About St. Agnes - Our Lady of Fatima · Cleveland, Ohio
St. Agnes – Our Lady of Fatima is a Roman Catholic parish in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood, formed in 1980 by the merger of two historic congregations — St. Agnes (est. 1893) and Our Lady of Fatima (est. 1949). The parish is the second church in the Diocese of Cleveland built specifically to serve African American Catholics, and its 1983 church building was deliberately designed to reflect 'an environment that is authentically Black and truly Catholic.' Today it operates as a visioning, diverse community embracing Africentric worship, Christ-centered hospitality, and missionary service, with Sunday Mass at 8:30 and 10:30 AM at 6800 Lexington Avenue and a robust partnership with Catholic Charities' Fatima Family Center next door.
- Established
- 1893 (St. Agnes); 1949 (Our Lady of Fatima); merged 1980
- Patron
- St. Agnes and Our Lady of Fatima
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Dressler, OFM Cap.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Agnes – Our Lady of Fatima is a diverse, Africentric Catholic community grounded in worship, hospitality, and missionary service. The parish sustains a wide web of ministries — Marriage, Music, Holy Communion to the homebound, Altar Servers, Lectors, Greeters, Men's, Women's, and Young Adult groups, and a Sunday Rosary gathering — alongside the parish-driven Wisdom Council of elders. Its next-door Fatima Family Center partnership with Catholic Charities offers summer camp, senior programming, and a weekly Tuesday hot meal, making the parish a true neighborhood hub in Hough.
Mass times at St. Agnes - Our Lady of Fatima
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only
- Communal Penance Services celebrated in collaboration with neighboring parishes and visiting priests during Advent and Lent
Parish History & Heritage
St. Agnes – Our Lady of Fatima was created in March 1980 by the Diocese of Cleveland through the merger of two long-standing Hough parishes: St. Agnes (established April 29, 1893 by Bishop Ignatius F. Horstmann) and Our Lady of Fatima (established November 27, 1949 by Bishop Edward F. Hoban). Both names were retained. The current church complex at 6800 Lexington Avenue was dedicated April 16, 1983 by Bishop Anthony M. Pilla and Auxiliary Bishop James P. Lyke, OFM, and was built as the second church in the diocese designed to serve African American Catholics. Its architecture and worship are described by the parish as 'authentically Black and truly Catholic.'
- St. Agnes founded 1893, first pastor Rev. Gilbert P. Jennings
- Our Lady of Fatima founded 1949, first pastor Rev. Raymond T. Smith
- Merger took place at the Lexington Avenue site in 1980
- Current church dedicated April 16, 1983
- Old Our Lady of Fatima church became Schubert Hall
- In 2018, the parish marked the 125th anniversary of St. Agnes's founding
Religious Communities & Pastoral Succession
From 1958 (Our Lady of Fatima) and 1962 (St. Agnes) through 2004, the parish was under the pastoral care of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (ST), a Silver Spring, Maryland–based community of priests and brothers founded by Father Thomas Judge with extensive pastoral experience among Hispanic and African American Catholics. In August 2004 Bishop Pilla invited the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Augustine (Pittsburgh) to assume care of the parish, beginning with Rev. Robert Marva, OFM Cap. The current pastor, Rev. Paul Dressler, OFM Cap., was announced by the Diocese in September 2024.
- Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (1958–2004)
- Capuchin Franciscan Friars, Province of St. Augustine (2004–present)
- Rev. Randall Woods, ST — led post-merger building of the 1983 church
- Rev. Michael Barth, ST — 1990s growth, Wisdom Council, Fatima Family Center
- Rev. Robert Marva, OFM Cap. — welcomed first deacon, Hardin Martin, in 2010
- Rev. Paul Dressler, OFM Cap. — current pastor (since 2024)
The Hough Neighborhood & Community Roots
The parish's story is inseparable from the Hough neighborhood. Originally home to German, Irish, and Eastern European Catholic immigrants, by the 1950s–60s Hough had become predominantly African American, and Our Lady of Fatima shifted to serving a growing Puerto Rican community as well. The 1966 Hough Riot devastated the area, and Sr. Henrietta Gorris, CSA, worked at Our Lady of Fatima to help the community recover. Father Albert Koklowsky founded HOPE (Housing Our People Economically) to rehabilitate neighborhood housing. The parish sits directly across from historic League Park.
