History of the Akron Chapter

The first Christ Child Society in Akron was established in 1911 to assist the increasing foreign population. A Christ Child Sewing School was formed and 54 children were enrolled. Prayers, hymns and bible stories were also taught. In addition, infant clothing was distributed through the visiting nurses. Handmade garments were sent to St. Ann's Infant Home in Cleveland, which cared for many of Akron's babies.

In 1917 the Akron chapter reported that its members had suspended their work with children due to World War I. Christ Child members volunteered with the Red Cross.

Miss Theresa Frances Kraus (Mrs. C. J. Burkley), a member of the original Christ Child sewing circle, continued to support our work when the chapter began again in 1957. Mrs. Burkley was listed as an Honorary Member until her death in 1976.

The excerpt provided below is from the "National Christ Child Society, Inc., Profiles of Chapter Founders."

"A depth of love and concern for children marked the beginnings of the Christ Child Society in Akron. In 1956 Nancy Flanagan, a young mother who belonged to the Milwaukee Christ Child Society, moved to Akron. From her acquaintances she learned that the Akron populace was void of the knowledge of Mary Virginia Merrick and the work done by the Society.

Nancy had a desire and concern to help needy children. Her first step was to contact the nearest Christ Child chapter which was in Cleveland. Members from there visited Nancy and her friends. They showed their Christ Child film and soon found the Akron group taken by the aura surrounding Mary Virginia Merrick's original conception of the Society. Mary Virginia Merrick was a devout person sensitive to those less fortunate and filled with a special love for children. Nancy knew she, too, had to respond to the needs of the children of Akron.

The Akron Chapter was founded in 1957, initially holding meetings in various homes. Monsignor Edward Conry allowed the group to meet at St. Vincent Church where many were parishioners, and a solid foundation was formed for what is now a thriving, vital, highly respected community group. Members are from diverse backgrounds, various religions, parishes, and communities in and around Akron. They take pride in expressing their personal love of Christ through their service to His children."

As stated above, Nancy Flanagan brought from the Milwaukee chapter the necessary knowledge and enthusiasm to renew the work of the Christ Child Society in Akron. In 1956, through the kindness of Florence Devine, now deceased, and an honorary member of our chapter, the Cleveland Chapter was contacted for help in forming the Akron Chapter. The first meeting of this present chapter was held at St. Vincent Church on December 7, 1956 with a membership of eight and Nancy Flanagan presiding.

The first constitution and bylaws were adopted in 1957, and in 1958 the Akron Chapter received its charter at the National Convention in Detroit.

It is the hope of the Akron Christ Child Chapter that the work of serving children in need will continue to be productive in the coming years and that the success of the past fifty years will be the inspiration for our members to dedicate themselves to preserving the goals of the organization and the spirit of Mary Virginia Merrick, the founder of the National Christ Child Society.