Sacred Heart Church at 139 3rd St NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663-3900 US - Holy Trinity at Zoar

The parish of the Holy Trinity, Zoar, Ohio, was officially established July 11, 1995, as a consolidation of the churches of St. Aloysius, Strasburg, St. Stephen, Bolivar, and St. Patrick, Mineral City. Father Daniel McGinnis was appointed as first pastor of the new parish. The early decision was made that, until construction could be undertaken, the churches at Bolivar and Mineral City would be used on an alternating schedule for masses and other activities of the parish. The property of St. Aloysius was sold to the village of Strasburg, with the proceeds going to the Holy Trinity building fund. The parish was the heir to four Catholic cemeteries: St. Aloysius, Strasburg, St. Stephen, Bolivar, St. Patrick, Mineral City, and St. Peter, Lawrence township. All continue in operation. Land was purchased by the Diocese of Columbus, seventeen and one half acres just north of the Village of Zoar. Part of the purchase price had been provided from the sale of church properties in Wainwright and Midvale. Plans at the new parish came to a sudden halt with the unexpected death of Father McGinnis, October 21, 1996. Father Patrick Toner was appointed administrator, but no progress could be made without a pastor. Father Michael Nimocks was appointed second pastor of the parish January 27, 1997, so work could again begin. After much new planning, the parish building fund drive was conducted late in 1998, with authorization coming early in 1999 to continue with final architectural work, so that construction could begin. Groundbreaking for the new structure was held Saturday afternoon, October 16, 1999. The current plans call for the rectory to remain in Bolivar. Bishop Griffin blessed the parish’s first permanent building, to be used as a temporary church, on Sunday morning, June 10, 2001.

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