About Immaculate Conception · Akron, Ohio
Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish is a Catholic parish of the Diocese of Cleveland located at 2100 16th Street SW in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron, Ohio. Established on March 23, 1923, the parish served the southwest Akron community for more than a century through worship, a parish school, and outreach ministries such as the Kenmore Free Store and St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. After a final round of Sunday Masses, the parish church closed its doors in early 2026; outreach through the Kenmore Free Store, now housed in the former parish school building, continues in partnership with Park United Methodist Church. The parish was led for decades by Rev. Michael B. Smith and, more recently, has been served through diocesan presbyteral leadership.
- Established
- 1923
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God (Immaculate Conception of Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael B. Smith (listed as pastor on the parish history page, 1998–present). The parish's most recent diocesan directory entry lists David J. Majikas as Presbyteral Moderator.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception of Mary has long described itself as a Christ-centered, caring community in the Kenmore neighborhood of Akron, 'committed to serving God's people in vibrant, collaborative ministry through Worship, Sacrament, Service, Stewardship and Intergenerational Faith Formation.' The parish offered weekend and weekday Masses (with a contemporary Sunday liturgy), a structured confession schedule, RCIA and faith formation, and visible outreach including the parish St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and the Kenmore Free Store, a clothing and household-goods ministry run jointly with Park United Methodist Church. Visitors and parishioners were drawn by a century-old neighborhood parish identity and a strong tradition of charitable service to local families in need.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (per parish directory listing)
Parish Identity and Welcome
Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Cleveland serving the Kenmore neighborhood of southwest Akron, Ohio. The parish has described itself as 'a Christ-centered, caring community, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to serving God's people in vibrant, collaborative ministry through Worship, Sacrament, Service, Stewardship and Intergenerational Faith Formation.' As of 2023, the parish was celebrating 102 years of ministry, and asked the intercession of its patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
- Parish name: Immaculate Conception of Mary
- Patroness: Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
- Diocese: Cleveland
- Founded March 23, 1923
History of Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish
Founded March 23, 1923 by Father John Waldeisen, the parish first worshipped in the Boulevard Theater on Kenmore Boulevard before breaking ground on a combination church and school. The first Mass was celebrated in the basement on Easter Sunday, April 20, 1924, and the school opened that September under the Sisters of St. Joseph. In 1951 Msgr. Edward Conry laid the cornerstone for a new church, which was first used at the midnight Mass on Christmas 1952 and dedicated by Archbishop Edward F. Hoban in April 1953. The parish school was expanded and adapted over the decades — a convent was added in 1962, a parish hall and media center were created in 1983, and the convent garage became the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry hall in 1987. The elementary school closed in 2001 and the building was later remodeled for a preschool and childcare center (2001–2015). The parish celebrated its centennial in March 2023 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic, and the church building closed for the final time in early 2026.
- 1923 — Parish founded; Masses first held in Boulevard Theater.
- 1924 — Combination church/school opens; Sisters of St. Joseph staff the school.
- 1951 — Cornerstone laid by Msgr. Edward Conry.
- 1952 — First Mass in the new church, midnight Christmas Day.
- 1953 — Archbishop Edward F. Hoban dedicates the church.
- 1962 — Convent added.
- 1980 — Church renovated.
- 1983 — Parish hall and school media center built.
- 1987 — Convent garage becomes St. Vincent de Paul food pantry hall.
- 2001 — Parish school closes; merges with St. Augustine School.
- 2001–2015 — Building used as preschool/childcare center.
- March 2023 — Centennial Mass with Bishop Edward Malesic.
- Winter 2026 — Parish church doors close for the final time.
Pastorate and Succession
The parish history page lists seven pastors since 1923, beginning with founder Rev. John Waldeisen (1923–1957) and running through Rev. Michael B. Smith (1998–present). The parish's long pastorates were a hallmark of parish life; the hall built in 1983 is named Maher Hall after Rev. Edward Maher (1965–1976). In its most recent diocesan directory entry, the parish is shown under presbyteral leadership with David J. Majikas listed as Presbyteral Moderator.
