About Diocese of Youngstown
The Diocese of Youngstown is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church serving six counties in northeastern Ohio: Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, and Trumbull, covering 3,404 square miles. Established on May 15, 1943 by Pope Pius XII and canonically erected on July 22, 1943 from territory taken from the Diocese of Cleveland, it is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The mother church is St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown, and the diocese is led today by the sixth bishop, Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, installed January 12, 2021.
- Bishop
- David J. Bonnar
- Established
- 1943
- Cathedral
- St. Columba Cathedral, Youngstown, Ohio
- Territory
- Six counties in northeastern Ohio: Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, and Trumbull (3,404 square miles)
- Parishes
- 62 parishes (45 active), 88 churches
- Province
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Ecclesiastical Province of Cincinnati)
History of the Diocese of Youngstown
The Diocese of Youngstown was created on May 15, 1943 by Pope Pius XII and canonically erected on July 22, 1943, taking the six counties of Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark, and Trumbull from the Diocese of Cleveland. At its founding the diocese already had 110 parishes, 54 elementary schools, a junior high, three Catholic high schools, and three religious-run hospitals. Bishop James A. McFadden, formerly Auxiliary of Cleveland, was named first bishop, and St. Columba Church on Youngstown's North Side was named the cathedral.
- Established May 15, 1943; canonically erected July 22, 1943
- Carved from the Diocese of Cleveland
- 3,404 square miles, six counties
- First Bishop: James A. McFadden, 1943–1952
- Second Bishop: Emmet M. Walsh, 1952–1968 (rebuilt the cathedral)
- Third Bishop: James W. Malone, 1968–1996
- Fourth Bishop: Thomas J. Tobin, 1995–2005 (later Bishop of Providence)
- Fifth Bishop: George V. Murry, S.J., 2007–2020
- Sixth Bishop: David J. Bonnar, 2021–present
St. Columba Cathedral
St. Columba Parish was organized in 1847 — predating the diocese by nearly a century — and built successive churches in 1853, 1868, and a grand Gothic structure in 1902. When the diocese was created in 1943, St. Columba was chosen as the cathedral. On September 2, 1954, lightning ignited the Gothic cathedral during a late-evening storm; eleven fire companies fought the three-alarm blaze, which caused $1.25 million in damage. Bishop Walsh oversaw construction of a new cathedral designed by Diehl and Diehl Architects of Detroit and built by the Charles Shutrump and Sons Company, completed November 9, 1958 (Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran) and dedicated April 12, 1959, at a cost exceeding $3 million. The cathedral's celebrated sanctuary mosaic, honoring the Immaculate Conception, was designed by Ukrainian artist Michael Dmytrenko and installed by Andrew Maglia Studios of Florence, Italy — covering about 1,500 square feet with roughly 300 shades of glass.
- Parish founded 1847; cathedra 1943
- 1954 lightning fire destroyed Gothic cathedral
- Rebuilt 1958–1959 in Late Mid-Century Modern style
- Cathedral mosaic by Michael Dmytrenko honors Immaculate Conception
- English-language Mass instituted 1964 during Vatican II
Meet Bishop David J. Bonnar
The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar is the sixth Bishop of Youngstown. Born February 5, 1962 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he attended St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin School, Seton-LaSalle High School, and Duquesne University (B.A. in Social Communications), then studied at the Pontifical North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (S.T.B., 1987). He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh on July 23, 1988. Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Youngstown on November 17, 2020, and he was installed on January 12, 2021 at St. Columba Cathedral, receiving episcopal consecration from Archbishop Dennis Schnurr. His episcopal motto is 'That All May Be One.'
- Born February 5, 1962 in Pittsburgh, PA
- Ordained priest July 23, 1988 (Diocese of Pittsburgh)
- Editor of The Priest magazine 2014–2020
- Chaplain of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 12 years
- Pastoral letter: 'Testify to the Light'
- Episcopal motto: 'That All May Be One'
Catholic Schools
The Office of Catholic Schools provides leadership, support, and supervision for the diocese's 25 Catholic schools and 7 Early Childhood Centers. As of January 1, 2026, Catholic education in the diocese serves 15,437 students across 21 elementary schools, 6 high schools, and early-childhood programs. Walsh University in North Canton — the diocese's only Catholic university — was founded in 1960 as Walsh College by the Brothers of Christian Instruction.
