Hello, Martin of Tours (born around 316 in Hungary, died 8. Nov. 397 in Candes/France) is a very popular saint in Germany and especially in the diocese Trier, where abt. 70 parishes are named after St. Martin (until 1803 there was a famous Benedictine Abbey with the name St. Martin in Trier, it is believed that it was founded by Martin itself ). Martin visited Trier the first time in 370, after his election as bishop. In 385 a.c. he visited the roman emperor Magnus Maximus in Trier to defend the heretic Priscillianus who had been sentenced to death. For further information about this remarkable saint, look at: http://www.bistum-trier.de/kiosk/martin/index.htm (german only) Ernst Mettlach Trier/Germany ----- Original Message ----- From: Susan Nokes <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2002 2:57 AM Subject: [TRIER-ROOTS-L] St. Martin's--Mertesdorf, St. Martin's Granville, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin > Hi, > > I read the following on the TRIER rootsweb list: > > "The name of the catholic church in Mertesdorf is St. Martin (the name of > Mertesdorf itself goes back to the name of St. Martin)." > > Does anyone know if the German's who built the frame church in 1847-48 and a > frame school in 1848 might have come from Mertesdorf? > > St. Martin's Catholic Church is located in what was West Granville, > Milwaukee County, Wisconsin...I think it is at 8900 West Appleton Avenue. > > I am wondering if, out of love for their homeland and their homeland church, > if they might have named St. Martin's after their church in Mertesdorf? > > Just a thought--any other thoughts on this? > > Thank you, > Susan > [email protected] > > > ==== TRIER-ROOTS Mailing List ==== > Going on vacation longer than 4 days? Go to > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/DEU/TRIER-ROOTS.html > to unsubscribe >

Ernest, Thank you for the idea! I started looking up St. Martin of Tours..and here is what I came up with: (I wish I could read German!) For those who are unable to read German (like myself), I found an interesting article at: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09732b.htm A more in depth article with beautiful pictures: http://users.erols.com/saintpat/ss/1111.htm And actually quite a few more! Does anyone know what the letters O. S. B. would stand for when following the name oa a priest? Seem to me it might have something to do with the Benedectine order--but I'm not certain. Thank you, Susan