About St. Christopher · Rocky River, Ohio
St. Christopher Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Rocky River, Ohio, a western suburb of Cleveland on the south shore of Lake Erie. Founded in 1922 by Bishop Joseph Schrembs as one of four new Catholic parishes west of the Cuyahoga River, it was named for St. Christopher, patron saint of travelers and motorists — a fitting choice as the automobile age was transforming Rocky River from farmland into a busy suburb. Today the parish serves roughly 3,300 families and includes St. Christopher School (K–8) and a Parish School of Religion program, all part of the Diocese of Cleveland. Its mission is summarized as a Eucharistic community of faith dedicated to Welcome, Celebrate, Care, and Grow in the image and likeness of Jesus.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- St. Christopher, patron of travelers and motorists
- Rector
- Rev. John C. Chlebo
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Christopher is a large, active Eucharistic community of more than 3,300 families with a thriving Catholic grade school, a Parish School of Religion program for public-school children, and a deep bench of ministries for every age and stage — from CLOW for kids and J+Walkers youth ministry, to Walking With Purpose and Young Families for adults, to ministries of prayer, caring and social outreach (including Walking with Moms in Need and support for St. Colman – Church in the City in Cleveland). Add a 100-year history of blessing cars in honor of its patron, and it offers the spiritual life, formation and fellowship most families look for in a parish home.
Mass times at St. Christopher
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 4:00 pm in the Church
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Christopher Parish describes itself as a Eucharistic community of faith — more than 3,300 families strong — with a four-fold motto of Welcome, Celebrate, Care, and Grow in the image and likeness of Jesus. The parish is one of the larger and most active in the Diocese of Cleveland, serving Rocky River and the surrounding west-side suburbs.
- Eucharistic community of faith
- Welcome, Celebrate, Care, Grow
- Approximately 3,300 families
- Diocese of Cleveland
History
Founded in 1922 by Bishop Joseph Schrembs and Fr. Richard J. Patterson, St. Christopher grew from 40 families in Rocky River Town Hall to a community of more than 3,000 families over a century. The current Romanesque-style church was dedicated in 1954, the Parish Center opened in 2001, and the church interior was renovated in 2008; the parish marked its 100th anniversary with Bishop Malesic in May 2022.
- Founded May 14, 1922 in Rocky River Town Hall
- First Mass on Detroit Road site: Palm Sunday 1923
- Church dedicated Dec. 12, 1954 by Archbishop Hoban
- Parish Center opened summer 2001
- Church interior renovated 2008 (immersion font, Holy Family statue, prominent tabernacle, handicap-accessible sanctuary, stained glass)
- 100th anniversary Mass May 14, 2022 with Bishop Edward Malesic
Clergy & Staff
Fr. John C. Chlebo is pastor, supported by Parochial Vicar Fr. Joselito Clemen, Fr. Timothy M. Daw (in residence), and Deacon Michael Hayes. The lay staff includes DRE/Youth Minister Sharon Armstrong (a Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister who has been on staff since 2015 and assumed her current role in 2017), Music Ministry Director Mayumi Naramura, Pastoral Associate Logan Feldkamp (digital ministry, youth and young adults), Office Manager Colleen McKenna, and Pastoral Associate Marianne Brooks. Religious Education Office administrative assistant is Marilu Norena.
- Fr. John C. Chlebo — Pastor (1997–present)
- Fr. Joselito Clemen — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Timothy M. Daw — In Residence
- Deacon Michael Hayes
- Sharon Armstrong — DRE/Youth Minister
- Mayumi Naramura — Music Ministry Director
- Logan Feldkamp — Pastoral Associate
- Colleen McKenna — Office Manager
- Marianne Brooks — Pastoral Associate (stewardship liaison)
- Marilu Norena — Religious Education Office Administrative Assistant
Worship Schedule
Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 11:00 am. The weekend Mass schedule is Saturday Vigil at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 8:30 am, 10:00 am and 11:30 am. Reconciliation is heard Saturday at 4:00 pm in the Church. Sunday Mass and funeral livestreams are available on the parish website.
- Daily Mass: Mon–Fri 11:00 am
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 pm
- Sunday Masses: 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am
- Confession: Saturday 4:00 pm in the Church
- Livestream: Sunday Mass and funerals online
St. Christopher School
St. Christopher School is a Catholic grade school on the parish campus that opened in 1926 with grades 1–4 taught by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Today it enrolls about 350 students in a faith-rooted, academically rigorous program with state-certified teachers. The school is preparing to celebrate its own centennial during the 2026–2027 school year.
