About Immaculate Conception · Celina, Ohio
Immaculate Conception Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Celina, Ohio, one of the historic "Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches" parishes of western Ohio founded by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The parish traces its roots to 1864 and today serves about 1,200 registered families from its striking Romanesque Revival church at 229 W. Anthony Street. Since July 1, 2022, Immaculate Conception has been part of the St. Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes, joining with Holy Rosary (St. Marys), St. Patrick (Glynnwood), St. Teresa (Rockford), and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Montezuma) under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The parish describes itself as 'a Eucharistic community rooted in faith' that shares its Catholic identity through Immaculate Conception School, religious education, and outreach to those who are lonely, hungry, or hurt.
- Established
- 1864
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception (the Blessed Virgin Mary, conceived without sin)
- Rector
- Rev. Robert (Rob) Muhlenkamp (Pastor of St. Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a long-established Celina parish where liturgy, Catholic education, and outreach sit at the center of parish life. Members worship in one of the most striking historic churches in northwestern Ohio — a Romanesque landmark that still dominates downtown Celina — and send their children to Immaculate Conception School, a faith-based preschool-through-6th-grade program with a 1:13 teacher-student ratio. The parish also runs CCD religious education for grades 1–10, a Confirmation program, a youth ministry, adult and children's choirs, OCIA, VBS, Knights of Columbus involvement, and outreach to the lonely, hungry, and hurt. Joining Immaculate Conception means becoming part of a 1,200-family Eucharistic community that shares its faith through worship, formation, and works of mercy.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- Or anytime by calling the parish office for an appointment
Adoration times
- Monthly Holy Hour with Confessions (Family of Parishes; check bulletin for current location)
Welcome & Parish Identity
Immaculate Conception Parish describes itself as 'a Eucharistic community rooted in faith and gifted by God with time, talent and treasure. Liturgy is at the heart of our faith, and our response is love in action.' The parish shares the gift of faith through its Catholic elementary school, religious education for children and adults, and outreach to those who are lonely, hungry, or hurt. Visitors are warmly invited to join in worship and any of the parish's ministries. Parish Office Hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. General questions can be directed to [email protected] or (419) 586-6648.
- Slogan: 'Eucharistic community rooted in faith'
- Mission: worship, formation, and outreach
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9–6:30, Fri 9–4:30
- Parish Festival Committee meets monthly in the PAC Gym
History of Immaculate Conception
The parish was born in 1864 when Precious Blood Father Bernard Dickman began offering Mass in Celina. The first church was built in just three months and dedicated December 8, 1865. A school was added, and as more Catholic families arrived, a larger worship space became essential. Work on the present Romanesque Revival church began in 1900 and was dedicated June 9, 1903, with stained-glass windows, painted interiors, and ornate shrines. The 1908 brick rectory at Anthony and Sugar streets still stands behind the church. Precious Blood priests served continuously from 1865 until July 2022, when Immaculate Conception joined four neighboring parishes to form St. Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
- 1864: First Mass celebrated in Celina
- Dec. 8, 1865: First church dedicated
- 1900–1903: Present Romanesque Revival church built
- 1908: Brick rectory completed
- 1918: Elementary school erected
- 2003: Church renovated
- July 1, 2022: Joined St. Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes
Our Church Building
The present church is a large brick Romanesque Revival structure built in 1903 in the shape of a Greek cross and designed by Andrew DeCurtins of Lima, with construction supervised by John Burkhart of Kenton. A central bronze dome dominates the structure; the eastern facade features three large doorways, a massive rose window, and two square towers with octagonal belfries and smaller bronze domes. Inside, the walls and ceilings are richly painted and the main altar is distinctly Romanesque. The entire building rests on a stone foundation with a basement. The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a multiple-property submission recognizing more than thirty Precious Blood-related churches and buildings in far western Ohio.
- Style: Romanesque Revival (1903)
- Architect: Andrew DeCurtins of Lima
- Greek cross plan centered on a bronze dome
- Twin towers with octagonal belfries
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Immaculate Conception School
Immaculate Conception School is a Catholic elementary school serving preschool (age 3) through Grade 6, with a 1:13 teacher-student ratio and 1:1 Chromebooks for students. The school provides faith-based education with faith woven into every part of the school day, while also welcoming children of all faiths. Financial aid is available for K–6 families. The present school building was erected in 1918 at a cost of $70,000 and is one of the historic structures of the parish complex; it is associated with the original church architect's DeCurtins family. The principal is Mrs. Polly Muhlenkamp ([email protected]), and the school office can be reached at 419-586-2379.
- Grades Preschool–6
- 1:13 teacher-student ratio
- 1:1 Chromebooks
- All faiths welcome
- Financial aid available for K–6
- Principal: Polly Muhlenkamp
- Phone: 419-586-2379
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Immaculate Conception Parish runs a full religious education program for parish children whose families do not attend the Catholic school. CCD classes for Grades 1–6 meet Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 PM, Grades 7–9 meet Wednesdays 7:00–8:15 PM, and Confirmation preparation begins in 9th grade. The parish also offers a Sunday School option during the 11:00 AM Mass and a Children's Liturgy of the Word. The IC Youth Ministry gathers Junior High and High School students, typically twice a month. Adult volunteers and high-school student helpers are needed each year, and catechists and substitutes are recruited for various grade levels.
