Franklin Township, Coshocton County, Ohio USA
Roman Catholic
Catholic families from France built St. Nicholas Church in 1857, a log frame with weather-board siding. Each member contributed three logs. It was not dedicated until 1870, though it was regularly served by priests primarily from Coshocton. The church was consolidated with St. Mary of Plainfield (4 miles to the west) in 1887 forming a new parish of Our Lady of Lourdes located between the two churches, though closer to St. Nicholas. The church was soon razed. Ann Royer built the Royer Chapel in 1897 on the site of St. Nicholas in honor of her husband Martin. The smallest chapel in Ohio, 12 x 18 feet, with a capacity of 21. Lumber from St. Nicholas was used in the new chapel and foundation stones from St. Nicholas are visible behind the chapel. Regular Sunday services were held in the chapel into the 1960s; they are now annual. Arson destroyed the chapel in 2002; it was rebuilt in 2006. Though the chapel has been vandalized repeatedly over the years, it is kept open with recently added security features.More information on St. Nicholas Mission, 1856 - 1886