About Christ our Light Parish (St. Benedict Church) · Cambridge, Ohio
Christ Our Light Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Steubenville serving Guernsey County in eastern Ohio. Centered on the historic St. Benedict Church at 714 Gomber Avenue in Cambridge, the parish was formed in 2009 through the consolidation of three local churches — St. Benedict (Cambridge), Holy Trinity (Byesville), and Sts. Peter & Paul (Lore City) — and is pastored by Fr. Nicholas Ginnetti. In addition to its worship life, the parish operates St. Benedict School and the Sts. Peter & Paul Oratory in Lore City, and is known in particular for its active Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration program.
- Established
- 1897
- Patron
- Christ (parish name); local church patron St. Benedict
- Rector
- Rev. Nicholas Ginnetti
- Diocese
- Diocese of Steubenville
Why belong here
Christ Our Light offers a stable, historic Catholic community in Guernsey County with daily Mass at St. Benedict Church, an unusual gift of Eucharistic Adoration, and a real Catholic school that has educated local children for more than a century. Parishioners can also be part of established ministries including the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women (CWF), St. Vincent de Paul outreach, the homebound ministry, and a full team of liturgical ministers. Whether you are a longtime Catholic in Cambridge or new to the area, the parish makes it easy to plug in through its sacraments, RCIA, and faith-formation programs for children and adults.
Mass times at Christ our Light Parish (St. Benedict Church)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM (per catholicmasstime.org listing)
- Sunday: 7:30 AM (per Visit Guernsey County tourism listing)
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Perpetual Adoration); call the Parish Office for more information
Parish Identity & Welcome
Christ Our Light Parish describes itself on its website as 'A Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Steubenville,' centered on St. Benedict Church in Cambridge with the Sts. Peter & Paul Oratory in Lore City serving as a second worship site. The parish serves the wider Guernsey County area of eastern Ohio, including Cambridge, Byesville, and Lore City, and welcomes newcomers through the Parish Office at [email protected].
- Diocese of Steubenville
- St. Benedict Church (Cambridge)
- Sts. Peter & Paul Oratory (Lore City)
- Pastor: Fr. Nicholas Ginnetti
History of the Parish
St. Benedict Parish in Cambridge was founded in 1897 under Fr. Nathaniel McCaffrey, with the present church completed in 1910. It became part of the Diocese of Steubenville in 1944. In 2009, declining population in the coalfield region led the diocese to consolidate three parishes — St. Benedict (Cambridge), Holy Trinity (Byesville, founded 1905), and Sts. Peter & Paul (Lore City, founded 1922) — into the single community of Christ Our Light. The Lore City church was retained as an oratory (so designated June 1, 2014), while the Byesville church was closed. Parish records for all three predecessor parishes are now maintained at Christ Our Light in Cambridge.
- St. Benedict Parish founded 1897; church completed 1910
- Holy Trinity (Byesville) founded 1905; rebuilt 1917; new church 1973; closed 7/1/2009
- Sts. Peter & Paul (Lore City) founded 1922; completed 1923; renovated 1972; consolidated 2009; named an Oratory 6/1/2014
- Consolidated into Christ Our Light Parish on 7/1/2009
- Designated a Jubilee Church for Holy Year 2025
St. Benedict Catholic School
St. Benedict School has provided Catholic education to Cambridge and Guernsey County since opening in the fall of 1911. For generations it was staffed by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, who served the school until 2024; the school is now under the direct care of Christ Our Light Parish, with Fr. Nicholas Ginnetti serving as Pastor and School Chaplain. The school sits adjacent to the parish on the Gomber Avenue campus. A parish high school, St. Benedict High School, operated from 1925 to 1964, when it was replaced by the regional Guernsey Catholic Central High School (which closed in 1982).
- Opened fall 1911
- Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity staffed the school until 2024
- Now under Christ Our Light Parish care
- Chaplain/Pastor: Fr. Nicholas Ginnetti
Sacraments
The parish website lists the full range of Catholic sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation (Confession), Holy Communion, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Parents seeking infant baptism fill out the Baptism Register form and arrange a meeting with the pastor; godparents complete the Sacramental Sponsor form. Funeral-planning materials are also provided online, including separate hymn lists for St. Benedict and Sts. Peter & Paul.
- Baptism — Baptism Register form; Sacramental Sponsor form for godparents
- Confirmation
- Confession (Reconciliation)
- Holy Communion / First Eucharist
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral planning resources available online
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Christ Our Light maintains a strong lay-missionary footprint through several long-standing groups. Liturgical volunteers serve as Lectors, Sacristans, Altar Boys, and Sacristan Girls (children may begin after First Communion). The parish also hosts the Knights of Columbus, the Council of Catholic Women (CWF), the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for works of charity, and a Homebound Ministry bringing Communion to those who cannot attend Mass in person.
- Liturgical Ministers (Lectors, Sacristans, Altar Boys, Sacristan Girls)
- Knights of Columbus (KofC)
- Council of Catholic Women (CWF)
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Homebound Ministry
- Eucharistic Adoration
Sts. Peter & Paul Oratory (Lore City)
Following the 2009 consolidation, the former Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Lore City was retained as an oratory of Christ Our Light Parish, formally named such on June 1, 2014. Located at 136 High Avenue, Lore City, OH 43755, it hosts a Sunday Mass at 12:15 PM and continues the worship tradition of the Slovak Catholic community established there in 1922. The phone number for the oratory is the same as the parish office: (740) 432-7609.
- Address: 136 High Ave., Lore City, OH 43755
- Sunday Mass: 12:15 PM
- Named an Oratory: 6/1/2014
- Parish founded 1922; church completed 1923; renovated 1972
Contact & Visiting the Parish
The Parish Office is located at 701 Gomber Avenue, Cambridge, OH 43725 (the church proper is next door at 714 Gomber Ave.). Office hours and Mass Intentions can be arranged by phone at (740) 432-7609 or by email at [email protected]. The church sits at the corner of N. 7th Street and Gomber Avenue in Cambridge, and is listed by Visit Guernsey County as a tourism destination.
- Parish Office: 701 Gomber Ave., Cambridge, OH 43725
- Phone: (740) 432-7609
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.colcatholic.org/
- Corner of N. 7th & Gomber Ave.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Nathaniel McCaffrey1897–
Founded St. Benedict Parish in Cambridge in 1897 under his direction.