The village of New Bremen, about an hour’s drive north of Dayton, might be best known to outsiders as the home of the Bicycle Museum of America.

And the area’s Catholic parishioners know there’s no such thing as a free ride.

You might think a parish located more than 100 miles from central diocesan offices, and with no school of its own, would pose extraordinary challenges for a diocesan capital campaign with a heavy emphasis on education.

The answer from Holy Redeemer parish? Gifts amounting to a whopping 187% of its goal.

The pastor, Father Tom Mannebach is quick to answer when asked what propelled his parish’s overwhelming response to the appeal. “Leadership,” he says.

He’s not boasting on his own behalf. He’s referring to the parishioners who led the campaign.

“You don’t have to invent the process,” he said. “The consultants give that to you. What you need is a good leadership team and to get the right people on board.

“We had a diverse group, some younger, some older, who associated with people in different social circles. That helped get results. Of the visits we made to potential donors, 75% resulted in some kind of offering.”

New Bremen, in Auglaize County, was founded by German immigrants in the 1830s as an explicitly Protestant community. The population expanded after the Miami and Erie Canal, running between Lake Erie in Toledo and the Ohio River in Cincinnati, set its route through New Bremen.

Although Holy Redeemer doesn’t have a school the parish outlook isn’t parochial.

“They’re supporters of the diocese,” Father Mannebach said. “They believe in Catholic education even if their kids don’t go.”

The parish will use its campaign rebate for renovations. Twenty percent of what’s raised from a parish is returned, and 60% for funds above goal.

“The church needs interior improvements,” Father Mannebach said. “It’s out of date. The 60% was a nice bump once we reached the goal.”

A nice bump in a ride that was well-paved.