St. Paul Parish: A Pioneer Catholic Church in the Heart of North Canton
On a rise above South Main Street in North Canton, Ohio, the stone and brick of St. Paul Parish has been a familiar landmark since 1847. The Roman Catholic community that gathers there is a direct descendant of the Congregation of North Canton, originally the village of New Berlin, where thirty pioneer families organized a Catholic parish in 1845. Today the parish numbers roughly 2,500 registered households, and it remains rooted in the same call that shaped those first families: to love, to serve, and to worship. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Youngstown and works closely with its sister parish, St. Paul School, an elementary school that has shared the same campus for generations.
The Founding: Thirty Families and an Oxen-Drawn Wagon
The story of St. Paul begins with a difficult Sunday morning. The nearest Catholic church in 1845 was in Canton, more than six miles away, and the unpaved, unimproved roads between the two villages made regular Mass attendance and reception of the sacraments well-nigh impossible. Parishioners remember that it was common to see an entire family on a wagon drawn by oxen, wending its weary way to church in Canton, starting before dawn and returning well after noon. Strong in faith and zealous for the salvation of their souls, the families formed a committee and within two years had built a church of their own. The first Mass was celebrated in the new building in 1847, the same year the parish formally came into being. An excerpt from the Historical Review 1847 to 1922 by Rev. R. C. Kotheimer preserves the moment: it was, he wrote, the supreme happiness of the new parish to witness the dedication and first Mass in the building that those families had raised by hand.
Mass and Reconciliation: A Daily Rhythm of Worship
Mass is the heartbeat of the parish, and St. Paul celebrates it many times each week. The Saturday Vigil Mass is offered at 5:00 p.m., and three Sunday Masses follow at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 a.m. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7:15 a.m., and on Tuesday and Saturday at 8:00 a.m. The 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass is designated the Family Mass, and the parish school attends weekly. The Mass follows the Order of Mass, with the Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, Communion Rite, and Concluding Rites. Catholics who visit are welcome to receive Holy Communion; those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church may come forward with arms crossed over the chest to receive a blessing, or remain in the pew and pray. Missals are placed in the pews to help non-Catholics follow the readings, prayers, and responses.
Tuesdays with the Blessed Sacrament
St. Paul takes its devotion to the Eucharist beyond Sunday morning. Every Tuesday, Eucharistic Adoration begins after the daily Mass and continues until 8:00 p.m., closing with Benediction. On the first Tuesday of each month, the period from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. is set aside as a special Children's Hour, with coloring pages and crayons laid out so that young families can bring their children to the front of the altar to adore. Reconciliation is offered during Adoration on First Tuesdays from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Adoration for Vocations is held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The parish also keeps a First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with a Holy Hour of Adoration from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.
Confession on Saturday Mornings
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday morning following the 8:00 a.m. Mass. Communal Reconciliation Services are held during Advent and Lent, on Monday evenings the week of Christmas and the week of Easter. During Lent the parish also hosts additional evenings with several priests available; the schedule is announced each year.
The Seven Sacraments: From Baptism to Anointing
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Baptisms are scheduled in advance with the parish office, and a pre-baptism class is held the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the North Room of the church basement. The class is facilitated by one of the parish deacons and a baptismal team couple. Parents who have attended the class within the past five years are not required to repeat it. Children in second grade prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist through Parish Religious Education classes or St. Paul School. The Director of Children's Sacraments and Faith Formation, Dustine May, oversees sacramental preparation and the combined First Reconciliation and First Communion retreat fee of $65. Confirmation is celebrated in the eighth grade, in keeping with the practice of the Diocese of Youngstown, and the parish holds its Confirmation Retreat at Damascus Catholic Camp in Centerburg, Ohio. The Sacrament of Matrimony requires a six-month period of preparation that includes a pre-marital inventory with the priest or deacon, participation in a Sponsor Couple Program or Engaged Encounter Weekend, and the standard diocesan requirements. Wedding times are scheduled for Saturdays at 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and may not be scheduled on Sundays, during Holy Week, or on a few other liturgical celebration days. The Anointing of the Sick may be requested at any time by calling the parish office; only a priest may administer the sacrament, which offers spiritual healing, peace, and courage to those who are seriously ill or frail with age. Funeral planning is supported by a step-by-step guide, a Mass Planning Form, scripture readings, song selections, and a Funeral Preference List, all of which can be downloaded from the parish.