- 21 elementary schools (2,192 students)
- 6 high schools (1,749 students)
- 7 Early Childhood Centers (4,760 students)
- 1 Catholic university: Walsh University, North Canton
- 942 students in High School Youth Ministry
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown
Catholic Charities extends the love and compassion of Jesus Christ to the poor, vulnerable, and those without hope. The diocesan Catholic Charities Corporation (DOYCCC) is chaired by the bishop and oversees three affiliate agencies that serve the six-county region: Catholic Charities of Ashtabula County; Catholic Charities Serving Portage and Stark Counties (offices in Ravenna and Canton); and Catholic Charities Regional Agency, serving Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties (offices in Youngstown, Warren, East Liverpool, and Lisbon). Catholic Charities also offers low-cost immigration legal services through a partnership with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Cleveland, and runs the 'First Step to Service' service-learning program that links Catholic school students with charity work.
- Diocesan Director: Rachel A. Hrbolich
- Phone: (330) 744-8451; [email protected]
- Locations in Ashtabula, Ravenna, Canton, Youngstown, Warren, East Liverpool, Lisbon
- Voice of Hope Shelter I, 2124 Glenwood Avenue, Youngstown
- Immigration Legal Services via partnership with Catholic Charities Cleveland
Parishes and Reconfiguration
As of January 1, 2026 the Diocese of Youngstown reports 62 parishes (45 active diocesan) and 88 churches across its six counties. In 2010 Bishop George V. Murry, S.J. announced a sweeping parish reconfiguration that reduced the diocese's parish count to 87, a process continued in subsequent years and overseen today by Bishop Bonnar. The diocesan Mass Finder helps worshippers locate Mass times at any parish or mission church.
- 62 parishes (45 active diocesan)
- 88 churches total
- 2010 parish reconfiguration under Bishop Murry
- Mass Finder available at doy.org
Ministries and Offices
Diocesan offices support ministries in parishes, schools, charities, and Catholic lay organizations across the six counties. In addition to required diocesan offices (such as Archives, Finance, and Tribunal), the diocese operates an Office of Worship, Office of Vocations, Permanent Diaconate Office, Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano), Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, Music Ministry, Office of Peace and Justice (Prison and Jail Ministry, Pro-Life Advocacy, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Campaign for Human Development), Propagation of the Faith and Missions, Vowed Religious, Office of Rural Life and Ministry, and Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment, plus Campus Ministry.
- Office of Catholic Schools
- Catholic Charities
- Office of Peace and Justice / Pro-Life
- Hispanic Ministry (Ministerio Hispano)
- Office of Worship and Music Ministry
- Permanent Diaconate and Vocations
- Office of Youth and Young Adult Accompaniment
- Office of Rural Life and Ministry
Communications and Media
The Catholic Echo is the official multi-platform media arm of the Diocese of Youngstown, bringing together the print Catholic Echo publication and the Catholic Telecommunications Network of Youngstown (CTNY). It is the primary channel for diocesan news, the bishop's pastoral letters, and coverage of parishes, schools, and charities.
- Catholic Echo — print publication
- Catholic Telecommunications Network of Youngstown (CTNY)
- catholicecho.org is the online hub
Diocesan Cemeteries, Tribunal, and Sacramental Records
The diocese operates Catholic Cemeteries across its territory as part of its pastoral and educational services. The Office of the Tribunal handles annulments and matters of canon law, and the diocesan Archives maintain sacramental records and provide assistance to those joining or returning to the Church, requesting sacramental certificates, or seeking dispensations.
- Diocesan Cemeteries
- Office of Marriage & Family / Dispensations
- Tribunal — Annulments and Canon Law
- Sacramental Records / Archives
Contact and Location
Diocesan offices are housed at 144 West Wood Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503, immediately adjacent to St. Columba Cathedral. The main phone line is (330) 744-8451. The Catholic Charities Diocesan Offices share this address. Inquiries can be directed through the Contact Us page at doy.org/contact-us.
- 144 W. Wood St., Youngstown, OH 44503
- Phone: (330) 744-8451
- Offices next to St. Columba Cathedral
- Contact form: doy.org/contact-us
