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St. Brendan The Navigator Church

4475 Dublin Road
614-876-1272

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.