About St. Ann · Chesapeake, Ohio
St. Ann Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Steubenville serving Chesapeake, Ohio, and the surrounding Lawrence County community from its home at 310 Third Avenue. Founded in 1949, the parish has grown from a small log-cabin mission into a thriving Catholic community that, together with St. Joseph (Ironton), St. Lawrence O'Toole (Ironton), and St. Mary of the Annunciation (Ironton), forms the Lawrence County Catholic Community. Today the parish is served by Fr. Wayne Morris and offers weekend and daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, a Parish School of Religion, RCIA, Adult Religious Education, Bible Study, and a long tradition of lay organizations such as the Catholic Woman's Club.
- Established
- 1949
- Patron
- St. Ann (Saint Anne)
- Rector
- Father Wayne Morris
- Diocese
- Diocese of Steubenville
Why belong here
St. Ann offers the fullness of Catholic parish life in a close-knit community: daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration twice weekly, First Friday devotions, Bible Study, RCIA for adults seeking full communion, and a Parish School of Religion for children preschool through 12th grade. As one of four parishes in the Lawrence County Catholic Community, St. Ann gives parishioners the warmth of a small-town church with the strength of a larger Catholic family.
Mass times at St. Ann
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 45 minutes before Sunday Masses (approximately 8:45 AM Sunday)
- Wednesdays at 5:30 PM (before 6:30 PM Mass)
- Any time by request
Adoration times
- Wednesdays 5:15–6:15 PM
- Fridays 8:45–9:45 AM
- First Fridays 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (extended First Friday Adoration)
History of St. Ann Parish
St. Ann Parish in Chesapeake, Ohio, traces its origin to early 1949, when Bishop John King Mussio sent Father Maurice Smith to survey the area for a new parish. The parish was officially established on March 22, 1949, and Father Donald Nuss became its first administrator. The first church, built on the rear of property purchased from the Kellerman family, was ready for occupancy in April 1950. Early Masses of the fledgling community were celebrated in a small log cabin — a humble origin that has become part of parish lore. Over the following decades, a succession of pastors built, expanded, and renovated the parish. Highlights include the Catholic Woman's Club (founded 1955 by Father Harold Goschke), the first Mortgage Burning Ceremony under Father William Cornelius in the early 1960s, a major remodel by Father Francis X. McCarthy in 1964, the construction of a new and larger church facing Third Avenue under Father Terrance Travis (ground-breaking 1976, first Mass August 1977, dedicated by Bishop Mussio), extensive sanctuary renovations under Father James Dunfee, the appointment of Father Thomas Graven as the parish's first full-time pastor in 1978, the 1983 expansion and dedication by Bishop Albert H. Ottenweller, and the 1990s and 2000s improvements under Fathers Thomas R. Nau, James M. Bryant, and Charles Moran. Father Wayne Morris was assigned pastor in 2022. The full account was written by parish historian Norma Jones.
- Parish established: March 22, 1949
- First church ready: April 1950
- New church: first Mass August 1977, dedicated by Bishop Mussio
- Parish hall/rectory expansion dedicated by Bishop Ottenweller: December 3, 1983
- Historian: Norma Jones
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Ann's Faith Formation page describes three formal programs: the Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children preschool through 12th grade, Adult Religious Education (ARE) for those over 18, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for non-Catholic adults seeking to enter the Church. PSR and ARE meet Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 11:00 AM in the parish hall, with PSR students participating in liturgies, service projects, and a year-end Super CCD Sunday picnic.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR): preschool–12th grade, Sundays 9:45–11:00 AM
- Adult Religious Education (ARE): Sundays 9:45–11:00 AM
- RCIA for adults seeking full communion; Sacraments conferred at Easter Vigil
- Diocesan celebration in Marietta, Ohio, with the Bishop presiding for RCIA candidates
RCIA — Becoming Catholic
Non-Catholic adults who wish to become Catholic are encouraged to attend St. Ann's RCIA program. In a relaxed atmosphere, the pastor, RCIA teachers, and guest speakers lead informational sessions on the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. A diocesan celebration in Marietta, Ohio, with the Bishop presiding is held for those entering full communion; the Sacraments of Initiation are conferred at the Easter Vigil Mass.
Bible Study
St. Ann hosts Bible Study on Monday evenings at 6 PM and Tuesday afternoons at 1 PM. The group meets throughout the summer as well, and all are welcome. The parish advertises the sessions on its home page and bulletin as a way for adults to deepen their knowledge of Scripture in community.
