About Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal · Columbus, Ohio
Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Columbus, located at 5225 Refugee Road on the southeast side of Columbus, Ohio (ZIP 43232). The parish was established in 1967 and built its current church on Refugee Road in the early 1970s under founding pastor Fr. Charles J. Foeller. For nearly six decades it served as a faith-filled, multicultural community with a vibrant RCIA program, Small Church Communities, Bible study, Eucharistic adoration, and a Miraculous Medal novena. In June 2025, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes issued a Decree of Extinctive Union merging the parish into St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Pickerington; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal retains its title as a non-parochial church in Seton's territory, with sacramental records now held by Seton and weekend Masses having ceased after the decree's publication.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
- Rector
- Rev. James Coleman (pastor emeritus, retired June 2023); currently served by Fr. Leo Connolly as Parochial Administrator (Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal has long been a tight-knit, faith-filled parish in southeast Columbus where newcomers are welcomed and supported for who they are. Its devotional life is distinctive: a Miraculous Medal novena is prayed every Tuesday after Mass, Eucharistic adoration is offered every Friday and extended on First Fridays, and a daily rosary precedes weekday Mass. The parish also has a strong formation culture, with Bible Study offered three times a week (Sunday, Monday evening, and Wednesday morning on Zoom) and a long-standing RCIA program that grew many adult Catholics into the faith. (Note: As of June 27, 2025, the parish has been merged into St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Pickerington; sacramental records are now held by Seton and the Refugee Road church is now a non-parochial church in Seton's territory.)
Mass times at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM (some bulletins list 3:00 – 4:30 PM)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Every Friday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- First Friday 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Noon)
Parish History
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was decreed into being on May 26, 1967 by Bishop John J. Carberry of the Diocese of Columbus. Under founding pastor Fr. Charles J. Foeller, the community first worshipped in the auditorium of Woodcrest Elementary School (July 9, 1967), then at Yorktown School (from September 10, 1967). The parish grew quickly enough to build the present church on Refugee Road, which was dedicated on May 15, 1971. Over five pastors — Fr. Foeller, Fr. Ryan, Fr. Carl P. Clagett, Fr. William H. DeVille, and Fr. James Coleman — the parish developed Small Church Communities, a vibrant RCIA program, Bible study, Eucharistic adoration, a Miraculous Medal novena, and a multicultural identity that included a Francophone and Latino community alongside English-speaking families. On June 27, 2025, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes issued a Decree of Extinctive Union merging the parish into St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Pickerington; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal retains its title but is now a non-parochial church in Seton's territory.
- Established May 26, 1967 by Bishop John J. Carberry
- First Mass July 9, 1967 at Woodcrest Elementary School
- Sunday Masses moved to Yorktown School September 10, 1967
- Church on Refugee Road dedicated May 15, 1971
- June 27, 2025: Decree of Extinctive Union with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
Leadership & Pastoral Succession
The parish has been served by five resident pastors over its nearly sixty-year history. Fr. Charles J. Foeller (1967–1980) founded and built the parish; Fr. Ryan (1980–1986) ordained Deacon Steve Venturini; Fr. Carl P. Clagett (1986–1999) launched Small Church Communities and the RCIA program; Fr. William H. DeVille (1999–2008) succeeded him; and Fr. James Coleman (2008–2023), a former PIME missionary and a one-time associate pastor (1987–1992), retired in June 2023. Since 2023, the parish has been administered by Fr. Leo Connolly, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, assisted by parochial vicars Fr. Sunder Ery and Fr. Tesfaye Petros Botachew, with Deacon Steve Venturini continuing in pastoral associate ministry.
- Fr. Charles J. Foeller — Founding Pastor (1967–1980)
- Fr. Ryan — Pastor (1980–1986)
- Fr. Carl P. Clagett — Pastor (1986–1999)
- Fr. William H. DeVille — Pastor (1999–2008)
- Fr. James Coleman — Pastor (2008–2023); Associate Pastor 1987–1992
- Fr. Leo Connolly — Parochial Administrator (2023–present)
- Fr. Sunder Ery — Parochial Vicar (2023–present)
- Fr. Tesfaye Petros Botachew — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Steve Venturini — Pastoral Associate (ordained 1982)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Our Lady's faith formation program has been a hallmark of the parish. A longstanding, vibrant RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program was launched under Fr. Carl P. Clagett and continued for decades, initiating countless adults into the Catholic Church. Small Church Communities also flourished during Fr. Clagett's pastorate. Adult Bible Study meets three times a week — Sundays at 11:30 AM, Mondays at 6:30 PM, and Wednesdays at 10:30 AM — using Zoom (Meeting #226 966 6248, Passcode 80V9a1), and has covered the Gospel of John, Acts of the Apostles, and Revelation. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) served the parish's children, with students historically drawn from the Francophone (70%) and Latino (30%) communities.
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Small Church Communities
- Bible Study (Sun 11:30 AM, Mon 6:30 PM, Wed 10:30 AM via Zoom)
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- Adult Education
Community & Prayer Groups
Beyond the parish's regular liturgical and devotional schedule, a number of smaller community and prayer groups have met at Our Lady over the years. The African/English Prayer Group is listed in the parish calendar, and a men's prayer breakfast — organized by the late Deacon Joe Poland — has been a long-standing tradition. Children's ministry and family faith formation round out the parish's pastoral offerings.
