About Saint Mary · Chillicothe, Ohio
Saint Mary Catholic Church is a historic parish in Chillicothe, Ohio, and one of the oldest Catholic congregations in the Scioto Valley. Founded in 1837 by Bishop (later Archbishop) John B. Purcell with Rev. Henry D. Juncker as first pastor, it is the direct continuation of Chillicothe's first Catholic congregation, which originally worshipped in the home of pioneer Catholic Martin Bauman. The present Gothic Revival church at 61 South Paint Street was designed by the Cincinnati firm of Blackburn & Koehler, begun in 1866, and dedicated in 1868. Today St. Mary's worship site is part of the merged Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish, which also includes St. Peter Church in Chillicothe and St. Mary Church in Waverly, all in the Diocese of Columbus.
- Established
- 1837
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (originally under the patronage of 'Our Lady' at the 1837 dedication; popularly known as St. Mary's)
- Rector
- Rev. Sean M. Dooley
- Diocese
- Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
St. Mary offers a rare chance to worship in one of the oldest Catholic congregations in southern Ohio, in a striking 1860s Gothic Revival church whose $3 million slate-and-copper restoration has returned the steeple to its original 19th-century silhouette. As one of three worship sites of Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish, it pairs historic architecture with a full sacramental life: daily Mass, Saturday Vigil and Sunday Mass, Saturday confessions, weekly adoration, and the active St. Vincent de Paul Society for monetary and food assistance. Families can send children to Bishop Flaget School, the parish school (PS–8) sponsored by OLQA, while adults can join Bible studies, men's and women's groups, the Totus Tuus summer program, Military Ministry, and parish pilgrimages — all rooted in a parish that has served Chillicothe's Catholics continuously since 1837.
Mass times at Saint Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM @ St. Mary Chillicothe
- Monday 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM (additional reconciliation opportunity listed for the parish)
- Thursday 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM (additional reconciliation opportunity listed for the parish)
Adoration times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM @ St. Mary Chillicothe
History of St. Mary Parish
St. Mary's roots go back to 1817, when layman Martin Bauman settled in Chillicothe. By 1822 he and his wife Mary were hosting Dominican missionary priests for Mass in the upstairs room of their tavern on Deer Creek Street. Visiting priests through the 1830s included Rev. Frederick Rese (later Bishop of Detroit), Rev. Martin Kundig, Rev. John Martin Henni, and the Dominicans Fathers Samuel Mazzuchelli, John G. Alleman, and Nicholas D. Young, O.P. After Bishop John B. Purcell's first visitation in 1835, he appointed Rev. Henry D. Juncker as first resident pastor on June 7, 1837. On July 7, 1837, Purcell purchased the former Episcopal church on South Walnut Street for $1,300 and dedicated it under the patronage of Our Lady on the feast of her Assumption, 1837. After Juncker was transferred to Dayton in 1845, the parish moved toward St. Peter's (dedicated 1846). In 1849 a small group returned to the Walnut Street church under Rev. George Aloysius Carroll, S.J.; when the Jesuits withdrew in 1851, Rev. Thomas J. Boulger took over and in 1852 the Archbishop purchased a former Methodist church on West Second Street, which served the congregation until the present church was built.
