About Immaculate Conception · Toledo, Ohio
Immaculate Conception Church at Darby is a historic Roman Catholic parish in Toledo's South End neighborhood, founded in 1868 as the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The parish serves its community from 434 Western Avenue with weekend and weekday Masses, an active Outreach Center at 1102 Broadway, religious education for children and adults, and ministries of liturgy and formation. It is part of the Diocese of Toledo (Bishop Daniel E. Thomas) and is currently pastored by Reverend Monsignor Christopher P. Vasko, JCD, Ph.D., with weekend assistance from Reverend Rudi Schwarzkopf, OSFS, and three deacons. The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2018 and its 155th in 2023, continuing a tradition of faith that stretches back to the earliest Irish-Catholic families of south-end Toledo.
- Established
- 1868
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Reverend Monsignor Christopher P. Vasko, JCD, Ph.D.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Toledo (Bishop Daniel E. Thomas)
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception at Darby is a small, multi-generational parish in Toledo's South End where the congregation is small enough that people know each other's names but large enough to sustain a real sacramental and outreach life. Worship is celebrated in the historic Gothic church (built 1896–97) with weekday, Saturday and Sunday Masses, regular Saturday and Sunday confessions, Eucharistic Adoration, and the sacraments celebrated in a traditional and personal way. The parish runs a CCD/Religious Education program for children, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults exploring Catholicism, Confirmation preparation for teens, an active Liturgy Committee, and the Immaculate Conception Outreach Center food and household pantry at 1102 Broadway — a tangible ministry of mercy to the surrounding neighborhood that is central to the parish's identity.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. (Immaculate Conception)
- Sunday 10:30 a.m. (Immaculate Conception)
- By appointment
- Communal Penance Service during Advent and Lent
Other Sacraments
Beyond the Eucharist and Penance, the parish celebrates Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony and the Anointing of the Sick, and brings Holy Communion to the homebound and hospitalized. Couples must contact the parish at least six months before a wedding; the wedding fee is $300 for active parishioners and $500 for non-parishioners. Baptisms are celebrated during or after Mass following a Baptismal Preparation Class.
- Infant Baptism — call Parish Office to arrange Baptismal Prep Class
- Confirmation — preparation for teens 13–16 (Tuesdays 6 p.m.)
- Matrimony — six-month notice required; $300 parishioner / $500 non-parishioner
- Anointing of the Sick — for serious illness, by request
- Pastoral Care of the Sick — Communion visits to home/hospital
Parish History
Founded in 1868 by Father Edward Hannin's petition to Bishop Rappe, Immaculate Conception served the Irish Catholic population of Toledo's South End, many of whom had come to build the Miami and Erie Canal and the railroads. The first brick church was begun in 1867 at Western Avenue and Sumner Street. After early expansion under Father Quinn, the parish grew into a school and then a permanent church at Broadway, Maumee, and Eastern Avenues. The present Gothic church, built 1896–97 to a design by E. O. Fallis, replaced earlier structures and was rebuilt internally after a 1920 fire.
- 1867 — Original brick church begun at Western Avenue and Sumner Street
- 1868 — Bishop Rappe appoints Father John Quinn as first pastor
- 1896 — Gothic-style brick church completed; one of the largest in the Diocese of Cleveland
- 1920 — Disastrous fire; roof later lowered ~20 feet and interior reworked by Joseph C. Huber
- 1923 — Italian white-marble altars dedicated
- 1928 — Rose window added (~35 tons of stonework)
- 1938 — Tower caps added by Wilfred Holtzman
- 2018 — 150th anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas
- 2023 — 155th anniversary Homecoming celebration on the patronal feast
Architecture of the Church
The church is the product of forty years of work by three architects. E. O. Fallis designed the original 1897 Gothic brick church. Joseph C. Huber oversaw the post-fire modifications (including the lowered roof) and interior work. Wilfred Holtzman added the tower caps in 1938 in close consultation with Monsignor Sawkins. The flamboyant tracery of the transom windows and the wrought-iron cross atop the blind arcade are noted as distinctive features.
- E. O. Fallis — original 1897 design (also designed Toledo's Valentine Theater)
- Joseph C. Huber — post-1920-fire modifications and interior
- Wilfred Holtzman — 1938 tower caps (with Msgr. Sawkins)
- Italian white-marble altars (1923)
- Rose window (1928) with 35 tons of added stonework
- Flamboyant transom tracery and wrought-iron cross
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Reverend Monsignor Christopher P. Vasko, JCD, Ph.D., with Weekend Associate Reverend Rudi Schwarzkopf, OSFS, and three deacons — Paul Nungester, Thomas S. Carone, and David E. Smith. Pastoral emergencies are handled through a 24-hour line. Lay staff include the bookkeeper, administrative assistant, custodian, sacristan, organists and the Outreach Director.
- Pastor — Rev. Monsignor Christopher P. Vasko, JCD, Ph.D.
