About Nativity of Our Lord · Cincinnati, Ohio
Nativity of Our Lord is a Roman Catholic parish in the Pleasant Ridge neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 1917 and now part of the Crescent Family of Parishes within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The parish is located at the corner of Ridge Avenue and Woodford Road and draws its faithful from Pleasant Ridge, Kennedy Heights, Amberley Village, Golf Manor, and parts of Columbia Township. Worship is celebrated with Sunday Mass at 11:00 AM, Tuesday and Friday daily Mass at 8:15 AM, a Tuesday morning school Mass, and a Tuesday evening Mass during Lent at 6:00 PM. Nativity also operates Nativity School, a parish school that has served local families since 1921 and today enrolls roughly 400 students in a STEAM-focused Catholic education.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- Nativity of Our Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick L. Sloneker (Pastor of the Crescent Family of Parishes)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
Nativity of Our Lord is a century-old parish at the corner of Ridge Avenue and Woodford Road in Pleasant Ridge, and its heart is the Eucharist. Members attend Sunday Mass, share their gifts and talents through parish ministries, and stay involved in lifelong faith formation. The parish also offers Nativity School, a thriving K–8 Catholic school with a new STEAM-focused Learning Commons where children are formed academically and spiritually in the same community as their families.
Mass times at Nativity of Our Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM (parish reconciliation, also noted as 4:15–4:45 PM on third-party listing)
Parish Identity & Vision
Nativity of Our Lord is one of five parishes in the Crescent Family of Parishes under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's 'Beacons of Light' initiative. The Crescent Parishes vision statement describes the family as 'a diverse and unified Catholic community' sharing vibrant Eucharistic celebrations, lifelong faith formation, and service to others. The parish is served by a shared team led by Pastor Father Patrick L. Sloneker and Parochial Vicars Father Jerome J. Gardner and Father David A. Lemkuhl.
Welcome from Fr. Pat
On the website, Pastor Rev. Patrick L. Sloneker ('Fr. Pat') welcomes visitors with a 'Welcome, Challenge and Promise' letter. He frames parish life by three expectations: attend Sunday Mass weekly, share your gifts and talents in parish ministry, and stay active in lifelong faith formation. He reminds parishioners that 'faith must be growing or dying' and invites newcomers to complete a Stewardship of Time, Talent & Treasure card.
Centennial & Campus History
In 2017 Nativity marked its 100th anniversary. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr celebrated a centennial Mass with Father Paul DeLuca concelebrating. The year-long celebration included a beer-brewing competition, a family-friendly Centennial Circus, a parish history book and exhibit, and '100 Acts of Kindness' carried out by school children. In 2018, the parish completed $1.2 million in debt-free upgrades, including the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Learning Commons and church enhancements timed to the 50th anniversary of the church dedication.
- Founded 1917 by Archbishop Henry Moeller
- First pastor: Father William Egan
- Centennial Mass: February 2017
- $1.2 million campus upgrade completed 2018
- Mary, Seat of Wisdom Learning Commons dedicated Nov. 18, 2018
Nativity School (Faith & Academics)
Nativity School has been educating students on the parish campus since 1921 and serves roughly 400 children in preschool through Grade 8. The school integrates Catholic identity throughout the day, opening and closing in community prayer, attending Mass on First Fridays and the parish School Mass on Tuesdays, and preparing students for First Reconciliation and First Communion (Grade 3) and Confirmation (Grade 7). A 2018 capital project created the Mary, Seat of Wisdom Learning Commons, including a new STEAM lab (science, technology, engineering, art, math), library, and 'study huts' for small-group instruction, plus new administrative offices and a safer main entrance.
- Opened 1921; ~400 students (PK–8)
- Mary, Seat of Wisdom Learning Commons (STEAM + library + study huts)
- 38-year international exchange program
- First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion in Grade 3
- Confirmation preparation in Grade 7
Catholic Identity in the School
Students are formed as a community through daily prayer, Buddy and Prayer Partner programs, and service to others. School Masses bring Grades 1–8 to church on the First Friday of each month; Pre-K and Kindergarten join for liturgies throughout the year. Students serve as altar servers, readers, gift bearers, and choir members, learning to plan class liturgies and lead in worship.
- Community Prayer at the start and end of each day
- Buddy Program (5th with K; 4th with 1st)
- Prayer Partner Program (upper grades mentor Pre-K–2)
- Children's Choir & Altar Servers
Parish Outreach & Service
Service is woven into the life of Nativity. The school organizes community service activities that include helping the homeless, supporting charities, stocking food pantries, and participating in Operation Christmas Child. The centennial year added '100 Acts of Kindness,' led by the school, as a parish-wide gesture of neighborliness to the communities of Pleasant Ridge, Kennedy Heights, Amberley Village, Golf Manor, and Columbia Township.
Family of Parishes (Crescent)
Since 2022 Nativity has been grouped with four other parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light initiative as the Crescent Family of Parishes. The family is led by Pastor Rev. Patrick L. Sloneker with Parochial Vicars Rev. Jerome J. Gardner and Rev. David A. Lemkuhl, sharing office staff and sacramental coverage.
- Church of the Resurrection (Cincinnati)
- Holy Trinity (Cincinnati-Norwood)
- Nativity of Our Lord (Pleasant Ridge)
- St. John the Evangelist (Cincinnati-Deer Park)
- St. Saviour (Cincinnati-Blue Ash-Deer Park)
Recent Pastoral News
In 2026 the Crescent Family announced that, effective July 1, 2026, the Church of the Resurrection will transition from the family to become a free-standing parish supported by the Jesuit Community of Cincinnati, with Father Paul Lickteig assigned as its new pastor and Deacon Royce Winters continuing as Parish Life Director. The change was framed as a transition chosen for the good of COR and Bond Hill, not one sought by Crescent Parishes or Fr. Pat. Nativity itself will continue as part of the Crescent family under Fr. Pat's leadership, and Cari Craver has been promoted to Director of Evangelization for the parishes.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Egan1917
First pastor of Nativity; celebrated the parish's first Mass at Pleasant Ridge Town Hall in March 1917.
- Rev. Paul DeLuca2003–
Pastor who led the parish through its 2017 centennial and 2018 $1.2 million campus improvement campaign.