About Little Flower · Canton, Ohio
Little Flower Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic community located in the village of Middlebranch within Canton, Ohio, founded in 1929 to serve Italian immigrant families working at the Diamond Portland Cement Company. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Youngstown and takes its name from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, whose 'Little Way' of small, daily acts of service shapes the parish's identity. Today the parish is led by Administrator Rev. Daniel Finnerty, collaborates with neighboring Christ the Servant Parish, and offers weekend and weekday Masses, the sacraments, a Parish School of Religion, youth and young adult ministry, and active men's and women's fellowship groups.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower)
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel Finnerty (Administrator, July 1, 2024 to present)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
Little Flower is a warm, generations-old Catholic community in Middlebranch whose patroness, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, inspires a 'Little Way' of small, daily acts of service. The parish offers weekend and weekday Mass, regular Reconciliation, a Parish School of Religion for K–8, First Communion and Confirmation preparation, a weekly high school youth group, the Lisieux Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–39), Catholic Men's Fellowship, women's and couples book studies, OCIA, Vacation Bible School, Family Faith Days, and a music ministry — all under the spiritual care of Administrator Fr. Daniel Finnerty and the collaboration of neighboring Christ the Servant Parish. Returning Catholics, those interested in learning about the Catholic faith, and visitors are explicitly welcomed to register, explore, or simply attend Mass.
Mass times at Little Flower
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (or by appointment)
- The sacrament is also available by appointment
About Little Flower Parish
Little Flower Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Middlebranch neighborhood of Canton, Ohio, founded in 1929 and belonging to the Diocese of Youngstown. Its patroness is St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and the parish takes seriously her 'Little Way' of small, daily acts of service to God. The parish welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, those learning about the Catholic faith, and those preparing to become Catholic.
- Parish established 1929 (Parish Code 525, Stark 1 Deanery)
- Located at 2040 Diamond Street NE, Canton, OH 44721
- Currently collaborates with Christ the Servant Parish, Canton
A Brief History
Little Flower began as a mission to Italian immigrant families near the Diamond Portland Cement Company in Middlebranch. Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland dedicated the first chapel — a renovated school building — on December 15, 1929. It became a full parish in 1937 and was transferred into the newly created Diocese of Youngstown in 1943. The present church was built in the late 1970s, with stained glass windows (1979), a bell tower (1980) and parish pavilion (1983–84) added through the following years. A major 4,500 sq. ft. expansion was blessed by Bishop David Bonnar on November 27, 2022.
- 1929 – Mission established by Bishop Schrembs; first Mass Dec. 15, 1929
- 1937 – First resident pastor; raised to parish status
- 1943 – Diocese of Youngstown created; Little Flower transferred
- 1966 – Fr. Edward F. Varble appointed pastor
- 1977 – First Mass in the present church
- 1998 – Social hall renamed Varble Hall in Fr. Varble's honor
- 2022 – Bishop Bonnar blesses the church expansion
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently administered by Rev. Daniel Finnerty and shares pastoral collaboration with neighboring Christ the Servant Parish. A Senior Parochial Vicar, a Pastoral Associate, and a full lay staff support the parish's worship, music, formation, and operations.
- Rev. Daniel Finnerty — Administrator
- Rev. Edward Gretchko — Senior Parochial Vicar
- Michal Zabrecky — Pastoral Associate
- Kym Pope — Administrative Assistant
- Rhonda Turner — Director of Finance and Operations
- Dennis Roden — Director of Music Ministry
- Melissa Smith — Sacristan
- Diane Evans — Sacristy Assistant
- Dave Skolosh — Maintenance
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Little Flower's Faith Formation program serves children from Kindergarten through eighth grade, with classes meeting Sunday mornings during the school year. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation is parish-based, complemented by family retreats and Family Faith Days.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR): K–8, Sundays 9:15–10:30 AM, September through Palm Sunday
- First Reconciliation: typically celebrated in December (second grade)
- First Holy Communion: typically the first Sunday of May (second grade)
- Confirmation: typically eighth grade, with candidate, parent, and sponsor sessions plus a retreat
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Pre-K through fourth grade
- Vacation Bible School: K–5 completed, one week in summer
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
The parish invests in the faith formation of its teens and young adults through a weekly high school youth group and the Lisieux Young Adult Ministry for ages 18–39, named after the convent where St. Thérèse found community.
