Local events in Marion Township, Mercer County
Nothing is posted for Marion Township itself yet; here is what is on within 10 miles. All local events in Marion Township, Mercer County
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Checked October 20; the events page is refreshed daily.
How Marion Township, Mercer County began
Marion Township, in the southeastern corner of Mercer County, holds two of the county's most distinctive small places: Maria Stein, center of the German Catholic "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches" and home to the Shrine of the Holy Relics, and Carthagena, laid out in 1840 by free Black settler Charles Moore and later remade into the Missionaries of the Precious Blood's St. Charles Seminary. The village of Chickasaw, platted 1838 in the township's north, carries a name locally tied to Native people said to have lived in the area into the 1850s. Township land also borders Auglaize, Shelby and Darke counties, which has repeatedly pulled genuinely nearby but out-of-county places -- New Bremen, Minster, Egypt -- into shared ZIP codes with Marion Township despite lying across the line.
Settled 1833 (St. Johns/Maria Stein area), by German Catholic settlers under Father Francis de Sales Brunner; Charles Moore (Carthagena).
Where the name comes from
One of twelve Marion Townships in Ohio; no source specific to this township's own naming was found.
Before the town
No prehistoric mound or historic-nation village site specific to Marion Township was found in the sources consulted. The village of Chickasaw, platted in the township's north in 1838, is locally said (per a Daily Standard newspaper history) to be named for "Big" and "Little" Chickasaw individuals who lived in the area and were reportedly still present as late as 1853 -- a striking claim, since the Chickasaw are a Southeastern nation with no other documented Ohio presence, and one reported here as recorded local tradition rather than an established academic fact, since no primary source was located.
Nations recorded here: Chickasaw.
Timeline
- — The settlement of St. Johns, precursor to Maria Stein, is established, named because nearly all its early male settlers were named John.
- — Chickasaw is laid out and surveyed by John Nutter and James Brooks.
- — Charles Moore, a free Black settler from Kentucky, lays out Carthagena on 160 acres he owns in the township.
- — Father Francis de Sales Brunner's Missionaries of the Precious Blood settle the Maria Stein Convent, the order's third New World convent, later home to the Shrine of the Holy Relics.
- — The Missionaries of the Precious Blood buy the old Emlen Institute property at Carthagena and found St. Charles Seminary.
- — Chickasaw is incorporated as a village.
- — A separate relic chapel is established at the Maria Stein Convent, where sisters maintain a continuous vigil over the collection.
- — Albert Bowles, the last known member of Carthagena's Black community, dies.
Stories
Charles Moore's town
In 1840, free Black settler Charles Moore laid out Carthagena on 160 acres he owned in the township, naming it for the Spanish port city of Cartagena. A Black school, the Emlen Institute, once stood on the property, and Black families lived at Carthagena for more than a century -- the last known member of that community, Albert Bowles, died there in 1957. But the settlement's second life had begun decades earlier: in 1861 the Missionaries of the Precious Blood bought the old Emlen Institute land for $4,500 and founded St. Charles Seminary, which the Society still operates today as St. Charles Center. St. Aloysius Catholic Church, built by the Society and listed on the National Register in 1979, stands on the same ground -- one square mile of township farmland that was, in sequence, a Black settlement, a Black school, and a Catholic seminary.
A relic collection in a farm township
Maria Stein began as St. Johns, a settlement named, prosaically, because nearly every early male settler there was named John. Its transformation came through Father Francis de Sales Brunner, a Swiss-trained priest who founded parishes across the region for German Catholic immigrants -- ground still known today as the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches, for the tall, cross-topped steeples German craftsmen built there through the mid-to-late 1800s. Brunner probably named the Ohio convent for Mariastein Abbey in Switzerland, where he had once lived as a monk, and he began collecting relics that today form the second-largest such collection in the United States, housed since 1892 in a dedicated Relic Chapel where sisters keep a continuous vigil -- an improbable sacred archive sitting in the middle of Mercer County soybean country.
Photographs
Photo: Nheyob, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Local history sources: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · dailystandard.com · commons.wikimedia.org
Historic places
6 places in Marion Township, Mercer County on the National Register of Historic Places. Press a pin or a name for its whole record.
