About Saints Cyril and Methodius (Our Lady of Sorrows Parish) · Youngstown, Ohio
Saints Cyril and Methodius Church is the historic Slovak-heritage worship site of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Youngstown, Ohio, part of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Founded by Slovak immigrants in 1896, the parish built its Romanesque-style church at the corner of East Wood and Watt Streets in 1900, and operated a parish school staffed by the Ursuline Sisters. In 2012 it merged with Holy Name of Jesus and St. Matthias to form Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, and in 2022 the Diocese of Youngstown closed and deconsecrated Saints Cyril and Methodius, designating St. Matthias as the parish church. Today the parish continues the Slovak Catholic tradition of proclaiming the Gospel through liturgy, faith formation, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, while the historic 1900 church building is being preserved and repurposed as the All Saints Diocesan Archives Center.
- Established
- 1896
- Patron
- Saints Cyril and Methodius
- Rector
- Rev. John M. Jerek
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish welcomes parishioners into a Roman Catholic community immersed in its Slovak heritage, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ through proclamation, catechesis, and ongoing conversion. Members are invited into the Holy Name Society, the music ministry (cantors, choirs, and instrumentalists), Bible study groups, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which provides direct outreach to neighbors in need. Whether attending Mass at the designated parish church of St. Matthias or joining one of the parish's longstanding fraternal and devotional organizations, newcomers find a parish that values fellowship, prayer, and service rooted in more than a century of Slovak-American Catholic tradition.
Mass times at Saints Cyril and Methodius (Our Lady of Sorrows Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM at St. Christine Church
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish is a Roman Catholic community immersed in its Slovak heritage, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to all it encounters. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the parish builds up the Kingdom of God by its expression of faith through lived experience of culture, sharing the Good News through proclamation, catechesis, and ongoing conversion. The parish is administered from the St. Christine Rectory in Youngstown, and Father John M. Jerek serves as pastor alongside Parochial Vicar Father Stephen Zeigler and permanent deacons Mark Kiraly and Ronald Layko.
- Catholic Parish of Slovak Heritage
- Pastor: Rev. John M. Jerek
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Stephen Zeigler
- Permanent Deacons: Mark Kiraly and Ronald Layko
History of Saints Cyril and Methodius
Slovak immigrants arrived in the Youngstown area as early as 1880, and in 1896 the community received permission to purchase property at the corner of Wood and Watt Streets. The cornerstone of Saints Cyril and Methodius Church was laid in 1900, and within a year the building was completed at a cost of $75,000. With the help of the Ursuline Sisters, a school was established and classes were held in the basement of the new church. The rectory was begun in 1901, and a new school building was erected the same year.
- Founded: 1896 (first Slovak parish in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties)
- Cornerstone laid: 1900
- Church completed at cost of $75,000
- Rectory begun 1901 at cost of $9,500
- New school built 1901 at cost of $35,000
Parish Life and Devotions
Through its first century, Saints Cyril and Methodius sustained a vibrant liturgical, social, educational, and spiritual life. The Ladies Guild gathered regularly for prayer and remembrance of deceased members. The Infant Jesus of Prague Guild gave a religious gift to each First Communicant. The Cy-Me Men's Club, founded in the 1930s, sponsored athletic teams and communion breakfasts, and the parish's social life was chronicled by Esther Hamilton of the Youngstown Vindicator. In its first 100 years the parish produced nineteen priests, one brother, and about twenty-five religious sisters.
- Ladies Guild
- Infant Jesus of Prague Guild
- Cy-Me Men's Club (founded 1930s)
Holy Name Society
The Holy Name Society was the first men's organization established at St. Matthias Church. Its primary purpose is to promote the praise, honor, and glory of the Holy Name of Jesus, helping members develop spiritually, build fellowship, and advance parish goals. The Society meets on the first Wednesday of each month, and the Rosary is prayed on the second Saturday of the month before the 4:00 PM Mass.
- President: Jim Jerek
- Vice President: Marty Oravec
- Treasurer: Jim Chizmar
- Secretary: Mark Dolak
- Trustees: Mike Ekoniak & Jerry Yablonkai
- Chaplain: Ray Novak
Music Ministry
There are several opportunities for parishioners to share their musical talents with the parish community and praise God in song. Anyone wishing to participate in the Our Lady of Sorrows Music Ministry is welcome to contact the music director, Robert M. Chismar, Jr., at 330-788-5082, or meet with him after Mass.
- Music Director: Robert M. Chismar, Jr.
- Phone: 330-788-5082
Cantors
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish is seeking cantors to add to its music ministry. Cantors lead the congregation in song, proclaim the Responsorial Psalm from the Ambo, and sing verses of the Gloria and Gospel Acclamation. Potential cantors should have a pleasant singing voice and require a short audition; one weekly rehearsal is required.
- Contact Robert M. Chismar, Jr., music director, at 330-788-5082
Bible Study
The parish offers ongoing Bible study resources for parishioners seeking to deepen their knowledge of Scripture through daily reflection and devotional reading.
- Daily Reflection
- Our Daily Bread
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a longstanding outreach ministry of the parish. The former cafeteria of the SS. Cyril and Methodius School once served as a St. Vincent de Paul Society dining hall for direct service to neighbors in need; that dining hall has since been relocated, but the Society continues its mission of charity and spiritual support.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Contact and Office
Parish office hours are Monday by appointment. The parish office is now located in the St. Christine Rectory. To contact Father Jerek or any staff member, parishioners are asked to call 330-792-3829. The general parish email is [email protected].
- Parish office: St. Christine Rectory
- Phone: 330-792-3829
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing address: 915 Cornell St., Youngstown, OH 44502
Diocesan Decree and Realignment
On February 4, 2022, Bishop David J. Bonnar of the Diocese of Youngstown issued official decrees regarding the three churches that made up Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. Saints Cyril and Methodius Church and Holy Name of Jesus Church were reduced to profane but not sordid use, with directives for removing sacred objects and relics prior to alienation of the property. St. Matthias Church was designated as the parish church of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish.
- Bishop: Most Rev. David J. Bonnar
- Decree date: February 4, 2022
- SS. Cyril and Methodius: reduced to profane but not sordid use
- Holy Name of Jesus: reduced to profane but not sordid use
- St. Matthias: designated parish church
All Saints Archival Center (Future Use of the Building)
In November 2024, the Diocese of Youngstown announced plans for an archive facility on the former Saints Cyril and Methodius property at 252 East Wood Street. The new campus will be named the 'All Saints Archival Center.' The 1900 church building will be preserved and repurposed as exhibit and public programming space, with its soaring, colorful dome and stained-glass walls available for visitors to experience. A new two-story, 4,900-square-foot, climate-controlled building will be constructed adjacent to the church to house diocesan archives, a public reading room, and offices for archives staff. The property will include expanded greenspace, energy-efficient upgrades, and repurposed woodwork salvaged from the former rectory.
- New campus name: All Saints Archival Center
- Address: 252 East Wood Street, Youngstown, OH
- Diocesan Chancellor: Joan Lawson
- Preserves the original 1900 Romanesque church interior