St. Anne

St. Anne Parish — Honoring a Sacred Legacy

St. Anne Church at 139 S First Street in Rittman has long been a cherished worship site within the Sts. Peter & Paul Parish family of Doylestown, Ohio. Parish leadership describes it as 'a place of peace and reverence, where families can celebrate life's most meaningful moments,' and acknowledges that 'generations have gathered to pray, celebrate, and encounter God's presence' within its walls.

Important Update on Masses at St. Anne

According to an official notice on stsppc.org, beginning September 1, 2025, regularly scheduled Masses are no longer held at St. Anne Church. The building, however, remains available for the celebration of baptisms, weddings, and funerals as needed, with scheduling handled through the Parish Office. The parish expressed deep gratitude for 'the many years of prayer, worship, and community that have taken place within these walls.'

• Regular weekly Masses ended September 1, 2025
• Baptisms, weddings, and funerals still available by appointment
• Contact the Parish Office to schedule

History & Connection to Sts. Peter & Paul Parish

St. Anne grew up as a mission church of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish in Doylestown, the oldest continuously operating parish in the Diocese of Cleveland. That parish traces its roots to 1827, when eight Catholic families began gathering for Mass in the Whitman family log cabin, with the first pastor, Fr. Francis Marshall, riding in from Canton. Sts. Peter & Paul's current church was completed in 1877, with the first Mass offered Christmas Day 1878. The combined parish family today numbers around 900 households.

• Parent parish founded 1827 in Doylestown
• First pastor: Fr. Francis Marshall
• First church 1836; second 1849; current church completed 1877
• First Mass in current church: Christmas Day 1878
• Oldest continuously operating parish in the Diocese of Cleveland

Parish Staff (Shared with Sts. Peter & Paul)

The parish staff listed on stsppc.org serves both Sts. Peter & Paul in Doylestown and St. Anne in Rittman, providing continuity of faith formation, music, business, and school leadership across the family.

• Kimberly Turner – Business Manager
• Nancy Johns – Parish Secretary
• Mary Ferraioulo – Music Director
• Alison Ruther – Principal/Director (school)
• Christina Roberts – Administrative Assistant

Sacraments at St. Anne

Even though weekly Masses have ended, the church building continues to host the Sacraments that mark the milestones of a Catholic life. Families should contact the Parish Office to arrange baptisms, weddings, and funerals at St. Anne. Other sacraments, including First Communion, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick, are coordinated through the Sts. Peter & Paul Parish offices.

• Baptism
• Marriage
• Funerals
• First Communion & Confirmation (through parish office)
• Anointing of the Sick (through parish office)

St. Anne Cemetery

St. Anne Cemetery, located on State Route 604 in Rittman, has long served the faith community of St. Anne Church. In 2023, stewardship of the cemetery was entrusted to the Catholic Cemeteries Association, ensuring continued care and reverence for the sacred space. Burial records, pre-need planning, burial requisitions, and service requests are handled through Holy Cross Cemetery.

• Location: State Rte 604, Rittman, OH 44270
• Stewardship transferred to Catholic Cemeteries Association in 2023
• Records and assistance: Holy Cross Cemetery

Ministries & Outreach

As part of the Sts. Peter & Paul Parish family, St. Anne members participate in a wide range of ministries. The parish operates an Early Learning Center and faith formation programs for children and adults, and serves neighbors in need through the Ozanam Center and Food Pantry, sharing the love of Christ with the wider Wayne County community.

• Early Learning Center
• Faith formation for children and adults
• Ozanam Center
• Food Pantry
• Music Ministry (Mary Ferraioulo, Music Director)