St. Francis De Sales

St. Francis De Sales

1600 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45206-1815
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Mass Times

Sunday8:30 AM, 11:00 AM
Wednesday5:30 PM

Parish details

1600 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45206-1815
+15139611945stfrancisds.com
Cincinnati

About St. Francis De Sales · Cincinnati, Ohio

St. Francis de Sales Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, served by the Marianist Fathers and Brothers (Society of Mary, S.M.) of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Founded in 1849 by Catholic families moving from Over-the-Rhine, the parish is one of the oldest in the city and worships in a stunning Gothic Revival church built in 1879, whose interior includes one of the finest marble altars in the United States. Today the parish operates a K-8 Catholic school (with a GOLD-quality-rated preschool) on the same campus at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road, and its life is organized around a Marianist spirituality of faith, community, and service.

Established
1849
Patron
Saint Francis de Sales
Rector
Fr. Michael Nartker, S.M.
Diocese
Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Why belong here

St. Francis de Sales offers a uniquely intimate Catholic experience in East Walnut Hills: a historic Marianist parish where the same Society of Mary priests and brothers who staff the parish also serve as sacristan, pastoral associate, and school chaplains. Parishioners can attend Sunday Mass in a landmark 1879 Gothic Revival church with one of the country's finest marble altars, send their children to the parish K-8 school (with a GOLD-quality-rated preschool and full scholarships available), and join a deep bench of ministries — choir, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, greeters, contemplative prayer group, RCIA/O.C.I.A., wedding hospitality, finance and pastoral councils, and outreach partners like the Center for Respite Care. It's a parish that combines the stability of a 175-year-old community with the close-knit feel of a neighborhood church.

Mass times at St. Francis De Sales

Weekly Mass schedule

Sunday8:30 a.m.11:00 a.m.
Wednesday5:30 p.m.

About St. Francis de Sales Parish

St. Francis de Sales is a Catholic parish in Cincinnati's East Walnut Hills neighborhood, served by the Marianist Fathers and Brothers of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The parish welcomes new members to register, attend Mass, and become involved. Those baptized in another Christian church who wish to join the Catholic Church are not re-baptized but, after formation through RCIA (now called the O.C.I.A. Program), make a public affirmation of faith at the Easter Vigil and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

History of the Parish

Founded in 1849 by three laymen — Francis Fortman, Joseph Kleine, and H. Westjohn — the parish grew from humble origins (Mass in Fortman's barn) into one of East Walnut Hills' landmark institutions. Bishop (later Archbishop) John B. Purcell laid the cornerstone for the first blue-limestone church in 1850, and Archbishop Purcell returned in 1878 to lay the cornerstone for the present Gothic Revival church. Today the historic 1879 church, its rectory, and the parish school together form the St. Francis De Sales Church Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • 1849 — Parish founded; first Mass in Francis Fortman's barn
  • 1850 — Cornerstone of first blue-limestone church laid May 12, 1850 by Bishop Purcell; church dedicated Nov. 3, 1850
  • 1850 — Rev. Michael S. Herzog named first resident pastor
  • 1876 — Land purchased at current Woodburn/Madison site
  • 1877 — New school dedicated December 2
  • 1878 — Cornerstone of present church laid June 30 before ~10,000 people
  • 1879 — Present Gothic Revival church dedicated December 20–21
  • 1887 — Marble main altar dedicated April 28
  • 1895 — Bell (once called the largest swinging bell in America) installed April 20
  • 1914 — Tower clock (gift of the men of the parish) installed
  • 1974 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Marianist Identity

St. Francis de Sales is identified as a Catholic Parish in the Marianist Tradition. The Society of Mary (Marianists) is a Catholic religious family founded by William Joseph Chaminade; the Marianist charism emphasizes faith, community, and service, and the parish links to Marianist resources including the Marianist Family Online newsletter and Lay Marianist communities.

  • Society of Mary (Marianists) staff the parish
  • Pastor: Fr. Michael Nartker, S.M.
  • Pastoral Associate: Bro. Paul Hoffman, S.M.
  • Parish Sacristan: Bro. Bob Politi, S.M.

Parish Staff

The parish is led by a Marianist pastoral team supported by lay staff in the parish office.

Mass & Worship Schedule

Sunday Mass is celebrated at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and Wednesday Mass is celebrated at 5:30 p.m. in the Rectory. Sunday Mass is also streamed online via the parish's live video service. A parish calendar lists all events, including monthly Children's Ministry at the 8:30 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of the month.

  • Sunday Mass: 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
  • Wednesday Mass: 5:30 p.m. (in the Rectory)
  • Sunday Mass livestreamed online
  • Children's Ministry monthly on the 2nd Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Mass

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments and provides preparation for each. Baptism is ordinarily scheduled on the second Sunday of the month after 8:30 or 11:00 a.m. Mass; families are asked to meet with the pastor and submit a letter to the child being baptized. First Holy Communion is celebrated after a parish sacramental preparation program. Marriage preparation typically begins a year in advance; weddings are usually celebrated on Saturdays at 2:00/2:30 p.m. or 5:00/5:30 p.m. The parish also offers the O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) for those becoming Catholic.