- Weekend Associate — Rev. Rudi Schwarzkopf, OSFS
- Deacon — Paul Nungester
- Deacon — Thomas S. Carone
- Deacon — David E. Smith
- Bookkeeper — Helen Yensz
- Administrative Assistant — Nicole Magana
- Custodian — Dave Degener
- Sacristan — Walter Schlegel
- Organists — Jim Burns, Kathleen Mick
- Outreach Director — Natalie Fisher
- Parish Council — Linda Garcia, John Madigan, Fred Mahaney, Tom Meagher, Mike Young, Louann Meagher, Mary Jo Pilcher, Judy Westmeyer
- Finance Committee — Bill Carroll, John Madigan, Fred Mahaney, Tom Meagher
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's faith formation is offered through the parish CCD program (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) for grades 2 through 10, with classes meeting on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the meeting room on the garage side of the church. Adults preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church join OCIA (formerly RCIA), with weekly gatherings from September through Easter — often on Thursday evenings. Adult faith formation, led by Deacon Paul, welcomes baptized adults seeking First Communion or Confirmation as well as those exploring the faith. Teens 13–16 not yet confirmed meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in the kids' liturgy room.
- CCD — grades 2–10, Tuesdays 6 p.m.
- OCIA / RCIA — adults, Thursdays September–Easter
- Confirmation prep — ages 13–16, Tuesdays 6 p.m.
- Adult Faith Formation — led by Deacon Paul
- Contact: Mary Jo Pilcher after weekend Masses or the Parish Office
Outreach Center
The Immaculate Conception Outreach Center at 1102 Broadway is a food and household-goods pantry serving the surrounding neighborhood. It is open Tuesday mornings for donation drop-off and Wednesday mornings as a pantry, and it relies entirely on parish donations of food, household items and grocery bags. The Outreach Director is Natalie Fisher.
- Location: 1102 Broadway, Toledo
- Phone: 419-243-1819
- Outreach Director: Natalie Fisher
- Donation drop-off: Tuesdays 9:00–11:30 a.m.
- Pantry hours: Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Current needs: food, household items (dishes, utensils, gadgets), grocery bags
Liturgy & Music
Liturgical life at IC is supported by commissioned Eucharistic Ministers for each Mass, a Liturgy Committee that meets around special Mass events, and two organists (Jim Burns and Kathleen Mick). A Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered at Sunday Mass for younger parishioners (currently on a seasonal break).
- Eucharistic Ministers — scheduled for each weekend Mass
- Organists — Jim Burns, Kathleen Mick
- Sacristan — Walter Schlegel
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (on seasonal break)
- Liturgy Committee — meets around special Mass events
Becoming a Parishioner
Immaculate Conception actively welcomes new parishioners. Registration forms are available on the visitor's stand at the back of the church and online at www.iccatdarby.org. Newcomers can also call the Parish Office at 419-243-1829. The parish's welcome statement emphasizes that 'all are God's children, their dignity as God's own affirmed and celebrated.'
- Visitor's stand — paper registration forms
- Online: www.iccatdarby.org
- Phone: 419-243-1829
Visiting & Contact
The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visitors are asked to call ahead before stopping in. For pastoral emergencies when no one is in the office, an after-hours line is available.
- Address: 434 Western Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43609
- Parish Office: 419-243-1829
- Pastoral Emergencies: 419-243-6031
- Fax: 419-241-9642
- Office Hours: M–F 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.iccatdarby.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend John Quinn1868–
First pastor, appointed by Bishop Rappe; built original brick church, second church on Jervis Street, school, and pastoral residence.
- Reverend Patrick O'Brien
Paid off the church's sizeable debt over ten years; brought in Ursuline Sisters for the school.
- Reverend Francis Moran
Interim pastor for about a year.
- Reverend Timothy McCarthy1890–1900
Built the present Gothic church; cornerstone laid 1892 by Bishop Horstmann, completed 1896.
- Reverend Charles C. Chevraux
First non-Irish pastor; installed electric lights, improved the organ, added Stations, built a new school in 1915.
- Reverend Edward O'Hare1916–1925
Rebuilt church after 1920 fire; Italian white-marble altars dedicated 1923.
- Reverend Arthur J. Sawkins (later Monsignor)1925–1970
Longest pastorate (45 years); paid off debt, brought Sisters of St. Francis in 1931, oversaw 1938 tower caps.
- Reverend Richard Bechtel1967–1972
Administrator 1967, pastor 1970; guided parish through Vatican II; requested leave of absence 1972.
- Reverend Joseph O'Brien1972–1979
Expanded lay involvement and collaborative ministry with other central-city parishes.
- Reverend Patrick Scharf1979–1985
United parish school with Ss. Peter and Paul to form Queen of Peace School (Sylvania Franciscan Sisters).
- Reverend Gerard Ruffing1985–1987
Fostered bilingual, collaborative celebrations with Ss. Peter and Paul.
- Deacon David Vrooman1989
First Pastoral Administrator under the Sacramental Minister model; lived in rectory with family.
- Reverend Paul Kwiatkowski1994
Pastor of Immaculate Conception and St. James on Colburn Avenue.