Immaculate Conception Catholic Church -- The first mass was offered in this Lake Erie region in 1679 at Middle Bass Island for the Huron Indians -- the first known Catholics of the territory.  Silver crosses, signs of conversion, have been found among the remains of the Huron Indians buried along the Portage River at Port Clinton and the Sandusky Bay.  At this time, all of Ohio was under the Cincinnati Diocese.

White settlers came to claim the land about 1823 seeking out a livelihood as fishermen and trappers.  Fr. Joseph Machelbeuf, who also cared for Sandusky and Fremont, attended these early Catholics, living in a French Canadian mission.  Mass was celebrated in the local hotel The Germainia House on Madison Street in Port Clinton...the site of the present Huntington Bank.

In 1847, the Cleveland Diocese was formed and claimed the lake region.  Cleveland Bishop Rappe appointed Fr. Louis Molon to be the first priest to be in regular attendance to the twelve Catholic families living in the Port Clinton area.  In 1861, Fr. Molon purchased two lots on 4th and Madison Streets and eventually built a 34' by 68' wooden frame church.

Fr. G.A. Verlet became the first resident pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in 1862.  For the next ten years, six different priests served the parish with brief appointments or as missionaries.  There was a shortage of priests at that time due to poor facilities for educating priests along with cholera that too a heavy toll on the clergy attending the sick.

A school was built during the time of Fr. John Thein from 1875-1880, on two lots donated by Michael and Barbara Darr in exchange for masses.  There were 40 students of French, German, Irish and Swiss decent.  The school was closed after two years due to lack of finances.

During the following 15 years, four priests and many changes, the parish grew to 65 families.  Fr. Francis Hroch began a building fund for a new church which was built and dedicated in 1902 at the cost of $40,000.

Changes and improvements during the following ten years included classes for children and adults, annual trips to Catawba Island for masses held in homes, allowing the five Catholic families to go to confession and make their "Easter duty".  Fr. C. Plumanns and Fr. George H. Lang served at Immaculate Conception Parish at this time.

The Toledo Diocese was formed in 1911 and claimed this lake region as far east as Huron, Ohio. Fr. Plumanns, a band, and a group of men from the parish went to Toledo on the interurban line to join the parade, celebrate the formation of the diocese and receive a parish blessing from Bishop Schrembs.  Parish census registered 152 families.

Some of the accomplishments during the pastorate of Rev. Fr. R.I. Kinnane, 1923-1927, included the purchase of a printing press, monthly bulletins called "The Immaculata", a new concrete garage, the purchase of a house and a lot adjoining the rectory, debts were paid and the "new" school was built.

Fr. Karl Brand came to Immaculate Conception in 1927 and during his 38 years as pastor, he made a lasting impression on the entire Port Clinton community, both Catholic and non-Catholic.  With Fr. Brand's willingness to tackle any job, his musical ability, his gardens, he helped many in the community through the Great Depression, including providing hot meals for the school children.

Because of the World War II effort, Erie Proving Grounds, and Camp Perry, the community saw a rapidly growing population, including a rapidly growing parish.  Fr. Paul Mueller was appointed the first associate pastor.  Later, Fr. Earl Schmit was appointed as overseer of the building project which attached the church and school, enlarged the sanctuary and added church seating capacity.  Through this effort the school held 500 students and the church hel 800 mass attendees.

Fr. C.J. Dobmeyer was pastor from 1965-1977 and implemented some of Vatican II.  Next came Fr. James E. Risacher as pastor and Fr. Clancy Yeager as associate pastor.  During their time, Christ Renews His Parish, small prayers groups and several lay ministries developed and flourished.

Fr. James K. Say served as pastor from 1986-1992.  He established "Our Lady of the Lake" chapel used for daily masses.  Our school continued to provide Catholic education for grades K-8 along with a strong academic curriculum.  Parish census registered 1400 families with 150 Catholic school students.

Arriving in 1992, Fr. Raymond Ensman promoted continual growth and change.  Parishioners were served well by numerous ministries, along with liturgies that were inviting and prayerful for the diverse membership and ever increasing influx of summer visitors.

Emerging were the creation of a Pastoral Council, pre-school, extension of all-day kindergarten, development of the parish nurse ministry, youth ministry, and a business manager along with the purchase of additional properties.

Presently, Fr. John Missler is serving as pastor since 2006.  Through a parish study with St. Joseph, Marblehead, which was initiated by Bishop Blair, we are researching avenues to better serve the Catholics in our area along with our many summer visitors.  The results of this study will soon be presented to the Bishop.

A recently purchased house is being renovated for a rectory as well as a present discernment process addressing a past "Building for Ministry and Worship" Campaign.

Newly developed ministry teams are : Bereavement Team Receptions, Building and Maintenance Committee, RCIA Team between the Catholic parishes at Marblehead and Port Clinton.

As a parish, we see continual development of ministries, community involvement, Catholic school education promotion, prayerful liturgies--through the living out of our mission statement.

Revised May 2007

The Rose Window & St. Cecilia
Rose is the term used to describe a round cathedral or church stained glass window whose design emanates from the center like the flower after which it is named.

In the center of our Rose window is St. Cecilia.  The story of St. Cecilia is by itself a romance story.  Cecilia was a maiden of noble birth.  At an early age she dedicated her life to God with a vow of chastity. She, however, was betrothed and married to a young noble named Valerian. History records, "The day on which the wedding was held arrived and while musical instruments were playing she was singing in her heart to God alone saying: "Make my heart and my body pure that I may not be confounded." Many historians believe that this text lead to the naming of Cecilia as the patroness of music. St. Cecilia's prayers were answered and Valerian was willing to take her as his wife without braking her vow.  Not only did he accept her vow of chastity, he and his brother were converted to Christianity and were baptized.  Christianity was still illegal in Rome and both Valerian and his brother were discovered and were martyred.  Cecilia was also discovered soon after and met a similar fate.  It required two attempts before her death was successful. She was first locked in a bath in her home to be suffocated by the steam.  When she emerged unharmed, she was then beheaded.  The stroke of the axe failed to sever her head and she lived for three days.  During this time she saw to the disbursement of her assets to help the poor and donated her home to the ecclesiastical authorities to be used as a church. The feast day of St. Cecilia, 'Patron Saint of Church Music' is celebrated November 22nd.