About St. Anthony of Padua · Akron, Ohio
St. Anthony of Padua is a Roman Catholic parish in Akron, Ohio, located in the city's historic North Hill neighborhood at the corner of Main and York. Established in 1933 as an Italian Nationality Parish, it is part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and serves a vibrant, multi-generational community with a parish school, religious education program, and a striking marble church built during the Great Depression. The parish is currently shepherded by its fifth pastor, Fr. Dismas Byarugaba, AJ, who was installed by Bishop Edward Malesic on November 3, 2025.
- Established
- 1933
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Dismas Byarugaba, AJ (Apostles of Jesus)
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Anthony of Padua offers a richly traditional Catholic life in the heart of Akron's North Hill, with a beautiful marble church, an active K-8 parish school, a Parish School of Religion (PSR) program, and a strong sacramental schedule including daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, Eucharistic Adoration on the second Wednesday of each month, and a homebound Visitation Ministry. A small, family-sized parish with deep Italian roots, it welcomes parishioners of every background to grow in faith through its lector and Eucharistic minister programs, altar serving, music ministry, and outreach — and it has been chosen to participate in the Jubilee Year of St. Francis, connecting it to the wider Franciscan family.
Mass times at St. Anthony of Padua
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 4:50 PM – 5:25 PM
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:40 PM
- Or by appointment — call the Rectory at 330-762-7277
Adoration times
- 2nd Wednesday of each month: Adoration begins at 4:00 PM; Rosary prayed at 4:30 PM, followed by Benediction
Parish History
St. Anthony of Padua was established in 1933 as an Italian Nationality Parish in the heart of Akron's North Hill neighborhood. Founding pastor Rev. Salvatore Marino, educated at The Catholic University at Palermo and in Rome, was appointed in 1931 and spent seven Depression years building the church with builder Mr. Sam De Maio. The parish church was dedicated and its altar consecrated on November 17, 1940 by Bishop James A. McFadden. Four pastors have preceded the current shepherd, and a fifth, Fr. Dismas Byarugaba, AJ, was installed by Bishop Edward Malesic on November 3, 2025. The parish school was added in 1954, a convent for the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1958, and the Community Center/gymnasium in 1990.
- Established 1933 in North Hill, Akron
- Church dedicated November 17, 1940 by Bishop James A. McFadden
- School built 1954; convent for the Religious Teachers Filippini built 1958
- Community Center / gymnasium completed June 13, 1990 — paid in full the day it opened
Architecture of the Church
The interior of St. Anthony of Padua Church, with the exception of the roof and the ceilings of the sacristies and vestibule, is entirely of marble. Fifteen to twenty different kinds of marble — including Cremona, Spanish, Portuguese, French, African, Rosa, Verona, Sienna, Pavenaccio and Botticino — are combined with colored glass to form many different mosaics throughout the sanctuary. Father Marino's European cathedral-inspired vision, executed by builder Sam De Maio, produced a Depression-era landmark of devotional craftsmanship.
- Marble varieties: Cremona, Spanish, Portuguese, French, African, Rosa, Verona, Sienna, Pavenaccio, Botticino
- Marble and colored glass mosaics throughout
- Designed from European cathedral inspirations; built over seven Depression years
Our Pastor and Staff
St. Anthony of Padua is currently shepherded by its fifth pastor, Rev. Dismas Byarugaba, AJ, a member of the Apostles of Jesus religious congregation. He was installed on November 3, 2025 (the feast of St. Martin de Porres) by Bishop Edward Malesic. Fr. Dismas also serves as pastor of Visitation of Mary and St. John the Baptist parishes in Akron. Deacon Bob Stegmaier assists with liturgy at the parish. Day-to-day operations are led by Parish Office Manager Mrs. Lisa Sarafian, with Mrs. Kathleen Wolf as principal of St. Anthony of Padua School and Mrs. Terri Bullock as Director of Religious Education.
- Pastor: Fr. Dismas Byarugaba, AJ (Apostles of Jesus)
- Deacon: Bob Stegmaier
- Parish Office Manager: Mrs. Lisa Sarafian
- School Principal: Mrs. Kathleen Wolf
- Director of Religious Education: Mrs. Terri Bullock
Pastor History (Pastoral Succession)
St. Anthony of Padua has had five pastors since its founding. Rev. Salvatore Marino (founder) was followed by Rev. Angelo J. Trivisonno (raised to Monsignor in 1960), then Rev. James V. Ragnoni, then Rev. Edward Burba, and now Rev. Dismas Byarugaba, AJ, installed November 3, 2025 by Bishop Edward Malesic.
