About Holy Martyrs · Medina, Ohio
Holy Martyrs is a Roman Catholic parish in Medina, Ohio, established in 1980 and belonging to the Diocese of Cleveland. The parish is named in honor of modern-day martyrs killed in El Salvador in 1980 — Saint Oscar Romero and the four American churchwomen (Sr. Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan, Sr. Ita Ford, and Sr. Maura Clarke) — and it maintains a sister-parish relationship with Immaculada Concepcion in La Libertad. Holy Martyrs describes itself as a vibrant Catholic community whose mission is to Encounter Christ, Grow in Faith, and Make Disciples, serving about 7,000 parishioners from Medina and the surrounding area.
- Established
- 1980
- Patron
- Modern martyrs of El Salvador — St. Óscar Romero, Sr. Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan, Sr. Ita Ford, and Sr. Maura Clarke
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen J. "Steve" Dohner
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland (Wayne-Medina-Ashland Deanery)
Why belong here
Holy Martyrs is a mid-sized Catholic parish where Sunday Mass is offered in both traditional and contemporary styles, weekday Mass is celebrated Monday through Thursday at noon, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every Thursday after the noon Mass. Faith formation is woven into every age: HMKids for younger children, SPIRIT for 7th- and 8th-graders, and Life Teen for high schoolers, all of which meet on Sunday evenings around the 5:00 pm Mass. Adults exploring the Catholic faith are accompanied through the Journey (RCIA) and FOCUS processes led by Pastoral Associate Janet Payton. A distinctive feature is the parish's El Salvador Connection, supporting a sister parish in La Libertad through student scholarships and an annual pilgrimage, all rooted in the namesakes after whom the parish is built.
Mass times at Holy Martyrs
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Our Story — Why We Are Called Holy Martyrs
Holy Martyrs Church was founded in 1980 and named to honor the modern-day martyrs who were killed that same year in El Salvador: Archbishop Óscar Romero, assassinated while celebrating Mass, and the four American churchwomen — Sr. Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan, Sr. Ita Ford, and Sr. Maura Clarke. This identity is woven into the parish's physical space: the small chapel is named for Saint Romero, and four rooms on the mezzanine above the Gathering Area display portraits of the churchwomen.
Becoming Catholic (RCIA & FOCUS)
Adults who want to become Catholic are welcomed through "Journey," Holy Martyrs' name for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The Journey process follows the ancient practice restored by the Second Vatican Council and typically includes a catechumenate of at least one year before the Easter Vigil. Christians already baptized in another tradition are accompanied through "FOCUS," a process designed for mature Christians entering full communion. Pastoral Associate Janet Payton coordinates both paths.
- Journey — for the unbaptized (catechumenate, typically one year+, culminating at the Easter Vigil with Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist)
- FOCUS — for baptized Christians entering full communion
- Contact: Janet Payton, Pastoral Associate — 330.722.6633
Children's Faith Formation (HMKids)
HMKids is Holy Martyrs' program for younger children. It teaches the basic knowledge and beliefs of the Catholic faith and works alongside parents to instill Catholic values, coordinated by Amy Incorvati-Aloisi.
Middle School Youth (SPIRIT)
SPIRIT is the 7th- and 8th-grade youth group. Sunday evenings begin with the 5:00 PM Mass; afterwards students gather in Pfeiffer Hall for food, an opening activity, a teaching, and small-group discussion, wrapping up at 7:30 PM with a recap and a raffle. The program is coordinated by Skip McQuate and maintains a presence on Facebook and Instagram.
High School Youth (Life Teen)
Life Teen is Holy Martyrs' high school youth ministry. It meets Sunday evenings, beginning with the 5:00 PM contemporary Mass and continuing until 8:00 PM in a prayerful, energetic environment aimed at leading teens closer to Christ through the Eucharist and the teachings of the Church. The coordinator is Brandon Woods ([email protected], 216-645-5764).
El Salvador Connection
Holy Martyrs' namesake ministry is its ongoing relationship with the people of El Salvador. The parish is partnered with Immaculada Concepcion in La Libertad, where Donovan and Kazel served with Rev. Paul Schindler of the Cleveland Diocese. Its primary mission goal is to provide trade-school and university scholarships for selected students, funded through the annual "Fore" the Kids golf fundraiser. Each January a group of parishioners makes a pilgrimage/immersion trip to El Salvador — a living continuation of the parish's founding identity.
- Sister parish: Immaculada Concepcion, La Libertad, El Salvador
- Primary goal: scholarships for Salvadoran students in trade school or university
- Annual "Fore" the Kids golf fundraiser
- Annual January pilgrimage/immersion trip to El Salvador
Our Team
Holy Martyrs is staffed by a pastor, a pastoral associate, ministry coordinators, and a small administrative team. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday and closed on Friday.
- Pastor — Rev. Steve Dohner
- Pastoral Associate — Janet Payton
- HMKids Coordinator — Amy Incorvati-Aloisi
- SPIRIT Coordinator — Skip McQuate
- Life Teen Coordinator — Brandon Woods
- Finance — Alyssa Nadin
- Office Assistants — Brenda Darkovich, Jenny Messina, Jennifer Kleinhans
- Administrative Assistant, HMKids — Char Cancasci
- Pastor Emeritus — Rev. Robert F. Pfeiffer
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed to Mass, Adoration, and Reconciliation. The parish is located just past the Route 3 exit off I-71 in Medina. RV travelers should call ahead for parking instructions. Sunday Masses are also accessible online via the parish livestream.
- Address — 3100 Old Weymouth Road, Medina, OH 44256
- Phone — (330) 722-6633
- Fax — (330) 725-2193
- Office hours — Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–12:45 PM and 1:30 PM–5:00 PM; closed Friday
- Livestream — Sundays 9:30 AM and weekdays at noon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Robert F. Pfeiffer
Pastor Emeritus (predecessor in pastoring the parish; Pfeiffer Hall on the parish grounds is named in connection with his tenure).
- Rev. Stephen J. Dohner
Current pastor; the parish recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination with an annual Rib Fest.