About Holy Redeemer · Cleveland, Ohio
Holy Redeemer is a Roman Catholic parish in the South Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, founded in June 1924 to serve Italian immigrant families who had settled in the area one block off St. Clair Avenue on Kipling Avenue. The parish, part of the Diocese of Cleveland, has been a faith home to generations of Italian-American Catholics while embracing a broader community of neighbors. Today it is pastored by Father Anthony J. Simone (appointed pastor August 1, 2025) and is served by two deacons, a parish secretary, music director, business manager, and a Parish School of Religion (PSR) program for children in grades K–8. The parish celebrates its centennial in 2024, marked by a Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost, a Eucharistic procession with a statue of St. Anthony through the streets of Collinwood, and an Italian marching band.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- Holy Redeemer (the Most Holy Redeemer)
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony J. Simone
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Holy Redeemer is a small, family-style Italian-heritage parish with deep roots in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood, now in its second century of Catholic life. It offers weekend and weekday Mass, Saturday confessions, Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary before Mass, a Parish School of Religion for children K–8, and a parish staff that is openly welcoming of every state of life — single, married, divorced, widowed, young and old. If you are looking for a parish that still feels like a neighborhood parish, where generations have worshipped and Italian traditions like the blessing of St. Anthony bread are still kept alive, Holy Redeemer is worth a visit.
Mass times at Holy Redeemer
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
- Other times: Call the Parish Office
About Holy Redeemer Parish
Holy Redeemer is a Roman Catholic parish in Cleveland's South Collinwood neighborhood, founded in June 1924 to serve Italian Catholic immigrants who had settled near St. Clair Avenue. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Cleveland and is pastored by Father Anthony J. Simone. Its stated mission is to believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church and the real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, to pray together, to share time, talent, and treasure, and to welcome ALL people — including the unborn, youth, singles, single parents, the married, the divorced, the separated, the widowed, and seniors.
Our History
Established by Bishop Joseph Schrembs in June 1924, Holy Redeemer was created to serve Italian Catholic immigrants in Collinwood who previously had to worship at a Slovenian parish (St. Mary) and at St. Joseph Church. The parish has been served by six pastors across its 100-year history and has built three successive churches: a 1925 wood-frame church, a school-hall conversion, and the current church dedicated June 21, 1964.
- 1924–1939 — Rev. Martin Compagno (founding pastor; first church built May 6, 1925)
- 1940–1942 — Rev. Achilles P. Ferreri (school hall converted into a second church)
- 1942–1971 — Rev. John A. Iammarino (broke ground on third church in 1958; dedicated June 21, 1964)
- From 1971 — Rev. James Grandillo
- Later — Rev. Martin Polito (pastor at the 2024 centennial)
- 2024–present — Rev. Anthony J. Simone (Administrator from July 31, 2024; Pastor from August 1, 2025)
Centennial Celebration (June 2024)
On Sunday, June 16, 2024, Holy Redeemer marked 100 years with an anniversary Mass, a Eucharistic procession, and a parish picnic. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost was the principal celebrant, concelebrated by Fr. Joseph Previte, Fr. Peter Mihalik, and Fr. Martin Polito. Deacons Thomas Ward, Timothy Shell, Bruce Batista, and John Sferry assisted. In keeping with the parish's Italian heritage, Bishop Woost blessed St. Anthony bread, which was distributed to everyone at the end of Mass. A procession with the Eucharist and the parish's statue of St. Anthony then moved through the streets of Collinwood, accompanied by an Italian marching band, a Cleveland police escort, and the parish's altar servers — with fireworks as participants returned to the parish grounds.
Parish Office
The parish office is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and closed Thursday and Friday. The parish can be reached by phone at (216) 531-3313 or by email at [email protected].
Clergy & Staff
Holy Redeemer is currently served by its pastor, two deacons, and a small lay staff who together run the parish's sacramental, catechetical, music, and administrative life.
- Rev. Anthony J. Simone — Pastor
- Deacon Tom (Thomas) Ward
- Deacon Joel Pantano
- Karen Osolin Duke — Parish Secretary
- Joe Ianetta — Secretary
- Dayna White — Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- Coeli Ingold — Music Director
- Business Manager (named on staff page)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education Program at Holy Redeemer is a cumulative program for grades K through 8, running from September through the end of April. First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are presented as particular moments of Grace in the children's growth as Christians, not as endpoints. The PSR is committed to providing a solid foundation in faith and to welcoming parents with an open-door policy for questions, concerns, or problems. For more information, the parish asks families to contact the rectory at 216-531-3313.
- Grades K–8 cumulative program
- First Reconciliation preparation
- First Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Runs September through April
Italian Heritage & St. Anthony Tradition
Holy Redeemer was founded as an Italian nationality parish and continues to honor that heritage. In keeping with the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, the bishop blesses St. Anthony bread at Mass, which is then distributed to the congregation. The parish's statue of St. Anthony is carried in a Eucharistic procession through the streets of Collinwood with an Italian marching band — a custom the parish has continued for generations.
- Blessing of St. Anthony bread at Mass
- Procession with the statue of St. Anthony through Collinwood
- Italian marching band accompanies the procession
Getting Involved
Holy Redeemer explicitly welcomes all people and invites parishioners and visitors to share their time, talent, and treasure. Practical ways to get involved include enrolling children in the Parish School of Religion, serving as a catechist, joining the parish music ministry, praying the Rosary before weekend Masses, or contacting the parish office about other opportunities.
- Enroll children in PSR (K–8)
- Become a catechist
- Join the music ministry
- Pray the Rosary before weekend Masses
- Contact the parish office for other opportunities
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Martin (Marin) Compagno1924–1939
Founding pastor; oversaw construction of the original wood-frame church in 1925.
- Rev. Achilles P. Ferreri1940–1942
Second pastor; guided the conversion of the parish school hall into a new church.
- Rev. John A. Iammarino1942–1971
Third pastor; broke ground for the third (current) church in 1958, which was dedicated June 21, 1964.
- Rev. James Grandillofrom 1971
Succeeded Fr. Iammarino in 1971.
- Rev. Martin Polito
Pastor at the time of the June 2024 centennial Mass.
- Rev. Anthony J. Simone2024–present
Appointed Administrator effective July 31, 2024, alongside his assignment at St. Jerome Parish; appointed Pastor of both Holy Redeemer and St. Jerome effective August 1, 2025.