Washington Court House in Fayette County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Colman Church and Cemetery
Irish railroad workers founded the Catholic community in Washington Court House in the 1850s, with the first Mass being held in a local shanty in 1852. In 1871, Father John B. O'Donoghue purchased three and 5/8 acres of land adjoining Washington cemetery on the outskirts of Washington Court House to build the St. Colman Church and adjacent cemetery. In 1885, much of Washington Court House, including St. Colman Church, was destroyed by a tornado. To mark the site of the church, a stone monument was erected on June 19, 1916. Over thirty-five veterans from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I are buried in St. Colman Cemetery, and at least sixteen of these veterans were Irish immigrants. The cemetery's highest decorated veteran, James Aloysius Ducey, served in World War I and World War II, earning numerous awards, including the Silver Star and the French Croix de Guerre.
Erected 2007 by Washington Senior High School Research History Program, Fayette County Travel and Tourism Bureau, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 6-24.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Heroes • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1979.
Location. 39° 32.204′ N, 83° 25.508′ W. Marker is in Washington Court House, Ohio, in Fayette County. Marker is on Elm Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 S Elm Street, Washington Court House OH 43160, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fayette County Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Harry M . Daugherty (approx. half a mile away); The Judy Memorial Chapel (approx. half a mile away); Washington Court House (approx. half a mile away); Soldiers’ Row (approx. half a mile away); Morris Sharp House (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Bicentennial Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); 104mm German Cannon (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington Court House.
Also see . . . St. Colman of Cloyne Catholic Church. Church website homepage (Submitted on February 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,861 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on May 14, 2023, by Alex Krempasky of Obetz, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 22, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.