About Emmanuel · Dayton, Ohio
Emmanuel Catholic Church is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in Dayton, Ohio, founded in 1837 by Flemish missionary Father Emanuel Thienpont, after whom it is named (Hebrew: "God is with us"). Known as the "mother church" of Catholic parishes across nine Ohio counties, its present German Gothic church building on Franklin Street was completed in 1873 and remains one of the largest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The parish is celebrated for its reverent liturgy, traditional piety (including a preserved altar rail for kneeling Communion and a weekly Miraculous Medal novena with Eucharistic adoration), and outreach through a robust St. Vincent de Paul Conference and ministry to refugees and home-school families. Since 2011, Emmanuel has been served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood as part of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes alongside Holy Trinity and St. Joseph.
- Established
- 1837
- Patron
- Emmanuel ("God with us") — parish named for its founder, Father Emanuel Thienpont; devotion to the Blessed Sacrament is central
- Rector
- Fr. Tony (Anthony) Fortman, C.PP.S.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (part of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes with Holy Trinity and St. Joseph)
Why belong here
Worshippers at Emmanuel experience traditional, reverent Catholic liturgy in one of the largest German Gothic churches in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, including a weekly Miraculous Medal novena with Eucharistic adoration, an altar rail for kneeling Communion, and multiple choirs. The parish combines deep historical roots — it is the 1837 mother church of nine Ohio counties — with an active social mission: a strong St. Vincent de Paul Conference serving the 45402 zip code, a Pro-Life group, the multi-team Emmanuel Youth Service Corps (EYSC), and outreach to refugees and Catholic home-school families. As a designated Jubilee 2025 Pilgrim Church in downtown Dayton, it offers a vibrant, family-friendly community where heritage, beauty, and service meet.
Mass times at Emmanuel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday: Exposition 7:00 PM (doors open 6:30 PM); Benediction 7:30 PM, followed by Communion Service and Miraculous Medal Novena
History of Emmanuel Catholic Church
Founded in 1837 as the first Catholic parish in Dayton, Emmanuel has been served in turn by diocesan priests (1837–1956), the Society of Mary / Marianists (1956–2011), and the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (2011–present). Its present German Gothic church was completed in 1873 after the 1870 collapse of the original sanctuary's ceiling. The parish is the historical 'mother church' of nine Ohio counties and of institutions including the University of Dayton, St. Elizabeth Hospital, St. Joseph Orphanage, and J. Fischer & Bro. Music. Key dates include the 1898 silver jubilee, 1913 Great Flood, 1937 parish centennial, 1971 church-building centennial, 1987 Sesquicentennial ($232,000 renovation), and the 2012 175th anniversary Mass presided over by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr.
- Founded November 26, 1837, by Fr. Emanuel Thienpont
- Present church dedicated October 5, 1873, by Bishop Borgess of Detroit
- Twin 212 ft spires removed 1956; rear spire toppled 1920
- Survived the Great Dayton Flood of 1913
- Daniel E. Pilarczyk (future Archbishop) baptized here 1934
- Marianist era 1956–2011; Precious Blood era since July 2011
- Jubilee 2025 Pilgrim Church designation
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S., supported by Parochial Vicars Fr. Seraphine Lesiriam, C.PP.S., and Fr. Jim 'Santiago' Gaynor, C.PP.S., and Deacon Rusty (Rob) Baldwin. The lay staff includes Chris Lockhart (Business Manager), Michelle Carner (Director of Music), Mary Beemsterboer (Secretary), and Robert Millard (Maintenance). The parish office is open Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
- Fr. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S. — Pastor
- Fr. Seraphine Lesiriam, C.PP.S. — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Jim 'Santiago' Gaynor, C.PP.S. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Rusty Baldwin
- Chris Lockhart — Business Manager
- Michelle Carner — Director of Music
- Mary Beemsterboer — Secretary
- Robert Millard — Maintenance
Architecture & Art
Dayton architect Leon Beaver designed the present German Gothic church in 1869, and builders Andrew Kinninger and Frederick Lampert completed the soft-brick, Dayton-limestone-trimmed structure in 1873. Originally soaring with twin 212-foot spires and a 150-foot rear spire (since removed), the church retains its 65-foot sanctuary ceiling and historic 1895–97 interior appointments: polished-bronze Stations of the Cross, marble altar railing and aisle floors, two great chandeliers, and fourteen 6 × 40 ft stained-glass windows depicting the life of Christ, plus the central Emmanuel window above the main altar honoring the Blessed Sacrament. Four bells installed in 1901 — the largest at 5,000 pounds — still ring from the towers.
- Architect: Leon Beaver (Dayton)
- Builders: Andrew Kinninger & Frederick Lampert
- Dimensions: 166 ft × 84 ft; 65 ft ceiling
- Stained glass: 14 windows (6 × 40 ft) of Christ's life + Blessed Sacrament window
- Stations of the Cross: polished bronze (1895–97)
- Bells: 4 installed 1901 (largest 5,000 lbs)
Sacraments
Emmanuel celebrates the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. Baptisms are celebrated by appointment on Sundays after the 10:30 AM Mass, with first-time sacramental preparation included in RCIA and CCD programs. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons from 4:00–4:45 PM. Anointing of the Sick is available in emergencies by calling the parish office. Marriage preparation begins with Deacon Baldwin; couples are expected to be registered parishioners and to follow standard guidelines including approximately one year of preparation.
