About Nativity of the Lord Jesus · Akron, Ohio
Nativity of the Lord Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish in Akron, Ohio, serving the communities of southern Springfield Township and the northern City of Green. Founded in 1977 by the Diocese of Cleveland, the parish is best known for housing the Bethlehem Chapel — a half-scale replica of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem — and a year-round Nativity museum of roughly 500 crèche sets from around the world. The parish gathers for weekend Mass in English and operates a wide range of faith formation, outreach, and devotional ministries.
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- Nativity of the Lord Jesus (the Birth of Christ)
- Rector
- Rev. Zachary M. Kawalec
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Nativity of the Lord Jesus offers the everyday rhythm of a mid-sized Catholic parish — three Sunday Masses, daily Mass in a chapel built to honor the very place of Christ's birth, weekly confession, a full day of Thursday adoration, and a Religious Education program for children — together with unusually rich spiritual resources. Beyond the liturgy, parishioners can serve neighbors in need through the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and financial-assistance ministry, the Feed My People meal ministry, the Knights of Columbus partnership with Council 4664 at St. Matthew, and a wide network of devotional and fraternal groups including the Holy Name Society, Teams of Our Lady, and the World Apostolate of Fatima. A parish that simply takes its patron seriously — the Nativity of the Lord — is hard to find.
Mass times at Nativity of the Lord Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (1st Tuesday of the month)
Adoration times
- Thursday 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Parish Overview
Nativity of the Lord Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Cleveland, located at the corner of Myersville and Killian Roads in Akron, Ohio. Founded in 1977 and dedicated in its present form in 1992, the parish serves southern Springfield Township and the northern City of Green in Summit County. The parish's stated mission is to give 'birth to Jesus Christ in the hearts of all people through loving service, Christian example, and spiritual growth.'
History
The Diocese of Cleveland established the parish in 1977; the first Mass was celebrated in a newly built chapel and multipurpose building in 1979. The current church was dedicated in 1992, designed with deliberate architectural nods to Christ's birthplace. From the start, donations of Nativity sets poured in, growing into a museum of about 500 crèches, and the lower-level Bethlehem Chapel was built as a half-scale replica of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Founding pastor Father David Halaiko shepherded the parish for 39 years before retiring in 2017; he was succeeded by Father Zachary M. Kawalec.
- 1977 — Parish founded by the Diocese of Cleveland
- 1979 — First Mass celebrated in the original chapel/multipurpose building
- 1992 — Current church dedicated; Bethlehem Chapel and Nativity Museum constructed
- 2017 — Founding pastor Rev. David Halaiko retires after 39 years
- 2017 — Rev. Zachary M. Kawalec assigned as current pastor
Bethlehem Chapel & Nativity Museum
The single most distinctive feature of the parish is its lower-level Bethlehem Chapel, a half-scale replica of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Its centerpiece is the Altar of the Nativity, set in a curved apse beneath an Eastern-tradition icon. A star in the floor beneath the altar marks Christ's traditional birthplace with the Latin inscription 'Here, Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary' and contains a stone from the Cave Church at Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem. Above the chapel sits the parish's Nativity Museum, housing roughly 500 crèches from around the world — a year-round attraction accessible through free guided and self-guided tours.
- Half-scale replica of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
- Altar of the Nativity in a curved apse with Eastern-tradition icon
- Stone from Bethlehem's Cave Church at Shepherds' Field embedded in the floor star
- Museum of about 500 Nativity sets from around the world
- Free guided and self-guided tours; special 'Pro-Lives' and 'Create-A-Nativity' tours offered
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently led by its second pastor, Rev. Zachary M. Kawalec, who succeeded founding pastor Rev. David Halaiko in 2017. Ada Honeck, a founding member of the parish herself, serves as the Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL) and Director of Religious Education; she was hired in August 1999 after a decade as a volunteer catechist. Both are the principal points of contact for the parish's sacramental and faith-formation life.
- Rev. Zachary M. Kawalec — Pastor (since 2017)
- Rev. David Halaiko — Founding Pastor (1977–2017, retired)
- Ada Honeck — Parish Catechetical Leader (PCL) / DRE (since August 1999)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education program is run by Parish Catechetical Leader Ada Honeck. The program follows a year-long model that can also be fulfilled through the STARS summer session, held in early June (e.g., June 1–12, Monday through Friday, 8:45 AM to Noon). Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation is offered through this office, and Ada is also a contact for parish tours of the Bethlehem Chapel and Nativity Museum.