- Sisters of St. Joseph staffed the original St. Agnes school from 1894
- Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine opened a mission at Our Lady of Fatima in 1965
- First parish school opened 1894; St. Agnes High School for girls opened 1911
- Parish school closed 1973; 1917 church razed November 24, 1975
Mass, Sacraments & Devotions
Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM, with a 7:00 PM Mass on Holy Days. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered by appointment, with communal Penance Services celebrated in collaboration with neighboring parishes during Advent and Lent. The Anointing of the Sick is available by appointment or in emergencies. A parish Rosary Group prays the Rosary every Sunday at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary before the 10:30 Mass.
- Sunday Mass: 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM
- Holy Day Mass: 7:00 PM
- Reconciliation: by appointment; communal Penance Services in Advent and Lent
- Anointing of the Sick: by appointment / emergency
- Rosary Group: Sundays at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary
- Bible Study: Mondays 7:00–8:30 PM
- Hot Meal: Tuesdays 5:00–6:30 PM
Faith Formation
Religious Education at the parish is directed by Cary Dabney, who also coordinates the Holy Communion (Eucharistic Minister) ministry. The parish historically maintained a close liaison with St. Thomas School, reflecting its ongoing commitment to Catholic education for neighborhood youth.
- Director of Religious Education: Cary Dabney ([email protected])
- Eucharistic Minister training offered in spring and fall (Diocesan + local)
- Historical partnership with St. Thomas School
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of high-school age and older serve the liturgy in a variety of roles. The Music Ministry, led by Director of Music Danny McElroy, provides musical leadership at Mass and represents the parish at Diocesan and community events; the choir rehearses weekly on Tuesdays. The parish website invites volunteers for every liturgical role, with training provided throughout the year.
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (youth and adult)
- Commentators
- Greeters
- Ushers
- Counters (weekly Sunday collections)
- Music Ministry / Choir — weekly Tuesday practice; Director Danny McElroy
Parish Life & Groups
Beyond liturgy, the parish sustains a vibrant lay community through groups that gather on Sundays around and after Mass. The Marriage Ministry supports couples in peer ministry; the Men's and Women's Groups sponsor events and service; the Young Adult Group gathers the next generation; and the parish Wisdom Council honors the long-time, respected elders — 'an integral part of African culture and heritage,' as the parish describes it.
- Marriage Ministry — 3rd Sundays after 10:30 Mass, Augustine Room (Rhonda Cross Mangham, 216-956-1145)
- Men's Group — 1st & 3rd Sundays after 10:30 Mass (Ron Myles, 216-240-3709)
- Women's Group — 4th Sundays after 10:30 Mass (Carol Grant)
- Young Adult Group
- Rosary Group — Sundays 10:00 AM (ChiChi Okani, [email protected])
- Wisdom Council — elder recognition
Fatima Family Center & Outreach
In June 2000, in partnership with Catholic Charities, the parish opened the 26,000 sq. ft. Fatima Family Center next door to the church. The center serves children with a summer day-camp and after-school programs, and serves adults and seniors with book clubs, technology courses, exercise, line dancing, art classes, and 'Wandering Wednesday' outings — a Catholic Charities site that remains a vital Hough neighborhood hub.
- Opened June 2000, 26,000 sq. ft.
- Summer day-camp for school-aged children (scholarships available)
- After-school programs
- Senior programming: book club, exercise, line dancing, art, technology courses
- Operated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Cleveland
Parish Staff
The parish is staffed by Capuchin Franciscan and lay ministers. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (closed Friday–Sunday).
- Pastor — Rev. Paul Dressler, OFM Cap. ([email protected])
- Deacon — Hardin Martin
- Director of Religious Education — Cary Dabney ([email protected], ext. 14)
- Director of Music Ministry — Danny McElroy
- Business Manager — Devra Konjura
- Parish Secretary / Event Coordinator — Brittany Taylor ([email protected])
- Custodian — Reginald Daniels
Visiting & Contact
Newcomers are welcomed to register and schedule a tour through the Parish Office. The parish recommends the myParish app for weekly notifications, the event calendar, daily readings, and Mass-time reminders.
- Address: 6800 Lexington Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103
- Phone: (216) 391-1655
- Fax: (216) 391-7919
- Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- myParish app for notifications and calendar
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Gilbert P. Jennings1893–
First pastor of St. Agnes Parish
- Rev. Raymond T. Smith1949–
First pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Parish
- Rev. Randall Woods, ST1980–
First pastor of merged St. Agnes + Our Lady of Fatima; led building of the 1983 church
- Rev. Michael Barth, ST1990s–c.2004
Missionary Servant of the Most Holy Trinity; oversaw 1990s growth, Wisdom Council, Fatima Family Center
- Rev. Robert Marva, OFM Cap.2004–2024
First Capuchin Franciscan pastor; welcomed first deacon in 2010
- Rev. Paul Dressler, OFM Cap.2024–present
Current pastor; announced by Diocese September 2024