- 1817 — Martin Bauman arrives in Chillicothe
- 1822 — First Masses offered in Bauman's tavern on Deer Creek Street
- 1837 — Bishop Purcell appoints Rev. Henry D. Juncker as first resident pastor (June 7)
- 1837 — Former Episcopal church on South Walnut Street purchased and dedicated as a Catholic church under the patronage of Our Lady on the feast of the Assumption
- 1845 — Cornerstone of St. Peter's Church laid (June 29); Juncker transferred to Dayton
- 1846 — St. Peter's dedicated August 30
- 1849 — Rev. George Aloysius Carroll, S.J. returns about a dozen English-speaking families to the Walnut Street church
- 1851 — Jesuits withdraw; Rev. Thomas J. Boulger appointed
- 1852 — Former Methodist church on West Second Street acquired
- 1865 — Old Walnut Street rectory sold
- 1866 — Construction of the present St. Mary's begins; cornerstone laid August 1866 by Archbishop Purcell
- 1867 — Building under roof
- Late 1868 — Present church dedicated; Diocese of Columbus newly erected
- 1965 — Original Walnut Street church (later a residence) razed
- 2014 — $3 million+ restoration: copper pinnacles restored to steeple, slate roof, gold-leaf cross and ball
Worship at St. Mary, Chillicothe
As one of three worship sites of Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish, St. Mary Chillicothe offers a Saturday Vigil Mass, a Sunday noon Mass, two weekday Masses (Tuesday and Friday at 8:30 AM), Saturday confessions, and a weekly hour of Eucharistic adoration on Saturday morning.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 PM
- Sunday Mass: 12:00 PM (Noon)
- Weekday Mass: Tuesday 8:30 AM
- Weekday Mass: Friday 8:30 AM
- Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00 PM (also Monday 5:30–6:15 PM and Thursday 7:30–8:00 AM at the parish)
- Eucharistic Adoration: Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM
Clergy & Staff
Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish is served by a pastor and two parochial vicars assigned to the three-site parish (St. Peter, St. Mary Chillicothe, and St. Mary Waverly).
- Rev. Sean M. Dooley — Pastor
- Rev. Stanislaus John, SAC — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Zachary Goodchild — Parochial Vicar
- Parish Office: 285 W. Water St., Chillicothe, OH 45601 — 740-774-1407
- Convent: 126 Church St., Chillicothe, OH 45601 — 740-774-0474
- Last Rites / Anointing line: 740-701-2552
Bishop Flaget School
Bishop Flaget School is the parish school sponsored by Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles, serving preschool through 8th grade at 570 Parsons Ave., Chillicothe. The school traces Catholic education in Chillicothe back to 1837 and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association, ASCD, and NAESP. The school is expanding toward including a high school. According to the school, 99% of recent BFS graduates place in the Top 10% of their high-school graduating classes, and graduates have matriculated at Ohio State, Ohio University, University of Dayton, Xavier, Miami, George Washington, Embry-Riddle, Rose-Hulman, and many others.
- Preschool through 8th grade (expanding to high school)
- 570 Parsons Ave., Chillicothe, OH 45601
- 740-774-2970
- Website: bishopflaget.org
- Members: NCEA, ASCD, NAESP
Faith Formation & Youth
Faith formation at OLQA continues from early childhood through high school. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is offered for ages 3–9, with traditional Faith Formation for grades 4–6. Junior and senior high youth are served through 'The Well,' and the parish hosts the Totus Tuus summer program. Sacramental preparation is offered for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Ages 3–9)
- Faith Formation (Grades 4–6)
- The Well (Jr High & High School Activities)
- Totus Tuus summer program
Parish Life, Adult Faith & Fellowship
Parish life at OLQA 'revolves around many aspects.' Beyond liturgy, the parish offers Bible studies, small groups, men's and women's fellowships, the MOMs group, knitters, parish socials, and pilgrimages. A Holy Family Library is open to parishioners, and the parish has hosted presentations on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Those interested in starting a new program or study are invited to contact Andrea Mclean through the parish office.
- Bible studies & small groups
- Men's Ministry (second Saturday of the month, 7:00 AM, Holy Family Library)
- MOMs group
- Knitters ministry
- Parish socials
- Holy Family Library
- Parish pilgrimages (e.g., Holy Land presentations)
Military Ministry
Founded in 2011, the Military Ministry of OLQA supports parishioners and family members serving in the armed forces and honors veterans. Activities include Memorial Day Mass at St. Margaret's Cemetery, an annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner, a December wreath-laying ceremony with Wreaths Across America, and Christmas cards sent to deployed servicemembers. The parish hall features a military display case, including a U.S. flag carried in Iraq in 2007 by Col. Timothy J. Whalen, USA.
- Memorial Day Mass at St. Margaret's Cemetery
- Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner
- Wreaths Across America — wreath laying at St. Margaret's Cemetery
- Christmas cards and care packages for deployed soldiers
- Military display case in the parish hall
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish provides monetary and food assistance to those in need in Ross and Pike Counties. Assistance hours are Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Two phone lines are dedicated to the ministry.
