About St. Elizabeth Ann Seton · Columbia Station, Ohio
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is a Catholic parish located on Royalton Road in Columbia Station, Ohio (Lorain County), within the Diocese of Cleveland. Established in 1976 by Bishop James A. Hickey and named for the first native-born American saint, the parish serves the townships of Columbia Station and Eaton with weekend Masses on Saturday evening and twice on Sunday morning, plus a full weekday Mass schedule. The parish is celebrated for its beautiful grounds, pond, and outdoor prayer path with Stations of the Cross, and is currently marking its 50th anniversary year (1976–2026). Under pastor Father Ed Holland and Deacon Bob Sabol, SEAS continues its founding mission of welcoming the stranger, walking with the Lord, reaching out to others, developing spiritually, and celebrating as a family.
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Rector
- Fr. Edward T. Holland
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is a welcoming, family-sized Catholic community rooted in the small-town character of Columbia Station and shaped by the example of its patron, America's first native-born saint, who herself came to faith through the warm welcome of others. Parishioners are invited to walk with the Lord, reach out to others, develop spiritually, and celebrate together as family — through more than a dozen active ministries (Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, ushers, greeters, altar servers, the parish Rosary, RCIA, Bible study, men's and women's fellowship, and the SEAS Outreach Society). With a peaceful outdoor Stations of the Cross prayer path, daily and weekend Masses, Saturday confessions, a monthly Holy Hour, and a strong Homebound Ministry, SEAS offers genuine ways to belong, serve, and grow in faith at any stage of life.
Mass times at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Monday of the month: Holy Hour 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.
- Seasonal Eucharistic Holy Hours (e.g., Monday, May 4, 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. during Lent)
History of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
Founded on April 9, 1976 by Bishop James A. Hickey for the townships of Columbia Station and Eaton, the parish first gathered for Mass on the nation's Bicentennial — July 4, 1976 — at Columbia Middle School. After early years moving between the Town Hall and Bronson School, the parish dedicated its own worship center on September 16, 1979, added a pastoral residence in 1987–88, and grew into the welcoming Lorain County community it is today. The parish is now celebrating its 50th anniversary year with the founding pastor, Fr. David Liberatore, returning as homilist for the anniversary Mass on Sunday, July 5.
- Established April 9, 1976 by Bishop James A. Hickey (later Cardinal Hickey)
- First Mass: July 4, 1976 at Columbia Middle School
- Moved to Bronson School, October 1977
- Cornerstone laid December 17, 1978; building dedicated September 16, 1979
- Pastoral residence built by ~216 volunteers, completed July 1988
- 50th Anniversary Mass scheduled for July 5 (with dinner at Columbia Ballroom) and a Goodtime III cruise on August 3
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Edward (Ed) Holland, who joined on the Feast of the Assumption (August 15, 2018), and Deacon Robert G. (Bob) Sabol. Office operations are handled by Parish Secretary BJ Cogar, and worship is supported by Cantor Francisco (Fransisco) Saez.
- Fr. Edward T. Holland — Pastor
- Deacon Bob Sabol
- BJ Cogar — Parish Secretary
- Francisco Saez — Cantor
Devotions & Prayer Opportunities
Beyond Mass and confession, the parish cultivates a rich devotional life rooted in the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, Bible study, and small-group faith sharing — all open to parishioners and visitors.
- Parish Rosary — Wed & Fri 8:30 a.m.; Thu 11:30 a.m.
- Monthly First-Monday Holy Hour (12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.)
- Seasonal Eucharistic Holy Hours
- Wednesday Afternoon Adult Bible Study — 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Liturgical Ministries
SEAS relies on lay men and women to assist at every Mass. Sign-up sheets are in the church lobby for ushers, lectors, altar servers, and Eucharistic Ministers; training is provided.
- Ushers
- Lectors
- Senior Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Ministers (also Communion to the sick and homebound)
- Greeters
- Offertory Counters
- Choir / Cantor
Parish Life, Fellowship & Outreach
The parish family lives out its mission to walk with the Lord, reach out to others, develop spiritually, and celebrate together through parish councils, fellowship groups, and charitable outreach.
- Parish Pastoral Council — elected three-year terms, advisory to the pastor
- Finance Council — stewarding parish finances, budgets, and priorities
- SEAS Outreach Society (S.O.S.) — supports local families and individuals in financial difficulty, plus community and diocesan needs
- Men's Fellowship Group — 2nd & 4th Saturday, 8:00–9:00 a.m., Church Kitchen
- Women of SEAS Faith Sharing — 2nd & 4th Thursday, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- Volunteer Garden Committee — cares for and beautifies the grounds
Homebound Ministry
Parishioners who are homebound and unable to attend Mass can receive the Eucharist at home. Family members, neighbors, or friends are encouraged to contact the parish office to arrange a visit.