Religious Education for Every Age
St. Paul's Religious Education program begins with the very young and walks with students through their middle school years. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered in two levels for children ages three through third grade, in the Hidden Treasure and Precious Pearl Atria on the lower level of the church, and in the True Vine Atrium in the school's art room. Traditional Religious Education for grades one through five uses the St. Mary's Press Discover curriculum and meets in the main school building. Middle school students in grades six through eight gather in the gym after the 9:30 a.m. Family Mass each Sunday. Religious Education is offered on Sunday mornings from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. following the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Fees are $60 per child, with a cap of $180 per family of three or more. Families who cannot pay are encouraged to request a scholarship, since fees should never be a barrier to formation. Catechists and parent volunteers have their fees waived. A Summer Intensive option is also available for families who travel most weekends, condensing the full curriculum into a single week each July.
St. Paul School: A K-8 Catholic Education on the Same Campus
Sharing the South Main Street campus with the parish, St. Paul School welcomes students of all faiths into an affordable Catholic education built on small class sizes, strong academics, and a wide range of arts, athletics, and student organizations. The school, which includes preschool through grade eight, encourages excellence and nurtures lifelong learners as students strive to live and serve like Jesus. Prayer, worship, service, and spiritual development are woven into daily life; students attend Mass weekly and engage in service-learning projects. Among the special opportunities that mark the St. Paul experience are a 7th-grade faith leadership retreat to Damascus and an 8th-grade Mass at the Basilica during the annual Washington, D.C. trip. Andrew Richards, the principal, brings more than a decade of experience in Catholic and public-school administration, teaching, and athletics, and is supported by a dedicated faculty and an active parent community. The school office can be reached at 330-494-0223. Ohio residents can support tuition assistance through the Diocese of Youngstown's Good Samaritan Scholarship Fund, an SGO that offers a 100 percent state tax credit on donations.
OCIA: The Journey to Full Communion
For adults seeking baptism, confirmation, or full communion with the Catholic Church, the parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, known by its newer acronym OCIA. The journey is open to anyone inquiring about the Catholic faith, baptized Catholics who need the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, and lifelong Catholics who simply want to refresh their understanding of the faith. Sessions are held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. beginning in September, and conclude at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, when catechumens and candidates are welcomed into the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Director of Adult Faith Formation and OCIA Michele Blate welcomes inquiries and works with each inquirer individually, because, as the parish notes, no two journeys are alike. The OCIA Hospitality Ministry sees that the Thursday gatherings are met with refreshments, while the OCIA Prayer Ministry invites parishioners to adopt a catechumen or candidate in prayer, send notes of encouragement, and offer a daily sacrifice for them on the journey to Easter.
Walking in Grace: A Women's Ministry
Walking in Grace is the women's ministry of St. Paul Parish, and it is open to all women of the parish, whether or not they participate in the small groups. The ministry offers bi-monthly small group book studies, a new women's study each year, and quarterly large-group events designed to help women grow in faith and in sisterhood. Studies are offered on multiple days and times to fit a busy life. Walking with Purpose's Opening Your Heart: The Starting Point, a 22-lesson Bible study, is the foundational offering, with a current Aquinas for Beginners Part II also on the schedule. Morning groups meet from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and evening groups from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., on the second and fourth weeks of the month. Michele Blate coordinates Walking in Grace and welcomes women who would like to be part of the leadership team.
