Cradled in the basement of a grocery store to care for the spiritual needs of approximately 50 families, St. Vivian Parish began to take shape. It was on February 2, 1943, that Father Francis S. Smith, then Spiritual Director of Mount St. Mary Seminary, was directed by the late Archbishop McNicholas to organize a Mission in Finneytown to serve these original 50 families. The name chosen for the Mission was St. Vivian, singular choice indeed, for even to this day St. Vivian's is the only parish in the United States bearing the name of this illustrious Martyr of the 5th Century. (The Cathedral in Los Angeles shares the name.)

For this new Mission of St. Vivian's the Archdiocese had purchased a three-acre parcel of land on North Bend Road at Parkview Heights. Happily, however, the owner of a store nearby, Mrs. Louis Richter, generously offered the store's basement for church use, thus relieving the infant Mission of the burden of erecting a Chapel. This basement, accommodating about 100 worshippers, was the scene of the first Mass in the Mission on February 23, 1943.

NEW SITE CHOSEN

For two more years the little St. Vivian flock worshipped in the basement Chapel. The Mission well started, Father Smith was transferred in 1945 to Holy Angels Church, Cincinnati, as Pastor, and in his place at St. Vivian came Father Lawrence J. Kroum, until then Pastor of St. Mary's Church, Oxford, Ohio. Since it soon became obvious that the real growth in the area was budding north of the Parkview Heights location, the present property of 6 1/2 acres was purchased in May of 1946 from Mrs. Mary Nieman for $12,000, and the original tract sold. This new acreage obtained, the Mission was prepared to build. Because of governmental restrictions in those post World War II days, however, authorization was received to build only one floor. The permit allowed the building of only a hall, which was to serve first as a chapel and later, even to this day, as a cafeteria, and the erection of three classrooms. In the late summer of 1946 Mrs. Mary Nieman turned the first spadeful of earth at the ground-breaking ceremonies. Finally, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1947, the first Mass was offered in the new Chapel.

It was at this time, too, in World War II history, that light steel became available for construction. Accordingly, a quonset hut, 40 x 120 feet, was erected. This served as a social hall, a rectory, and later for additional classrooms.

Much more to come.

Information taken from St. Vivian's Silver Jubilee booklet. Some portions paraphrased or editted to allow for time change in writing.

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The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis S. Smith	The Rev. Lawrence J. Kroum
Pastor 1943 - 45	Pastor 1945 - 60