About St. Agatha · Upper Arlington, Ohio
St. Agatha Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Upper Arlington, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, founded in 1940 as the first church within the city's limits. It belongs to the Diocese of Columbus and serves a large and active community that includes St. Agatha School (PreK–8) and a wide range of liturgical, faith-formation, and outreach ministries. The parish is known for its 1964-dedicated modernist sanctuary with a 110-foot campanile, an extensive music program anchored by a 2/43 Bedient pipe organ, and a strong tradition of catechesis, including the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Weekly life centers on daily Mass, perpetual-style adoration periods, Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses, and an active St. Vincent de Paul conference.
- Established
- 1940
- Patron
- St. Agatha of Sicily
- Rector
- Rev. Mark Summers
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
St. Agatha is one of the largest and longest-established parishes in Upper Arlington, with deep roots in the community since 1940 and a thriving parish school that has educated generations of local children. The parish offers a full week of Masses plus weekday adoration periods, an active music program led by an adult choir and a substantial Bedient pipe organ, and an unusually wide ministry ecosystem — from OCIA and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, to St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity, Walking with Purpose, That Man is You, Knights of Columbus, and Daughters of Isabella. Families looking for an established, school-centered parish with both traditional devotions (perpetual-style adoration, Sacred Heart devotion, rosary) and modern lay-led programming will find a strong home here.
Mass times at St. Agatha
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. (until all heard or celebrant must prepare for Mass)
- By appointment anytime (private celebration)
- Communal celebrations during Advent and Lent
Adoration times
- Wednesday Morning Adoration: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Thursday Evening Adoration: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Parish History
St. Agatha was established in 1940 by Bishop James J. Hartley of the Diocese of Columbus to serve the rapidly growing Upper Arlington community. The first Mass was celebrated December 1, 1940, in a church for 350 people with 70 charter families. Founded by Monsignor George J. Kennedy, the parish grew from 19 acres of swampland and forest into a thriving school-and-parish campus. A 1962 groundbreaking led to the dedication of the current sanctuary on March 15, 1964. A 1994 Parish Expansion Project added the Monsignor George Kennedy Parish Center and expanded the school.
- 1940: Parish founded; first Mass Dec. 1
- 1941: St. Agatha School opens with Sisters of Charity
- 1944: First 8th-grade class graduates
- 1948: Land annexed into Upper Arlington; first church inside city limits
- 1960: Sunday Mass attendance exceeds 2,400
- 1962 (May 27): Groundbreaking for current church
- 1964 (March 15): Current church dedicated
- 1968: Parish Council founded
- 1977: Delaware Organ Company pipe organ installed
- 1990s: $1.2M Parish Expansion Project
- 1994: Monsignor George Kennedy Parish Center dedicated
- 2010s–present: Sacred Heart devotion and Bedient organ installed
Architecture & Sacred Art
The 1964 church is a mid-century modern sanctuary dominated by a 110-foot campanile whose three bells are named Joseph, Mary, and Agatha. Inside, a Bedient 2-manual/43-rank pipe organ anchors an active music program, and a Sacred Heart statue with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque is the focus of the parish's annual consecration.
- Campanile: 110 ft tall; bells Joseph, Mary, Agatha
- Roof peak: 46 ft above floor
- Length: 147 ft (rear sanctuary to rear wall)
- Width: 50 ft (narrowest) to 84 ft (widest)
- Bedient pipe organ: 2 manuals, 43 ranks
- Sacred Heart statue with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Clergy & Parish Staff
St. Agatha is led by pastor Rev. Mark Summers, with Rev. Msgr. John G. Johnson in residence. The parish is served by Permanent Deacons Dennis Ross and Bryan Inderhees, and by Sr. Marie de Ravinel as Director of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Adult Faith Formation. Lay staff include the parish business administrator, office manager/bulletin editor, parish secretary, bookkeeper, director of religious education, facilities manager, and director of sacred music/organist Michael Vicario.
- Fr. Mark Summers — Pastor ([email protected])
- Msgr. John G. Johnson — In Residence
- Deacon Dennis Ross
- Deacon Bryan Inderhees
- Sr. Marie de Ravinel — Director of CGS & Adult Faith Formation
- Michael Vicario — Director of Sacred Music/Organist
Sacraments
St. Agatha prepares and celebrates all seven sacraments. The O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) program runs Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. beginning mid-September, with reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil. First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are typically prepared through St. Agatha School or the Parish School of Religion (PSR). Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons and by appointment; marriage, anointing of the sick, and baptism are scheduled through the parish office.
