in Huron County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Early Catholic Missionary Settlement

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 13, 2020

1. Early Catholic Missionary Settlement Marker

Inscription. The Society of the Precious Blood, established in Italy in 1815, began its American ministry here in Peru in January 1844, led by Swiss missionary Father Francis de Sales Brunner. Continuing the work begun by the Redemptorists at St. Alphonse in 1833, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, or “Sanguinists,” brought spiritual support and education to German immigrants in northern Ohio. In July 1844 the Sisters of the Precious Blood, established in Switzerland in 1834, began their ministry of prayer and education here. The priests, brothers, and sisters attended to the needs of parishes across northern Ohio, and between 1844 and 1856 established nine major foundations throughout Seneca, Mercer, Putnam, and Auglaize Counties in Ohio.

Erected 2001 by Missionaries of the Precious Blood (Carthagena), Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton) and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 4-39.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1844.

Location. 41° 12.148′ N, 82° 38.253′ W. Marker is near Norwalk, Ohio, in Huron County. It is in Peru Township. Marker is on Settlement Road (County Route 129) 0.1 miles east of Ohio Route

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61. The marker is with the school bell under a shelter, laying almost flat to the ground, at the St. John Neumann Prayer Center, the rightmost building in the St. Alphonsus Church complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1352 Settlement Rd, Norwalk OH 44857, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Norwalk West Main Street Historic District (approx. 2.4 miles away); Civil War Veterans Monument (approx. 2.9 miles away); Site of the Preston-Wickham Home (approx. 2.9 miles away); a different marker also named Norwalk West Main Street Historic District (approx. 2.9 miles away); Site Of The Preston-Wickman Home (approx. 2.9 miles away); In God We Trust (approx. 3 miles away); Huron County Court House 1913 (approx. 3 miles away); Veterans Courtyard (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norwalk.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry for John Neumann. Excerpts:

John Nepomucene Neumann CSsR (1811–1860) was a Catholic priest from Bohemia. He immigrated to the United States in 1836, where he was ordained and later joined the Redemptorist order and became the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia (1852–1860). He is the first United States bishop (and to date the only male U.S. citizen) to be canonized. ... He is a Roman Catholic saint, canonized in 1977.

... Neumann applied to join the Redemptorist Fathers, was accepted,
Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 13, 2020

2. Early Catholic Missionary Settlement Marker
and entered their novitiate at St. Philomena's Church in Pittsburgh. He was their first candidate in the New World and took his religious vows as a member of the congregation in Baltimore, in January 1842. While a novice for the Redemptorists, he served at St. Alphonsus Church in Peru Township, Huron County, Ohio for five months before returning to New York. ...

(Submitted on March 25, 2020.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 13, 2020

3. Early Catholic Missionary Settlement Marker

It is laying under the sign to the left of the bell. The re-lettered boards read “St. John Neumann Prayer Center.” The small tablet below the shelter’s post reads, “Bell preserved by Clarence and F. P. III Frederick. First used in Parish’s West School 1880’s — 1920’s.” In the distance is a red sign with white lettering that reads, “St. Alphonsus, 1841, residence of Saint John Neumann.”

St. John Neumann Prayer Center, Peru Township Ohio image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 13, 2020

4. St. John Neumann Prayer Center, Peru Township Ohio

St. Alphonsus Ligouri Church, Peru Township Ohio image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 13, 2020

5. St. Alphonsus Ligouri Church, Peru Township Ohio

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 441 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.