The
Parish of Saint Brendan was canonically established on June 16,
1956. Thirty-two acres were purchased at the southwest comer of
Davidson and Dublin roads. Father Michael Wellnitz was the founding
pastor and he celebrated the first Mass of St. Brendan Parish
on July 9, 1956, in the old school building (since demolished)
in Dublin. It was also known as the American Legion Hall. The
parishioners (65 families) attended Mass there for about a year.
Father Wellnitz and his housekeeper, Miss Mary McGowan, resided
at the home of the late Arthur and Rosaleen Wiles from July until
October. A rectory was established in October, 1956, in an old
farmhouse on Tuller Rd. On March 3, 1957, the farmhouse burned
to the ground and all Father Wellnitz was able to save was his
bathrobe and slippers. Miss Mary retrieved the vestments used
for Mass and the dishes and then she ran down the road to the
nearest house to summon help. Miss Mary was a sprightly 73 at
the time.
Father Wellnitz, a wood carver, lost all of his tools
in the fire. The people of Saint Brendan purchased a new set of
carving tools and in 1961 and 1962 he worked on the Stations of
the Cross that are in the present church. After the fire, they
moved to the rectory at Saint Margaret of Cortona. Here they remained
until they moved into the Saint Brendan rectory on September 29,
1957. Mass was said in what is now the rectory living room until
November 4, 1957. Then the lower level of the rectory became
the church for six years.
On September 30, 1962, the groundbreaking
ceremonies were held for a school which also contained a larger
church. The cornerstone for this building was laid on May 5, 1963.
The first Mass in this church was July 10, 1963. On September
4, 1963, the Diocesan Sisters of Saint Joseph rang the school
bell for grades 5 through 8. The following year grades 3 and 4
were added; in 1969 grade 1 was added and by 1970 grade 2 completed
the full eight grades. The addition of the Parish Hall completed
the present facility in December, 1965. The hall is used for meetings,
receptions, school functions, etc.
The Parish Council met for
the first time on January 4, 1968. This group represented eight
committees in the parish with the primary purpose of encouraging
the membership of the parish into a movement of Christian community
in action~ whereby all programs and activities could be efficiently
coordinated for the best interest of the parish.
On August 17,
1972, Father Robert T. Manning was appointed pastor of St. Brendan
Parish. He came to Saint Brendan at the time of a major change.
Because the Bishop felt an urgent need for Catholic Elementary
education, he ordered that the church part of the school building
be converted into more classrooms. This church seated 400 people
and was enjoyed by the faithful for nine years. The next move
was to the Parish Hall for Mass from June, 1972, to December, 1972.
In November of that year, work began on the basement of the rectory,
converting it back into a very nice little church with a seating
capacity of 200. On December 19, 1972, Father Manning celebrated
the first Mass there and it remained our house of worship until
June 21, 1981.
In July, 1978, Father William J. Maroon was appointed
pastor of Saint Brendan Parish. Due to the rapid growth of the
area and the increased number of parishioners, it was evident
that something had to be done abut the church to accommodate the
people. In July, 1979, a Building Fund Drive was launched and
one year later, on August 17, 1980, groundbreaking took place
for a new church. Ten months later the dedication of a beautiful
new church was held on June 21, 1981. It was a marvelous way to
celebrate the 25th anniversary of Saint Brendan Parish. Bishop
Edward J. Herrmann consecrated the new church and a great party
marked the day.
In July, 1982, Father Charles A. Jackson was appointed
pastor of St. Brendan Parish. The parish continued its rapid growth.
Part of the parish was sectioned off to form two new parishes:
St. Brigid of Kildare and St. Joan of Arc. Still the membership
increased. During this time the parish debt was wiped out In September
of 1992 Fr. Martin Ralko was appointed temporary administrator
after Father Jackson finished his term. Fr. Ralko formed a planning
committee to assess the overall needs of the parish. In July of
1993 Father William Maroon returned to Saint Brendan Parish as
its pastor. A successful fundraising drive expanded the
church and school, which must now serve over 3,000 families.
The drive continues and has reached almost $1,600,000 at this printing..
St. Brendan continues to be a vital part of the enormous growth taking
place in the Hilliard, Columbus and Dublin areas. Saint Brendan
Parish is certainly an important part of the growth of Catholicism
in the Diocese of Columbus.