-
Cassella Catholic Church and RectoryBuilding · Cassella · listed 1979
- Address
- RT. 119
- Where
- Cassella, Mercer County · ZIP 45860
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 1979
- NRIS reference number
- 79002822
- Coordinates
- 40.40685, -84.55067
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
-
Gast, Matthias, House and General StoreBuilding · Maria Stein · listed 1978
- Address
- OH 119
- Where
- Maria Stein, Mercer County · ZIP 45860
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 1978
- NRIS reference number
- 78002139
- Coordinates
- 40.40782, -84.47027
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
-
Gruenwald ConventBuilding · Cassella · listed 1979
- Address
- .5 mi. S of Cassella
- Where
- Cassella, Mercer County · ZIP 45860
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 1979
- NRIS reference number
- 79002813
- Coordinates
- 40.40046, -84.55090
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
-
Maria Stein Catholic Church and RectoryBuilding · Maria Stein · listed 1979
- Address
- St. John's Rd. and OH 119
- Where
- Maria Stein, Mercer County · ZIP 45860
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 1979
- NRIS reference number
- 79002828
- Coordinates
- 40.40806, -84.47285
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
-
St. Aloysius Catholic ChurchBuilding · Carthagena · listed 1979
- Address
- OH 274 and OH 127
- Where
- Carthagena, Mercer County · ZIP 45822
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 1979
- NRIS reference number
- 79002824
- Coordinates
- 40.43644, -84.56987
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
-
St. Sebastian Catholic Church and RectoryBuilding · St. Sebastian · listed 1979
- Address
- Sebastian Rd. and OH 716-A
- Where
- St. Sebastian, Mercer County · ZIP 45822
- What it is
- Building
- Listed on the National Register
- 1979
- NRIS reference number
- 79002830
- Coordinates
- 40.44432, -84.51653
National Register file (NPS) ↗ Search Wikipedia ↗ Street map and directions ↗ On the Cracked Buckeye map
Source: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places point file. The listing year is shown where NPS's certification date agrees with the listing's reference number. Listing recognizes significance; it does not restrict a private owner.
Water
Mostly private wells The water here
- Celina, City Of87% of residentsGrand Lake St. Marys (surface water intake)
- Minster Village7% of residentsGroundwater wells (8 wells)
- Grand Lake Estates4% of residentsGroundwater wells (1 wells)
- Chickasaw Village2% of residentsGroundwater wells (2 wells)
- West Lake Village MHP0% of residentsGroundwater wells (1 wells)
- Shelby County Water and Sewer0% of residentsGroundwater wells (2 wells)
- Lake View Village MHP0% of residentsGroundwater wells (1 wells)
- New Bremen Village0% of residentsGroundwater wells (6 wells)
Hospitals, fire stations and more
Inside Marion Township, Mercer County's boundary: 2 public schools, 1 poor-rated bridge, 2 public charging sites and 3 spill cases. Press a pin or a name for its whole record and its source.
Public schools (2)
-
Marion Local Elementary School5 of 5 stars · Maria Stein
- Address
- 7956 State Route 119, Maria Stein, OH 45860
- School district
- Marion Local School District
- Kind (NCES)
- Regular School
- Students, 2023-24
- 677
- Teachers (full-time equivalent)
- 40.5
- Report card, 2025-26
- 5 of 5 stars
- Performance index
- 99.8%
- Ohio building IRN
- 022822
- NCES school ID
- 391003103297
NCES school record ↗ Ohio School Report Card ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Marion Local High School5 of 5 stars · Maria Stein
- Address
- 1901 State Route 716, Maria Stein, OH 45860
- School district
- Marion Local School District
- Kind (NCES)
- Regular School
- Students, 2023-24
- 275
- Teachers (full-time equivalent)
- 16
- Report card, 2025-26
- 5 of 5 stars
- Performance index
- 101.1%
- Four-year graduation rate
- 100%
- Ohio building IRN
- 022863
- NCES school ID
- 391003103298
NCES school record ↗ Ohio School Report Card ↗ Street map and directions ↗
Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2024-25 and Common Core of Data 2023-24 (type, students, teachers); Ohio School Report Cards 2025-26 (Department of Education and Workforce), matched by name within the district.
Bridges rated poor (1)
-
Huwer Road over Br of Mile CreekPoor · built 1993
- Condition
- Poor: a deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert rated 4 or below on the 0 to 9 scale
- What it is
- Bridge
- Built
- 1993
- Length
- 7 ft
- Owner
- County
- Vehicles a day
- 235
- Coordinates
- 40.37823, -84.55106
National Bridge Inventory (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory 2025. "Poor" means one major part rated 4 or below on the 0 to 9 scale; it calls for repair, not closing, unless the state posts or closes the bridge.
Public EV charging (2)
-
MIDWEST MOELLER BB2 Level 2 · Maria Stein
- Address
- 8016 Marion Dr, Maria Stein, OH 45860
- Ports
- 2 Level 2
- Plugs
- J1772
- Network
- ChargePoint Network
- Hours
- 24 hours daily
- Phone
- 888-758-4389
Station Locator (NREL) ↗ Alternative Fuels Data Center (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
MIDWEST NIEKAMP2 Level 2 · Saint Henry
- Address
- 6133 Olding Rd, Saint Henry, OH 45883
- Ports
- 2 Level 2
- Plugs
- J1772
- Network
- ChargePoint Network
- Hours
- 24 hours daily
- Phone
- 888-758-4389
Station Locator (NREL) ↗ Alternative Fuels Data Center (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
Source: NREL Alternative Fuels Data Center station list (May 2026), public and open stations, the posts at one address counted as one site.
