About Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Geneva, Ohio
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Geneva, Ohio, within the Diocese of Youngstown. Founded as a mission in 1915 and raised to parish status in 1922, it has served the Catholic community of Geneva and surrounding Ashtabula County for over a century. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confessions, a faith formation program, and a year-round slate of ministries including a free community dinner and the Helping Hands outreach for local families in need. Its current pastor is Rev. Connor Hetzel, assisted by a parochial vicar, deacon, diocesan pastoral associate, and dedicated lay staff.
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under her title of the Assumption)
- Rector
- Rev. Connor Hetzel
- Diocese
- Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
Assumption is a long-standing Catholic parish in the heart of Geneva, Ohio, where parishioners are welcomed into a community that lives its faith both inside and outside the church walls. The parish offers weekday and Sunday Mass, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday confessions, along with faith formation for children and ongoing support for adults through groups such as a young mothers' ministry, grief support, and the Seven Sisters Apostolate of prayer for priests. Outreach beyond the parish is a hallmark: the Helping Hands nonprofit provides material assistance to families in the Geneva Area City School District, and a free monthly community dinner is open to neighbors of all backgrounds. Joining or visiting Assumption means becoming part of a more-than-century-old faith family that takes seriously both worship and works of mercy.
Mass times at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Friday 1:00–6:00 PM
Parish History
The Catholic community of Geneva began as twelve families in the early 1900s who petitioned the Diocese of Cleveland for regular Mass. After travelling priests celebrated Mass in their homes, the community was formally established as Assumption Mission Church on July 7, 1915, under St. Mary Parish in Painesville. Seven years later, on April 27, 1922, the mission grew to 35 families and was raised to parish status. Seven-and-a-half acres were purchased and construction began on the first church, which was completed and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin's Assumption on September 25, 1927. The parish built a school beginning on Ash Wednesday 1953; it opened in September 1957 with more than 150 students taught by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Divine Spirit. By the Golden Jubilee in 1965 the parish had grown to roughly 450 families. The school ultimately closed in June 2015 after a multi-year decline in enrollment. In the 2000s and 2010s the parish upgraded its offices and rectory, received a grand piano, and built an interior chapel for daily Mass. The community marked its 110th anniversary in September 2025.
- Mission established July 7, 1915 (mission of St. Mary, Painesville)
- Became a parish April 27, 1922
- First church dedicated September 25, 1927
- School opened September 1957; closed June 2015
- 110th anniversary celebrated September 2025
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Connor Hetzel as Pastor, with Rev. Francis Muriithi serving as Parochial Vicar and Rev. Raymond Thomas as Pastor Emeritus. Deacon Nicholas Iarocci assists with ministry, Nicholas Perkoski serves as Diocesan Pastoral Associate, Lindsay Fuentes is the Director of Religious Education, Bryan Cataldo directs the parish music ministry, and Denise Welser manages the parish office.
- Pastor: Rev. Connor Hetzel
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Francis Muriithi
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Raymond Thomas
- Permanent Deacon: Nicholas Iarocci
- Diocesan Pastoral Associate: Nicholas Perkoski
- Director of Religious Education (DRE): Lindsay Fuentes
- Music Director: Bryan Cataldo
- Office Manager: Denise Welser
Faith Formation
Religious education at Assumption is coordinated by Lindsay Fuentes, the parish DRE. The program supports the catechetical needs of parish children and complements sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
- Director of Religious Education: Lindsay Fuentes
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
Parish Ministries & Groups
In addition to liturgical ministries, Assumption sponsors several lay-driven groups that support the spiritual and social life of the parish. A grief support group and a young mothers' group accompany parishioners through life stages, while the neo-catechumenate group offers a deeper path of catechetical formation. The parish also hosts a Seven Sisters Apostolate — a community of women who each commit to one holy hour of prayer per week for the parish priests.
- Grief Support Group
- Young Mothers' Group
- Neo-Catechumenate Group
- Seven Sisters Apostolate (prayer for priests)
Helping Hands Outreach
Helping Hands is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the parish that provides help to alleviate suffering or deprivation and promote human dignity through spiritual and financial support. It serves individuals and families living within the Geneva Area City School District. Those needing assistance are encouraged to call the parish office at 440-466-5251 to schedule an appointment.
- Service area: Geneva Area City School District
- Spiritual and financial assistance
- Contact: 440-466-5251
Community Dinner
On the second Thursday of each month, Assumption hosts a free community dinner in the parish hall from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. The dinner is open to both parishioners and members of the broader Geneva community — anyone may 'bring a friend or two along for an evening of good food and friends.' Volunteers to help cook or serve are welcome and may contact Denise in the parish office at 440-466-3427.
- When: 2nd Thursday of each month, 4:00–6:00 PM
- Where: Parish hall, 30 Lockwood St.
- Open to parish and Geneva community
- Volunteers welcome (contact Denise at 440-466-3427)
Assumption Parish Festival
Each September the parish hosts its annual festival in conjunction with Geneva's Grape Jamboree, the community's signature celebration at the corner of Route 20 and Route 534. The parish is locally famous for its handmade grape pies, which are donated by Assumption Church and featured at the festival pie-eating contest.
- Held during Geneva's Grape Jamboree (late September)
- Location: 30 Lockwood Street, Geneva
- Featured attraction: handmade grape pies
- Information: 440-466-3427
Visit, Contact & Location
The parish's worship site, parish offices, and parish hall share one campus at 30 Lockwood Street, Geneva, OH 44041, near the intersection of Route 20 and Route 534. The parish phone is 440-466-3427 and the fax is 440-466-4670. Inquiries can be sent by email to [email protected], and the official website is assumptionchurchoh.org.
- Address: 30 Lockwood Street, Geneva, OH 44041
- Phone: 440-466-3427
- Fax: 440-466-4670
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: assumptionchurchoh.org