About Our Lady of Victory · Tallmadge, Ohio
Our Lady of Victory is a Roman Catholic parish in Tallmadge, Ohio, situated just north of the Tallmadge Circle on North Avenue across from Tallmadge City Hall and Tallmadge Town Center. A member of the Diocese of Cleveland, the parish serves Summit County's northern tier with a Catholic community shaped during the years of World War II and continuing to grow today. Its simple mission is to 'Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples.' On weekends the parish gathers for Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses, supported by weekday Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and Saturday confessions.
- Established
- 1944
- Patron
- Our Lady of Victory (a historic title of Our Lady of the Rosary)
- Rector
- Rev. G. Michael Williamson
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Our Lady of Victory is a mid-sized, family-friendly parish that invites participation across every age. The community walks together in faith through RCIA and adult faith formation, a Parish School of Religion, LifeTeen youth ministry, Bible Study, and a returning Catholics ministry. Belonging here means joining a parish that has continually renewed itself since 1944 — from its wartime founding through the building of the current church in the 1960s to today's joint ministry with St. Matthew Parish in Akron — and that marks life's milestones through baptisms, weddings, first Communions, confirmations, quinceañeras, and funeral liturgies.
Mass times at Our Lady of Victory
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM (2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month)
Adoration times
- Weekdays (Monday–Friday) 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
History of Our Lady of Victory
Our Lady of Victory began in the late 1930s, when a Catholic family moving to Tallmadge in 1936 helped kindle what would become a parish. A priest from St. Martha Parish in Akron came to celebrate Mass for the growing Catholic community. On October 7, 1943, the faithful gathered to choose a name during the month of the Holy Rosary and the height of World War II — settling on 'Our Lady of Victory' because they believed praying the rosary was a way Catholics could win victory over sin and evil. The mission parish was formally established, and on December 8, 1944 it was raised to full parish status. As the community grew, the original church was replaced in the 1960s by the current building. In October 2023 the parish began an 80th anniversary year that was closed by Bishop Edward Malesic with a closing Mass on December 7, 2024.
- Oct. 7, 1943 – Parish name chosen
- Dec. 8, 1944 – Officially founded / raised to parish status
- 1960s – Current church building erected
- Sept. 30, 2023 – 80th anniversary opening Mass (Aux. Bishop Michael Woost)
- Dec. 7, 2024 – 80th anniversary closing Mass (Bishop Edward Malesic)
- Jan. 15, 2025 – Father G. Michael Williamson installed as pastor
Mission and Identity
The parish describes its mission simply as: 'Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples.' Within the Diocese of Cleveland, Our Lady of Victory is part of the Summit County – North vicariate. Its Marian identity — rooted in the parish's wartime choice of Our Lady of Victory — continues to shape parish life, including the central place of the rosary in the community's prayer.
- Diocese of Cleveland parish, Summit County – North
- Marian patron: Our Lady of Victory (a historic title of Our Lady of the Rosary)
- Feast day observed October 7
Clergy and Staff
Rev. G. Michael Williamson is the current pastor, installed by Bishop Edward Malesic on January 15, 2025. He also serves as pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Akron, and he has spoken about the two parishes being 'stronger together.' Rev. Mike Matusz, now retired, served as pastor from October 2013 and was honored at the 80th-anniversary Mass for marking his 10th anniversary in 2023. Rev. James (John) Hengle preceded Father Matusz and continues as pastor emeritus; he concelebrated the January 2025 installation Mass. Katie Pyles serves as the parish's Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry.
- Rev. G. Michael Williamson — Pastor
- Rev. Mike Matusz — Pastor Emeritus (2013–2025)
- Rev. James (John) Hengle — Pastor Emeritus
- Katie Pyles — Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) is the primary vehicle for sacramental preparation and ongoing faith formation for children not enrolled in a Catholic school. The Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry, Katie Pyles, oversees PSR, children's First Communion and Confirmation preparation, and the youth ministry programs.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- Parent Portal and Catechist resources
- Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry: Katie Pyles
- Sacrament Preparation Calendars (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation)
Youth Ministry
Youth ministry meets teens where they are — middle school fellowship groups, the high-school LifeTeen program, and Bible studies. Students interested in getting more involved may contact the parish office or the youth ministry director.
- LifeTeen (high school)
- Middle school fellowship
- High school fellowship
- Youth Bible studies
Adult Ministry & Returning Catholics
Adults grow in faith together through ongoing formation: Bible Study, Catechism for Adults, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), and the Catholics Returning Home program for those who have been away from the practice of the faith.
- RCIA
- Bible Study
- Catechism for Adults
- Catholics Returning Home
Outreach, Service & Community Life
Our Lady of Victory sustains a strong network of lay-led service and fellowship organizations. The Women's Guild supports parish life through hospitality (notably preparing the brunch for the new-pastor installation) and an annual Holiday Bazaar in Finnerty Hall. The Knights of Columbus offers faith and fraternity for Catholic men. The Helping Hands ministry connects members with volunteering opportunities and can be reached at [email protected]. The parish also subscribes to the diocesan For the Protection of Children program, ensuring safe-environment compliance for all who serve.
- Women's Guild (Holiday Bazaar, parish hospitality)
- Knights of Columbus
- Helping Hands outreach
- For the Protection of Children
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve at the altar as Eucharistic Ministers and altar servers, and the parish maintains scheduled Liturgical Ministers and a separate JULIAN Ministry roster. Formation workshops are offered periodically for those wishing to take on or renew a liturgical role.
- Eucharistic Ministers (with formation workshops)
- Altar servers (with formation workshops)
- Liturgical Ministers schedule
- JULIAN Ministry
Sacraments
The parish accompanies families and individuals through every sacramental milestone — Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and funerals — and welcomes adults seeking full communion through RCIA. Registration in the parish is a typical prerequisite for Baptism and Marriage; marriage preparation begins at least six months in advance, and pre-Baptismal preparation is required two months ahead.
- Baptism (with pre-Baptismal preparation)
- First Communion & Confirmation (PSR)
- Matrimony (6-month preparation)
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA for adults
- Funeral Liturgies
- Holy Communion for the homebound
- Quinceañera / Presentation of a Child
Facilities & Visiting
The parish campus includes the church (built in the 1960s) and Finnerty Hall, which hosts receptions, the Women's Guild Holiday Bazaar, and many parish gatherings. The parish is located at 73 North Avenue in Tallmadge, just north of the well-known Tallmadge Circle, directly across from Tallmadge City Hall and the Tallmadge Town Center — a recognizable, central location in town.
- Church (current building, 1960s)
- Finnerty Hall (parish hall)
- 73 North Avenue, Tallmadge, OH 44278
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. G. Michael Williamson2025–present
Installed by Bishop Edward Malesic on Jan. 15, 2025; concurrently serves as pastor of St. Matthew Parish in Akron.
- Rev. Mike Matusz2013–2025
Began as pastor Oct. 1, 2013; marked 10th anniversary in 2023; retired after Father Williamson's installation.
- Rev. James (John) Henglepreceded Father Matusz
Preceded Father Matusz as pastor; served as pastor emeritus and concelebrated the Jan. 2025 installation Mass.