CT/E.L.HUBBARD

Celebrants for the St. Francis Catholic Church Sesquicentennial Mass included Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Precious Blood Fathers Tom Hemm, David Hoying, Tony Fortman and Larry Wyen.

Cranberry Prairie church marks 150th anniversary

By David Eck

ST. MARYS DEANERY — The tidy brick church in rural Cranberry Prairie was a bit brighter and livelier Sept. 28 as St. Francis Parish celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk celebrated a Mass for some 200 parishioners. The day also featured games, a reception and other events.

Through it all, there was a feeling of gratitude.

"I’m just thankful for our ancestors," said parishioner Pat Pottkotter, who served on a committee that organized the anniversary celebration. "They gave up a lot to build these churches around here. I don’t think we realize how much they gave up, time and money. They had very hard times."

The parish dates to May 1858, when it was founded in rural Mercer County. Located in the "Land of the Cross-tipped Churches," it can be seen for miles on Ohio 119 near US 127. The current church was built in 1906.

In his homily, Archbishop Pilarczyk recognized the efforts of St. Francis parishioners past and present.

St. Francis Church, Cranberry Prairie

"He has offered the parishioners of this congregation His love, His teaching, His sacraments. He has issued to them His invitation to collaborate with Him in bringing about the kingdom," the archbishop said. "And the parishioners have responded. They have shouldered the responsibility that God gave them and made their contributions to the fulfillment of His will. For all that we today express our gratitude."

As part of the reception, organizers reenacted a raffle that was held over a century ago when the church was dedicated, Pottkotter said. A handbill advertising the 1906 celebration helped the committee re-create the event. Over a dozen prizes, geared toward men and women, were given away. Old-fashioned games for the kids were also available.

"We wanted to re-create as much as possible, as it would have been years ago," Pottkotter said.

Another key part of the anniversary celebration was the creation of a book about the parish’s history. The volume is filled with parishioner stories, listings of births, marriages and deaths in the parish and details about the parish’s early days. The book is $35 can be ordered by calling Pottkotter at 419-678-4557. Orders can also be placed at www.geocities.com/cranberryprairie.

Like those in many of the small churches in the rural areas of the archdiocese, the parishioners of St. Francis become a sort of second family in their church, parishioners said.

"I think it makes them very appreciative when you’re a member of s small church like this," Pottkotter said. "You know you have to put an effort to help out."