- Mondays at 6 PM
- Tuesdays at 1 PM
- Open to all; meets through the summer
Devotions & Other Services
Alongside Mass and the sacraments, St. Ann maintains a devotional rhythm rooted in Catholic tradition: the Rosary is prayed before Saturday Mass (4:30 PM) and on Wednesday evenings, with a special Rosary and May Crowning at the parish Shrine in May and a monthly Rosary at the Fatima Shrine running May through October at 7 PM. First Friday Adoration is observed with extended exposition. Bible Study meets twice weekly and the parish publishes a regular bulletin through the Lawrence County Catholic Community.
- Saturday Rosary: 4:30 PM
- Wednesday evening prayer and rosary
- Rosary and May Crowning at the Shrine — May, 7 PM
- Monthly Fatima Shrine Rosary — May–October, 7 PM
- First Friday Adoration (extended)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Lay involvement has shaped St. Ann since the 1950s. The Catholic Woman's Club, founded in 1955 by Father Harold Goschke, remains a cornerstone organization of the parish. Other ministries include the Parish School of Religion, Adult Religious Education, RCIA, the Knights of Columbus (which meets at the parish hall), Bible Study groups, the Parish Council, and fellowship gatherings such as the Chesapeake Lunch & Learn and the annual Charity Fair.
- Catholic Woman's Club (since 1955)
- Knights of Columbus
- Parish Council
- PSR / ARE / RCIA teams
- Bible Study groups
- Chesapeake Lunch & Learn
- Charity Fair (annual)
Sacraments
The Contact page of St. Ann summarizes sacramental preparation: Baptisms are arranged by calling the rectory; weddings require at least six months' advance notice, again by contacting the rectory; and confessions are heard 45 minutes before weekend Masses (and at other times by request). First Communion, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick are coordinated through the parish and diocesan catechetical programs.
- Baptism: Call the rectory
- Marriage: 6 months advance notice; call the rectory
- Confession: 45 minutes before Sunday Masses and by request
- RCIA: Sacraments conferred at Easter Vigil
Lawrence County Catholic Community
St. Ann is one of four Catholic parishes that make up the Lawrence County Catholic Community, along with St. Joseph (Ironton), St. Lawrence O'Toole (Ironton), and St. Mary of the Annunciation (Ironton). The community is served by a single pastoral team led by Fr. Wayne Morris, with Fr. Peter Afoenyem serving as Parochial Vicar. A community-wide bulletin, website (lawcocatholic.org), YouTube livestream, and shared office staff support the four parishes.
- Fr. Wayne Morris, Pastor
- Fr. Peter Afoenyem, Parochial Vicar
- Office: PO Box 499, Ironton, OH 45638 — 740-532-0712
- Catechetical Leader: Jane Rudmann
- Livestream: youtube.com/@lawcocatholic
- Website: lawcocatholic.org
Visiting & Contact
St. Ann's rectory is at 310 Third Avenue, Chesapeake, OH 45619, with telephone (740) 867-4434. The pastor can be reached by email at [email protected]. Weekend Masses are livestreamed via the Lawrence County Catholic Community YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person. The parish home page links to a New Parishioner Booklet, a Volunteer Form, and a Rental Agreement for use of parish facilities.
- Address: 310 Third Avenue, Chesapeake, OH 45619
- Phone: (740) 867-4434
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stannchurch.weebly.com
- Community site: lawcocatholic.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/StAnnChurch740
- Livestream: youtube.com/@lawcocatholic
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Donald Nuss1949–
First administrator of the newly established parish; initiated plans to build the first church and rectory on property purchased from the Kellerman family; first church ready April 1950.
- Father Harold Goschke
Founded the Catholic Woman's Club in 1955.
- Father William Corneliusearly 1960s
Led the first Mortgage Burning Ceremony and established a building fund.
- Father Francis X. McCarthy1964
Carried out an extensive remodeling of the church and rectory.
- Father Terrance Travis1974–
Accelerated plans for a new, larger church at the front of the property facing Third Avenue.
- Father James Dunfee
Brief tenure; led extensive sanctuary renovations including lowering the floor, new tile, ramp, relocated tabernacle, refurbished pews, and lighting upgrades.
- Father Thomas GravenSeptember 1978–
St. Ann's first full-time pastor; oversaw 1983 expansion of parish hall and rectory.
- Father Thomas R. Nau1991–
Succeeded Father Graven; made extensive updates to the sound system and lighting.
- Father James M. Bryant1996–
Purchased the lot next to the church and paved the rear lot.
- Father Charles Moran
Long-serving pastor known for gentle strength and compassionate spirituality; introduced Wednesday evening prayer and rosary and First Friday Adoration.
- Father Wayne Morris2022–
Currently serves as pastor of St. Ann and the other parishes and mission of Lawrence County.