It's the oldest parish in Northern Ohio. This year, the Saint Philip Neri church in Dungannon officially turns 200 years old and the parish is celebrating the bicentennial with a book and a glimpse into the past.

Over the course of its history, the parish has moved a couple times, had a couple different names, but the St. Philip Neri parish has a rich history in Columbiana County, one that Joe McKarns was desperate to preserve.

"If we don't do this, it's lost and once it's lost it's gone," said McKarns, the church's historian.

So Joe asked Kelly Darney, who has a master's degree in library science, to see what kind of history she could dig up. It turned into a 250-page book that goes to the publisher next month.

"Oh, I found so much stuff," said Darney. "Yes, I am surprised how far back you can go."

The amazing part is, the original building still stands. It's been moved a couple miles down the road, they did that for the 150th anniversary. Now, there's a huge building surrounding it, preserving this for generations to come.

Inside the log cabin are treasures like the original, cherry bureau used as an alter for the very first mass.

"The log cabin held masses for about three years. Now mind you, this is the home of Daniel and Margaret McAlister and their family. So they opened it up for the rest of the community around and the priest to come in and do their religious duties," said McKarns.

After a few years they built a new church, but when the Sandy and Beaver Canal came through suddenly there were a lot of people for a little old church.

"Back in the day it didn't used to be out here in the country in the middle of nowhere," said Darney. "When the canal came through, there was a huge influx of Irish and German immigrants who came to work on the canal. When they did, the majority of them were Irish Catholic, so naturally that's what caused their explosion in their parishioners."

Eventually, the congregation split and in 1846 built the church you see today. You can still see the little Irish accents if you're looking closely, a link to the past that McKarns is determined to make stand the test of time.

"I guess it's my turn to do this to future generations," said McKarns.

McKarns and Darney, making sure that little church in the log cabin is never forgotten.

Joe gives tours, if you'd like to stop down sometime. You can find out how to get in touch on the church's website, stphilipneo.org.