About Queen of Apostles · Beavercreek, Ohio
Queen of Apostles is a Catholic lay community affiliated with the Marianist order that met at Queen of Apostles Chapel on the Marianist Mount St. John property in Beavercreek, Ohio, just outside Dayton. Founded in 1973 from a group of Marianist priests, brothers and women religious who began gathering for liturgy in 1972, the community was recognized by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as a non-territorial congregation distinguished by contemporary music, commitment to social justice, and lay-led governance. After the Marianists announced in 2022 that no priest would be assigned to the community as of January 1, 2024, most members chose to stay together, evolving into a new lay Marianist community called Spiritus that continues meeting on the same property.
- Established
- 1973
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (as Queen of Apostles)
- Rector
- Fr. Thomas Schroer, S.M. (Marianist, served as pastor from 2015 until the community closed in early 2024)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
People were drawn to Queen of Apostles for its distinctive blend of Marianist spirituality — emphasizing 'discipleship of equals,' inclusive and welcoming relationships, and a strong social-justice mission — together with contemporary liturgy and lay-led governance. It appealed especially to active Catholics who felt underserved by a traditional parish and wanted a community where they themselves shaped the worship and mission. Today, members of that same circle continue as Spiritus, gathering twice a month for prayer, song and shared discernment on the same Mount St. John property.
Mass times at Queen of Apostles
Weekly Mass schedule
Identity and Marianist Heritage
Queen of Apostles was a non-territorial Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, affiliated with the Society of Mary (Marianists). It traced its origin to 1972 gatherings of Marianist priests, brothers, and women religious on the Mount St. John property in Beavercreek, Ohio, and received formal archdiocesan recognition in 1973. Its spirituality was rooted in the Marianist call to inclusive and welcoming relationships and the principle of 'discipleship of equals.'
- Affiliated with the Society of Mary (Marianists)
- Recognized by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1973
- Rooted in Marianist spirituality: 'discipleship of equals' and inclusive community
History
The community began with informal liturgical gatherings of Marianist religious in 1972. Laypeople were invited to join as word spread about contemporary music, social-justice commitment and a welcoming atmosphere. By 1973 it had archdiocesan recognition, by 2006 it counted roughly 200 households, and in 2022 the Marianists announced that no priest would be assigned after January 1, 2024, leading to the community's closure and the formation of its successor, Spiritus.
- 1972: Liturgical gatherings begin among Marianist religious
- 1973: Archdiocesan recognition as a community
- 2006: ~200 households
- 2022: Marianists announce end of priest assignment effective Jan. 1, 2024
- January 2024: Queen of Apostles closes; Spiritus launches
Governance and Pastoral Leadership
Unlike a territorial parish, Queen of Apostles was lay-led. A lay coordinator handled day-to-day operations and members ran the community through a leadership/transition team. The Marianist priest assigned to the community held the title of pastor but served in a largely liturgical capacity.
- Lay coordinator managed day-to-day affairs
- Leadership/transition team guided the community
- Marianist priest-pastor served in a largely liturgical role
Worship and Gatherings
Sunday worship featured contemporary music and was central to the community's identity. After its closure, the successor community Spiritus gathers twice a month on Sunday afternoons for Scripture, prayer, song, spiritual reflection and sharing, with Mass celebrated a few times a year for special events.
- Sunday Mass (pre-closure): 10:30 AM, English
- Contemporary music as a hallmark of liturgy
- Twice-monthly Sunday-afternoon gatherings continued by Spiritus
Ministries and Mission
Carrying out the Catholic Church's social-justice mission was a defining commitment of Queen of Apostles, alongside its worship life and faith-sharing. Members were active in faith formation, music ministry and community discernment, and many extended their involvement beyond the community itself.
- Social-justice outreach
- Contemporary music ministry
- Faith formation and faith-sharing
- Lay leadership development
Closure and the Spiritus Successor Community
After the Marianists announced the end of their priestly assignment effective January 1, 2024, most of the roughly 120 remaining members chose to remain together, forming Spiritus, a lay Marianist community whose name comes from the Latin word for Holy Spirit. Spiritus meets twice a month on Sunday afternoons on the Mount St. John property, with Mass celebrated a few times a year for special events, drawing 45 to 65 people per gathering. About 80 former Queen of Apostles members continue with Spiritus, and many also attend Mass at a separate traditional parish.
- Closure effective January 1, 2024
- Spiritus formed from most remaining ~120 members; ~80 continued
- Twice-monthly Sunday-afternoon gatherings
- Mass celebrated a few times per year for special events
- 45–65 people typically attend gatherings
Contact and Location
Queen of Apostles met in Queen of Apostles Chapel on the Mount St. John Marianist property in Beavercreek, Ohio. The site is accessible via E Patterson Road and, in some directories, Shakertown Road.
- Address: 4435 E Patterson Rd (also referenced as 4400 Shakertown Rd), Beavercreek, OH 45430
- Phone: (937) 429-0510
- Website: http://www.qac-ohio.org
- Facebook: Queen of Apostles Community
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Thomas Schroer, S.M.2015–2023
Marianist priest who served as pastor from 2015 until Queen of Apostles ceased operations at the end of 2023; continued accompanying members as Spiritus formed.