Christ the Servant Parish at Our Lady of Peace Church

About Christ the Servant Parish at Our Lady of Peace Church · Canton, Ohio

Christ the Servant Parish at Our Lady of Peace Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 833 39th Street NW in Canton, Ohio, within the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Formed on November 21, 2010 (the Feast of Christ the King) by merging St. Paul Parish (founded 1907) and Our Lady of Peace Parish (founded 1952), the parish takes its name and identity from the model of Jesus Christ as Servant and calls its more than 900 families to live as a community of disciples who serve. Weekend Masses are offered at Our Lady of Peace Church on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., with weekday Mass on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m., and the parish is a center for Catholic education (K–8 at Our Lady of Peace School), faith formation through the Parish School of Religion, OCIA, music ministry, and extensive social-concern outreach to Hope Outreach, Catholic Charities, the homebound, and the children of incarcerated parents.

Established: 2010
Patron: Christ the Servant (modeled on Jesus Christ as Servant)
Rector: Rev. Daniel Finnerty
Diocese: Catholic Diocese of Youngstown (Parish Code 515, Stark 1 Deanery)

Why belong here

Christ the Servant Parish is a welcoming, mid-sized Catholic community of more than 900 families who take their name seriously — they live as disciples who serve. Worship is rooted at the historic Our Lady of Peace Church (Sunday Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; Wednesday and Thursday morning Masses), with confession offered Wednesday evenings. The parish actively partners with neighbors — running a robust food/clothing collection for Hope Outreach and Catholic Charities, supporting children of incarcerated parents, and operating Giving Tree, Respect Life, Homeless/Hunger Ministry, Meals on Wheels, and Cards for Shut-Ins programs — while also nurturing faith through Our Lady of Peace Catholic School (K–8), the Parish School of Religion, OCIA, music ministry, men's and women's fellowship, and vibrant seasonal events like the summer parish picnic, Epiphany breakfast, and fall barbecue.

Mass times at Christ the Servant Parish at Our Lady of Peace Church

Weekly Mass schedule

Sunday8:30 AM11:30 AM

Wednesday8:30 AM

Thursday8:30 AM

Holy Dayconsult bulletin or website

Confession times

Wednesday 5:30–6:00 PM (also Wednesday afternoons or by appointment)

Mission & Identity of Christ the Servant Parish

Christ the Servant Parish's stated mission is to 'care for our acre of God's world as a Community of Disciples that will be enabled, empowered and ennobled to proclaim the message that Jesus proclaimed — that God is in love with us.' The parish is committed both to that Gospel mission and to the living legacy of the two merged parishes of Our Lady of Peace and St. Paul's Canton. The patron name — Christ the Servant — was chosen in 2010 to inspire parishioners to act as a community of disciples who serve the needs of the people through the love of Jesus Christ.

Scriptural foundation: Luke 4:18–19 — "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me… He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives…"
Model: Jesus Christ as Servant
Identity: a community of disciples who are sent to serve the needs of the people through the love of Jesus Christ

Parish History — The Two Roots of Christ the Servant

Christ the Servant Parish combines the heritage of two Canton parishes. St. Paul's Catholic Church began in 1907 with French, German, and Irish immigrant railroad workers in East Canton, surviving the Panic of 1907 to dedicate a permanent church in 1921; its school closed in 1985. Our Lady of Peace was established on June 27, 1952 by Bishop Emmett M. Walsh of the Diocese of Youngstown to serve the post-war baby boom, breaking ground in November 1953 and celebrating its first Mass on December 8, 1954 — the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

St. Paul's Canton — established January 5, 1907; permanent church dedicated October 23, 1921; school expanded in the 1950s, closed 1985.
Our Lady of Peace — established June 27, 1952; ground broken November 8, 1953; cornerstone laid May 23, 1954; first Mass December 8, 1954.
Merger: November 21, 2010 (Feast of Christ the King); Our Lady of Peace Church designated the sole worship site, announced January 23, 2011 by Msgr. Gaetano.
2012 church renovation incorporated mementos from the former St. Paul in Canton Church.

Pastor Succession

The parish maintains a published list of past pastors reaching back to the early 20th century, including Fr. Joseph M. Paulus (founding pastor at St. Paul's), Fr. J.A. Stefanic (1924–1948), Msgr. Lewis F. Gaetano (2008–2022, now Pastor Emeritus), Fr. Scott Kopp (2022–2024), and current pastor Fr. Daniel Finnerty.

