About St. Anthony · Dayton, Ohio
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a historic parish in the East Dayton neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio, founded in September 1913 in the months after the devastating Great Flood of 1913 to serve Catholic families who had migrated to higher ground east of downtown. Now part of the Bread of Life Family of Parishes (NE-7) in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati since July 1, 2022, it is led by Pastor Father Satish Joseph along with Parochial Vicars Fr. Len Wenke and Fr. Jose Benitez. The parish is best known for its 1954 Gothic-revival church designed by Cincinnati architect Edward J. Schulte, a 28-by-45-foot interior mural by the Zimmermans and von Steins, and a century-long legacy of Catholic education, including the K-8 school founded in 1915 (which closed at the end of the 2023-2024 school year). The parish continues to celebrate Mass, the sacraments, Eucharistic Adoration, RCIA, and a robust network of lay ministries from its Bowen Street campus in the Walnut Hills / East Dayton area.
- Established
- 1913
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Father Satish (A.) Joseph
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua is a welcoming, century-old East Dayton parish with deep Catholic roots, a beautiful Gothic-revival church, and a tight-knit Eucharistic and social-justice life. Visitors and parishioners can plug into daily and Sunday Mass, Saturday confessions, monthly and Lenten Eucharistic Adoration, a long-running RCIA program, lay liturgical ministries (sacristans, lectors, EMHCs, altar servers, ushers, choir), bereavement ministry, the parish St. Vincent de Paul conference, and the Bread of Life Family of Parishes Social Justice Committee — all under a single pastor serving five linked parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. As one of the founding parishes of Dayton's hilltop Catholic east side, it remains a place where sacramental worship, faith formation, and outreach to the neighborhood still sit at the center.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 – 4:00 PM
Adoration times
- First Saturday of each month, 9:30 – 10:30 AM (in the church)
- Every Saturday during Lent, 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Parish Identity & Heritage
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the East Dayton neighborhood of Dayton, Ohio, in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The parish was founded in September 1913 by Archbishop Henry Moeller of Cincinnati and is named for St. Anthony of Padua, the Franciscan Doctor of the Church whose feast day is June 13 — the very date on which the present church's first Mass was celebrated in 1954. The parish's patron, founding pastor, and 100-plus-year arc of growth through flood, depression, war, and demographic change are central to its identity.
- Patron: St. Anthony of Padua
- Feast Day: June 13
- Archdiocese: Cincinnati
- Family of Parishes: Bread of Life (NE-7) — St. Anthony, Holy Angels, Immaculate Conception, St. Helen, St. Mary
- Parish tagline: 'A Catholic community of believers on a common journey toward holiness who worship together and work together to bring Christ to others in love and service.'
History
The parish was born of the Great Flood of 1913 and grew into one of East Dayton's anchor Catholic communities. From the wood-frame church of 1913 to the auditorium-church of the 1920s to the present Gothic-revival church of 1954, St. Anthony's story is told through floods, depressions, wars, division (1938 — Immaculate Conception), and pastoral change. The full narrative, including the founding vision of Monsignor Francis J. Kuenle and the procession of pastors who followed him, is preserved in the parish's official history page and the centennial booklet 'Saint Anthony of Padua, Dayton, Ohio: Celebrating 100 Years, 1913-2013,' archived at the University of Dayton's eCommons.
- September 1, 1913 — Archbishop Moeller approves the new parish and appoints Rev. Francis J. Kuenle as founding pastor
- September 15, 1913 — Archbishop Moeller announces St. Anthony of Padua as patron
- September 21, 1913 — First parish services (7:30 AM Low Mass; 9:30 AM High Mass and Benediction)
- December 21, 1913 — First Mass in the original wood-frame church (architect W. L. Jaekle), celebrated by Rev. Herman Rechtin in the presence of Archbishop Moeller
- 1914–1915 — Parsonage built on Bowen Street; school cornerstone laid April 1914 (Rev. William Hickey, Dean); Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, IN arrive September 13, 1914
- 1915 — Parish school opens in September with eight classrooms
- 1924 — Twelve more classrooms added to the school; auditorium-church built seating ~700
- 1938 — Parish divides; Immaculate Conception (Smithville Road) created; auditorium redecorated for worship
- March 10, 1952 — Ground broken for the present church, designed by Edward J. Schulte (Cincinnati)
- December 7, 1952 — Cornerstone laid
- June 13, 1954 — First Mass in the new church on Monsignor Kuenle's Golden Jubilee
- December 25, 1954 — Midnight Mass begins regular services in the new church
- May 8, 1955 — Church formally dedicated
- May 1959 — Death of Monsignor Kuenle; Kuenle Hall named in his honor
- 1982 — Comprehensive Child Care Center opens
- 1990 — Parish RCIA program begins under Fr. Jansen
- 1993 — Sisters of St. Francis end their continuous presence at St. Anthony
- 2008 — Fr. Chris Coleman begins pastorate; major renovations follow
- October 10, 2023 — Archdiocese announces closure of St. Anthony of Padua School at end of 2023-2024 school year
- July 1, 2022 — Beacons of Light 'Bread of Life' Family of Parishes (NE-7) formed
Architecture & Campus
The present church is a Gothic-revival building designed by Cincinnati church-architecture specialist Edward J. Schulte and constructed between 1952 and 1954 at a cost of about $1.2 million. Its most striking interior feature is a 28-by-45-foot mural painted by Carl and Carolyn Zimmerman of Loveland, Ohio, and Bill and Carolyn von Stein of Covington, Kentucky. The parish campus comprises four main buildings: the church, the school (now closed), the former convent (which houses the YMCA Early Learning Center, a branch of St. Luke Credit Union, and the parish offices at 1322 Brown Street), and Kuenle Hall — the 1920s auditorium that served as the parish church for three decades and is now restored as a gymnasium and parish hall, named for founding pastor Monsignor Kuenle.