- Monetary and food assistance
- Hours: Tuesdays 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Phone: 740-772-2812 or 740-772-2061
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven sacraments. Reconciliation is heard regularly (see 'Worship' above), and arrangements for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Vocations discernment are coordinated through the parish office. Last Rites can be requested at any time via the dedicated line.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Holy Communion)
- Confession / Reconciliation
- Matrimony (Marriage)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Vocations discernment
- Last Rites line: 740-701-2552
Buildings & Restoration
The present St. Mary Church at 61 S. Paint St. was designed by Blackburn & Koehler of Cincinnati in the European Gothic style and built 1866–1868. A 2014 restoration, financed primarily by parishioners at more than $3 million, returned the slate roof to its original material, recreated copper pinnacles on the steeple (removed in the 1940s/'50s), and applied gold leaf to the cross and ball. The adjacent Carlisle Building was stabilized and rebuilt after fire damage. The parish also maintains a convent at 126 Church St. and the parish office at 285 W. Water St.
- Gothic Revival church by Blackburn & Koehler (1866–1868)
- 140 ft long × 62.5 ft wide × 75 ft high; unsupported ceiling vault
- Slate roof restored to original material (2014)
- Copper pinnacles restored to steeple (2014)
- Cross and ball atop steeple covered in gold leaf (2014)
- Carlisle Building stabilized and rebuilt (2014)
- Parish office at 285 W. Water St.
- Convent at 126 Church St.
Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish (the merged parish)
St. Mary Chillicothe today worships as part of Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish (OLQA), the Catholic community serving Ross and Pike Counties. The merged parish includes three historic church sites: St. Peter, Chillicothe (118 Church St.); St. Mary, Chillicothe (61 S. Paint St.); and St. Mary, Waverly (403 S. Market St.). A single parish office at 285 W. Water St. serves all three sites.
- St. Peter, Chillicothe — 118 Church St.
- St. Mary, Chillicothe — 61 S. Paint St.
- St. Mary, Waverly — 403 S. Market St.
- Parish Office: 285 W. Water St., Chillicothe, OH 45601
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Visiting & Contact
Visitors are welcome at all regularly scheduled Masses and the Saturday hour of adoration. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and can be reached at 740-774-1407. To arrange anointing or last rites in an emergency, call 740-701-2552 at any time. For St. Vincent de Paul food or monetary assistance, call 740-772-2812 or 740-772-2061.
- Parish Office: 740-774-1407
- Convent: 740-774-0474
- Last Rites: 740-701-2552
- St. Vincent de Paul: 740-772-2812 or 740-772-2061
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry D. Juncker1837–1845
First resident pastor of Catholics in Chillicothe, appointed by Bishop Purcell on June 7, 1837; also responsible for all Catholic communities of the Scioto Valley from Portsmouth north to Marion. Fitted the former Episcopal church on South Walnut Street for Catholic worship and dedicated it under the patronage of Our Lady on the feast of the Assumption, 1837. Began the St. Peter's project (cornerstone 1845) before being transferred to Dayton in the summer of 1845.
- Rev. George Aloysius Carroll, S.J.1849–1851
Jesuit pastor assigned when about a dozen English-speaking families returned to the little Walnut Street church from St. Peter's. Left when the Jesuits withdrew from Chillicothe in 1851.
- Rev. Thomas J. Boulger1851–
Replaced Father Carroll after the Jesuit withdrawal. Found the Walnut Street church too small for the growing congregation; in 1852 Archbishop Purcell purchased the former Methodist church on West Second Street, which served until the present St. Mary's was built in 1867.
- Rev. Thissefrom 1855
Arrived in 1855; discovered that the early baptismal records of St. Mary's had already gone missing.
- Rev. Sean M. Dooleypresent
Current pastor of Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Parish (which includes St. Mary Chillicothe as a worship site). Listed at 740-774-1407, 285 W. Water St., Chillicothe.