St. Teresa of Avila Parish

By 1845 the number of church members had grown. The oldest document in the Parish Records is the "Rechnung Buch 1845-1875" which indicates the original twenty families numerically as follows: 1. Peter Laux; 2. Heinrich Schwarz; 3. Peter Schneider; 4. Mathias Schuller; 5. Johan Schuller; 6. Nichlaus Linnert; 7. Wilhelm Eiten; 8. Johan Laubenthal Jr; 9. Anton Kalz; 10. Johan Diedrich; 11. Johan Muller; 12. Joseph Tomas; 13. Jodokus Otto Jr; 14. Nichlaus Tannen; 15. Nichlaus Rothgeri; 16. Peter Rothgeri; 17. Peter Uhrig; 18. Widow Kelling; 19. Christian Merz; 20. Nichlaus Burkert. This list does differ somewhat from those contained in history books written around 1879. The reader must be made aware that church documents will always take precedence over commercially written material. In no way does this diminish the contributions made by the fine German families who joined the parish in the next few years following its establishment.

It has also been written in some history books that in 1845, a Father Peter Greist urged the Catholic community in Sheffield to form St. Teresa of Avila's Catholic Church. However, no priest by that name has ever been located in a search of diocesan records from either Cincinnati or Cleveland. A more plausible explanation stems from these facts. We know that Father Brunner was providing mission services to the Sheffield/Avon catholic community during this time period. We also know that Father Brunner always brought several of his theology students with him. He was the only one qualified to instruct them, and would continue to teach them while they were traveling.

The records reflect that two of the young men studying theology with Father Brunner were brothers named Peter and Mathias Kreusch. Because of his youth and enthusiasm, it was probably Peter Kreusch who convinced the community to establish a church, along with a little assistance from Father Brunner of course. By looking at the history written about Father Brunner prior to his coming to this country, we find that he often prayed to St. Teresa of Avila to get him through some of his most difficult times. One could then conclude that it was Peter Kreusch who convinced the community to found a church, and Father Brunner who suggested the church be named after of one of his favorite saints, Saint Teresa of Avila. We also know that in those early days the population was often afflicted with fevers which caused many to die. The parish prayed to Saint Teresa of Avila to spare them and promised to always remember and honor her on October 15 of each year. Regardless of who gets the credit, we are grateful that the catholic community respond by pooling their resources and energy together to build a church.