About Holy Trinity · Bolivar, Ohio
Church of the Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic parish located at 1835 Dover-Zoar Road NE in Bolivar, Ohio, serving the northern Tuscarawas County area in the Diocese of Columbus. The parish was formed on July 11, 1995 by merging three historic congregations — St. Aloysius in Strasburg, St. Patrick in Mineral City, and St. Stephen in Bolivar — and in June 2001 moved into a new parish facility near the historic village of Zoar, blessed by Bishop James Griffin. The parish is currently served by Father Tomas Carvajal and Deacon Lyn Houze, and offers weekend and Wednesday Masses, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a robust Family Faith Formation program, RCIA/OCIA, two music ensembles, and a Knights of Columbus council.
- Established
- 1995
- Patron
- Holy Trinity
- Rector
- Father Tomas Carvajal
- Diocese
- Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
Holy Trinity is a warm, mid-sized parish where new arrivals are greeted at the door and encouraged to introduce themselves to Father Tomas. The parish community lives out a simple mission — to love God, love one another, and make the name of Jesus known — through strong liturgical, formation, and fraternal ministries. With two distinct music ensembles (a contemporary folk-style Sunday Mass and a more traditional Saturday Mass), weekly Eucharistic Adoration, RCIA/OCIA inquiry, Family Faith Formation for children, a lector program, altar servers, hospitality and funeral refreshments, and an active Knights of Columbus council, there are many practical ways for parishioners to get involved.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 5:15 PM – 6:15 PM
- Saturday / Sunday: By Appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (after 6:30 PM Mass)
Parish History
Holy Trinity Parish was canonically erected on July 11, 1995 in the Diocese of Columbus by Bishop James Griffin through the merger of St. Aloysius (Strasburg), St. Patrick (Mineral City), and St. Stephen (Bolivar). The Bolivar congregation traced its origins to 1853, when Rev. Dieter M. Winands, pastor of St. Joseph's in Dover, organized the Catholic families of the area. After the merger, Masses alternated between the former St. Stephen church in Bolivar and the Mineral City location until a new parish facility was completed on a roughly 17-acre site just northeast of the historic village of Zoar. On June 9–10, 2001, Bishop Griffin blessed the new building and confirmed 17 young people at its first weekend of liturgies. The former Bolivar church and rectory were sold in 2003 and 2004; the historic St. Stephen Cemetery remains active and is maintained by the parish.
- Founded July 11, 1995
- Successor to St. Aloysius – Strasburg, St. Patrick – Mineral City, and St. Stephen – Bolivar
- Current parish facility dedicated June 9–10, 2001 by Bishop James Griffin
- Maintains the St. Stephen Cemetery in Bolivar
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by its pastor, Father Tomas Carvajal, and Deacon Lyn Houze. The office is staffed by Beth Houze and Cathy Morris. Deacon Houze also serves as the main contact for RCIA/OCIA and for the altar server program.
- Pastor: Father Tomas Carvajal
- Deacon: Deacon Lyn Houze
- Office staff: Beth Houze, Cathy Morris
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry is led by John Wojcicki and consists of two complementary choirs. The Sunday morning 'Folk Mass' features a more contemporary style drawn from the blue Glory and Praise hymnal, accompanied typically by guitar along with bass, flute, clarinet, and saxophone. The Saturday afternoon Mass is more traditional, drawing hymns from the Breaking Bread missalette and accompanied by the church's Clavinova piano. Both choirs are open to singers of all ages.
- Sunday 'Folk Mass' — contemporary ensemble
- Saturday Vigil — traditional with Clavinova
- Director: John Wojcicki
Liturgical Ministries
Lay faithful support the parish's liturgies as lectors and altar servers. Lectors grow in a warm and loving knowledge of Scripture and proclaim the Word of God at Mass and other liturgical services. Altar Servers — selected and trained by the pastor — assist the priest in a reverent and respectful manner during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, including preparation before, assistance during, and cleanup after the liturgy.
- Lector Ministry
- Altar Servers (trained by the Pastor)
- Coordinator for Altar Servers: Deacon Lyn Houze
Faith Formation
Holy Trinity runs both adult and family faith formation ministries. Family Faith Formation (the parish's PSR — Parish School of Religion) instructs children ages 5 through 14 in the Catholic faith, with an emphasis on Biblical teaching and Catholic doctrine, and prepares them to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, the Eucharist, and Confirmation. Classes are designed for children and their parents together. Adult Faith Formation classes are coordinated by Mark Capuano.
- Family Faith Formation (PSR) — for ages 5–14 and their parents; held the second Sunday of each month after the 10:00 Mass (as of 2022/23)
- Contact: Mary Anne O'Donnell — (330) 874-4716
- Adult Faith Formation — Contact: Mark Capuano, (330) 323-2040
Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA)
The parish offers the Rite (now called the Order) of Christian Initiation of Adults for those interested in the Catholic faith — whether non-Catholics thinking about becoming Catholic, baptized Christians seeking full communion, or Catholics wishing to deepen their understanding. The process includes a period of instruction and culminates in the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism (for those not yet baptized), Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist — typically celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Participants are paired with a sponsor who walks with them through the journey.
- Contact: Deacon Lyn Houze — (330) 432-2066
Hospitality & Knights of Columbus
The Hospitality Ministry provides a welcoming atmosphere through greeters at each Sunday Mass and by offering refreshments after Mass and at funeral receptions. The parish also hosts a Knights of Columbus council — Catholic men of faith and charitable action — offering fellowship, service opportunities to church, country, and fellow man, and regularly scheduled times of prayer and devotion.
- Hospitality Ministry (greeters, post-Mass and funeral refreshments)
- Knights of Columbus — Contact: Mark Yovanovich, (330) 874-3697
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish welcomes visitors and invites newcomers to introduce themselves to Father Tomas before or after Mass. The parish office can be reached at (330) 874-4716. Office hours are Monday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, Tuesday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, Wednesday closed, Thursday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM, and Friday 10:00 AM–3:00 PM (Saturday/Sunday by appointment). Driving directions note that from State Route 212 visitors should turn north onto Tuscarawas County Road 82; the church is approximately three-tenths of a mile from Route 212.
- Address: 1835 Dover-Zoar Rd. NE, Bolivar, OH 44612
- Phone: (330) 874-4716
- Diocese: Diocese of Columbus
- Web: holytrinityzoar.net / holytrinityzoar.com