Fr. Paul Mar(?) — first pastor at original St. Paul's Canton (1907).
Fr. Joseph M. Paulus — organized the fledgling parish after only ~30 families signed on.
Fr. W.C. Zierolf — kept St. Paul's afloat as a non-resident pastor, May 1911–December 1918.
Fr. J.W. Schmitz — initiated building plan for the permanent St. Paul's church.
Fr. J.A. Stefanic — 1924–1948.
Fr. J. Robert Coleman 1973–1986; Fr. Dacian Barrette 1986–1987; Fr. Joseph P. Martin 1987–2000.
Fr. John Zuzik & Fr. Nicholas Mancini 2000–2003; Fr. Joseph Gleixner 2003–2008.
Msgr. Lewis F. Gaetano 2008–2022 (Pastor Emeritus); Fr. Scott Kopp 2022–2024 (also administrator of the school).
Rev. Fr. Daniel Finnerty — current Pastor (from 2024), also pastor of Our Lady of Peace School.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Faith formation at Christ the Servant happens through both the parish school and the Parish School of Religion (PSR). The Parish School of Religion serves students in grades K–8, following the Diocese of Youngstown's Directory for Catechesis and Curriculum for Catechesis (36 hours of instruction per year), with a four-sign catechetical framework of biblical, liturgical, ecclesial, and natural signs. Sacramental preparation begins in first grade, with First Reconciliation typically celebrated during Advent/Lent parish Reconciliation Services and First Communion in May of second grade. Confirmation is celebrated in 8th grade, with the parish now using an every-other-year preparation cycle. OCIA (formerly RCIA) is offered for adults entering the Church.

Director of Religious Education: Michal Zabrecky ([email protected]; 330-492-0757 ext. 104 / sacramental prep ext. 107)
PSR designed for K–8 students and their families; follows diocesan Directory for Catechesis and Curriculum for Catechesis
First Reconciliation & First Communion: 2-year preparation, parents attend 4 prep classes
Confirmation: Diocese of Youngstown age 8, every-other-year cycle at this parish
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults): led by Michal Zabrecky
Adult Education & Scripture Study: Jim Naegeli
Italian Classes: Lena Falcone

Our Lady of Peace Catholic School

Our Lady of Peace Catholic School is part of the Stark County Catholic Schools system and provides Catholic education for children from kindergarten through eighth grade. Originally opened in 1954 with 186 students in grades 1–5, the school has been staffed successively by the Daughters of Charity Sisters, the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown (from the late 1970s), and the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. The current principal is Dr. Peter Schafer. A new Parish Activity Center including Alumni Hall gymnasium was dedicated in May 1999 on the northwest end of the property, and the former sisters' convent (1957) was converted in 2011 into the Our Lady of Peace Center for Early Learning and Kindergarten Readiness.

Principal: Dr. Peter Schafer ([email protected])
Website: https://olopcanton.com/
Address (school): 1001 39th St NW, Canton, OH 44709
Phone: 330-492-0622
Email: [email protected]
Originally housed in converted St. Paul's building; staffed by Daughters of Charity, Ursuline Sisters, and Sisters of the Humility of Mary in turn.
Sisters' convent (1957) became Our Lady of Peace Center for Early Learning and Kindergarten Readiness in 2011.

Liturgy & Music

Liturgical life at Christ the Servant is shaped by a dedicated Liturgy Committee under Fr. Finnerty, with strong lay participation across lectors, Eucharistic ministers, servers, ushers, and a music ministry under Director of Music Mrs. Taylor Bunnenberg. The Liturgy Environment team prepares the sanctuary for the seasons of the Church year.

Director of Music: Mrs. Taylor Bunnenberg
Scheduling Liturgical Ministers & Eucharistic Ministers: Michael Reed
Lectors: Ed McDonnell
Training of Servers: Fr. Finnerty
Liturgy Environment: Chris Mayberry
Liturgy Committee: Fr. Finnerty

Parish Life & Fellowship

The parish sustains a varied communal life through Bible studies, fellowship gatherings, and seasonal events. Programs include a Friday-morning Men's Bible Study at 6:45 in the Church, the Fiat Women's Fellowship on Wednesdays, a parish Book Club, Sunday Fellowship (Coffee and Donuts), and a Sunday Grief Support Group in the Gathering Room. Festivities include the summer parish picnic, an Epiphany breakfast, and a fall barbecue.

Sunday Fellowship (Coffee and Donuts): Ralph and Nancy Dublikar
Men's Bible Study: Friday 6:45 AM, Church
Fiat Women's Fellowship: Wednesdays
Parish Book Club: contact Mary Faigley
Grief Support Group: Sundays, Gathering Room, contact Deacon
Seasonal events: Summer Parish Picnic, Epiphany Breakfast, Fall Barbecue

Social Concerns & Outreach

Christ the Servant Parish has a strong charism toward charity, with multiple groups collecting food, clothing, and supplies for Catholic Charities and Hope Outreach, supporting the children of incarcerated parents, and visiting the homebound. The parish's social-concerns ministries are coordinated by the Social Concerns Ministry team under the Community Council.

