About St. Agnes · Elyria, Ohio
St. Agnes Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Cleveland serving the west side of Elyria, Ohio. Founded in 1914 by Father James A. McFadden (later the first Bishop of Youngstown), the parish carries the mission of being 'gifted with the charism of hospitality' and reaching out in service to its neighborhood and world. Today, St. Agnes is part of a collaborative grouping with neighboring St. Mary Parish, sharing weekday Mass locations and clergy, and continues to provide worship, religious education and outreach to western Elyria from its church on Lake Avenue.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- St. Agnes
- Rector
- Charles T. Diedrick (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Agnes is a welcoming, long-standing Catholic community on the west side of Elyria with a clear mission of hospitality and outreach. Parishioners can attend a Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday Mass, gather for Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday morning ending in Benediction, and join in ministries such as STAMP (St. Agnes Mercy Program), the Table of Plenty food pantry, and Faith Formation. The parish partners with neighboring St. Mary to share weekday Masses and continues to serve western Elyria in the collaborative spirit of the Diocese of Cleveland.
Mass times at St. Agnes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Second Saturday of the Month
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., concluding with Benediction
History of Saint Agnes
Saint Agnes Parish was founded in 1914 to minister to the growing Catholic population on the west side of Elyria. Its founding pastor, Father James A. McFadden, was a Cleveland priest later raised to the episcopate as auxiliary bishop of Cleveland (1932) and first Bishop of Youngstown (1943). In August 2024 the parish marked its 110th anniversary with a celebration at Cascade Park. The parish website maintains a dedicated 'History of Saint Agnes' page along with a 'Pastor Bios and Pictures' page and a 'Pastor, Associate and Pastoral Minister List' documenting the succession of priests who have served the community.
- Parish founded 1914
- Founding pastor: Rev. James A. McFadden (later Bishop of Youngstown)
- 110th Anniversary celebrated August 2024 at Cascade Park
- Diocese of Cleveland parish serving western Elyria
Mission Statement
Saint Agnes Parish defines its identity by a clear mission: 'Gifted with the charism of hospitality and both challenged and guided by God's Word, we seek to be transformed into the image of Christ and thereby deepen the bonds of love among us as we reach out to our neighborhood and world in service of the Kingdom.' This mission frames everything from weekday liturgy to the food pantry and mercy outreach.
- Charism of hospitality
- Transformation into the image of Christ
- Outreach to neighborhood and world
Parish Office & Staff
The parish office is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The parish is currently served by an Administrator, Rev. Charles T. Diedrick, along with Rev. Bruce H. Tennant, both assigned to St. Agnes by the Diocese of Cleveland. The website lists a 'Pastor Bios and Pictures' page and a 'Pastor, Associate and Pastoral Minister List' for further detail on clergy and staff.
- Administrator: Rev. Charles T. Diedrick
- Rev. Bruce H. Tennant
- Office hours: Tue 9:30–2:00, Wed 9:30–2:00, Fri 9:30–12:30
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Saint Agnes maintains an active calendar of parish ministries. The STAMP (St. Agnes Mercy Program) coordinates mercy outreach, including filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, and operates a Stamp Card Ministry. The Table of Plenty Food Pantry distributes food to Elyria residents on scheduled dates at 611 Lake Avenue. The parish also calls Eucharistic Ministers (including those who bring Communion to the homebound), a Parish Council, and a Faith Formation / Catechetical Center, and it publishes a Fall Ministry Guide each year.
- STAMP — St. Agnes Mercy Program
- Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry
- Table of Plenty Food Pantry (Elyria residents)
- Eucharistic Ministers to the homebound
- Parish Council
- Faith Formation / Catechetical Center
Support for Immigrants & Refugees
Reflecting its mission to reach out to the neighborhood and world, St. Agnes maintains a visible ministry of support for immigrants and refugees. Among the current needs listed on the parish website is laundry detergent for refugee families served by the parish.
- Help for Immigrants & Refugees
- Current need: laundry detergent
Online Giving & Parish Communications
Parishioners can support St. Agnes through We Share online giving, and the parish keeps the community informed through announcements, a Fall Ministry Guide, posted Parish Council minutes, and occasional parish-wide mailings such as 'The Bells of St. Mary' newsletter.
- Online giving via We Share
- 2023 Fall Ministry Guide
- Parish Council Minutes posted online
- Parish newsletter and announcements
Location & Visiting
Saint Agnes is located at 611 Lake Avenue in Elyria, Ohio (Lorain County), in the 44035 ZIP code. From I-90/Route 2, drivers exit south onto Route 57, then west onto Route 113, and turn left onto Lake Avenue; the church is one mile ahead on the left. The parish phone number is (440) 322-5622, with a fax line at (440) 322-0231, and email contact is [email protected].
- 611 Lake Ave., Elyria, OH 44035-3541
- Phone (440) 322-5622 | Fax (440) 322-0231
- Email: [email protected]
- Directions from I-90/Route 2 via Route 57 and Route 113
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James A. McFadden1914-1917
Founding pastor of St. Agnes in Elyria. Later became auxiliary bishop of Cleveland (1932) and first Bishop of Youngstown (1943).