- High School Youth Ministry (grades 9–12): Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM — contact Michal Zabrecky
- Lisieux Young Adult Ministry (ages 18–39): monthly faith and community events
- Instagram: @lisieuxyoungadults
- Contact: [email protected]
Adult Faith Formation & Fellowship
Adults at Little Flower can grow through Bible Study, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), and a variety of fellowship groups for men, women, and couples.
- OCIA (for those becoming Catholic)
- Men's Fellowship Study — alternating Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Catholic Men's Fellowship (CMF)
- Ladies Book Study — Tuesday afternoons
- Couples Ministry — third Thursday evenings
Music Ministry
The parish's music ministry is led by Director of Music Ministry Dennis Roden and supports the parish's weekend and weekday liturgies. The church acquired a new organ in 2014, and the 2022 expansion added Saint Cecilia Hall (the patron saint of music) as part of the parish's commitment to sacred music.
- Director of Music Ministry: Dennis Roden
- New organ installed in 2014
- Saint Cecilia Hall added in the 2022 expansion
Sacraments
Little Flower celebrates the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Preparation for the sacraments of initiation is offered through the Parish School of Religion and a parish-based OCIA process, with Reconciliation available every Saturday and by appointment.
- Baptism — preparation available
- First Reconciliation — typically December (second grade)
- First Holy Communion — typically first Sunday of May
- Confirmation — typically eighth grade
- Reconciliation — Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM or by appointment
- Matrimony — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — by appointment
- OCIA — for adults seeking full initiation
Buildings, Grounds & Expansion
The parish grounds include the present church (first Mass in May 1977), stained glass windows (1979), bell tower and chimes (1980), Parish Picnic Pavilion (1983–84), outdoor Stations of the Cross and the Grotto of the Resurrection. The 2022 expansion added the Little Thérèse Chapel, Saint Cecilia Hall, a grand entrance canopy, gathering area, new baptismal space, cry room, and a shrine to St. Thérèse. Varble Hall, the renovated social hall, was renamed in 1998 in honor of Fr. Edward F. Varble.
- Present church completed 1977
- Stained glass windows installed 1979
- Bell tower and chimes built 1980
- Picnic Pavilion built 1983–84
- Varble Hall renamed 1998 (in honor of Fr. Varble)
- New organ purchased 2014
- Major 4,500 sq. ft. expansion blessed November 27, 2022
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone or in person during regular office hours. The parish welcomes new registrations, returning Catholics, those exploring the Catholic faith, and visitors.
- Address: 2040 Diamond Street NE, Canton, OH 44721
- Phone: 330-494-2759
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM)
- Website: https://www.littleflowerparish.com/
- Diocesan listing: https://doy.org/little-flower-parish-canton/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Ralph C. Kotheimer1929–1937 (pastor of St. Paul, North Canton; mission attached)
First pastor under whom Little Flower served as a mission of St. Paul Parish.
- Rev. Walter Edward ConleyMay 2, 1937 – August 12, 1941
First resident pastor when mission became a parish in 1937.
- Rev. James J. StevensonAugust 13, 1941 – July 7, 1949
- Rev. Bartley J. KennedyJuly 7, 1949 – January 21, 1966
- Rev. Edward F. VarbleJanuary 21, 1966 – February 27, 1995
Longest-serving pastor; oversaw construction of the present church (1977), stained glass windows (1979), bell tower (1980), and picnic pavilion. The 1998 renovated social hall was renamed Varble Hall in his honor.
- Rev. Homer (last name not visible in source)February 27, 1995 – July 1, 1995 (Interim Pastor)
Interim pastor following Fr. Varble.
- Rev. Donald L. (last name not visible in source)July 1, 1995 – August 1, 1996
- Rev. Robert (last name not visible in source)August 1, 1996 – July 23, 2006
- Rev. Leo WehrlinFebruary 1, 2007 – August 12, 2014
- Rev. William A. (last name not visible in source)August 14, 2014 – August 12, 2019
- Rev. Kevin L. FeteAugust 3, 2019 – November 10, 2019
- Very Rev. Canon Christopher Henyk, D.Min.November 10, 2019 – August 3, 2020 (approx. two years)
Blessed the returned original stained glass windows in 2009.
- Rev. Ed Gretchko (Administrator)June 1, 2020 – approx. July 2024
Administrator before Fr. Finnerty.
- Rev. Daniel FinnertyJuly 1, 2024 to present
Current Administrator; collaborates with Christ the Servant Parish, Canton.