Louis MOLON
Biography

Long Pastorate Of Rev. Louis Molon
After receiving the proceeds of the social, Father Griss thought the money might be more fittingly spent for the purchase of new property for church purposes, and the acquisition of a new organ postponed to some future date.

In September of 1865, after a short but busy pastorate of seven months, Father Griss left Elyria for his former charge at Perrysburg, which had remained without a regularly appointed pastor since his removal from there the preceding February.

He was immediately succeeded in Elyria by the Rev. Louis Molon, who was destined to remain longer as pastor of St. Mary's than any of his predecessors. He was an active and edifying pastor, and during the fifteen years of his incumbency saw a remarkable growth in the number of Catholics in Elyria. This growth of the parish necessitated again the enlarging of the church building and provision for more school room.

So under Father Molon's direction the church was made three times its original size, measuring after the latest addition, 110 feet in length. Pursuant to the designs of his predecessor, he purchased in 1867, from Jacob Waldeck, the two large lots situated on the northeast corner of Middle Avenue and Fourth Street, diagonally opposite the church, and on this property he moved the old town hall and converted it into a school. Father.Molon bought also a bell, which he caused to be placed in the little tower of the enlarged church, and a pipe-organ which was afterward moved to the new church and, with some alterations and additions, does service today. After having given his best to his parish, Father Molon was incapacitated for further work by a stroke of paralysis in the month of March, 1880. He lingered on for several months, able often to move about slowly, but incapable of performing priestly functions. He lived with his successor, assisted at mass frequently, and piously prepared for the end which he knew must be near. On the 16th of November, 1880, he breathed his last. Every available space in the church was filled at his funeral, and during the obsequies the overcrowded gallery gave way, the columns supporting it sinking through the floor. But, after sagging slightly, the gallery seemed to remain as firm in its new position as before. Bishop Gilmour, who presided at the funeral service, ordered the people to leave the organ loft. Thus this incident, which could so easily have been attended by serious consequences, passed without injury or commotion.

The bishop, taking his place by the coffin, preached the funeral sermon, dwelling on the scripture words, "I shall search Jerusalem with lamps." The remains of the dead priest were placed next those of Father Sullivan beneath the floor of the church he had served so well. Their bodies were laid to rest, not under the altar, but under the body of the church on the epistle side, and tablets inscribed to their memory were placed on the wall.

A Standard History of Lorain County...

Learn more about the life of     Louis MOLON.

Visit , France
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.