About Holy Trinity · Jackson, Ohio
Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic parish in Jackson, Ohio, dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity and serving the Catholic faithful of Jackson County in the Appalachian hills of southeastern Ohio. It is one of three historic churches — alongside Saints Peter & Paul in Wellston and Saint Sylvester in Zaleski — that on January 1, 2025 were merged by Bishop Earl Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus into the new consortium-style Divine Mercy Parish under Father Thomas Herge. The parish is housed in its long-standing church at 214–215 Columbia Street in Jackson, where Mass is offered on Sundays and on Tuesdays and Fridays at noon. The IRS-recognized entity lists a 1946 formation date for Holy Trinity's incorporation as a tax-exempt Catholic organization under the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' group exemption.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- Holy Trinity (the Most Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- Father Thomas Herge
- Diocese
- Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
Joining Holy Trinity in Jackson connects a Catholic family or visitor to a small-but-vibrant rural Appalachian parish that intentionally partners with neighboring faith communities through the new Divine Mercy Parish consortium. Worshippers find a focused sacramental rhythm — Sunday and weekday Mass, weekly Confession, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and a lively youth-formation culture that includes the diocesan Totus Tuus summer program held at Wellston. The parish invests in the next generation through its Parish School of Religion (family catechesis) meeting on alternating Sundays at Holy Trinity itself, and welcomes those exploring the Catholic faith through OCIA (formerly RCIA) under the personal care of Father Herge.
Mass times at Holy Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. (30 minutes before Mass)
- Tuesday 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (30 minutes before Mass)
- Friday 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (30 minutes before Mass)
- By appointment (parish-wide, all three consortium churches)
Adoration times
- Friday 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity (immediately following the noon Mass)
Parish Identity & Location
Holy Trinity Catholic Church sits at 214 Columbia Street in downtown Jackson, the seat of Jackson County in the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio. It is one of three Catholic churches — the others being Saints Peter & Paul in Wellston and Saint Sylvester in Zaleski — brought together on January 1, 2025 as the consortium-style Divine Mercy Parish under the Diocese of Columbus. The parish church building remains in Jackson even though the canonical parish office moved to 229 South New York Avenue, Wellston, at the back of Saints Peter & Paul Church. Office hours at the Wellston office run Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and the parish can be reached at (740) 384-2359.
History
Holy Trinity's federal incorporation as a Catholic organization dates to 1946, the same year the Diocese of Columbus was separated from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to serve central and southern Ohio directly. Listed under EIN 30-0351933 and classified in the IRS NTEE system as a special-education institution (B28) under the USCCB group exemption, the parish has served generations of Catholics in a region where Catholics remain a small minority. Its priestly vocations are a particular point of pride — most notably Father Matthew Hoover, who traces his vocation story to a third-grade CCD class at Jackson Holy Trinity and was ordained in 1995 by Bishop James Griffin.
- Incorporated 1946 as Holy Trinity Catholic Church (EIN 30-0351933) under the USCCB group exemption.
- Long-time mission-style parish served by itinerant and resident Diocese of Columbus priests.
- Joined Saints Peter & Paul (Wellston) and St. Sylvester (Zaleski) into Divine Mercy Parish effective January 1, 2025.
Formation in the Faith
Faith formation is one of the consortium's strongest ministries, and Holy Trinity serves as a key formation site. Adults exploring the Catholic faith enter through the OCIA process (formerly RCIA), led personally by Father Herge using the Credo series; the parish invites catechumens, candidates for full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received the other sacraments of initiation. Children and youth are served by the Parish School of Religion (family catechesis) on alternating Sundays at Holy Trinity itself.
- OCIA / RCIA for adults — using the Credo series, taught by Father Herge
- Parish School of Religion — alternating Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Holy Trinity, Jackson
- First Holy Communion preparation beginning in second grade
- Confirmation preparation for teens, taught by Father Herge
Totus Tuus Summer Youth Program
Each summer since (at least) 2021, Divine Mercy Parish hosts the diocesan Totus Tuus program — a week-long Catholic youth catechetical and evangelization mission run by college-age missionaries — primarily at the Wellston parish. Father Herge, the parish's first full-time pastor under the new consortium, considered canceling the program in his first summer but has continued it every year since, calling it an essential sign of Catholic vitality in a region where 'almost no one around is Catholic.'
- Totus Tuus Grade School Program: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., students K–6, daily Mass and daily Reconciliation
- Totus Tuus Evening Program for junior-high and high-school youth
- Hosted each summer by Divine Mercy Parish in cooperation with the Diocese of Columbus
Clergy & Staff
Divine Mercy Parish is led by Father Thomas Herge, pastor, supported by retired priest-in-residence Father David Young at St. Sylvester in Zaleski, and by Deacon Bart Supino. Parish-office staff includes Rain Hendricks, secretary; Mrs. Carol Boll; and Mrs. Pam Downard, bookkeeper. The mailing and office address is 229 South New York Avenue, Wellston, OH 45692, while the church building of Holy Trinity itself remains at 214 Columbia Street, Jackson.
- Father Thomas Herge — Pastor, Divine Mercy Parish
- Father David Young — Retired priest in residence at St. Sylvester
- Deacon Bart Supino — Deacon
- Rain Hendricks — Parish Secretary
- Mrs. Carol Boll — Parish staff
- Mrs. Pam Downard — Bookkeeper
Becoming Catholic (OCIA / RCIA)
Father Herge personally oversees the OCIA process (formerly RCIA) for the three-church consortium, welcoming unbaptized adults, Christians from other denominations preparing for full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation and Eucharist. The parish uses the Credo series and describes the journey as 'a time where people who are being invited into a deeper relationship with Christ and His Church can spend time to learn more about the faith,' with weekly classes typically lasting several months and concluding with reception of the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and baptized Catholics needing Confirmation/Eucharist
- Uses the Credo series
- Inquiry form available on the parish website
- Father Herge personally contacts each inquirer
Getting Involved & Newcomers
Father Herge and the Divine Mercy Parish welcome family warmly: newcomers are invited to introduce themselves after Mass and to visit the parish office in Wellston (Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) for a welcome packet. Across the three churches, regular spiritual activities include scripture study, communal praying of the Rosary, parish-wide events, and service projects, giving the small rural consortium a noticeably active devotional and social calendar.
- Introduce yourself after Mass
- Stop by the Wellston parish office Tuesday–Friday 8 a.m.–2 p.m. for a welcome packet
- Scripture study and Rosary prayer
- Parish-wide events and service projects
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Matthew Hoover
Ordained June 24, 1995 at St. Joseph Cathedral by Bishop James Griffin; his religious education began in CCD classes at Jackson Holy Trinity Church because Jackson 'didn't have a Catholic school'; he later returned to the area for ministry, per Catholic Times feature 'Answering God's call.'