- STARS summer Religious Education program (June, Mon–Fri 8:45 AM–Noon)
- Year-long Religious Education model
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation preparation
- Contact: [email protected], 330-699-5086 x1006
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a clear emphasis at Nativity, with parishioners serving neighbors in need through a food pantry, financial-assistance ministry, and meal delivery. The St. Vincent de Paul Society operates a food pantry and provides rent, utilities, and other financial assistance for all those within parish boundaries (referrals go through the parish office and are confidential). Feed My People coordinates meals for parishioners recovering from surgery or illness, after having a baby, after the loss of a loved one, or while caring for a loved one. The Knights of Columbus (in partnership with Council 4664 at St. Matthew Parish) sponsor a Pro-Life Baby Shower in October and a 40-Cans For 40-Days food drive each Lent.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — food pantry and financial assistance
- Feed My People — meal ministry
- Knights of Columbus Council 4664 partnership — Pro-Life Baby Shower (October) and 40-Cans For 40-Days Lenten food drive
- Support for the John Hilkert Ozanam Center (Visitation of Mary Parish, Akron)
Parish Groups & Societies
In addition to its faith-formation and outreach ministries, the parish maintains a broad directory of fraternal, devotional, and cultural groups. Several meet on a regular monthly schedule in parish facilities.
- Ancient Order of Hibernians (Akron)
- Catholic Apostolate Center — New Evangelization
- Catholic War Veterans (USA)
- Holy Name Society
- Hungarian Catholic Mission
- Knights of Columbus (partnered with Council 4664, St. Matthew Parish)
- Knights of Peter Claver
- Society of G. K. Chesterton
- Teams of Our Lady — marriage enrichment
- World Apostolate of Fatima (Blue Army)
Sacraments
The parish offers the full range of Catholic sacraments. Information and preparation for Baptism, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are coordinated through the parish office and the Parish Catechetical Leader. Vocations to the priesthood or diaconate are supported directly by Father Kawalec, with links to the Diocese of Cleveland Vocation Office, Borromeo Seminary, and St. Mary Seminary.
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — through the parish office
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation — through Religious Education
- Holy Orders discernment — contact Fr. Kawalec, 330-699-5086 x1000
Visit, Tours & Devotions
Beyond regular Mass and Confession, the parish welcomes visitors year-round to experience the Bethlehem Chapel and Nativity Museum. Guided tours are led by experienced volunteer guides and include the church, the Bethlehem Cave replica, and the museum of over 400 Nativity sets; self-guided tours are also available. The parish offers specialized 'Pro-Lives' tours connecting the Nativity story to the work of crisis-pregnancy support, and a popular 'Create-A-Nativity' family tour held in July with materials provided. Advanced reservations are required for guided tours; the parish office can be reached at 330-699-5086 or [email protected].
- Guided tours — church, Bethlehem Cave, and Nativity Museum (free; donations accepted)
- Self-guided tours available year-round
- 'Pro-Lives' tour — Nativity story applied to crisis-pregnancy support
- 'Create-A-Nativity' tour — July family event (Christmas in July)
- Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, 12:00 PM–7:00 PM
Contact & Location
Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church is located at 2425 Myersville Road, Akron, OH 44312-4951, on the corner of Myersville and Killian Roads. The parish office can be reached at 330-699-5086 (fax 330-699-4299) or [email protected]. The parish is part of the Diocese of Cleveland (Summit County – South pastoral region). From I-77, take the Arlington Rd. exit, head north to Killian Rd., and then east to Myersville Rd.
- Address: 2425 Myersville Rd., Akron, OH 44312-4951
- Phone: 330-699-5086 | Fax: 330-699-4299
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: nativityofthelord.org
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. David Halaiko1977–2017
Founding pastor of Nativity of the Lord Jesus; served 39 years until his retirement. A Nativity collector himself, he was instrumental in creating both the Bethlehem Chapel and the parish's Nativity museum; he obtained permission to embed a stone from Bethlehem's Cave Church at Shepherds' Field into the star beneath the Altar of the Nativity.
- Rev. Zachary M. Kawalec2017–present
Current pastor, assigned after Father Halaiko's retirement.