- Baptism — Sundays after 10:30 Mass, by appointment
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00–4:45 PM
- Anointing of the Sick — call parish office in emergency
- Marriage — contact Deacon Baldwin
- RCIA / RCIY for adults and youth entering the Church
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Emmanuel's ministries combine traditional liturgical service with active corporal works of mercy. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference serves anyone in need in the 45402 zip code with food, rent, clothing, and utility assistance. The parish Pro-Life group supports authentic Catholic pro-life activities. Liturgical ministries include altar servers (under Deacon Baldwin), lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and ushers. The flagship youth program, the Emmanuel Youth Service Corps (EYSC), fields 11 service teams for ages 6–18, with leadership tracks for ages 14–18.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference (937-228-3771)
- Pro-Life group (1st Sunday, 9 AM)
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Ushers
- Emmanuel Youth Service Corps (EYSC) — 11 teams
- Church Cleaning & Maintenance (Tue & Fri)
Faith Formation
Adult and youth faith formation at Emmanuel includes RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and RCIY for those entering or completing initiation in the Catholic Church, weekly Adult Faith Formation programming, Bible Study, Young Adult Religious Education, and the parish's CCD Children's Religious Education program. The Tuesday evening Miraculous Medal Novena with Eucharistic Adoration is a weekly catechetical touchstone for the parish.
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
- RCIY — for youth
- Adult Faith Formation
- Children's CCD / Religious Education
- Bible Study
- Young Adult Religious Education
St. Gaspar Family of Parishes & Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Emmanuel Catholic Church is part of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, joining it with Holy Trinity and St. Joseph parishes in downtown Dayton. The cluster is served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and is part of Pastoral Region 7. The current pastor, Fr. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S., works with parochial vicars Fr. Seraphine Lesiriam and Fr. Jim 'Santiago' Gaynor to provide collaborative ministry across the three parishes.
- Part of St. Gaspar Family of Parishes (with Holy Trinity and St. Joseph)
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
- Staffed by Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.) since 2011
- Diocese website: catholicaoc.org
Visiting & Jubilee 2025
For the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, Emmanuel has been designated a Pilgrim Church by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The church is open one hour after each weekday Mass (Wed–Sat 7:30 AM) and two hours prior to each weekend Mass (Sat Vigil 5:00 PM, Sun 10:30 AM), and on Tuesday evenings for the Miraculous Medal novena and Holy Hour (doors open 6:00 PM). Special group visits and tours can be scheduled with Deacon Rusty Baldwin at [email protected].
- Jubilee 2025 Pilgrim Church
- Weekday Mass open hours: 1 hour after each Mass
- Weekend Mass open hours: 2 hours prior
- Tuesday Holy Hour open 6:00 PM (doors)
- Group tours: contact Deacon Rusty Baldwin
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Emanuel Thienpont1837–1844
Flemish-born founder; built first church (dedicated Nov 26, 1837); named parish after his own first name (Hebrew 'God with us'); performed first baptism and marriage.
- Fr. Henry Damian Juncker1844–1857
Expanded the building; oversaw 1846 split when Irish members formed Holy Trinity; installed organ, three marble altars, statues from France; named Bishop of Alton, IL in 1857.
- Fr. Meyer1850
Served in Juncker's place during Juncker's absence.
- Fr. John Hahne1857–1882
Commissioned Leon Beaver's design for the present German Gothic church; laid cornerstone 1871; oversaw construction of new school (1868).
- Fr. Charles Hahne1882–1911
Brother of John Hahne; 1895–97 redecoration (Stations, chandeliers, marble); 1898 silver jubilee called Emmanuel 'most artistically and handsomely decorated church in Dayton'; four bells installed 1901.
- Fr. Joseph Sieber, PhD1911–1923
Appointed Sept 1, 1911; Diamond Jubilee renovations 1912 (rock-face stucco).
- Fr. Albert Kroum1923–~1956
Sixth pastor; 33-year tenure through the Great Depression; liquidated debt, acquired parking/playground land, installed new pews and basement recreation rooms; celebrated 1937 parish Centennial.
- Fr. Norbert Rupp, S.M.mid-1960s
Marianist; introduced weekly bulletin (May 1966); presided over Archdiocese decision to make Emmanuel a non-territorial parish.
- Fr. Paul Wagner, S.M.1967–1976
Marianist; maintained weekly Latin Mass; inaugurated Tuesday Miraculous Medal novena; grew families to 600; Archbishop Leibold celebrated building centennial Aug 15, 1971.
- Fr. James McKay, S.M.1976–1988
Marianist; maintained parish vitality, expanding baptisms and volunteer programs.
- Fr. Lee Sciarrotta, S.M.1988–2010
Marianist; 22-year tenure; champion of traditional liturgy, Corpus Christi processions, St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Rwandan refugee outreach, Catholic homeschool community; oversaw $232,000 1987 Sesquicentennial renovation.
- Fr. Joseph Tedesco, S.M.2010 (brief)
Temporary parochial administrator following Fr. Sciarrotta's death.
- Fr. Angelo Anthony, C.PP.S.2011–2023
First Precious Blood pastor; transitioned parish in from Marianists as part of Pastoral Region 7 (now St. Gaspar Family of Parishes).
- Fr. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S.2023–present
Current pastor; leads Jubilee 2025 pilgrim church designation.
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