- Catholic K–8 school on parish campus
- Originally opened 1926 with Sisters of the Humility of Mary
- Approximately 350 students
- State-certified faculty
- Centennial celebration planned for 2026–2027 school year
Religious Education / PSR
St. Christopher's Religious Education Office (REO) supports the faith formation of parish children who attend public school. About 235 families take part in PSR each Sunday during the academic year (September–May), with a team of roughly 40 catechists and about 15 high-school student aides. Classes are offered at both the 8:30 am and 10:00 am Sunday sessions.
- PSR (Parish School of Religion) for K–8
- Two Sunday sessions: 8:30 am and 10:00 am
- About 235 families; ~40 catechists; ~15 student aides
- Middle-school program 'The Way' (grades 6–8) on Sundays or Tuesdays
- Confirmation preparation for 8th-graders (and adults by arrangement)
- DRE: Sharon Armstrong, Certified Lay Ecclesial Minister
Ministries & Parish Life
St. Christopher runs an unusually wide range of parish ministries — from liturgical and music ministries, to prayer and caring ministries, to a host of formation programs for kids, youth, young adults and families. The parish is also active in social outreach, with a Walking with Moms in Need program and an ongoing relationship with St. Colman – Church in the City in Cleveland.
- Liturgical Ministries & Music Ministry
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) at 10:00 am Sunday Mass
- J+Walkers Youth Ministry (for teens)
- Sacramental Preparation Ministry (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, RCIA/RCIC)
- Walking With Purpose (women's ministry)
- Young Families ministry
- Ladies Guild
- Ministries of Prayer and Ministries of Caring
- Social Outreach Committee
- Walking with Moms in Need
- St. Colman – Church in the City support
St. Christopher Shrine & Blessing of Vehicles
From its earliest years, St. Christopher Parish has been known for blessing cars, trucks and motorcycles in honor of its patron. Founding pastor Fr. Patterson began the tradition of blessing vehicles in front of the church with a relic of St. Christopher; the parish later built a St. Christopher Shrine that continues to draw visitors and auto enthusiasts.
- Annual blessing of cars, trucks and motorcycles with a relic of St. Christopher
- On-site St. Christopher Shrine
- Patron saint of travelers and motorists
Sacraments
The Sacramental Preparation Ministry and parish staff coordinate preparation for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage, with Reconciliation offered weekly. Adult sacramental preparation (RCIA / RCIC) and Confirmation for high-schoolers and adults are handled through Sharon Armstrong in the Religious Education Office.
- Baptism (immersion font in renovated church)
- Eucharist / First Communion
- Confirmation (8th grade; high school and adults by arrangement)
- Reconciliation (Saturdays 4:00 pm)
- Marriage (contact parish office)
- Anointing of the Sick / homebound visits
Facilities & Campus
The campus centers on the 1954 Romanesque church with its Perlato d'Italia marble altars and stone tower and belfry. A Parish Center added in 2001 contains a large multipurpose room with a stage, a full-service kitchen and four smaller meeting rooms; the school was expanded at the same time with a new library, computer lab, and offices for the school and PSR. A Gathering Area/Prayer Room adjoins the worship space and is used for Children's Liturgy of the Word on Sundays.
- Romanesque church (dedicated 1954) with stone tower/belfry
- Parish Center opened 2001 (multipurpose room, kitchen, four meeting rooms)
- School library, computer lab, PSR and school offices
- Gathering Area / Prayer Room
- Handicap-accessible sanctuary (renovated 2008)
Contact & Location
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed Saturday and Sunday). The parish shares its main phone number with the school and Religious Education Office; department extensions connect callers to staff such as Fr. Chlebo (x114), Sharon Armstrong (x402), Mayumi Naramura (x201) and Logan Feldkamp (x102).
- Address: 20141 Detroit Road, Rocky River, OH 44116
- Phone: (440) 331-4255
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Confession: Sat 4:00 pm in the Church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Richard J. Patterson1922–1947
Founding pastor; bishop's secretary who chose the parish name. Began the annual blessing of cars with a relic of St. Christopher. Served until his death in 1947.
- Fr. Edmund (Edmond) Ahern1952–1958
Second pastor. Commissioned plans for the new Romanesque church; cornerstone laid 1953; church dedicated Dec. 12, 1954. Served until his death in 1958.
- Msgr. Bernard Weigand1958–1973
Retired the parish mortgage, established a parish council, and expanded the rectory.
- Fr. Edward Prendergast1973–1997
Oversaw the 1981 completion of the parish community center and the 1991 conversion of the convent into classrooms and offices.
- Fr. John C. Chlebo1997–present
Fifth pastor; appointed July 1, 1997 by Bishop Pilla. Ordained in 1980. Earned a Doctor of Ministry from St. Mary Seminary in 2003; serves as Delegate for Senior Clergy in the Diocese of Cleveland.