About Saint Matthew the Apostle · Gahanna, Ohio
St. Matthew the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Columbus located at 807 Havens Corners Road in Gahanna, Ohio, a suburb just east of Columbus. Founded in 1959, the parish has grown from 256 founding families to more than 2,200 families and operates a fully accredited PreK-8 parish school. St. Matthew is known for its Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, an active Charitable Works food pantry, a wide range of adult and youth faith-formation programs, and a recently beautified sanctuary featuring new stained glass by Willet Studios and apse paintings.
- Established
- 1959
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Walter Elias Tuscano (effective July 14, 2026; currently Parochial Vicar; succeeds Rev. Theodore K. Sill, who is retiring)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
St. Matthew is a large, active suburban parish that combines traditional devotional life with strong pastoral outreach. Daily and Sunday Masses are offered in English, the sacrament of Reconciliation is available several times a week, and the parish's Divine Mercy Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is open 24/7 to scheduled adorers. A fully accredited PreK-8 parish school, robust faith formation for every age (OCIA, Family of Faith K-8, three youth groups, men's and women's ministries, Walking with Purpose, That Man Is You, Together in Holiness, and a Marriage Formation program), and a Charitable Works Ministry that fed more than 57,000 meals in 2018 make it a place where families can plug in at every stage of life.
Mass times at Saint Matthew the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
- Sunday 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
- Wednesday 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- 2nd Wednesday of the month at Behold Holy Hour, 6:00 PM
- Holy Week Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 6:00 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Divine Mercy Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel in the church undercroft
- Chapel is open 24/7 to scheduled adorers with a code, and whenever the church building is unlocked for visitors (usually until 7:30 PM)
Parish History and 60th Anniversary
St. Matthew the Apostle was established in 1959, beginning with 256 families and first Masses celebrated at Lincoln Elementary School and a temporary structure on Rocky Fork Drive S. The current sanctuary, approximately 20,000 square feet, replaced the original church in 2004 under the leadership of the Rev. Paul A. Noble, providing an expanded worship area, offices, and meeting rooms. The parish marked its 60th anniversary in September 2019 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert J. Brennan, followed by a community open house on October 12, 2019.
- Founded 1959
- First Masses at Lincoln Elementary School (515 Havens Corners Road) and a temporary structure at 296 Rocky Fork Drive S.
- New church building completed 2004 (~20,000 sq ft, site plan by POD Design)
- 60th anniversary Mass on Sept. 21, 2019 with Bishop Robert J. Brennan
- 60th anniversary open house and church tours on Oct. 12, 2019
Sacraments
Information on all seven sacraments is available through the parish office. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation is offered through both the parish school and the Family of Faith religious-education program. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the parish's process for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. Couples preparing for marriage complete a Sacrament Inquiry Form, review the Wedding Celebration Guidelines, submit a $100 deposit (and a $1,000 church usage fee for non-parishioners), and meet with the clergy and Marriage Formation Coordinator Julie Ratliff.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation — through school and Family of Faith
- Marriage — Sacrament Inquiry Form, Wedding Celebration Guidelines, baptismal certificate, $100 deposit, $1,000 usage fee for non-parishioners
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office for pastoral care
- OCIA — adult initiation process
- Eucharist — daily and Sunday Mass schedule above
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Matthew runs a full spectrum of formation ministries for every age. Children and teens are served by First Steps in Faith (ages 0–5), Family of Faith (K-8), and three youth groups: Kindle (grades 3-5), Ignite (grades 6-8), and The Flame (high school). Adult formation includes the parish Book Club, Bible Studies, OCIA, St. Matthew Young Adults, Together in Holiness, and Marriage Formation. Men and women also have dedicated tracks including Walking with Purpose, Ladies of St. Jude, the Diocesan Catholic Women's Conference delegation, the St. Matthew Women's Retreat, That Man Is You, the Men's Prayer Group, the Diocesan Catholic Men's Conference delegation, and the Knights of Columbus.
- First Steps in Faith (ages 0–5)
- Family of Faith (K-8)
- Kindle (grades 3-5), Ignite (grades 6-8), The Flame (high school)
- OCIA, Bible Studies, Parish Book Club
- St. Matthew Young Adults, Together in Holiness, Marriage Formation
- Walking with Purpose, Ladies of St. Jude, Women's Retreat
- That Man Is You, Men's Prayer Group, Knights of Columbus
St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic School (PreK-8)
The parish school, located at 33 Welch Drive, has been a part of the parish's evangelizing mission for more than 50 years (open in 1963). As of October 31, 2018 it had about 600 students enrolled in PreK through 8th grade, with 29 licensed teachers averaging 14 years' experience, over 50% of whom hold a Master's degree. The school is fully accredited and offers Spanish, Technology, Music, Art, Physical Education, a Science Lab, and a Media center. Faith life includes daily prayer, weekly all-school Mass with student lectors, cantors, and altar servers, Reconciliation services for Advent and Lent, monthly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for grades K-8, Sacramental Preparation, and multi-grade 'Spirit Families' focused on the virtues.
- Fully accredited PreK-8, licensed Pre-K
- ~600 students, 29 licensed teachers (Oct. 2018)
- Daily prayer, weekly Mass, monthly Adoration K-8
- Sacramental prep for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
- Specials: Spanish, Technology, Music, Art, PE, Science Lab, Media
- Multi-grade 'Spirit Families' focused on virtues
- Jon Peterson Provider with intervention specialists, school nurse, psychologist, reading specialist, tutors, speech and occupational therapists
Liturgical Ministries and Music
A robust team of liturgical volunteers supports every Mass, including altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, and ushers/greeters. The music ministry is unusually broad, with five choirs — Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Funeral Choir, Praise & Worship Choir, and Handbell Choir — supporting the parish's liturgical life.