- African/English Prayer Group
- Men's Prayer Breakfast
- Children's Ministry
- Small Church Communities (house-based fellowship)
Parish Campus & Facilities
The parish campus sits at 5225 Refugee Road in southeast Columbus, combining the church building (dedicated May 15, 1971), parish offices, and rectory. The May 2025 deferred-maintenance estimate for the campus was approximately $742,000 — a figure cited by Bishop Fernandes in the Decree of Extinctive Union. Following the merger, the Refugee Road church retains its title as a non-parochial church in the territory of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish; the tabernacle continues to reserve the Blessed Sacrament, and two weekday Masses per month are celebrated there.
- Church building dedicated May 15, 1971
- Rectory with chapel (where early weekday Masses were celebrated)
- On-site parking
- Approximately $742,000 deferred maintenance cited May 2025
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal celebrates (and historically has celebrated) the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Funerals and wedding Masses were regularly scheduled. Following the 2025 merger, sacramental records for Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal are now held by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Pickerington. Families seeking records, future sacramental preparation, or pastoral care should contact Seton Parish at 614-833-0482.
- Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist
- Reconciliation (Saturdays and by appointment)
- Matrimony (Wedding Masses)
- Anointing of the Sick & Funerals
- Holy Orders discernment encouraged
- Records now held by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
The 2025 Merger with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
On June 27, 2025, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes issued a Decree of Extinctive Union merging Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Pickerington. The decree cites a steady decline in offertory (from $369,834 in 2016 to $279,572 in 2024), an average Sunday Mass attendance of only 235, deferred maintenance of $742,000, and the planned July 8, 2025 relocation of the Francophone community (70% of PSR students) to St. Dominic Parish as primary factors. The decree suppresses Our Lady as a parish and transfers its territory, assets, and liabilities to Seton, while allowing the church to retain its title as a non-parochial church. Weekend Masses ceased after the celebration immediately following the decree's promulgation; two weekday Masses per month continue, and the Blessed Sacrament remains reserved in the tabernacle. A recourse has been filed with the Vatican's Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, and parishioners have been encouraged to stay engaged as the process continues.
- Decree signed by Bishop Earl K. Fernandes on June 27, 2025
- Merger with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Pickerington
- Weekend Masses ceased after promulgation; two weekday Masses/month continue
- Sacramental records transferred to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Recourse filed with the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life
Visiting & Contact Information
The parish office can be reached by phone at (614) 861-1242 or by email at [email protected]. Following the 2025 merger, inquiries about sacramental records, weddings, and funerals for Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal should be directed to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 600 Hill Road North, Pickerington, OH 43147, (614) 833-0482. Seton's pastor, Fr. Leo Connolly, serves as Parochial Administrator of the Refugee Road church; Fr. Sunder Ery (614-833-0485) and Fr. Tesfaye Petros Botachew are parochial vicars.
- Phone: (614) 861-1242
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.churchofourladycolumbus.org/
- After June 2025: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 600 Hill Road North, Pickerington, OH 43147, (614) 833-0482
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles J. Foeller1967-06-16 – 1980-07-08
Founding pastor; appointed by Bishop John J. Carberry. Celebrated first Mass July 9, 1967 at Woodcrest Elementary School; moved Sunday Masses to Yorktown School Sept. 10, 1967. Built the parish from a small handful of families and oversaw construction of the Refugee Road church, dedicated May 15, 1971.
- Rev. Fr. Ryan1980-07-08 – 1986-09-02
Second pastor. Encouraged Steve Venturini into the diaconate program in September 1978; ordained Venturini on January 23, 1982. Replaced by Bishop Griffin.
- Rev. Carl P. Clagett1986-09-02 – 1999-06-30
Appointed by Bishop Griffin. During his pastorate Small Church Communities were initiated and flourished, and a longstanding, vibrant RCIA program was established.
- Rev. William H. DeVille1999-07-01 – 2008-07-08
Fourth pastor. Retired July 8, 2008.
- Rev. James Coleman2008-07-08 – 2023-06 (retirement)
Fifth and most recent resident pastor. A former PIME Missionary in the Philippines and the Amazon; had previously served at Our Lady as Associate Pastor from 1987 to 1992. Retirement party held June 17, 2023; parishioners gifted him a new car.
- Rev. Fr. Leo Connolly2023 – present
Pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Pickerington; serves as Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal since 2023.
- Rev. Fr. Sunder Ery2023-08-08 – present
Parochial Vicar; ordained March 20, 2000 for the Diocese of Cuddapah, India; previously served Diocese of Springfield in Illinois 2011–2023.
- Rev. Fr. Tesfaye Petros Botachew2024/2025 – present
Parochial Vicar.
- Deacon Steve Venturini1982-01-23 – present
Ordained by Bishop under Fr. Ryan; parishioner since 1972. Became Pastoral Associate July 16, 1992. Served with wife Sandy as director of religious education.
- Deacon Joe Poland1991-02-13 – 2013-11-16
Ordained June 29, 1985. Served in adult education and organized the men's prayer breakfast. Retired from active ministry and entered eternal life November 16, 2013.
- Fr. Coleman (Associate Pastor)1987 – 1992
Fr. James Coleman served as Associate Pastor during this period before returning as pastor in 2008.