- 1923–1957 Rev. John Waldeisen
- 1957–1965 Rev. Frederick Hitch
- 1965–1976 Rev. Edward Maher
- 1976–1982 Rev. Michael Marvett
- 1982–1994 Rev. Thomas McCann
- 1994–1998 Rev. Arthur Snedeker
- 1998–present Rev. Michael B. Smith
Parish School and Building History
A parish school staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph opened in September 1924 in the basement of the original combination church-school building. A convent was added in 1962, a parish hall and school media center (Maher Hall) were created in 1983, and the convent garage was converted into an additional hall housing the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in 1987. The elementary school closed in 2001 when operations merged with St. Augustine School; the building later served as a preschool and childcare center until 2015, and now houses the Kenmore Free Store.
- Original school opened September 1924 (Sisters of St. Joseph)
- Convent added 1962
- Maher Hall and school media center built 1983
- St. Vincent de Paul food pantry hall created 1987
- School closed 2001; merged with St. Augustine
- Preschool/childcare operated 2001–2015
- Building now houses Kenmore Free Store
Kenmore Free Store (Outreach Ministry)
The Kenmore Free Store is a clothing, household-items, and furniture ministry operated in partnership between Immaculate Conception Parish and Park United Methodist Church. Located in the basement of the former parish school building, the store lets neighbors in need 'shop' for items at no cost. Visitors can also receive a brown-bag meal and information about other community resources. No ID, address, phone or government papers are required — shoppers are only asked their zip code and the size and ages of their household. The store is staffed by parishioner volunteers who sort donations, greet shoppers, and assist at checkout.
- Location: basement of the former Immaculate Conception School (entrance at the back of the building off the parking lot)
- Partners: Park United Methodist Church and Immaculate Conception Parish
- Items: clothing, household goods, furniture
- Brown-bag meals and resource information also provided
- No ID or government papers required
- Volunteer opportunities: sorting, greeting, helping shoppers, checkout
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society operates a food pantry serving neighbors in need in the Kenmore area. The pantry has been housed since 1987 in the converted convent garage hall adjacent to the parish hall.
- Operated by parish St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Housed in convent-garage hall since 1987
- Highlighted during Bishop Malesic's 2023 centennial tour
Faith Formation and Sacraments
The parish's mission statement emphasizes 'Intergenerational Faith Formation' alongside Worship, Sacrament, Service and Stewardship. Sacramental preparation offered through the parish included Baptism, Marriage, RCIA (Christian Initiation of Adults), First Eucharist and Confirmation preparation. The parish's bilingual profile (English and Spanish) was reflected in the parish's presence on community service directories.
- RCIA / Christian Initiation of Adults
- Baptism preparation
- Marriage preparation
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation
- Intergenerational Faith Formation programming
Closing of the Parish Church (2026)
A 'Remembering IC (1923–2026)' page on the parish website notes that 'the doors of Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish on 16th Street closed for the final time in the winter of 2026.' The parish emphasizes that 'the century of faith that first took root in a Kenmore orchard more than one hundred years ago continues to endure in the lives it has touched' and that the Kenmore Free Store continues to operate from the former school building, 'serving neighbors in need just as the parish faithfully did for generations.'
- Parish church closed its doors in winter 2026
- Kenmore Free Store continues to operate from the former school
- St. Vincent de Paul food pantry ministry continues
- Parish legacy framed as 'a fitting continuation of the mission that has always defined this community'
Visit and Contact Information
Immaculate Conception is located in southwest Akron's Kenmore neighborhood in Summit County. The mailing/physical address is 2100 16th Street SW, Akron, OH 44314. The parish phone number is (330) 753-8429 and the listed email is [email protected]. The official website is ickenmore.org.
- Address: 2100 16th Street SW, Akron, OH 44314
- Phone: (330) 753-8429
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: ickenmore.org
- Region: Summit County – South (Diocese of Cleveland)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Waldeisen1923–1957
Founded the parish; celebrated first Masses in Boulevard Theater; built the original church-school combination.
- Rev. Frederick Hitch1957–1965
- Rev. Edward Maher1965–1976
The parish hall later named Maher Hall in his honor.
- Rev. Michael Marvett1976–1982
- Rev. Thomas McCann1982–1994
- Rev. Arthur Snedeker1994–1998
- Rev. Michael B. Smith1998–present
Longest-tenured pastor listed; led the parish through its 2023 centennial.