St. Gertrude

Parish History

St. Gertrude Parish traces its roots to November 1923, when about 25 Catholic families in the Madeira area petitioned Archbishop Henry Moeller for Sunday Mass. After celebrating the first Masses in a private home on Naomi and Miami Avenues, the group built its first church in 1925 and soon came under the care of the Dominican Order at the request of Archbishop John McNicholas, a Dominican priest. St. Gertrude was elevated from mission status to a full parish in 1944. The current church building at Miami and Shawnee Run was dedicated on April 16, 1961, and a major campus renewal — including a new school building completed in August 2006 — was completed in the early 2000s under the 'A Time to Build' campaign. Today the parish serves more than 1,700 families.

• Founded November 16, 1923 as 'St. Gertrude's Mission'
• First Mass in new church: February 8, 1925
• Entrusted to the Dominican Order in 1925
• Elevated to parish status in 1944
• Current church cornerstone laid Palm Sunday, April 10, 1960; dedicated April 16, 1961
• New school building construction began October 5, 2004; dedicated August 2006
• Celebrated 100th anniversary in 2023

Dominican Identity

St. Gertrude has been served by Dominican Friars from the Province of St. Joseph since its establishment as a parish in 1944, and the Dominican Order has shaped its preaching, liturgy, and intellectual life from the very beginning. The adjoining St. Gertrude Priory is home to a community of Dominican friars who live and pray together under their elected prior and serve in ministries across St. Gertrude Church, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and the wider Dominican Province of St. Joseph. Since 1984, the priory has also housed the Province of St. Joseph novitiate, the initial year of formation for new brothers before they continue studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. As a Dominican parish, St. Gertrude emphasizes catechetical and intellectual formation, devout prayer and liturgy, fervent preaching, and robust Catholic community life.

• Served by the Dominican Province of St. Joseph since 1944
• St. Gertrude Priory houses the Dominican friars in residence
• Novitiate for the Dominican Province of St. Joseph located on-site since 1984
• Founded by St. Dominic de Guzman in 1216; mission: 'preaching for the salvation of souls'
• Order grounded in contemplative prayer and theological study

Mission, Vision & Core Values

The parish's stated mission is to be 'a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati shaped and enlivened by the charism of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans),' teaching and preaching the Truth, reverently celebrating the liturgy and sacraments, and gathering as a community so that all may encounter Jesus. Its vision is 'to be a community of disciples united in our Eucharistic Lord and sent to transform the world in the light of the Gospel.' The parish emphasizes core values and strategic anchors that orient its evangelization, formation, and community life.

Parish Staff & Clergy

The parish is currently led by a team of Dominican priests, a permanent deacon, and a lay staff. Father John Paul Walker, O.P., serves as pastor. He is supported by Parochial Vicars Father Luke Mary VanBerkum, O.P., and Father Reginald Hoefer, O.P., and by Deacon Mike Muse. Father John Paul Walker holds a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in chemistry and environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University; he entered the Dominican Order after graduate studies and was ordained in 2002, with prior ministry experience at Providence College, the Dominican House of Studies, and as pastor of St. Mary in New Haven, CT.

• Pastor: Father John Paul Walker, O.P.
• Parochial Vicar: Father Luke Mary VanBerkum, O.P.
• Parochial Vicar: Father Reginald Hoefer, O.P.
• Deacon: Deacon Mike Muse
• School Principal: Travis Johnson
• Director of Evangelization: Christopher Holman
• Parish Secretary: Shannon Loughrey
• Office Coordinator: Tyler Castrucci

St. Gertrude School

St. Gertrude School opened in 1934 and has been staffed by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville Dominicans) since the day it opened. What began as a school of 40 students in grades 1–8 has grown into one of the premier Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The current school building was constructed as part of the 2002 'A Time to Build' campaign, with groundbreaking on October 5, 2004 and dedication in August 2006. The school also supports a robust athletics program.

• Opened 1934 with 40 students in grades 1–8
• Staffed by Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (Nashville Dominicans) since 1934
• New school building completed and dedicated August 2006
• Athletics programs offered
• School Principal: Travis Johnson

Sacraments

St. Gertrude offers the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Reconciliation is offered six days per week, with weekday afternoon confession times, a Saturday afternoon window before the Vigil Mass, and an additional Holy Hour with confessions on Wednesday evenings. Baptisms, Confirmations, Marriages, Anointing of the Sick, and the Eucharist are all available, with the parish encouraging parishioners to contact the parish office for preparation and scheduling.

• Reconciliation: Mon–Fri 4:00–5:00 PM; Sat 3:30–4:30 PM; Wed Holy Hour 7:30–8:30 PM
• Baptism (infant and adult via RCIA)
• Confirmation
• Eucharist (daily and Sunday Masses)
• Matrimony
• Anointing of the Sick

Faith Formation & Ministries

Faith formation at St. Gertrude spans children, youth, and adults, with a particular Dominican emphasis on catechetical and intellectual formation. The parish runs adult faith programs, faith formation for children and youth, youth ministry, and the RCIA process. Evangelization efforts are led by the Director of Evangelization, and stewardship and communication support the broader parish mission.

• RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
• Faith Formation for Children & Youth
• Youth Ministry
• Adult faith formation
• Director of Evangelization: Christopher Holman
• Director of Stewardship and Director of Communication on staff

Worship & Music

The worship and music ministry supports the parish's reverent celebration of the liturgy, including its five Sunday Masses and three daily Masses, and complements the Dominican liturgical tradition of the Liturgy of the Hours prayed communally by the friars. The Director of Music leads the parish's choirs and musicians.

• Director of Music on staff
• Five Sunday Masses supported by music ministry
• Communal Liturgy of the Hours prayed by Dominican friars in residence

Get Involved & I'm New

St. Gertrude welcomes new parishioners and visitors through an 'I'm New' pathway and a 'Get Connected' set of ministries and groups. The parish invites participation through faith formation, volunteer service, school involvement, athletics, and stewardship, with explicit invitations on the website for those at any stage of their faith journey to find a place in the community.

• 'I'm New' welcome pathway for visitors
• 'Get Connected' ministries and small groups
• Online survey for those beginning to engage with the parish
• Events calendar and registration available on the website