About Church of the Ascension · Johnstown, Ohio
Church of the Ascension is a Catholic parish in Johnstown, Ohio, part of the Diocese of Columbus, serving a rapidly growing area of Licking County just one mile from the Intel semiconductor plant. The parish traces its roots to the mid-1800s as St. Joseph Church on Jug Street and was renamed Church of the Ascension in 1912 when it moved to South Main Street. Since 2007, the parish has worshipped at its current 16.5-acre property at 555 South Main Street, where the present building was constructed as a permanent parish hall with future plans for a dedicated church and school.
- Established
- mid-1800s
- Patron
- The Ascension of Our Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. PJ Brandimarti, KHS (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
Church of the Ascension offers a faithful Catholic community with traditional liturgical elements — several Masses are celebrated Ad Orientem, and a strong Eucharistic Adoration schedule includes weekly and First Friday hours. The parish combines a small-town welcome with the energy of a growing suburban community near Intel, supporting families through parish youth catechesis (PYC), youth ministry, a St. Vincent de Paul Society chapter, and a Knights of the Holy Sepulchre-affiliated pastor. Visitors and newcomers are warmly invited to register and join a parish that explicitly centers its identity on Christ.
Mass times at Church of the Ascension
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
- First Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (per most recent bulletin) / 6:00 p.m. (per website)
Parish Identity and Mission
Church of the Ascension is a Catholic community in Johnstown, Ohio, that keeps Christ at the center of its hearts, families, homes and parish. Its parish mission statement draws on John 14:6 and 1 Peter 3:15, declaring that, with the help of sacred scripture, tradition, and the sacraments, the community strives to know, love and serve God in this world while encouraging others to do the same, so that all may live eternally in heaven with Christ, the angels, and the saints (Ephesians 2:4-8). The parish describes itself as a growing community of devoted Catholics and explicitly welcomes visitors and new registrants.
- Parish mission rooted in Scripture and Tradition (John 14:6; 1 Peter 3:15; Ephesians 2:4-8)
- Tagline: 'Keeping Christ At The Center'
- Located in rapidly growing Johnstown, Ohio
History of the Parish
The parish has ministered to the Catholic population of Johnstown since the mid-1800s, when it was originally founded as St. Joseph Church on Jug Street. In 1912 the parish was renamed Church of the Ascension and relocated to South Main Street. The parish moved again in 2007 to its present 16.5-acre property at 555 South Main Street, where the current building was constructed as a permanent parish hall with the future vision of adding a dedicated church and school. The parish is part of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus.
- Founded mid-1800s as St. Joseph Church on Jug Street
- Renamed Church of the Ascension in 1912; moved to South Main Street
- Relocated in 2007 to 555 S. Main Street on a 16.5-acre campus
- Current building built as permanent parish hall; future plans for church and school
Clergy and Staff
Church of the Ascension is currently led by Rev. Fr. PJ Brandimarti, KHS, as Pastor/Administrator, with Rev. Fr. Jins Devasia, HGN, serving as Parochial Vicar. The diaconate includes Deacon Byron Phillips, Deacon Clint Atkins, and Deacon Robert Fulda. Lay staff include Kelly Pertee (Parish Youth Catechesis), Mary Nelson (Youth & Parish Ministry Coordinator), Amanda Mahle (Office Manager), Kelly Cervantes, Randy Ore, Kathy Bartolomucci (Bookkeeper), and Valerie Tanner (Director of Sacred Music per bulletin).
- Rev. Fr. PJ Brandimarti, KHS — Pastor/Administrator ([email protected])
- Rev. Fr. Jins Devasia, HGN — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Deacon Byron Phillips ([email protected])
- Deacon Clint Atkins
- Deacon Robert Fulda
- Mary Nelson — Youth & Parish Ministry Coordinator
- Kelly Pertee — Parish Youth Catechesis (PYC)
- Valerie Tanner — Director of Sacred Music
- Amanda Mahle — Office Manager
- Kathy Bartolomucci — Bookkeeper
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
The parish runs Parish Youth Catechesis (PYC) for the religious education of its children, under Kelly Pertee. Youth and Parish Ministry is coordinated by Mary Nelson, providing parish-wide faith formation activities for teens and families. The parish places a strong emphasis on handing on the faith in a community setting, complementing its traditional liturgical offerings.
- Parish Youth Catechesis (PYC) — Kelly Pertee
- Youth & Parish Ministry — Mary Nelson
Outreach and Parish Ministries
Church of the Ascension maintains a chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which operates a 24-hour hotline at 740-349-0989 for those in need in the surrounding community. The parish also supports altar servers (coordinated, per bulletins, by Mike) and a Sacred Music ministry under its Director of Sacred Music. The parish publishes a regular bulletin listing Mass intentions, ministry schedules, and announcements.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (24-hour hotline: 740-349-0989)
- Altar Servers
- Sacred Music Ministry
- Parish Bulletin (weekly)
Visit, Register, and Contact
The parish welcomes visitors and offers a downloadable parish registration form on its website, which can be emailed to [email protected] or [email protected]. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and is closed on Fridays. The parish is located at 555 South Main Street, Johnstown, Ohio 43031, and can be reached by phone at 740-967-7871 or by fax at 740-967-0321.
- Address: 555 S. Main Street, Johnstown, OH 43031
- Phone: 740-967-7871; Fax: 740-967-0321
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Closed Friday
- Email: [email protected]
- Register via downloadable form emailed to [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Founding clergy of St. Joseph Church, Jug Streetmid-1800s
Original parish founded as St. Joseph Church on Jug Street in Johnstown (specific founding pastor not identified in available sources).
- Clergy of Church of the Ascension at 1912 South Main Street location1912 - 2007
Parish renamed and relocated to South Main Street in 1912 (specific pastors from this era not identified in available sources).
- Rev. Fr. PJ Brandimarti, KHScurrent
Current Pastor/Administrator.
- Rev. Fr. Jins Devasia, HGNcurrent
Current Parochial Vicar.