St. Columbkille

History & Heritage

Catholic life in the Wilmington area began in 1852, when Irish immigrant farmers petitioned a Xenia priest to come and say Mass in their homes. About two years later, Father John O'Donoghue began riding in on horseback from his base in Morrow, and in 1866 he convinced Cincinnati Bishop John Baptist Purcell to formally establish the parish. The first church was built and paid for within four years; the larger present church was begun in 1916 and finished in the early 1920s. The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary on June 26, 2016, with Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, and many of today's parishioners can trace their roots directly back to the seven founding Irish families.

• 1852 — first Mass in private homes (11 people from 7 families)
• c. 1854 — Father John O'Donoghue begins horseback visits from Morrow
• 1866 — parish formally established; ground broken June 9 on the feast of St. Columbkille
• 1916 — groundbreaking for the current church; paid off in the early 1920s
• 2016 — 150th anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop Schnurr

Clergy & Staff

St. Columbkille is pastored as part of the Holy Saints of God Family of Parishes (SE-1) by Rev. Thomas M. Mannebach, appointed November 15, 2024. He succeeded Father Bernard Weldishofer and Father Michael Holloran in this role. Heidi Schaap serves the parish as a certified Natural Family Planning (NFP) Ambassador, helping couples learn Church teaching on fertility and find instructors and methods.

• Rev. Thomas M. Mannebach — Pastor (2024–present)
• Rev. Bernard Weldishofer — former pastor, SE-1 Family
• Rev. Michael Holloran — former pastor (150th-anniversary era)
• Heidi Schaap — Parish NFP Ambassador

Parish Mission Statement

Adopted on June 1, 1998, the parish mission statement reads: 'Saint Columbkille Parish is an extension of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati; a "people called together" by Jesus to be His flesh and blood representatives; to be like Him as a priest (to worship), as a prophet (to teach) and as a king (to serve).'

Parish Ministries & Organizations

St. Columbkille's parish life is anchored by long-standing lay organizations such as the Knights of Columbus (with an active council dating back to at least the late 1940s, hosting an annual Oktoberfest) and the Ladies of the Sacred Heart Sodality. The parish also supports faith formation for children, a youth ministry program, Vacation Bible School, liturgical ministers (schedules published online), and a parish livestream ministry.

• Knights of Columbus Council (Oktoberfest fundraiser)
• Ladies of the Sacred Heart Sodality
• Faith Formation / Religious Education
• Youth Ministry
• Vacation Bible School (VBS)
• Liturgical Ministers
• Parish Livestream (9 AM Sunday Mass)
• Flocknote parish communication

Marriage & Family Life

Couples preparing for marriage at St. Columbkille must begin preparation with the priest or deacon at least six months before the proposed wedding date, in accord with Archdiocesan guidelines; no date is set until the initial meeting. Parishioner Heidi Schaap serves as a certified Parish NFP Ambassador, offering presentations and one-on-one guidance to help couples learn the Church's teaching on Natural Family Planning.

• Begin marriage prep with Fr. Tom at least 6 months before the wedding
• Contact: 937-382-2236
• NFP Ambassador: Heidi Schaap — [email protected]

Holy Saints of God Family of Parishes

St. Columbkille is partnered with St. Augustine Parish in Waynesville and the Holy Name Chapel mission in Blanchester under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's 'Beacons of Light' family-of-parishes model. The cluster (designated SE-1, 'Holy Saints of God') shares clergy, sacramental schedules, and faith-formation resources across Clinton and northern Warren counties.

• St. Columbkille — Wilmington (parish church, 73 N. Mulberry St.)
• St. Augustine — Waynesville (5715 Lytle Rd.)
• Holy Name Chapel — Blanchester (mission)
• Shared pastor: Rev. Thomas M. Mannebach

Visiting & Contact

The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The church is located at 73 N. Mulberry Street in downtown Wilmington, and visitors are warmly welcomed at any Mass, Communion Service, or period of Adoration. The 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed for the homebound and those traveling.

• Address: 73 N Mulberry St, Wilmington, OH 45177
• Phone: (937) 382-2236
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM – 3 PM
• Website: https://stcolumbkille.org/