Scioto Catholic - St. Mary of the Annunciation

Our Story: St. John Paul II Scioto Catholic Parish

Along the banks of the Scioto River, the Catholic faith took root gradually — carried by families, missionaries, immigrants, and generations of believers. What began with the Annunciation parish in 1844 grew into a network of seven Portsmouth-area parishes: Holy Redeemer, Holy Trinity, St. Mary, St. Peter in Chains, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Sorrows, and St. Monica. As population patterns changed and the number of available priests declined, the Diocese of Columbus responded with pastoral planning that led to the closure of Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Sorrows, and St. Monica, and the 2024 unification of the four surviving parishes into St. John Paul II Scioto Catholic Parish — a name chosen to echo Pope St. John Paul II's call to unity, courage, and holiness in everyday life. Today the parish worships across four historic campuses while carrying the legacy of all that came before.

History of St. Mary of the Annunciation

The parish traces its origins to the first Church of the Annunciation, a 62-by-38-foot Tuscan-order building constructed by Father Joseph O. Mealy and dedicated January 1, 1845, at Madison and 3rd Streets. When Holy Redeemer Parish was organized in 1853, the German-speaking community retained the Annunciation church under Father Francis Karge and soon outgrew the original. In 1859 they purchased the 5th and Market lot for $2,500; the foundation and a $3,000 schoolhouse were built in 1864; Bishop Sylvester Rosecrans blessed the cornerstone on May 9, 1869; and the present Germanic Gothic Revival church — seating 800 and costing $70,000 — was dedicated on July 31, 1870. A pipe organ was added in 1877 and the McShane bell tower chimes in 1895. The 1937 Ohio River flood left ten feet of water in the church and more than $20,000 in damage. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 24, 1979.

• 1844 — First Church of the Annunciation built by Fr. Joseph O. Mealy; dedicated Jan. 1, 1845.
• 1852/1853 — German Catholics retain the Annunciation parish under Fr. Francis Karge when Holy Redeemer is organized.
• 1859 — Lot at 5th and Market purchased for $2,500.
• 1864 — Foundation of current church and a large schoolhouse built.
• May 9, 1869 — Cornerstone blessed by Bishop Sylvester Rosecrans.
• July 31, 1870 — Current church dedicated (cost $70,000; seats ~800).
• 1877 — Large pipe organ installed.
• 1895 — Bell tower and three McShane (Baltimore) chimes installed.
• 1937 — Ohio River flood damages the church ($20,000+).
• August 24, 1979 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (#79001940).
• July 1, 2024 — Merged into St. John Paul II Scioto Catholic Parish.

Our Campuses

St. John Paul II Scioto Catholic Parish worships at four historic churches in and around Portsmouth. Each retains its own identity while serving one unified parish family.

• Holy Redeemer — 1325 Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662 (hosts the 8:00 a.m. Sunday English Mass and the 5:00 p.m. Sunday Spanish Mass).
• Holy Trinity — Pond Creek / West Portsmouth, OH.
• St. Mary — 5th and Market Streets, Portsmouth, OH 45662 (parish mailing: 514 Market Street; hosts Perpetual Adoration).
• St. Peter in Chains — Wheelersburg, OH.

Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation (PSR)

The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides K–8 faith formation for the children of the parish, inspired by the Totus Tuus motto of Pope St. John Paul II. Sessions meet on Sundays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., with drop-off at 9:15 a.m. Children in grades K–6 (including First Communion preparation) meet at the Holy Redeemer Activity Center; Confirmation preparation meets at the St. Mary Activity Center. Sacramental preparation requires two consecutive years of formation, Sunday Mass attendance verified by a signed bulletin, and a parent pre-interview and final interview.

• PSR Coordinator: Marissa McCormick — [email protected] / (740) 354-4551
• Sessions: Sundays 9:30–11:00 a.m. (drop-off 9:15 a.m.)
• K–6 + First Communion: Holy Redeemer Activity Center, 1325 Gallia St.
• Confirmation (8th grade): St. Mary Activity Center, 514 Market St.
• No fee for faith formation; donations welcome.
• Children enrolled in Notre Dame Schools must also join PSR during sacramental year.

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the seven sacraments and offers preparation for each. Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony are arranged through the parish office; Anointing of the Sick is available through the Sacramental Emergency Line (740-981-9555) for those in imminent danger of death. Young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood or diaconate are encouraged to contact Fr. Stephen Smith.

• Baptism
• First Holy Communion
• Confirmation (typically 8th grade)
• Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass)
• Penance / Reconciliation (daily confession schedule; by appointment)
• Anointing of the Sick — 740-981-9555 emergency line
• Holy Orders — contact Fr. Stephen Smith
• Matrimony — contact parish office

Clergy & Staff

The unified parish is led by two priests of the diocese (Pastor and Parochial Vicar) and supported by three permanent deacons and parish staff.

• Rev. Stephen Smith, KHS — Pastor
• Rev. Michael Fulton, KHS — Parochial Vicar
• Rev. David Glockner, G.H.M. — Retired, In Holy Service
• Deacon Jim Sturgeon
• Deacon Chris Varacalli
• Deacon Terry Acox
• Rose Turner — Secretary
• Marissa McCormick — PSR / Faith Formation
• Howard Robinson — Perpetual Adoration Administrator
• Coordinator of Parish Outreach (on staff)

Visit & Contact

Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the four campuses. The parish business office receives all mail and is the central point of contact.

• Parish Office: 514 Market Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662
• Phone: (740) 354-4551
• Email: [email protected]
• Sacramental Emergency: 740-981-9555
• Website: https://www.sciotocatholic.org
• Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus (www.columbuscatholic.org)
• Schedule a meeting with Fr. Smith — link on parish homepage.