Noble County Community Guide provided by the News Sun
HISTORY: Avilla, incorporated in 1876, has a rich history. Hill first settled the town and it was named by Judge Edwin Randall after the French word “villas,” which means small town or village. The town has deep religious roots as well. Mary’s Catholic Church building was dedicated in 1878. Immanuel Lutheran Church, which is one of the oldest parishes in the county and the oldest Lutheran congregation in the county, was organized in 1844. The United Methodist Church was established in 1969 following the merger of three congregations, two from Avilla and one from Swan. Two of the oldest landmarks in the county are located in Avilla: The St. James Hotel and Restaurant began in 1878 and Provena Sacred Heart Home, which first opened as Sacred Heart Home in 1896, moved to its current location north of town on Old State Road 3 in 1976. POPULATION: About 2,407 according the the 2013 U.S. GOVERNMENT: The town is governed by a three member council - Phil Puckett, Andy Uhl and Bill Krock Jr. The Avilla Town Council meets the third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Avilla Town Hall. SERVICES: Sewage disposal, water and electricity are provided by the town. Garbage disposal is provided by private companies. There is a volunteer fire department. Toll-free phone calls are available between Avilla and Kendallville. SCHOOLS: Avilla had its own high school until 1966-67 when it consolidated with Kendallville High School and Rome City High School to form East Noble High School. The town has three schools now, two private and one public. Avilla Elementary School, located on Washington Street, provides instruction for students kindergarten through sixth grade. It is part of East Noble School Corp. Principal Dave Pine may be reached at 897-2301 for further information. Mary of the Assumption School, 232 N. Main St., is a Catholic school with classes for children kindergarten through the eighth grade. Principal Jeff Kieffer may be reached at 897-3481. Oak Farm Montessori School, 502 Lemper Road, on the town’s eastern edge, is a Montessori school serving children ages 6 weeks through 12 years. Judith Cunningham, Head of School, may be reached at 897-4270. RECREATION: Avilla Park. ACCESS: Old State Road 3 (Main Street) and C.R. 100N (Albion Street). S.R. 3 meets S.R. 8 and East Albion Street on the town’s east end. POLICE: Headquarters are in the Avilla Police Station on South Main Street across from Town Hall. Glen Wills, Town Marshal, may be reached at 897-3555, or for emergencies, call 911. FIRE: A volunteer fire department provides emergency services in Avilla. The fire station is at the corner of Main and Washington streets. Phone number is 897-3295, for emergencies call 911. Jonathan Harris is the Fire Chief. TOWN CLERK: Rita Grocock, Town Hall, Main Street, 897-2781; Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. TOWN MANAGER: Milton Otero, Town Hall, Main Street, 897-2781; Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4 pm. LIBRARY: The Noble County Public Library East branch is located at the corner of Ley and West Albion streets and is a part of the Noble County Public Library. The library is open from 9 am to 5 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Tuesday, the library is open from 11am to 7pm. On Saturday, the library is open from 10 am to 2 pm. The library is closed Sundays. The phone number is 897-3900. POST OFFICE: Cheryl Freimuth is Postmaster of the Avilla Post Office at 227 E. The office may be reached by calling 897-2221. The post office’s lobby is open 24 hours a day. Window hours are 8 am to 1 pm and 3-4:30 pm, Monday through Friday and from 8-10 am on Saturdays.
