On September 28, 1861, the first baptism was held in the old Emlen Institute, built in 1836, for John, son of Mich. Mueller and Cath. Schlosser, under the Right Rev. Jos, Dwenger C. PP. S. D.D. and Rev. Aloys Schelbert C. PP. S. Those organized with the parish included Buehler August, De Curtins Anth, Desch Ch., Hellmuth J., Hess Wm., Kroeger J., Kunkler Blasius, Kunkler E., Niermann, Papenbrock, Piekenbrock A., Schlosser John, Schmitt Ph., Thobe Henry, Van Den Bosch Sr., Will George, Kemper H., Staeugler Mat., Severt Hermann, and Stelzer F., with some later leaving or dying between 1865 and 1873. Parishes and contributors that helped build the church included Casella - St Mary's, Celina - St Mary's, Celina - Non-Catholics, Coldwater - H. Trinity, Cranberry - St. Francis, Ft. Loramie - St. Michl., Ft. Wayne - 1. St. Mary's, Naria Stein - St. John's, Minster - St. Augustine, Philothea - St. Mary's, Rose Garden - St. Rose, St. Henry - St. Henry's, St. Peter - St. Peter's, Stawendelin - Swendel, Victoria - St. Joseph's, and Egypt - Mrs. E. Sprock.