Walking in Strength: A Men's Fellowship
St. Paul's Walking in Strength men's ministry partners with the Knights of Columbus COR (the Latin word for heart) to form a single fellowship group with a focus on prayer, ongoing formation in faith and virtue, and fraternity. The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the St. Paul Church Social Hall. The ministry is open to all men, Catholic or not, and a separate St. Paul Men's Club meets on the fourth Thursday of each month from January through October in the North Room of the church basement for spiritual growth, personal growth, social interaction, and service outreach. Bob Warren coordinates Walking in Strength and can be reached at 330-575-4308.
Small Group Studies and Sanctuary Cove
For adults who want to go deeper, the parish hosts a menu of small group studies, meeting on the second and fourth weeks of each month. In addition to Opening Your Heart and Aquinas for Beginners Part II, the parish offers Centering Prayer, a Knit and Crochet Group, the Whole Hearted study, and a Young Adult Book Study. The Sanctuary Cove Bible Study meets every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the North Room of the lower level of the church. All are welcome, and the group is a place for parishioners to study God's word, share their faith, and grow together in prayer and praise.
Young Adult Ministry and the EMMAUS Series
St. Paul's Young Adult Ministry serves Catholics in their twenties and thirties through fellowship, discussion, Scripture study, prayer, service, and social gatherings. The ministry also participates in the Stark County Catholic Young Adult Group, a collaboration of Stark County parishes that hosts events throughout the year. The Stark County group is a key organizer of EMMAUS, a new speaker series for young adults that mirrors the Theology on Tap model while adding more time for fellowship and community building. The ministry also points young adults to free Catholic formation content, including a free FORMED.org account, the Catechism in a Year and Bible in a Year podcasts with Fr. Mike Schmitz, and the USCCB's For Your Marriage resources.
High School Youth Ministry: Illuminate YM
St. Paul's High School Youth Ministry, branded Illuminate YM, gathers teens as a community of believers to love, to serve, to worship, and to pray for and with one another. Mike Boyea, the Coordinator of High School Youth Ministry, brings more than thirty years of experience working with teens, both as a volunteer and as a leader of youth ministry programs. He and his wife Tammy are long-time parishioners, and they have two daughters, one in college and one in high school. The youth ministry program has its own page on Google Sites and stays in touch with parents and teens through Flocknote. Teens preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the eighth grade join the parish Confirmation Retreat at Damascus Catholic Camp each fall, an experience partially sponsored by the St. Paul Knights of Columbus.
Music Ministry: Ben Walther at the Keys
The Director of Music Ministry, Ben Walther, is a nationally known Catholic singer and songwriter whose album Make Your Home in Me debuted at number 12 on the iTunes Christian and Gospel charts. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville with a Master's of Theology from Walsh University, Walther spent ten years in ministry within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and has led worship at St. Thomas More Catholic Church and Adore Ministries in Houston. He has also served at Steubenville Youth Conferences and Life Teen events. He and his wife Maria have six children and live in North Canton.
Service to the Wider Community
St. Paul sees service to the wider community as part of its baptismal calling. The parish partners with Feed Kids First, a local effort dedicated to ensuring that children have access to food and basic needs, and with the Akron-Canton Food Bank, where volunteers can serve in the warehouse, the office, at special events, as skilled volunteers, in the food pantry and resource center, and as volunteer drivers. The parish also points parishioners to Catholic Charities, the Helping Hands ministry, Refuge of Hope, and Stark County Crisis Services, a hub of mental-health and crisis support in the region. Volunteers at St. Paul are required to be compliant with the Diocese of Youngstown Safe Environment Policy, which includes VIRTUS training, an Appendix 9 form, and fingerprinting, renewed every five years.
Bereavement: Seasons of Hope
The parish Bereavement Ministry reaches out to parishioners who are mourning the death of a loved one. A Bereavement Hospitality team gathers at the church on the day of the funeral to greet the family and mourners, assist during the liturgy, and provide tissues, water, and directions. The ministry also offers Seasons of Hope, a six-week Catholic grief support group centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions, and practices of the Church. Each November, the parish holds a Memorial Mass for parishioners and their families who have lost a loved one during the past year, followed by a light refreshment reception.