- Church architect: Edward J. Schulte (Cincinnati)
- Architectural style: Gothic revival
- Mural artists: Carl and Carolyn Zimmerman (Loveland, OH); Bill and Carolyn von Stein (Covington, KY)
- Mural dimensions: 28 × 45 feet
- Kuenle Hall: 1920s auditorium-church, now gymnasium / parish hall, seating ~700
- St. Luke Credit Union: branch on parish grounds since the early 1990s
- St. Anthony of Padua School: founded 1915; building now 108+ years old; closed end of 2023-2024 school year
Parish Ministries
St. Anthony's parish ministries span liturgical service, formation, music, hospitality, and outreach. The Music Ministry (parish choir and instrumentalists, led by Amy Gray) is central to Sunday and feast-day liturgy. Lay liturgical roles include Sacristans, Altar Servers (children begin in 5th grade; adults of any age welcome), Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Ushers/Greeters. Bereavement Ministers walk families through funeral-liturgy planning during the week. RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults) has been a parish ministry since 1990, directed today by Will Marsh. Outreach includes the parish St. Vincent de Paul Conference and the Bread of Life Family of Parishes Social Justice Committee, which meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception's RCIA room.
- Liturgical: Sacristans, Altar Servers, Lectors, EMHC, Ushers/Greeters, Bereavement Ministers
- Music Ministry — St. Anthony Choir (Amy Gray, [email protected])
- RCIA — Becoming Catholic (Will Marsh, 937-252-9919)
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- Bread of Life Family of Parishes Social Justice Committee ([email protected])
- Parish Council
Parish School (1915 – 2024)
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School opened in September 1915, two years after the parish itself, with eight classrooms staffed from the beginning by the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana. Over the decades it grew to be one of Dayton's largest and most respected Catholic schools, expanding to twelve additional classrooms in 1924 and peaking at over 200 students in K-8 under longtime principal Sr. Angele Timmers (1968–1993). After the retirement of the founding religious order in 1993, the school continued under lay principals and teachers. A 2023 Facility Conditions Assessment priced necessary mechanical, structural, and boiler-room repairs at close to $13 million for the 108-year-old building, and on October 10, 2023 the Archdiocese of Cincinnati accepted the recommendation of Fr. Satish Joseph, the parish council, and the finance committee to close the school at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. The three other Catholic schools in the NE-7 Family of Parishes, and surrounding Catholic schools, were asked to give priority acceptance to St. Anthony students.
- Founded: September 1915
- Original staff: Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, Indiana (arrived September 13, 1914)
- Longtime principal: Sr. Angele Timmers (1968–1993)
- Address: 1824 Saint Charles Avenue, Dayton, OH 45410
- Phone (historical): 937-253-6251
- Enrollment at closure: ~156 students K-8, 14 paid teachers/staff
- Closure announced: October 10, 2023; final year 2023-2024
- Cause: aging mechanical systems and unsound underground boiler-room structure — repair estimate ~$13 million
Bread of Life Family of Parishes (NE-7)
On July 1, 2022, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light initiative grouped St. Anthony of Padua into the Bread of Life Family of Parishes (Northeast Deanery, Family 7) together with Holy Angels (Dayton), Immaculate Conception (Dayton), St. Helen (Dayton), and St. Mary (Dayton). The five parishes share one pastor, Fr. Satish A. Joseph, who celebrated his first Mass at St. Anthony on Sunday, July 3, 2022. The arrangement is the archdiocese's response to the priest shortage and pools clergy and resources across the five parishes while keeping each parish's identity, Mass schedule, and sacramental life intact.