- Rev. Salvatore Marino — 1931/1933 – 1943 (founder; died Nov 11, 1943)
- Rev. Angelo J. Trivisonno — 1943 – May 28, 1974 (Monsignor 1960)
- Rev. James V. Ragnoni — 1974 – October 2013
- Rev. Edward Burba — October 2013 – March 23, 2025
- Rev. Dismas Byarugaba, AJ — installed November 3, 2025
Parish Ministries
Parishioners are invited to serve in liturgical and pastoral ministries. Training is provided for liturgical roles through the parish and the Diocese of Cleveland. The Visitation Ministry takes the Eucharist to homebound parishioners on the 4th Wednesday afternoon of each month, traveling in teams of two or three.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Diocesan training required)
- Readers / Lectors of Sacred Scripture (training required)
- Visitation Ministry — 4th Wednesday afternoon, 3:30 PM (homebound Holy Communion)
- Altar Servers (3rd grade and up, including adults)
- Music Ministry — Cantors and Singers
Religious Education — PSR and Confirmation
The Blessed Trinity and Saint Anthony Parish School of Religion (PSR) program helps parents with the religious education of their children in grades 1 through 8, meeting most Sunday mornings from 9:20 to 10:20 AM in the parish school, with periodic Family Mass & Class Sundays that begin with 8:30 AM Mass followed by a light breakfast and class until 11:00 AM. Confirmation preparation is a two-year process beginning in 7th grade, with the sacrament typically celebrated in the Spring of 8th grade. High-school students and adults who have not been confirmed are warmly welcomed.
- PSR — grades 1–8, Sundays 9:20–10:20 AM in St. Anthony School
- Confirmation — two-year preparation beginning 7th grade; sacrament in 8th grade
- First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion preparation
- Contact: Terri Bullock, 330-376-5144 ext. 226
St. Anthony of Padua School
The parish school offers a full curriculum that includes music, art, computer technology, math enrichment, and physical education. Tuition is kept at a minimum to help parents provide a quality education for their children. Although the parish is still predominantly Italian, the student population consists of children from all races and ethnic backgrounds. Following a 2010 reconfiguration with North Akron Catholic School and the subsequent restoration of 7th and 8th grades in 2014–2015, the school once again serves grades K-8. The Community Center, completed in 1990, houses the gymnasium, art room, library, and computer lab.
- Grades K-8
- Curriculum includes music, art, computer technology, math enrichment, physical education
- Community Center houses gymnasium, art room, library and computer lab
- Restored to K-8 in 2014-2015 after reconfiguration with North Akron Catholic School
Sacraments
St. Anthony of Padua celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Baptisms are celebrated on the last Sunday of each month; couples preparing for Matrimony follow the Diocesan six-month preparation policy and must notify the priest before any arrangements are made; First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are prepared through PSR or the parish school; Confirmation is received during 8th grade after a two-year preparation. Confession is heard weekly and by appointment.
- Baptism — last Sunday of each month
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — through PSR or parish school
- Confirmation — two-year prep beginning 7th grade; celebrated in Spring of 8th grade
- Matrimony — six-month Diocesan preparation
- Confession — Monday and Saturday (see Reconciliation)
- Anointing of the Sick — by request through the Rectory
Jubilee Year of St. Francis
St. Anthony's has been chosen to participate in the Jubilee Year of St. Francis. A special message from the pastor, Fr. Dismas, explains how parishioners and friends can visit St. Anthony's and take part in the Jubilee Year pilgrimage — a connection that ties the parish to the wider Franciscan family of Catholic devotion.
- Parish chosen to participate in the Jubilee Year of St. Francis
- Pilgrimage opportunity led by the pastor
Contact and Visit
The parish rectory is located at 83 Mosser Place, Akron, Ohio 44310, in the North Hill neighborhood at the corner of Main and York. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The parish phone is (330) 762-7277; the fax is (330) 762-2229. Email may be directed to the rectory at [email protected] or to the pastor at [email protected].
- Mailing Address: St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish, 83 Mosser Place, Akron, Ohio 44310
- Phone: (330) 762-7277 | Fax: (330) 762-2229
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Salvatore Marino1931/1933 – November 11, 1943
Founding pastor. Educated at The Catholic University at Palermo and in Rome. Built the church with builder Sam De Maio over seven Depression years. Died at age 59; church mortgage paid off shortly after his death.
- Rev. Angelo J. Trivisonno1943 – May 28, 1974
Appointed by Archbishop Edward F. Hoban. Elevated to Monsignor on March 10, 1960. Built the parish school in 1954 and a convent for the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1958. Retired after 30 years as pastor.
- Rev. James V. Ragnoni1974 – October 2013
Had earlier served as Associate Pastor at St. Anthony's from 1960 to 1965. Paid off the school mortgage. Spearheaded the Community Center/gym, paid in full on June 13, 1990, the day it was completed. Died August 1, 2016.
- Rev. Edward BurbaOctober 2013 – March 23, 2025
Joined the parish staff in July 2010. Became the fourth pastor upon Father Jim's retirement. Died at age 75.
- Rev. Dismas Byarugaba, AJInstalled November 3, 2025
Fifth pastor; installed by Bishop Edward Malesic. Member of the Apostles of Jesus religious congregation. Also serves as pastor of Visitation of Mary and St. John the Baptist parishes in Akron.