  • Baptism — 2nd Sunday of the month after Mass; contact parish office at least one month ahead
  • First Holy Communion — sacramental preparation program; coordinated with pastor
  • Marriage — Saturdays at 2:00/2:30 or 5:00/5:30 p.m.; one-year preparation; [email protected]
  • Funerals — coordinated through parish office
  • O.C.I.A. (RCIA) — for adults entering the Catholic Church; contact Al Cucchetti at [email protected]

Ministries & Parish Life

Parishioners can become involved in a wide range of ministries spanning liturgy, faith formation, school life, outreach, governance, and property care. The parish maintains an active Pastoral Council and Finance Committee that advise the pastor on long-range planning and budgets.

Liturgical Ministries

Volunteers serve at every Sunday Mass as greeters, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes (altar servers), gift bearers, and collection counters. The choir rehearses on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. during the Fall–Spring season and sings at Sunday Mass (warm-up 30–45 minutes before Mass). Children's Ministry is offered once a month on the second Sunday at the 8:30 a.m. Mass for ages 3–8.

  • Greeters
  • Lectors
  • Eucharistic Ministers (three needed per Sunday Mass)
  • Acolytes / Altar Servers — coordinated with Fr. Mike or Bro. Bob Politi, S.M.
  • Gift Bearers (Offertory Gifts)
  • Collection (four counters per Mass)
  • Choir — Thursdays 7:00 p.m. rehearsal (Fall–Spring); contact Music Director Susie Schickel
  • Children's Ministry — monthly at 8:30 a.m. Mass, ages 3–8; contact Kristine Cahall-Dosch

Faith Formation & Prayer

Beyond the sacraments, the parish offers ongoing formation through the O.C.I.A. program and an ecumenical Contemplative Prayer Group that gathers for silent, meditative prayer — open to beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

  • O.C.I.A. Program (formerly RCIA) — for those becoming Catholic; contact Al Cucchetti
  • Contemplative Prayer Group — Mondays 1:00 p.m. in the undercroft and via Zoom; Thursdays 7:00 p.m. via Zoom; contact Jan Seidel or Steve Schaefer

School & Youth

St. Francis de Sales School serves preschool through 8th grade with a faith-based, academic program. The preschool is GOLD-rated (Ohio's quality rating for early learning). Full scholarships are available, and openings exist in all grades except 7th for the 2026–27 school year. The parish also partners with Purcell Marian High School. Volunteers are needed for after-school tutoring, the cafeteria, and classrooms — contact Ms. Joanne Browarsky at (513) 961-1953.

  • St. Francis de Sales K-8 School — faith-based, academic
  • GOLD-quality-rated Preschool
  • Full scholarships available
  • Volunteer opportunities: After-School Tutoring, Cafeteria, Classroom Helpers
  • Purcell Marian High School partnership

Outreach & Service

Outreach is central to the parish's Marianist identity. The community partners with the Center for Respite Care and supports additional service initiatives highlighted each month on the parish homepage.

  • Center for Respite Care
  • Monthly 'Service to Others' featured outreach
  • Community Outreach page linked from parish website

Parish Governance & Operations

Lay leadership supports the pastoral team through advisory councils and committees. The Marianist Spirit Committee helps the parish live out its Marianist charism.

  • Pastoral Council — advisory board to the Pastoral Team; nine+ members on staggered terms
  • Finance Committee / Facilities Subcommittee — quarterly meetings; reviews financials, budgets, facilities
  • Marianist Spirit Committee
  • Wedding Hospitality Committee — liaison between parish and wedding couples; contact Peggy Smith

Facilities & Property

Parishioners care for the historic buildings and grounds through volunteer maintenance crews year-round.

  • General Maintenance
  • Snow Removal
  • Church Cleaning

Architecture & Historic District

The church and its surrounding campus are a recognized historic landmark. Designed by architect Francis G. Himpler in the Gothic Revival style, the church was built 1878–1879 on an 18-acre site at Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road and dedicated December 20–21, 1879. The marble main altar (dedicated 1887), side altars (1916), the bell (1895 — once the largest swinging bell in America), and the tower clock (1914, a gift of the men of the parish) remain defining features. The complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 1, 1974, as the St. Francis De Sales Church Historic District (NRHP #74001512).

  • Architect: Francis G. Himpler
  • Style: Gothic Revival
  • Built: 1878–1879; dedicated December 20–21, 1879
  • Listed on National Register of Historic Places: March 1, 1974 (NRHP #74001512)
  • 18-acre site at Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road

Pastors & rectors through the years

  1. Rev. Michael S. Herzog1850–1852

    First resident pastor, ordained April 15, 1849.

  2. Rev. John N. Schmid1852–1860

    Remained in charge until his death on May 15, 1860.

  3. Rev. Ostrop1860–1861
  4. Rev. A. Habele1861
  5. Rev. J.J. Mengeto July 1873

    Established Calvary Cemetery on Duck Creek Road in Evanston.

  6. Rev. Augustine (A.) Fischer1873–1879

    Built the present Gothic Revival church, dedicated Dec. 20–21, 1879.

  7. Rev. C.J. Schmidt1879–1883
  8. Rev. A.M. Quatman1883–1909

    Served more than a quarter-century; oversaw the marble main altar and other improvements.

  9. Rev. LampingMay 1909–

    Continued parish improvements during the early 20th century.

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