About St. Augustine · Germantown, Ohio
St. Augustine Catholic Church is a small but tightly-knit rural parish serving the farming communities of Germantown, Farmersville, New Lebanon and surrounding area in Montgomery County, Ohio. Founded in 1941, it belongs to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and is now part of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes (Northeast Deanery Family 8), clustered with St. Benedict the Moor, Our Lady of Grace and Queen of Martyrs in Dayton. The parish is staffed by the Spiritans (Congregation of the Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost Fathers) under pastor Father Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp., and describes itself as 'a family… one mass, one mission, one goal to serve God and help others.'
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- St. Augustine
- Rector
- Rev. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Holy Spirit Family of Parishes — Northeast Deanery Family 8)
Why belong here
St. Augustine offers the intimacy of a small rural parish where new members are 'immediately adopted by this faith community.' It runs a full catechetical program for children (G.A.P. — God Awareness Program, preschool through 8th grade), adult faith formation, RCIA, a Prayer Chain, St. Vincent de Paul outreach to Germantown/Farmersville/New Lebanon, a Bereavement Committee, and active liturgical ministries for lectors, Eucharistic ministers, servers, ushers, sacristans, choirs and cantors. As part of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes, parishioners also share in the wider life of four Dayton-area parishes led by the Spiritans.
Mass times at St. Augustine
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — please schedule with the priest (call 937-855-2289)
Adoration times
- Thursday 7:00 PM
About St. Augustine Parish
St. Augustine describes itself as 'a small, yet strong parish in the farming communities of Germantown, Farmersville, New Lebanon and surrounding area.' Its self-stated mission is to be 'an intimate family of faith, welcoming to all, seeking to serve God in our community, as we live our Catholic tradition through education, celebration of the liturgy, and deepening our personal relationship with Christ.' The parish vision, shared with the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes, is: 'We, the members of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes, will foster discipleship by making the Eucharist the center of our lives as we form, live, and share our faith.'
- Rectory: 6891 Weaver Road, Germantown, OH 45327
- Church: 6939 Weaver Road, Germantown, OH 45327
- Phone: (937) 855-2289 · Fax: (937) 855-2281
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tuesday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM; Thursday 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Holy Spirit Family Home Office: (937) 268-6697 · [email protected]
History of St. Augustine
St. Augustine was born out of missionary outreach to rural Montgomery County in 1940–41 and grew steadily through the post-war decades. Its first church was a colonial-designed white frame building on South Cherry Street; sixteen Catholic families attended the first Mass on July 6, 1941. By 1955 the parish had 94 families, and in December 1955 it purchased 10.2 acres on Weaver Road as the site of a new church. Construction began January 1962; Bishop Leibold blessed the cornerstone that July, and Archbishop Alter dedicated the new church on September 8, 1963. In 2005 the parish came under Spiritan pastoral care, and in 2015 it joined Region One of the Dayton Deanery, later becoming part of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes under the Archdiocese's Beacons of Light initiative.
- 1940 — Fr. Francis S. Smith selects and purchases land for a parish in Germantown.
- June 1941 — Colonial-designed white frame church completed on S. Cherry Street.
- July 6, 1941 — First Mass offered by Rev. Francis S. Smith.
- 1942–1945 — Fr. John Reichert (pastor of St. Mary's, Camden) serves as Administrator; St. Monica Altar Society, Holy Name Society and CCD (Sisters of Charity) founded.
- December 1955 — 10.2 acres purchased on Weaver Road.
- January 1962 — Construction begins on the new church.
- July 1, 1962 — Bishop Leibold blesses the cornerstone.
- September 8, 1963 — Archbishop Alter dedicates the new church on Weaver Road; last Mass held at the Cherry Street church earlier that day.
- 1970 — Current rectory on Weaver Road purchased; the 'sharing a priest' arrangement from Camden ends.
- 2005 — Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp. (Holy Ghost Father, then pastor of St. Benedict the Moor) also assigned as pastor of St. Augustine.
- 2015 — St. Augustine becomes part of Region One of the Dayton Deanery with St. Benedict the Moor and St. Mary's, Dayton.
- July 1, 2022 — Holy Spirit Family of Parishes formally implemented under Beacons of Light.
Parish Leadership & Clergy
St. Augustine is served by the Spiritans (Congregation of the Holy Spirit, C.S.Sp.). Father Francis Tandoh has been pastor since 2005 and also serves as pastor of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes; Father Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp., serves as Parochial Vicar. Together with the other parishes of the Holy Spirit Family (Queen of Martyrs, Our Lady of Grace, St. Benedict the Moor), they form the NE-8 grouping of the Northeast Deanery.
- Rev. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp. — Pastor ([email protected]; 937-268-6697 x1002)
- Rev. Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp. — Parochial Vicar ([email protected]; 937-972-3079)
- Rectory phone: (937) 855-2289
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation is arranged through the rectory. Catholics preparing for surgery or facing serious illness are encouraged to call for the Anointing of the Sick. Adults seeking initiation into the Church participate in RCIA.