- Initiative: Archdiocese of Cincinnati 'Beacons of Light'
- Effective date: July 1, 2022
- Family pastor: Fr. Satish A. Joseph
- Parochial vicars serving the family: Fr. Uriel Santos, Fr. Len Wenke, Fr. Jose Benitez
- Member parishes: St. Anthony, Holy Angels, Immaculate Conception, St. Helen, St. Mary
- Deanery: Northeast (Family 7)
Staff & Contacts
Parish staff serve the parish from the office at 1322 Brown Street, with parish office business hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Sacramental emergencies are handled by an after-hours line at 937-272-4898. Lay staff include the parish accountant, administrative assistant, liturgy and music director, RCIA director, communications coordinator for Bread of Life / Pan de Vida, and SafeParish / sacramental records coordinator.
- Pastor: Fr. Satish Joseph — [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Len Wenke — [email protected]
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Jose Benitez — [email protected]
- Liturgy & Music: Amy Gray — [email protected]
- RCIA / Becoming Catholic: Will Marsh — [email protected] / 937-252-9919
- SafeParish & Sacramental Records: Laurie Chappars — [email protected]
- Accountant: Denise Young — [email protected]
- Administrative Assistant: Sue Jenkins — [email protected]
- Bread of Life / Pan de Vida Communications: Sr. Emily Sandoval — [email protected]
- Parish phone: 937-253-9132
- Sacramental emergencies: 937-272-4898
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles Kemper1913
Pastor of nearby St. Mary Church; first advocate for the new parish east of Dayton after the 1913 flood. Died December 27, 1913, six days after the first Mass in the original church.
- Rev. Francis J. KuenleSeptember 1913 – May 1959
Founding pastor; arrived September 4, 1913 from Sacred Heart, McCartyville. Built the original 1913 church, the 1915 school, the 1920s auditorium-church (later Kuenle Hall), and the present Gothic-revival church dedicated in 1955. Elevated to Monsignor. Died May 1959, shortly after the new church was finished; his Golden Jubilee of priesthood (June 13, 1954) coincided with the new church's first Mass.
- Rev. Raymond BackusJune 22, 1959 – June 16, 1968
Second pastor; organized the Parish Council in 1966; retired after nine years.
- Rev. Robert (Monsignor) KrumholtzJuly 1968 – June 1978 (retired 1977)
Third pastor; former long-time Rector of St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati. Celebrated his own Golden Jubilee at St. Anthony on June 4, 1982, and remained close to the parish in retirement.
- Rev. Louis HohlmayerJuly 1978 – June 1990
Fourth pastor; Springfield native and former pastor of St. Augustine, Cincinnati. Oversaw organization of the Child Care Center in 1982 and, with Sr. Angele Timmers, helped St. Anthony School become one of Dayton's largest and most respected Catholic schools.
- Rev. Herman JansenJuly 1990 – March 16, 1993
Fifth pastor; came from St. Luke, Beavercreek. Started the parish's own RCIA program. Died unexpectedly in March 1993; remembered for his gentle spirit, keen wit, and a beagle named Luke.
- Rev. Thomas M. ShearerMay 1993 – June 2003
Sixth pastor; first came as interim during Father Jansen's funeral period; modernized the parish data systems and moved St. Anthony into being a 'technology-friendly parish.'
- Rev. Jeffrey FulmerJuly 2003 – February 2008
Seventh pastor; at his appointment the youngest pastor in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Renovated the staff offices and began exploring pastoral-region planning in response to the impending priest shortage.
- Rev. Chris ColemanJuly 1, 2008 – 2022
Eighth pastor; expanded membership, renovated and extended childcare/daycare to infants and toddlers, installed new curbs, sidewalks, church steps, sound system, HVAC, plaster, wainscoting, paint, and renovated school bathrooms; implemented the new Roman Missal; grew the St. Vincent de Paul ministry.
- Rev. Fr. Greg Konermanbetween Coleman and Joseph (listed as pastor on some Mass-time directories)
Listed as pastor on third-party Mass-time aggregators and older welcome-page references during the transition into the Beacons of Light reorganization.
- Rev. Satish A. JosephJuly 1, 2022 – present
Ninth pastor (since the Beacons of Light reorganization); pastor of the Bread of Life Family of Parishes (NE-7), which since July 1, 2022 groups St. Anthony with Holy Angels, Immaculate Conception, St. Helen, and St. Mary. Recommended the closure of St. Anthony of Padua School at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.