- IC CCD Grades 1–6: Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 PM
- IC CCD Grades 7–9: Wednesdays 7:00–8:15 PM
- Confirmation class begins in 9th grade
- IC Sunday School during 11:00 AM Mass
- Youth Ministry: Junior High & High School
- Religious Education Office: 419-586-2370
Music Ministry
Immaculate Conception has long-standing music programs for both adults and children. The I.C. Adult Choir welcomes singers in all ranges — soprano, alto, tenor, and bass — with rehearsals on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Membership is open to anyone in 7th grade or older; reading music is helpful but not required. The I.C. Children's Choir is open to children in Grades 3 through 8, with rehearsals on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 6:50 PM. Instrumentalists also enrich special Masses throughout the year; students needing Confirmation or service hours are encouraged to use their musical gifts. Contact for both programs: Cindy Van Santvoord, 419-586-3455, [email protected].
- Adult Choir: Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM
- Children's Choir (Grades 3–8): Wednesdays 6:00–6:50 PM
- Instrumentalists for special Masses
- Director: Cindy Van Santvoord — 419-586-3455
Faith Formation for Adults
The parish shares in the Family of Parishes' adult faith formation offerings, including OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for those learning about the Catholic faith or considering becoming Catholic. 'We Walk By Faith' is a family-friendly small group that meets monthly to help people of all ages recognize God in everyday life. Other regular devotions include the Patriotic Rosary on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 7:00 PM at Holy Rosary Parish, and a monthly Holy Hour with Confessions held across the Family. Hearts on Fire is an annual Catholic pilgrimage led by Fr. Rob Muhlenkamp (Medjugorje, Assisi, and Rome).
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- We Walk By Faith small-group meetings
- Patriotic Rosary: 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00 PM
- Monthly Holy Hour with Confessions
- Hearts on Fire pilgrimage (Medjugorje–Assisi–Rome)
Parish Staff
Since joining the St. Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes on July 1, 2022, Immaculate Conception is shepherded by Pastor Father Rob Muhlenkamp along with Parochial Vicars Father Prashanth Bandanadham and Father Adam Berning. Deacon Charlie Salway serves the Family as Director of Evangelization, and Deacon Marty Brown assists across the parishes. Day-to-day parish operations are supported by a Pastoral Associate, Director of Communications, Director of Worship, CREs, a business manager, and a parish secretary. The principal of Immaculate Conception School is Mrs. Polly Muhlenkamp. An emergency after-hours line (419.953.6231) is maintained for the Family of Parishes.
- Pastor: Fr. Robert Muhlenkamp
- Parochial Vicars: Fr. Prashanth Bandanadham, Fr. Adam Berning
- Deacon Charlie Salway — Director of Evangelization
- Deacon Marty Brown
- Pastoral Associate: Melissa Fent ([email protected])
- Director of Communications: Erik Bonilla
- Director of Worship: Kelly Schmitmeyer
- IC CRE: Joyce Johnson ([email protected])
- IC Secretary: Kati Heckler ([email protected])
- IC Business Manager: Lindsey Lunz
- IC School Principal: Polly Muhlenkamp
- Emergency after-hours: 419.953.6231
Outreach & Community Life
Immaculate Conception Parish explicitly identifies outreach to those 'who are lonely, hungry or hurt' as part of its mission. The Parish Life Commission coordinates events such as parish coffees, the annual Christmas Bazaar, and the Mardi Gras party, and supports other fellowship activities. The IC Festival Committee organizes the parish's annual festival, meeting monthly in the PAC Gym to plan and recruit volunteers. Knights of Council 7 Sensational Dates dinners bring the parish together socially, and the Patriotic Rosary, Men's COR Group, and Men's Fellowship gatherings strengthen bonds across the parish and Family.
- Parish Life Commission
- IC Festival Committee (monthly meetings in PAC Gym)
- Christmas Bazaar & Mardi Gras party
- Parish Coffee & Donuts fellowship
- Knights of Columbus '7 Sensational Dates' dinners
- Outreach to the lonely, hungry, and hurt
St. Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes
On July 1, 2022, Immaculate Conception joined Holy Rosary (St. Marys), St. Patrick (Glynnwood), St. Teresa (Rockford), and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Montezuma) to form St. Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The Family is led by Pastor Father Rob Muhlenkamp and Parochial Vicars Father Prashanth Bandanadham and Father Adam Berning, with shared staff supporting evangelization, communications, worship, religious education, and business operations across all five parishes. Shared events include the Patriotic Rosary, monthly Holy Hours with Confessions, 'We Walk By Faith' small groups, VBS, and the 'Hearts on Fire' pilgrimage.
- Formed July 1, 2022
- Member parishes: IC Celina, Holy Rosary (St. Marys), St. Patrick (Glynnwood), St. Teresa (Rockford), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Montezuma)
- Pastor: Fr. Robert Muhlenkamp
- Family website: stisidorefamily.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bernard Dickman, C.PP.S.1864 onward
Missionaries of the Precious Blood priest who began offering Mass in Celina in 1864 and oversaw construction and dedication of the first church on December 8, 1865.
- Rev. Joseph Gregory Dwenger1864 era
Then pastor of Holy Rosary in St. Marys, frequently celebrated biweekly Mass in Celina in the early years before a resident priest.
- Rev. Theopistus Wittmerfrom 1876
First priest to live in Celina; parish purchased a small frame house as a rectory for him.
- Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.)1865 – July 2022
Society of priests staffed the parish from its founding until 2022.
- Rev. Robert Muhlenkamp2022 – present
First pastor of the new St. Isidore the Farmer Family of Parishes, formed July 1, 2022.