About SS Peter and Paul · Doylestown, Ohio
Sts. Peter & Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Doylestown, Ohio, recognized as the oldest continuously operating parish in the Diocese of Cleveland. Founded in 1827 when eight Catholic families gathered to build a place of prayer, the parish now serves around 900 households from its historic church on West Clinton Street. The parish runs an Early Learning Center, parish school, faith formation programs, and the Ozanam Center food pantry, offering the full sacramental life alongside outreach to neighbors in need.
- Established
- 1827
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul
- Rector
- Joseph P. Robinson (Administrator; listed as parochial administrator on the diocese site alongside deacon Dale A. Youngblood)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
Sts. Peter & Paul is the oldest parish in the Diocese of Cleveland, a community that has sustained Catholic life in Doylestown for nearly 200 years. Members worship in a historic 1877 church, gather as one of about 900 households, and put faith into action through an Early Learning Center, parish school, faith formation for children and adults, and the Ozanam Center food pantry. Newcomers are invited simply to 'come and see,' join a ministry, and encounter Christ alongside generations of faithful neighbors.
Mass times at SS Peter and Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00–6:30 PM
- Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM
Adoration times
- Jubilee Year days of Adoration: Feb. 13, April 3, June 12, Sept. 25 — 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
About Our Parish
Sts. Peter & Paul Parish is the oldest Catholic community in the Diocese of Cleveland, with a story that reaches back to 1827. The parish describes its mission as helping families raise children in the faith and adults deepen their relationship with God, while serving neighbors through the Ozanam Center and Food Pantry. Around 900 households now call the parish home, gathering each week to worship in the historic 1877 church and to live out their faith together.
- Founded in 1827 by eight Catholic families
- First pastor: Fr. Francis Marshall
- First church built 1836; second in 1849
- Current church completed 1877; first Mass Christmas Day 1878
- Approximately 900 parish households
- Oldest parish in the Diocese of Cleveland
Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Fr. Joe Robinson as Administrator, working alongside Deacon Dale Youngblood, with Fr. David McCarthy continuing in the role of Pastor Emeritus. Lay staff include Mary Ferraioulo (Parish Secretary), Nancy Johns (Business Manager), and school leaders Alison Ruther (Principal/Director) and Kimberly Turner, with Christina Roberts as Administrative Assistant. The staff's stated role is to serve parishioners with faith, compassion, and dedication, and to help newcomers get involved in parish life.
- Fr. Joe Robinson — Administrator
- Deacon Dale Youngblood
- Fr. David McCarthy — Pastor Emeritus
- Mary Ferraioulo — Parish Secretary
- Nancy Johns — Business Manager
- Alison Ruther — School Principal/Director
- Kimberly Turner — School staff
- Christina Roberts — Administrative Assistant
Mass & Sacraments
The parish offers Sunday Mass at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM, with a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM, plus several weekday Masses. The Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) are prepared for across the year, with First Communion typically celebrated on the first Saturday in May and Confirmation offered every other year for 9th and 10th graders. Confession is heard twice a week, and the parish assists couples with Matrimony, the sick with Anointing, and those discerning a vocation through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
- Sunday: 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Tuesday & Thursday: 8:00 AM
- Wednesday & Friday: 8:30 AM
- 1st Saturday: 9:00 AM
- Confession: Tuesday 6:00–6:30 PM and Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM
- Infant Baptisms: first Sunday of each month at 12:00 PM
- First Communion: first Saturday in May
- Confirmation: every other year for 9th–10th graders
Devotions & Jubilee Year of Hope
Beyond the regular Mass schedule, the parish observes a rich calendar of devotions. Jubilee Year Masses are scheduled across the year on a mix of Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Mondays, and Tuesdays at either 7:00 PM or 8:00 AM. Days of Adoration run from 9:00 AM–7:00 PM, Stations of the Cross are prayed during Lent at 7:30 PM, Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours is offered in summer months, and the Anointing of the Sick is celebrated twice a year.
- Jubilee Year Masses: Jan. 29 (Wed) 7 PM, Feb. 24 (Mon) 8 AM, June 20 (Fri) 8 AM, July 17 (Thu) 8 AM, Aug. 13 (Wed) 7 PM, Sep. 22 (Mon) 8 AM, Oct. 30 (Thu) 8 AM, Nov. 18 (Tue) 7 PM
- Adoration days: Feb. 13, April 3, June 12, Sept. 25 — 9 AM–7 PM
- Stations of the Cross: March 14 & April 11 at 7:30 PM
- Anointing of the Sick: July 2 & Nov. 4 at 7 PM
- Night Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours): June 2, July 7, Aug. 4 at 8:30 PM
- Extra Jubilee Confessions: Jan. 23 & Aug. 14 6:00–6:45 PM; March 1, May 3, Oct. 18 9:00–10:00 AM
Faith Formation & School
Religious education for children and adults is a core ministry at Sts. Peter & Paul. Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade, Confirmation is offered every other year for 9th and 10th graders, and adults preparing to become Catholic journey through 'Becoming Catholic' classes toward the Easter Vigil. The parish also operates a parish school and an Early Learning Center serving children from infants through first grade.
- First Reconciliation & First Communion: 2nd grade prep
- Confirmation: every other year, grades 9–10
- Becoming Catholic (OCIA/RCIA): adults preparing for Baptism at the Easter Vigil
- Parish School on site
- Early Learning Center: infants through 1st grade
Outreach: Ozanam Center & Food Pantry
In the tradition of St. Vincent de Paul, the parish serves its neighbors through the Ozanam Center and Food Pantry. Outreach is identified as one of the parish's three main calls alongside worship and faith formation, sharing the love of Christ with those in need in the greater Doylestown area.
- Ozanam Center outreach
- Food Pantry for neighbors in need
- Welcoming newcomers as part of parish mission
Getting Involved
Sts. Peter & Paul encourages parishioners to share their gifts through a variety of parish ministries — from altar serving and prayer groups to serving in the school and food pantry. The staff invites anyone with questions or who wants to get involved to reach out to the parish office.
- Altar servers
- Prayer groups
- School and Early Learning Center volunteering
- Ozanam Center / Food Pantry volunteering
- Faith Formation catechists
Visit & Contact
The parish office is located at 161 West Clinton St., Doylestown, OH 44230, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visitors are warmly welcomed to attend any Mass, pray in the historic 1877 church, and meet the staff. The parish belongs to the Summit County – South deanery of the Diocese of Cleveland.
- Address: 161 West Clinton St., Doylestown, OH 44230-1297
- Phone: (330) 658-2145
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Diocese of Cleveland, Summit County – South deanery
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis Marshall1827 (founding pastor)
Traveled on horseback from St. John's in Canton to celebrate Mass in the Whitman family log cabin.
- Fr. Robert Steinc. 2007–2021
Served as pastor for 14 years; died Aug. 3, 2021.
- Fr. Peter Morris2021/2023
Served as administrator from Nov. 2021; installed as pastor by Bishop Edward Malesic on May 14, 2023 (Mother's Day).
- Fr. David McCarthy
Now Pastor Emeritus, still listed with the parish.