About St. Francis de Sales · Akron, Ohio
St. Francis de Sales Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Cleveland, serving the Portage Lakes area in southern Summit County near Akron, Ohio. Established in 1948 and drawing inspiration from its patron's maxim — 'Be who you are and be that well' — the parish operates a parish school (founded 1949/1950), an active PSR program, daily and weekend Masses, perpetual adoration, and a wide range of service and liturgical ministries. Today the parish registers roughly 1,850 families and is led by Fr. Jeremy D. Merzweiler as pastor with Fr. David M. Verbsky serving as parochial vicar.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales
- Rector
- Fr. Jeremy D. Merzweiler
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales is a vibrant, family-oriented Catholic community that combines a Christ-centered parish school and a PSR program with a packed liturgical life — daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil and three Sunday Masses, perpetual adoration, Night Prayer and Benediction on Sunday evenings, Stations of the Cross in Lent, and weekly confession times. With roughly 1,850 registered families, the parish offers a broad slate of ministries of service and liturgical ministries for every age, plus faith formation for children, youth, young adults, and adults (including RCIA). Its Salesian spirituality — 'Be who you are and be that well' — is woven through both the school and the parish's welcome to newcomers.
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 9:00–9:45 a.m.
- Thursdays, 5:30–6:15 p.m.
- By appointment — call the parish office at (330) 644-2225
Adoration times
- Mondays, 7:00–8:00 a.m.
- Mondays, 6:00–10:00 p.m.
- Tuesdays through Fridays, 7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (breaking for Masses)
About St. Francis de Sales Parish
St. Francis de Sales Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Cleveland serving the Portage Lakes area in southern Summit County, near Akron, Ohio. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and can be reached at (330) 644-2225 or [email protected]. The parish grounds sit at 4019 Manchester Road, Akron, OH 44319. The parish is led by Pastor Fr. Jeremy D. Merzweiler and Parochial Vicar Fr. David M. Verbsky, with deacons Richard Butz and Ray Herrick assisting.
- Diocese: Cleveland
- Established: 1948
- Pastor: Fr. Jeremy D. Merzweiler
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. David M. Verbsky
- Deacons: Richard Butz, Ray Herrick
- Registered families: ~1,850
- Patron's motto: 'Be who you are and be that well.'
Parish History
St. Francis de Sales was established in 1948 when Bishop Edward Hoban appointed Fr. Francis Diederich, then of St. Paul's in Akron, as founding pastor of a new parish covering about 42 square miles in the Portage Lakes area. A Parish Council was elected on July 18, 1948 and the Holy Name Society organized the following August; the first Masses were celebrated on June 13, 1948 in the Portage Lakes High School auditorium. The Manchester Road site — eight acres with a house and outbuildings — was purchased for $17,500 from Mr. and Mrs. John Horvath, and the house was converted into a rectory. The first building served as both church and school; that original structure still stands, with classrooms now occupying what was once the church floor and the former altar area converted into the library. The current church was completed in September 1970 on the southern portion of the parking lot, replacing a temporary-church building that became the gymnasium. The parish marked its 70th anniversary in May 2018 and is recognized in the Diocese of Cleveland as one of the leading parishes for priestly vocations.
- First pastor: Fr. Francis Diederich (appointed by Bishop Edward Hoban)
- First Masses: June 13, 1948, Portage Lakes High School auditorium
- Parish Council elected: July 18, 1948
- Holy Name Society organized: August 1948
- Original site purchased for $17,500 from the Horvath family
- Current church completed: September 1970
- 70th anniversary celebrated: May 27, 2018
Parish School & PSR
Rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the Roman Catholic Faith and Salesian Spirituality, St. Francis de Sales Parish School has provided a Christ-centered education for families in the Portage Lakes area for over half a century. The school opened in September 1950 with four classrooms and 174 students and has grown to 18 classrooms serving the surrounding communities of Coventry, Green, and Manchester. The school staff recognizes each child as created in the image of God and seeks to integrate Christian values with innovative, individualized instruction.
- Parish School opened September 1950 (4 classrooms, 174 students → 18 classrooms today)
- Salesian spirituality integrated into curriculum
- Originally staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rocky River
- Website: stfparishschool.org
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
St. Francis de Sales Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides religious education for children in grades 1–5, meeting Monday evenings from 7:00–8:00 p.m. in the school. It is designed as a blend of classroom and family catechesis, supporting parents as the primary catechists of their children. Children who attend public school, non-Catholic Christian schools, or who are homeschooled are all welcome. Students in grades 6–8 participate in the Ignite Middle School Youth Group. PSR begins September 8 each year with Mass and an open house; registration is due by September 1.
- Grades 1–5, Mondays 7:00–8:00 p.m.
- Grades 6–8: Ignite Middle School Youth Group
- Registration contact: [email protected]
- Staff contact: Abby Gresser ([email protected])
Faith Formation for Adults & Young Adults; RCIA
Faith Formation at St. Francis de Sales is presented as the lifelong process of a deepening conversion to the faith — a combination of education, the sacraments, and participation in the liturgy. The parish offers dedicated tracks for children, young adults, and adults, and welcomes anyone interested in becoming Catholic through the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults).
- Faith Formation for Children
- Faith Formation for Adults
- Young Adult faith & fellowship opportunities
- RCIA — formal process for adults becoming Catholic
Ministries of Service & Liturgical Ministries
The parish organizes its ministries into two categories: Ministries of Service (service, evangelization, and Christian humanism) and Liturgical Ministries (directly related to daily, weekly, and holiday liturgies). The liturgical team includes altar servers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, and a music ministry led by a Director of Music.
- Liturgical Ministries (altar servers, lectors, EMHCs, sacristans)
- Music Ministry / Parish choir
- Youth & Family Faith Formation
- Virtus / Safe Environment coordination
- Parish Council
Parish Staff
The parish and school are staffed by clergy, deacons, and a team of lay and religious staff including a Principal, Director of Music, Director of Youth & Family Faith Formation, Business Manager, Communications Coordinator, Parish Secretary, School Secretary, and Office Assistant.
- Pastor — Fr. Jeremy D. Merzweiler
- Parochial Vicar — Fr. David M. Verbsky
- Deacon — Richard Butz
- Deacon — Ray Herrick
- Principal — Kara Lloyd
- Director of Music — Susan Undercoffer
- Director of Youth & Family Faith Formation — Therese Holderbaum
- Business Manager — Chris Robbins
- Communications Coordinator — Dennis Ott
- Parish Secretary — Terese Stone
- Office Assistant — Colleen McVicker
- School Secretary — Shirley Clark
- Virtus Coordinator / Project Manager — Joe Turk
- Sacristan, Youth Ministry — Kathryn Dougherty
- Administrative Assistant — Katy Markovich
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person during office hours. Weekly bulletins are posted on the parish website so anyone can keep up with announcements and schedules even from a distance.
- Address: 4019 Manchester Road, Akron, OH 44319
- Phone: (330) 644-2225
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
- Website: https://stfparish.com/
- Weekly bulletins published online
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis Diederich1948–
First pastor, appointed by Bishop Edward Hoban; came from 14 years at St. Paul's in Akron; selected and purchased the Manchester Road site.