- Baptism — by appointment (937-855-2289)
- Marriage — by appointment (937-855-2289 or 937-268-6697)
- Anointing of the Sick — call the rectory to schedule
- RCIA — for adults seeking full initiation; call (937) 268-6697
Ministries & Organizations
St. Augustine's ministries span the liturgy, faith formation, hospitality, music, outreach and parish upkeep. The parish encourages members to step into one or more of these roles — the office notes that 'involvement in the parish only increases your blessings of friendship, support, and love.'
- Servers / Acolytes — assist the priest at the altar (adults and children who have received First Communion).
- Eucharistic Ministers — distribute the Precious Body and Blood, and bring weekly Communion to the homebound.
- Lectors — proclaim the Word and read the petitions and parish announcements at Mass.
- Music Ministry — children's choir, adult choir, volunteer cantors, and pianist.
- Ushers — official hosts of the liturgies; greet, take up the collection, assist with the elevator and seating.
- Sacristans — prepare the altar and offertory gifts, secure the sanctuary.
- Art & Environment — seasonal decoration of the worship space (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time).
- Ground Maintenance — keeps the church and grounds to standard.
- RCIA — formation for prospective adult converts.
- Prayer Chain — prayer support for specific intentions; new 'pray-ers' always welcome.
- G.A.P. (God Awareness Program) — religious education for preschool through grade 8, including preparation for sacraments.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — serves those in need in Germantown, Farmersville and New Lebanon.
- Adult Faith Formation — meets twice a month for Bible study, discussion and religious film.
- Bereavement Committee — assists with funeral liturgy planning, prayer services, and gathering meals.
- Homily Review Tea — meets monthly to assist the deacon with homily preparation.
Faith Formation — G.A.P. (God Awareness Program)
The God Awareness Program is the parish's religious education program for children from preschool through 8th grade. Through G.A.P., children learn about the Catholic Church, its teachings, and receive the appropriate sacraments at each stage.
Outreach — St. Vincent de Paul
The St. Augustine Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is part of the international Catholic organization of lay men and women joined in spiritual growth through service to those in need. The parish's SVdP conference serves the Germantown, Farmersville and New Lebanon areas.
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Augustine is supported by a children's choir, an adult choir, volunteer cantors, and a pianist. Ushers, lectors, servers, sacristans and Eucharistic ministers work together to ensure liturgies are welcoming and well-ordered.
- Children's choir
- Adult choir
- Volunteer cantors
- Pianist
Holy Spirit Family of Parishes
Since 2022, St. Augustine has been part of the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes (Northeast Deanery Family 8, NE-8) under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light initiative. The family is led by the Spiritans and brings together four parishes.
- St. Augustine — Germantown (Sun 8:30 AM)
- St. Benedict the Moor — Dayton (Sat 4:00 PM; Sun 10:30 AM)
- Queen of Martyrs — Dayton (Sun 11:00 AM)
- Our Lady of Grace — Dayton
- Family website: https://catholicaoc.org/beacons-of-light/parish-families
- Family pastor: Fr. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp.
- Family parochial vicar: Fr. Benoit Mukamba, C.S.Sp.
- Family home office: 519 Liscum, Dayton · (937) 268-6697 · [email protected]
Parish Life & Events
Beyond the weekly schedule, the parish publishes a regular bulletin (weekly deadline: Monday 4:00 PM) and hosts parish-wide gatherings such as the Holy Spirit Family Together Mass, a Parish Family Picnic, the May 'Mary Walk' procession to the Grotto, and seasonal devotional initiatives such as '33 Days to Eucharistic Glory.' Online giving is available through WeShare.
- Weekly bulletin (deadline: Monday 4:00 PM; submit to [email protected] or call 937-855-2289)
- Parish Family Picnic
- Holy Spirit Family Together Mass (held at St. Augustine on selected weekends)
- Mary Walk — Saturday in May, 8:30 AM from St. Augustine
- Eucharistic Consecration program (e.g. '33 Days to Eucharistic Glory')
- Online giving: https://catholicsmart.weshareonline.org
Registration & Getting Involved
Anyone interested in joining St. Augustine Parish can complete a registration form (available on the website, at the rectory, or from an usher) and mail it to 6891 Weaver Road, Germantown, OH 45327-9378, or call (937) 855-2289. A separate Holy Spirit Family Registration Form is also available so that parishioners can register with the wider family of parishes.
Visiting & Directions
The parish is at 6939 Weaver Road (church) / 6891 Weaver Road (rectory), Germantown, Ohio 45327, in the Village of Germantown, Montgomery County. The parish describes the approach as 'a scenic drive in the country… to a quiet spot for scripture, study and prayer.' An elevator is available for accessibility, with ushers assisting those who need it.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Francis S. Smith1940–c.1942
Selected and purchased land for the parish; offered the first Mass on July 6, 1941.
- Rev. John Reichert1942–c.1970
Pastor of St. Mary's Camden; served as Administrator of St. Augustine from Camden until the Weaver Road rectory was purchased in 1970. Founded the St. Monica Altar Society, Holy Name Society and CCD taught by the Sisters of Charity.
- Rev. Francis Tandoh, C.S.Sp.2005–present
Holy Ghost Father (Spiritans); assigned as pastor in 2005 while continuing as pastor of St. Benedict the Moor. Currently leads the Holy Spirit Family of Parishes.