Food Ministry (first and third Sunday collections)
Meals on Wheels
Homeless / Hunger Ministry: Rosemary Norton, first and third Sunday
Giving Tree: Barb Menegay, Mary Menegay and others
Respect Life: Tom & Kathy Baker, Gary Cerrone
Baby Bottle (Coins) Collection: Tom & Kathy Baker
Sick, Homebound & Nursing Homes: Gary Cerrone, Ron Lenzer, Deacon Thomas Mierzwa
Cards for Shut-Ins: Pat Brown ([email protected])
Our Lady of Peace School supports families through Catholic education

Sacraments & Sacramental Preparation

Information on the seven sacraments is available through the parish office. Parents preparing children for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation begin in first grade through either Our Lady of Peace School or the Parish School of Religion and attend four parent preparation classes; First Reconciliation is typically celebrated during parish Advent/Lent Reconciliation Services, and First Communion in May. Confirmation is celebrated in 8th grade, with the parish on an every-other-year cycle. Adult initiation follows the OCIA process. Marriage preparation is coordinated by Bill and Cindy Charles, and bereavement and funeral planning are handled by Fr. Finnerty.

Baptism (all ages) — contact parish office; Baptismal Team available
First Reconciliation — Advent & Lent parish Reconciliation Services (2nd grade)
First Communion — typically May of 2nd grade; 4 parent classes required
Confirmation — 8th grade, every-other-year preparation at this parish
Reconciliation (Confession) — Wed. 5:30–6 PM, also by appointment
Marriage Preparation — Bill and Cindy Charles
Bereavement / Funeral Planning — Fr. Finnerty

Parish Staff & Community Council

Parish operations are carried out by a team that includes clergy, deacons, a school principal, directors of music and religious education, office staff, and a maintenance supervisor, with lay leadership organized through a Community Council covering Liturgy, Education, Social Concerns, Parish Life, and Finance.

Pastor: Rev. Daniel Finnerty
Senior Parochial Vicar: Rev. Ed Gretchko
Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Msgr. Lewis F. Gaetano
Permanent Deacon & Business Manager: Rev. Mr. Thomas Mierzwa
School Principal: Dr. Peter Schafer
Director of Music: Taylor Bunnenberg
Director of Religious Education / PSR: Michal Zabrecky
Bookkeepers: Cheryl Andrews, Mary Puskarich
Office Assistance: Paula House
Parish Secretary: Kristin Kraft
Maintenance Supervisor: Kevin Kraft
Sacristan & Scheduling / Rental contact: Michael Reed (330-575-3446)

Facilities & Rentals

Christ the Servant Parish offers several spaces for parish and community use on the Our Lady of Peace campus in Canton.

Gathering Room — available for rental
Gym (Alumni Hall) — serves both the school and the wider community; dedicated May 1999
Seton Hall — available for rental
Rental contact: Mr. Michael Reed, 330-575-3446
Parish Activity Center — northwest end of property, dedicated 1999

Getting Involved — Community Council

Parishioners are invited to serve in any of the ministries listed under the Community Council. The Council organizes parish life around Liturgy, Parish Life, Education, Social Concerns, and Finance, with named coordinators for nearly every ministry.

Liturgy Ministry contact: Mike Reed, [email protected]
Education Ministry contact: [email protected] (Rita Kingsbury, PSR); Dr. Peter Schafer for the parish school
Parish Life contact: parish office 330-492-0757
Social Concerns contact: parish office 330-492-0757
Cards for Shut-Ins: Pat Brown, [email protected]

Pastors & rectors through the years

Fr. Paul Mar(?) (first pastor, St. Paul's)1907–?
First pastor at the original St. Paul's Canton parish (name partially obscured in source).
Fr. Joseph M. Paulus1907–c.1911
Organized the fledgling St. Paul's parish; only ~30 of an expected 130 families joined and average monthly collection was about $17.
Fr. John F. Maloneyc.1910
Succeeded Paulus at St. Paul's Canton.
Fr. W.C. ZierolfMay 1911–December 1918
Non-resident pastor who kept St. Paul's afloat during WWI-era industrial growth; recorded baptisms, marriages, and deaths.
Fr. J.W. Schmitzafter 1918
Initiated building plan for the permanent St. Paul's church and school, dedicated October 23, 1921.
Fr. J.A. Stefanic1924–1948
Longtime pastor of St. Paul's Canton.
Fr. J. Robert Coleman1973–1986
Listed in parish pastor history.
Fr. Dacian Barrette1986–1987
Listed in parish pastor history.
Fr. Joseph P. Martin1987–2000
Listed in parish pastor history.
Fr. John Zuzik2000–2003
Listed in parish pastor history.
Fr. Nicholas Mancini2000–2003
Listed in parish pastor history.
Fr. Joseph Gleixner2003–2008
Listed in parish pastor history.
Rev. Msgr. Lewis F. Gaetano2008–2022
Pastor Emeritus of Christ the Servant Parish; on January 23, 2011 announced Our Lady of Peace Church as the chosen worship site for the merged parish.
Rev. Fr. Scott Kopp2022–2024
Pastor of Christ the Servant Parish and Administrator of Our Lady of Peace School.
Rev. Fr. Daniel Finnerty2024–present
Current Pastor of Christ the Servant Parish and Our Lady of Peace School.