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Parish History

A Living Legacy
- Church of St. Edward the Confessor has been a place of faith, prayer, and community for generations. Our parish continues to grow as families gather here to celebrate the sacraments, deepen their faith, and serve others in the name of Christ.
  
  From our earliest beginnings to the dedication of our current church in 2004, St. Edward Church has remained committed to forming disciples and building a welcoming Catholic community.
Explore Our History
- 1946
  
  Parish Founded
  
  Bishop Ready bought the Dr. C.J. Loveless property at the corner of Broadway and Pearl Streets, the current site of one of the Granville Inn's parking lots.
  
  1947
  
  First Mass Said
  
  Msgr. Joseph R. Casey said the first Mass in the house's parlor. There were thirty-five families in the parish. Under the guidance of Pastors Msgr. Herman E. Mattingly, Fr. Leonard Scannell, Msgr. Francis Schwendeman, and Fr. Vincent Mooney, the house was gradually remodeled and eventually contained a completely furnished chapel accommodating seventy people.
  
  1954
  
  Construction of A New Building Begins
  
  Bishop Ready undertook construction of a new building for the Church of St. Edward the Confessor, laying the cornerstone on October 30.
  
  1955
  
  First Mass in the New Building
  
  Bishop Ready celebrated the church's first Mass on March 20, and the rectory and original parish hall were completed that fall. During the subsequent pastorship of Fr. Ambrose Metzger (1961-1970), St. Edward Church continued to grow.
  
  1972
  
  Implementation of Vatican II Documents
  
  Under the leadership of Fr. John M. Fulcher, eight parish commentators and lectors were installed as lay distributors of Holy Communion: Egbert Fisher, Eugene Gray, Joseph Lombardo, Eugene Murphy, Herbert Murphy, Anthony Skufca, and Philip Stukus.
  
  1984
  
  Construction Completed on Classrooms and Parish Hall
  
  In the 1970's and 1980's, during the pastorates of Frs. Arvids Bernans and Thomas Lowery, the parish community continued to grow, and under the guidance of Fr. Lowery, ground was broken for the construction of ten classrooms and a new parish hall. These were completed in 1984 and blessed on May 19 of that year by Bishop James A. Griffin.
  
  1991
  
  RCIA Process Implemented
  
  In the 1990's, Fr. G. Michael Gribble joined St. Edward Church, first as administrator and then as pastor. During this period, the parish grew to over 800 families, and in 1991, Barbara Doran and Patricia Chojnicki helped implement the RCIA process to bring adults into the Catholic Church.
  
  1992
  
  Knights of Columbus St. Edward Council 10876 Established
  
  The Knights of Columbus established the St. Edward Council, which continues to serve the parish and community. Also during this time period, Margery Hendy and Barbara Hinterschied helped to transform the former Altar Society into the Mary/Martha/Ed Ministry, designed to facilitate connection and support for members of the parish.
  
  1990's
  
  Community Involvement
  
  In the 1990's, parishioners became more involved in community services such as serving in local soup kitchens. St. Edward Church also became a regular host of the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Worship Service, and an early supporter of the Ecumenical Cross Walk on Good Friday. The Ecumenical Vacation Bible School continued to thrive. During this period, adjoining acreage was purchased for the parish.
  
  2000
  
  Msgr. Enke Installed as Pastor;
  Planning Begins for New Church
  
  As the local population grew, so did the number of parishioners. Msgr. Paul P. Enke was appointed pastor, and planning for a new church that would seat 900 people began shortly after. In consultation with the Diocese of Columbus, the architectural firm of David Meleca was selected and Lincoln Construction chosen as builder for the $4 million project.
  
  2004
  
  New Church Dedicated
  
  Construction of the new church was completed successfully, and it was dedicated on September 19 by Bishop James A. Griffin. In the years since its dedication, the building has served the parish well.
  
  2012
  
  Dcn. John Barbour Ordained
  
  Dcn. John Barbour was ordained and assigned to St. Edward Church. He has served our parish as a deacon for over a decade.
  
  2023
  
  Fr. Timothy Hayes Appointed Pastor
  
  After a long and fruitful tenure as pastor of St. Edward Church, Msgr. Paul Enke retired and Fr. Timothy Hayes was appointed as pastor. In his time at St. Edward Church, Fr. Tim has worked to facilitate communication, planning, and faithful stewardship of our resources, while encouraging parishioners to grow spiritually and as a community.
  
  2026
  
  Our Mission Continues
  
  Today, St. Edward Church remains a strong parish committed to serving those most in need. Our parish staunchly supports the local St. Vincent de Paul Society and St. Vincent Haven, and the Knights of Columbus, the Women of St. Edward, and other parish groups do much to serve our parish and wider community. Our Parish School of Religion, liturgical ministries, music ministries, and other opportunities enjoy consistent support as we work together to further our mission.
- Our Patron Saint
- Saint Edward the Confessor was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, reigning from 1042 to 1066. He was a beloved ruler, devoted to God, generous to the poor, and just in his administration of the kingdom.
  
  Legend states that King Edward once gave a ring to a beggar near Westminster. Two years later, some English pilgrims encountered an old man in their travels who identified himself as St. John the Apostle. St. John gave them King Edward's ring and asked that they return it to the king, along with a message that his death would come within six months.
  
  St. Edward was canonized in 1161 and given the title of "Confessor" for his outstanding profession of faith. His feast day is October 13.
  
  This painting of St. Edward the Confessor was gifted by artist Steven Arias Mosquera in 2024 and hangs in the back of the church.

Parish History

1946

Parish Founded

1947

First Mass Said

1954

Construction of A New Building Begins

1955

First Mass in the New Building

1972

Implementation of Vatican II Documents

1984

Construction Completed on Classrooms and Parish Hall

1991

RCIA Process Implemented

1992

Knights of Columbus St. Edward Council 10876 Established

1990's

Community Involvement

2000

Msgr. Enke Installed as Pastor; Planning Begins for New Church

2004

New Church Dedicated

2012

Dcn. John Barbour Ordained

2023

Fr. Timothy Hayes Appointed Pastor

2026

Our Mission Continues

Msgr. Enke Installed as Pastor;
Planning Begins for New Church