[2] The origins of St. Mary parish lie among numerous Germans and Irish who settled in Massillon in its early years and built a small house of worship on Cherry Road in the 1840s.

[4] Built primarily of sandstone,[1] St. Mary's is a high Gothic Revival structure with a facade of two nearly identical towers and a Latin cross floor plan.

The main entrance comprises three adjacent portals underneath a large rose window at the center of the facade.

[1] In 4 August 2015, a fire destroyed the chapel that contained the Shrine of St Dymphna within St. Mary's Catholic Church, as well as the parish's baptistry.

Since then, the Catholic pastor has been given a key and access to the Lutheran church and its inner workings, including the lighting, the air conditioning and other operational necessities.

It’s amazing what’s going to happen at that church.” St. Paul’s generous gesture has made it easier for Father Gretchko to work with his parishioners on life celebrations such as weddings and baptisms, he said.