- Altar servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Sacristans, Ushers/Greeters
- Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Funeral Choir, Praise & Worship Choir, Handbell Choir
Outreach, Charity, and Social Justice
Outreach is central to the parish's mission. The Charitable Works Ministry serves as the food bank for the 43230 ZIP code and is connected to HandsOn Central Ohio; in 2018 it provided roughly 57,015 meals to the Gahanna community regardless of religious affiliation. The Knitting and Crocheting Ministry has produced more than 55,000 items distributed through GRIN, JOIN, and Faith Mission. The parish has housed homeless families through the Interfaith Hospitality Network and serves dinner at the YWCA Family Center six times a year. Other ministries include Walking with Moms in Need, the Pro-Life Committee, the Julia Greeley Committee (Racial Justice), and the Interfaith Hospitality Network meals team.
- Charitable Works Food Pantry — 43230 ZIP code, HandsOn Central Ohio partner
- ~57,015 meals provided in 2018
- Knitting & Crocheting Ministry — 55,000+ items for GRIN, JOIN, Faith Mission
- Interfaith Hospitality Network (housing & meals for homeless families)
- YWCA Family Center — six dinners per year
- Walking with Moms in Need, Pro-Life Committee, Julia Greeley Committee
Prayer, Devotions, and Fellowship
A wide range of devotional and fellowship groups meet at the parish throughout the week, from the Rosary Guild, Legion of Mary, Seven Sisters Apostolate, and Lazarus Ministry to the GriefShare and DivorceCare support groups, the Stone Soup Visiting Ministry, and St. John's Helpers. The Knights of Columbus and Ladies of St. Jude anchor fraternal and women's fellowship, and the Parish Festival Committee, Donut Social, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Garden Ministry, Golden Mustangs (older adults), and Moms' Group round out parish social life.
- Rosary Guild, Legion of Mary, Seven Sisters Apostolate, Lazarus Ministry
- Compassionate Prayer Ministry, Bereavement Committee
- GriefShare and DivorceCare support groups
- St. John's Helpers, Stone Soup Visiting Ministry
- Knights of Columbus, Ladies of St. Jude
- Parish Festival Committee, Donut Social, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
- Garden Ministry, Golden Mustangs, Moms' Group, Cub/Boy/Girl Scouts
Sacred Art and Architecture
The 2004 sanctuary is being enhanced through an ongoing campus-wide beautification project. The Philadelphia-based Willet Stained Glass Studios designed and fabricated eleven custom stained-glass windows for the sanctuary in a 'medallion style': nine feature medallions representing the symbols of the Apostles, and two feature the cherubim, all set against a traditional diamond-shaped 'quarry' background. New paintings in the apse have also been completed. Below the sanctuary, the Divine Mercy Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel is accessed via the undercroft.
- 11 new stained-glass windows by Willet Stained Glass Studios (medallion style)
- 9 windows with symbols of the Apostles; 2 with cherubim
- Diamond-shaped quarry background in leaded glass
- New apse paintings
- POD Design site plan with water feature, entry drive, and parking layout
Planning Your Visit
St. Matthew is located at 807 Havens Corners Road in Gahanna, Ohio, just east of Columbus. The church building is generally unlocked for visitors until about 7:30 PM, and the Divine Mercy Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel in the undercroft is open 24/7 to scheduled adorers. The parish website's 'Planning Your Visit' page provides a map, driving directions, and full Mass and Confession schedules; the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass is also live streamed on the parish YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 807 Havens Corners Road, Gahanna, OH 43230-3195
- Phone: (614) 471-0212
- Visitors welcome in the church building until ~7:30 PM
- Live-streamed 10:00 AM Sunday Mass on YouTube
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel accessible via stairs from either end of the Gathering Space or by elevator to the lower level
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Soltis1959–1969
Founding pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish; presided over the parish's first years when it began with 256 families meeting at Lincoln Elementary School and in a temporary structure on Rocky Fork Drive S.
- Rev. Carl P. Clagett1970–1975
Second pastor of the parish.
- Rev. Paul O. Smith1975–1986
Third pastor.
- Rev. Thomas J. Brosmer1986–1989
Fourth pastor.
- Rev. Edward J. McFarland1990–1999
Fifth pastor.
- Rev. Paul A. Noble1999–2010
Sixth pastor; oversaw the 2004 construction of the new church building with its expanded worship area, offices, and meeting rooms.
- Rev. Theodore K. Sill2010 – July 14, 2026 (retirement)
Seventh pastor; led the parish through its 60th anniversary in 2019; also served as Vicar Forane of the East Columbus Deanery (Vicariate #10).
- Rev. Walter Elias TuscanoPastor effective July 14, 2026 (currently Parochial Vicar since July 8, 2025)
Eighth pastor; incardinated into the Diocese of Columbus on January 22, 2025 from service outside the diocese; appointed Parochial Vicar at St. Matthew effective July 8, 2025 and named incoming Pastor in March 2026.
- Rev. Tyler CarterParochial Vicar, July 9, 2024 – July 8, 2025
Newly ordained priest assigned as Parochial Vicar; concurrently served as Administrator of Holy Resurrection Melkite Catholic Parish, Columbus; reassigned to St. Brigid of Kildare, Dublin, effective July 8, 2025.