- Communion brought to the homebound by Extraordinary Ministers
- Contact: parish office at (440) 236-5095
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith formation at SEAS is recognized as a vital, lifelong dimension of Catholic life. For the 2024–2025 academic year the parish partners with several nearby parishes to provide PSR instruction for SEAS children, with sacramental preparation (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation) handled at the partner parish. First Communion families have the option to return to SEAS for their child's First Communion Mass. Adults preparing to enter the Church are welcomed through the RCIA (contact Fr. Ed Holland).
- St. John Neumann, Strongsville
- St. Joseph, Strongsville
- St. Mary of the Falls, Olmsted Falls
- St. Ambrose, Brunswick
- St. Mary, Berea
- Our Lady Queen of Peace, Grafton
- St. Martin of Tours, Valley City
- RCIA for adults — Fr. Ed Holland, (440) 236-5095
Our Patroness: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774–1821) was the first native-born American citizen to be canonized a saint (1975). Born in New York into a prominent Episcopalian family, she married William Seton; after his death in Italy in 1803, the Catholic Filicchi family welcomed her and introduced her to the faith. She eventually became Catholic despite social and financial rejection by her family, founded the Sisters of Charity, and opened a parish school in Emmitsburg, Maryland — widely regarded as the beginning of the American Catholic school system. She died on January 4, 1821, and is celebrated as wife, mother, teacher, convert, foundress, and community builder.
- Born 1774 in New York; canonized 1975
- First native-born American saint
- Foundress of the Sisters of Charity
- Opened America's first Catholic parish school, Emmitsburg, MD
- Died January 4, 1821 (her feast day)
50th Anniversary Celebration
Throughout 2025–2026, SEAS is celebrating its 50th anniversary, reflecting on its history and looking forward to the next half-century. The signature event is the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, July 5, with founding pastor Father David Liberatore as homilist, followed by a free dinner (cash bar) at the Columbia Ballroom. A chartered evening cruise aboard the Goodtime III on Lake Erie is set for Monday, August 3, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. A parish photo memorial page is also being compiled by Sara Springer.
- Anniversary Mass — Sunday, July 5, 11:00 a.m. (homilist: Fr. David Liberatore)
- Anniversary Dinner — Columbia Ballroom (free, reservations required via Francisco)
- Goodtime III Cruise — Monday, August 3, 7:00–9:30 p.m.
- 50th Anniversary Photo Memorial — submit photos to [email protected]
Grounds & Facilities
The parish campus sits on Royalton Road just west of Columbia Road and includes the 1979 worship center, the 1988 pastoral residence, and a Volunteer Garden Committee that tends the grounds. SEAS is described as 'blessed with beautiful grounds, a pond, and an outdoor prayer path with Stations of the Cross.'
- Outdoor prayer path with Stations of the Cross
- Pond and landscaped grounds
- Parish Center dedicated September 16, 1979
- Pastoral residence completed July 1988
Visit, Contact & Office Information
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; calls for parish business are typically returned the following Tuesday. Messages about Anointing of the Sick or funeral arrangements should be left on Father Ed Holland's extension. Annual contribution statements are mailed or held for pickup on request.
- Address: 25801 Royalton Road, Columbia Station, OH 44028
- Phone: (440) 236-5095
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Diocese: Diocese of Cleveland (Lorain County)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. David D. Liberatore1976–1982
Founding pastor. Celebrated the first Mass on July 4, 1976 at Columbia Middle School. Moved parish to Bronson School in 1977; oversaw construction and dedication of the parish center (cornerstone Dec. 17, 1978; dedicated Sept. 16, 1979). Transferred to St. John Bosco, Parma Heights, February 1982.
- Fr. Al Alexander1982–1992
Second pastor. Oversaw construction of the on-site pastoral residence with ~216 volunteers under Paul Brown, completed July 1988. Departed November 1992.
- Fr. Melchiorre Esperido1992–1993
Filipino priest temporarily assigned after Fr. Alexander's departure; anxious to return to the Philippines.
- Fr. Charles ('Chalie') Reba1993–2018
Assigned March 15, 1993. Served until his retirement in June 2018.
- Fr. Joe Mamich2018 (interim)
From St. Joseph and John; temporary administrator until a permanent pastor was named.
- Fr. Edward (Ed) Holland2018–present
Joined on August 15, 2018, the Feast of the Assumption; led the parish through COVID and is currently guiding the 50th anniversary year.