About Immaculate Conception · Ravenna, Ohio
Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Ravenna, Ohio, founded in 1854 by railroad families who had moved from Earlville (Twin Lakes). Today the parish belongs to a collaborative pastoral unit formed in 2024 with St. Patrick and the University Parish Newman Center in Kent. Its mission is to extend the work of Jesus Christ through Word, Sacrament, and Christian service to the people of Ravenna and the surrounding area, all to the Glory of God.
- Established
- 1854
- Patron
- Mary, Mother of God, under the title of the Immaculate Conception (as she introduced herself to St. Bernadette at Lourdes in 1858)
- Rector
- Very Rev. William M. Kraynak, V.F.
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Youngstown (Portage Deanery)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception is a 170-year-old faith family dedicated to the Blessed Mother, with vibrant liturgies, strong community fellowship, and an active charity outreach. Members participate in ministries like the Knights of Columbus, Care Team, Catholic Charities partnership, Grief Support, Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound, Prison Ministry, and the Loaves and Fishes collaboration with the United Methodist Church. Monthly Spaghetti Dinners, an annual Parish Picnic, Mardi Gras, and seasonal book studies make this a warm, social parish where people of all ages are welcomed.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:45 PM (Immaculate Conception)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Immaculate Conception)
Mission and Identity
Immaculate Conception describes itself as 'a faith community of Roman Catholic Christians dedicated to lovingly extending the mission and ministry of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, through Word, Sacrament and Christian Service to the people of Ravenna and the surrounding area, all to the Glory of God.' It is a parish of worship, service, and fellowship, with a particular devotion to the Blessed Mother under her title of the Immaculate Conception.
History of the Parish
Founded November 9, 1854, by eight Catholic railroad families who moved from Earlville to Ravenna after the arrival of the Cleveland and Pittsburgh Railroad in 1851. The parish grew from a monthly mission visited by Akron and Cleveland priests into a fully independent parish under Father J. D. Bowles in 1876.
- 1854: Established as Immaculate Conception Mission in Ravenna.
- 1862: Father P. H. Brown laid the cornerstone of the first church, August 15, 1862 (blessed by Bishop A. Rappe).
- 1876: Granted full parish status.
- 1887: Sisters of St. Dominic of Caldwell, NJ, arrived to teach the parish school.
- 1926: Original church demolished after Easter.
- 1927: New church dedicated by Bishop Schrembs on September 4 (cost ~$100,000).
- 2004: Parish school closed due to declining enrollment.
- 2004–2005: Church renovated; Bishop Tobin Hall, rectory, parish office, and meeting spaces added.
- 2024: Formed a collaborative pastoral unit with St. Patrick and Newman Center, Kent.
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is served by Very Rev. William M. Kraynak, V.F., as pastor, with Rev. William Wainio assisting as parochial vicar. The pastoral team is supported by Deacons Timothy DeFrange, Eric Ruehr, and Christopher Germak. Immaculate Conception now shares clergy and sacramental life with the parishes of St. Patrick and the Newman Center in Kent following the 2024 collaborative arrangement.
- Very Rev. William M. Kraynak, V.F. — Pastor
- Rev. William Wainio — Parochial Vicar
- Mr. Timothy DeFrange — Deacon
- Mr. Eric Ruehr — Deacon
- Mr. Christopher Germak — Deacon
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Immaculate Conception offers a wide range of ministries spanning fellowship, formation, service to the vulnerable, and outreach beyond the parish boundaries. The parish partners with Catholic Charities, area nursing homes, and the United Methodist Church for the Loaves and Fishes ministry.
- Knights of Columbus council
- Care Team
- Evangelization
- Adult Faith Formation
- Catholic Charities partnership
- Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound
- Grief Support
- Prison Ministry
- Loaves and Fishes (collaboration with United Methodist Church)
- Young at Heart (parishioners 55+)
- Social Life Committee
- Infant of Prague Guild
- Volunteering at UH Portage Medical Center
Community Life and Festivities
The parish actively builds community through monthly dinners, an annual picnic, holiday celebrations, and ongoing formation. Seasonal book studies and grief support groups provide opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth throughout the year.
- Monthly Spaghetti Dinners
- Annual Parish Picnic
- Mardi Gras celebration
- Seasonal book studies
- Grief Support
St. Mary Cemetery
The parish operates St. Mary Cemetery, established in the late 19th century when Father J. D. Bowles's congregation purchased five acres on the southwest side of Ravenna — just outside the village limits at that time — to provide a Catholic burial ground. The cemetery remains an active ministry of the parish.
- St. Mary Cemetery — 851 Mill Road, Ravenna, OH 44266
- Established in the late 19th century under Father J. D. Bowles
Buildings, Renovation, and Facilities
Immaculate Conception Church was completely rebuilt in 1926–1927 by the P. L. Frank construction company, replacing Father P. H. Brown's 1862 original. A major renovation and expansion in 2004–2005 rededicated the building and added new spaces for parish life. The 2024 collaborative arrangement with St. Patrick and the Newman Center has Immaculate Conception sharing sacramental and pastoral life with the Kent parishes.
- 1862 original church — built under Father P. H. Brown (cornerstone Aug. 15, 1862); demolished Easter 1926.
- 1927 church — built by P. L. Frank; dedicated by Bishop Schrembs, Sept. 4, 1927 (~$100,000).
- 2004–2005 renovation — rectory, Bishop Tobin Hall, parish office, meeting areas added; increased accessibility.
- 2024 collaborative pastoral unit with St. Patrick and the Newman Center, Kent.
Belonging — Joining the Parish
Those interested in making Immaculate Conception their parish home are invited to register through the parish website at icparishravenna.org and connect with the community through its many ministries and social events.
- Register through the parish website: icparishravenna.org
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 330-296-6434
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis McGahanc. 1853–1856
Priest from Akron who visited the small Catholic community at Earlville, then Ravenna, monthly.
- Rev. Walsh1856–1857
Successor to Father McGahan in Akron; continued monthly visits.
- Rev. Father O'Connor1857–1858
First priest sent from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Cleveland, when Ravenna became an out-mission.
- Rev. Father O'Sullivan1858–1858
Served briefly before reassignment.
- Rev. Fathers Hannan and O'Callahan1859
Visited the mission from the Cleveland Cathedral; O'Callahan began raising funds for a church.
- Rev. P. H. Brown1860–early 1870s
First resident pastor; laid the cornerstone August 15, 1862; completed the first church.
- Rev. W. J. Gibbons1872–1874
Succeeded Father Brown.
- Rev. J. T. Carroll1874–March 9, 1876
Directed the congregation until his death/succession.
- Rev. J. D. Bowles1876–April 1883
Granted parish status in 1876; oversaw growth, school, and purchase of cemetery land; relieved of Kent in 1878.
- Rev. James Dailey1920s
Pastored during construction of the current church.