FORTY MARTYRS CATHOLIC CHURCH

201 E. Van Allen Street

Legend of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

The Forty Martyrs were soldiers in the Roman army stationed in Lesser Armenia at Sebaste, modern Sivas, Turkey.  Legend recalls that when the soldiers were ordered to worship idols, these forty refused to comply.  After threats and beatings failed to shake their faith, they were stripped naked and herded into the middle of a frozen lake. A fire was built with a warm bath to tempt them to deny their faith.

Thirty-nine stood firm, but one broke and ran to the shore and the warm bath.  He died immediately upon entering the warm water.  One of the soldiers standing guard had visions of angels ministering to the remaining thirty-nine, so he stripped off his clothes and ran to join them.  They welcomed him and so the number of martyrs remained at forty. By morning, all were dead of exposure.

HISTORY OF FORTY MARTYRS PARISH

1865- Fr. Thomas Mangan came from Paris, IL to minister to 5 families. Fr. Michael Quinlian succeeded him.

1875- Fr. J. B. Diepenbrock came from Arcola and offered Mass in homes.

1880- the first church was built.

1901- Fr. Thomas Moore from Hume came for Mass every other Sunday.

1906- Fr. William Quattman lived at the Tuscola hotel.  He then built a rectory and also constructed a church in Villa Grove to be a mission of Tuscola.

1908- A new rectory was built in Tuscola.

1917- Fr. August Hohl came to Tuscola, and the chruch had about 30 families at the time.

1926- the present church was built at a cost of $40,000.  The parish had grown to about 200.

1927-  Fr. J. P. Jordan

1936- Fr. James Casey 

1949- Rectory destroyed by fire and rebuilt

1962- the school was built

1966- Fr. Vincent Heraty

1978- Fr. John Moore

1986- Fr. Martin Mangan

1991- Fr. Joe Ring

1995- Fr. Michael Mullink and Sr. Phyllis Schenk

1998-  Fr. Samuel Weber

1999- Fr. Allen Kemme

2000- Rectory purchased north of school

2005- Capital Fund Drive for new roof on Parish Hall.