- Baptism
- Reconciliation (Saturday 4:00 p.m., by appointment, Advent/Lent communal)
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage / Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- O.C.I.A. (adult initiation) — Mondays 7:00 p.m.
- Holy Orders / Vocations discernment support
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Agatha spans cradle-to-adult programming. The Parish School of Religion (PSR), directed by Mary Ann Schirtzinger, prepares public-school students for sacraments. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) atrium, led by Sr. Marie de Ravinel, serves younger children in a Montessori-based approach. Adult formation includes Bible Study, O.C.I.A., Vacation Bible School, and seasonal offerings.
- St. Agatha School (PreK–8) — parish elementary school
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
- O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Bible Study / Adult Faith Formation
- Vacation Bible School
St. Agatha School
Founded in 1941 and originally staffed by the Sisters of Charity, St. Agatha School is a PreK–8 Catholic elementary school on the parish campus. The current building houses 15 classrooms, a cafeteria, library-media center, gymnasium, computer lab, two science rooms, an art room, and a child-care center. The school participates in EdChoice scholarship programs and offers FACTS Grant & Aid.
- Grades: PreK–8
- Original staff: Sisters of Charity (1941)
- Campus: 15 classrooms, library-media center, gym, computer lab, science rooms, art room, child care
- Tuition & EdChoice information published annually
- Athletics program referenced on parish website
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical music is led by Director of Sacred Music/Organist Michael Vicario and supported by the Adult Choir, which sings at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and at Christmas Eve, Holy Week, Easter, and Holy Day liturgies, with Thursday evening rehearsals. A network of liturgical ministers — lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, servers, and instrumentalists — supports the parish's Masses and devotional services.
- Adult Choir (rehearsals Thursdays 7:30 p.m.)
- Director of Sacred Music/Organist: Michael Vicario
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Instrumentalists
Parish Life, Outreach, and Service
St. Agatha maintains an unusually broad ecosystem of lay-led groups. The Parish Council, founded in 1968, advises the pastor. Service and fellowship organizations include the Knights of Columbus, Daughters of Isabella, That Man is You (men), Walking with Purpose (women), St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity, the Giving Tree Committee, and a Parish Craft Club. Healing and care ministries include a Prayer Line, Bereavement Luncheons, and Communion to the Homebound.
- Parish Council (advisory, est. 1968)
- Knights of Columbus
- Daughters of Isabella
- That Man is You (TMIY) — men's
- Walking with Purpose — women's
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Habitat for Humanity
- Giving Tree Committee
- Parish Craft Club
- Prayer Line Warriors
- Bereavement Luncheon ministry
- Communion to the Homebound
Devotions & Spiritual Life
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish offers scheduled Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings), annual consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (renewed on the Solemnity of Christ the King), a Mass of Remembrance on All Souls Day, and First Friday reconciliation with exposition. The Mass Intention Book for 2026 was open for living and deceased loved ones at a $10 stipend.
- Wednesday Morning Adoration (9:00–11:00 a.m.)
- Thursday Evening Adoration (7:00–8:00 p.m.)
- Sacred Heart Consecration (Nov. 23 / Christ the King)
- All Souls Day Mass of Remembrance (Nov. 2)
- First Friday Exposition & Reconciliation
- Mass Intentions: $10 stipend
Visiting & Contact
St. Agatha Parish is at 1860 Northam Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221. The rectory office can be reached at (614) 488-6149 or [email protected]. The parish website (st-agatha.org) is the central hub for the Mass schedule, the bulletin, ministry sign-ups, the parish calendar, and online giving. The school operates its own site at saintagathaschool.org with its own faculty/staff directory.
- Address: 1860 Northam Road, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
- Phone: (614) 488-6149
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish website: st-agatha.org
- School website: saintagathaschool.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor George J. Kennedy1940–c. 1978
Founding pastor; built parish on 19 acres of swampland/forest on Northam Road; established St. Agatha School (1941) staffed by the Sisters of Charity; oversaw 1962 groundbreaking and 1964 dedication of the current church; still pastor at the 1977 organ dedication; served 38 years; inducted into the Upper Arlington 'Wall of Honor' in 1998.
- Pastors between c. 1978 and present (succession not fully verified)
Diocese records show the parish continued with successive pastors through the 1990s Parish Expansion Project; full list of names and dates not confirmed from publicly available sources.
- Rev. Mark Summerscurrent (as of 2025)
Current pastor; led Sacred Heart consecration of the parish on Nov. 23, Solemnity of Christ the King; has promoted First Friday reconciliation and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
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