Knights of Columbus, Parish Council, and Finance Council
The St. Paul Council of the Knights of Columbus is an active presence in the parish, partnering with Walking in Strength to form the COR men's fellowship group and partially sponsoring the Confirmation retreat. The Parish Council serves as a consultative body to the pastor, and the Parish Finance Council, currently represented by Tom Colston Jr., Tricia Dever, Courtney Dietrich, Stephen Eckinger, Brent Fatzinger, Anthony Lapinto, Steve Orcutt, and Brian Oster, assists the pastor in the administration of parish temporal matters. Liturgical roles such as Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Lectors, and Ushers are coordinated through dedicated committees, and the Environmental Committee keeps the worship and gathering spaces clean, beautiful, and ready for each liturgical season.
The Parish Staff
Fr. Matthew Zwilling is the pastor. A native of Diamond, Ohio, and a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville and Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati, he was ordained on August 8, 2020, after a two-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic. He began his priesthood as parochial vicar here at St. Paul Parish, and after assignments in Ashtabula, Youngstown, Campbell, and New Middletown, he has returned as pastor. He also serves as pastor of Holy Spirit Parish in Uniontown. Fr. Simon Mino, the parochial vicar, grew up in a small village in Slovakia near the Polish border and found his vocation to the priesthood through the faith of his grandmother and the example of his family. The parish is also served by three permanent deacons: Bill Lambert, Ed Laubacher, and Ron Reolfi. Peter Olsen is the Director of Finance and Operations; Michelle May is the Office Manager and the parish's Safe Environment Compliance Officer; Monica Dolenc is the Development Director; Dustine May is the Director of Children's Sacraments and Faith Formation; Michele Blate is the Director of Adult Faith Formation and OCIA; Mike Boyea is the Coordinator of High School Youth Ministry; and Ben Walther is the Director of Music Ministry. Jenny Jencks serves as Data Manager and Bulletin Editor, and Richard Samples is the Maintenance Manager.
Catholics Come Home
For those who have been away from the practice of the faith, the parish extends a particular welcome through its Catholics Come Home ministry. The message is simple: once a Catholic, always a Catholic, and there is always a place at the table. The parish invites those who feel that tug at their heart to rediscover the truth, wonder, and mystery of the Catholic faith, and to return to the practice of the sacraments and the fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church he founded.
Communications and Connection
St. Paul keeps in touch with parishioners through Flocknote, an email newsletter that delivers weekly parish announcements and event reminders. The parish also livestreams daily Mass and weekend Masses through BoxCast, with a YouTube archive of previous messages from Fr. Zwilling. Online giving is available through WeShare, and paper bulletins are published regularly with the help of the parish's supporters. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and can be reached at 330-499-2201. The parish address is 241 South Main Street, North Canton, Ohio 44720.
What to Wear and Where to Park
Visitors are common at St. Paul, and the parish wants them to feel comfortable. In summer, it is not uncommon to see people in sandals, shorts, and a shirt; others still put on their Sunday best, and that is fine too. The parish asks only that shorts be of a conservative length and that clothing be respectable in general. Parking is easy, with two smaller lots on Main Street near the school buildings, a large lot behind the church at the corner of Harmon and Cole streets that includes handicapped spaces, and another large lot between Harmon and West Maple streets, as well as street parking on Cole and Harmon. Parents with infants and small children are most welcome, and the gathering area offers a place to step out with restless little ones while still being able to listen to the Mass.
Parish Mission
Guided by belief in the Gospel message and by baptism, the members of Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church strive to answer God's call to love, to serve, and to worship. That mission has been the same for 181 years, since the thirty pioneer families of New Berlin set out to build a church of their own and to gather weekly at the altar that their children and grandchildren still gather around today.