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History of Saint Martha Parish
On the property of Saint Martha at the time was a building formerly used by the United Brethren Church which was purchased for $1,500.00 and easily converted to facilitate the use of it for the Spiritual needs of the people. This building was used for the Church until Christmas Day, 1923, when the new Church was occupied for the first time. Father McKeever, the Pastor, performed two masses that first Sunday, at 7:30 and 9:00. The collection that first Sunday was $95.71. Within one month the Masses had increased to three a Sunday and the collection to $809.61.
God's Work had begun along with the rich Spiritual Heritage of Saint Martha's People. Shortly thereafter the reverend James J. Duffy was appointed as the first assistant to Saint Martha's Parish. In 1919 the Parish already boasted of seventy-one Baptisms, thirty marriages and six converts to the faith. From this humble beginning, the Parish mushroomed into a large and thriving Church totaling as many as 310 families in 1923.
The Convent was originally rented, until the house in which the Sisters now live; Casa Veritas, were purchased in 1940. Msgr. Carl Frey added the neighboring house and connected the two with the Sisters' Chapel. God's Work continues along with the rich Spiritual Heritage of Saint Martha's Parishioners. Now.... With families Celebrating, Evangelizing, Caring, Teaching, and Participating, in numerous Parish ministries, Saint Martha's 1,200 + households touch many lives across North Hill of Akron and Summit County. Saint Martha School fulfills the spiritual and education needs of children in grades Kindergarten through Eighth grade.  Saint Martha offers a preschool program for three year olds (two half days a week) and a program for four year olds (three half days a week). Saint Martha provides quality Catholic education and religious formation. Approximately 98% of our school families are registered parishioners, but many live outside the geographic boundaries of the Parish. Sunday PSR (Parish School of Religion) and Liturgy of the Word programs provide religious formation and education. If Saint Martha Parish is to flourish in the 21st century we must offer and support a vibrant parish life for every Catholic. This creates the need for parishes to collaborate. "We must each do our part to plant the seeds and lay the foundation for collaboration and unity that will deepen with time." "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly" The Pastoral Staff of Saint Martha is highly dedicated to the education and religious formation of all Parish members of Saint Martha and surrounding parishes. |
On January 19, 1919, the most Reverend John Farrelly established a new Parish on North Hill, naming Rev. John A. McKeever as the founding Pastor. Originally a part of Saint Vincent's Parish the newly formed Parish would be named in honor of Saint Martha. The site for the Parish was purchased from James Latham at a cost of $31,000.
The present Church was added to the first unit of the School in 1923. The original Rectory was a frame dwelling located between the present house and the School. Our Pastor now lives in a home (The Parish Center) erected under the Pastorate of Msgr. Carl Frey.