Spills reported since 2021 (3)
-
Manure Chicken2024-03-16 · Union Twp
- Reported
- 2024-03-16
- What spilled
- Manure Chicken
- Where
- Union Twp, Mercer County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2403EPA0000421
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Manure Nos (Not Specified)2023-08-30 · Marion Twp
- Reported
- 2023-08-30
- What spilled
- Manure Nos (Not Specified)
- Where
- Marion Twp, Mercer County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2308EPA0001537
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
-
Fertilizer(S) Nos (Not Specified) Reached water2023-04-13 · Marion Twp
- Reported
- 2023-04-13
- What spilled
- Fertilizer(S) Nos (Not Specified)
- Largest amount reported
- 2,500 gallons
- Reached a waterway
- Unnamed
- Where
- Marion Twp, Mercer County
- Ohio EPA district office
- NWDO
- Ohio EPA case number
- 2304EPA0000589
Ohio EPA spill reports (source) ↗ Street map and directions ↗
Source: Ohio EPA emergency response spill reports, 2021 to September 2026, one point per case where Ohio EPA placed it. A report is what the caller or responder recorded; amounts are often blank or estimated.
Its ZIP codes
Each ZIP code that touches Marion Township, Mercer County, with the share of its residents who live here and the same headline figures as the ZIP page.
| ZIP | Share | Water | Radon | Home value | Schools | Flood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45860 Marion Township and Maria Stein | 100% | Mostly private wells | 7.1 pCi/L average radon | Median year built 1980 | Marion Local · 5 stars overall | 0.0% of residents in the 1% floodplain |
| 45822 Celina | 2% | Grand Lake St. Marys (surface water intake) | 2.1 pCi/L average radon | Median year built 1968 | Celina City · 3.5 stars overall | 7.1% of residents in the 1% floodplain |
| 45826 Chickasaw | 2% | Groundwater wells (2 wells) | Too few radon tests | Median year built 1974 | Marion Local · 5 stars overall | 0.0% of residents in the 1% floodplain |
| 45388 Patterson Township and Yorkshire | 1% | Mostly private wells | Too few radon tests | Median year built 1959 | Versailles Exempted Village · 5 stars overall | 1.4% of residents in the 1% floodplain |
| 45865 Minster | 1% | Groundwater wells (8 wells) | 5.2 pCi/L average radon | Appraisal records without year built | Minster Local · 5 stars overall | 6.1% of residents in the 1% floodplain |
Local government
Who holds office in Marion Township, Mercer County, how its elections and ballot issues came out, and the state auditor's record.
Elections for office
| Date | Office | Candidates and votes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-04 | Trustee | Andrew T. Kremer 434, 36.38%; Larry R. Reichert 431, 36.13%; Ronald Bruns 328, 27.49% |
| 2023-11-07 | Trustee | Perry Unrast 1,559, 100.0% |
| 2023-11-07 | Fiscal Officer | Bonnie L. Garrison 1,581, 100.0% |
Winners in bold. Results from the county board of elections' official canvass unless marked.
Auditor of State record
- No fiscal caution, watch or emergency on the Auditor of State's lists.
- Financial Audit, 2022 to 2023, released 2024-11-21
The county
Mercer County: 10 ZIP codes, 23 cities, villages and townships, 42,566 people.
Nearby places
Quick answers
What county is Marion Township, Ohio in?
Marion Township, Mercer County is a township in Mercer County, Ohio, with 2,971 residents.
When was Marion Township, Ohio founded?
Marion Township, Mercer County was settled 1833 (St. Johns/Maria Stein area). Founders on record: German Catholic settlers under Father Francis de Sales Brunner; Charles Moore (Carthagena). Source
How did Marion Township, Ohio get its name?
One of twelve Marion Townships in Ohio; no source specific to this township's own naming was found. Source
What ZIP code is Marion Township, Ohio?
Marion Township, Mercer County is served by ZIP codes 45860 and 45822; 45860 holds the largest share of its residents.
Where does Marion Township, Ohio get its water?
The main water source for Marion Township, Mercer County (Celina, City Of): Mostly private wells.
Cite this page
Cite this page as:
Cracked Buckeye, "Marion Township, Mercer County", https://crackedbuckeye.com/place/marion-township-mercer-county/, built 2026-10-31, accessed [date].
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