About St. John the Baptist [Ukrainian] · Lorain, Ohio
St. John the Baptist is a Ukrainian (Byzantine) Catholic parish that has served South Lorain, Ohio since 1913. Founded by the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants, it celebrated its centennial in 2013 with Bishop John Bura presiding. The parish is part of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio, and continues to honor its Ukrainian heritage while welcoming people from many different backgrounds into its liturgical and community life.
- Established
- 1913
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Canon Steven M. Paliwoda
- Diocese
- Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma (geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland)
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist is a small, devout Ukrainian Catholic (Byzantine Rite) community that has sustained worship in South Lorain for over a century. It offers the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in a parish that honors its Ukrainian heritage through its pierogi sales, cantor tradition, and Ukrainian dance (the troupe Kashton performed at its centennial), while warmly embracing newcomers of any background. Today it is a tight-knit family of about 80 members that welcomes new families, regardless of ethnic roots, to join in its regular liturgical life and programs.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist [Ukrainian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Before each Divine Liturgy
- By appointment
Parish Identity & Heritage
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church (Byzantine Rite) is a faith community centered on God and rooted in the Ukrainian (Byzantine) tradition. Founded in 1913 by the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants, it has remained a landmark in South Lorain for more than a century. The parish belongs to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio, and today's congregation continues to honor its Ukrainian ancestry while embracing people from many different backgrounds.
- Byzantine (Ukrainian) Rite Catholic parish
- Part of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma
- Located in South Lorain, Ohio
Parish History
The first Ukrainian families organized the parish in 1913, with early worship and a priest's residence housed in a building at the corner of East 30th Street and Gary Avenue that also doubled as a chapel and food market. The present church structure was completed by parishioners in 1922. After World War II a large wave of displaced Ukrainian immigrants — unable to return home under Communist rule — transformed the parish, prompting the construction of a rectory for a resident priest and a social hall. The parish celebrated its centennial on June 23, 2013, with a Divine Liturgy led by Bishop John Bura and a performance by the Ukrainian dance troupe Kashton.
- Founded 1913 by first-wave Ukrainian immigrants
- Present church built 1922
- Post-WWII boom from displaced immigrants
- Rectory and social hall added to serve growing community
- Centennial celebrated June 23, 2013 with Bishop John Bura
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently served by Very Rev. Canon Steven M. Paliwoda, who is also Chancellor and Financial Officer of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat. Father Paliwoda first served as pastor of St. John the Baptist from 1997 to 2000, then returned to the parish in 2003, and led the community through its 2013 centennial. The Eparchy later bestowed on him the title of Mitred Archpriest in recognition of his service.
- Very Rev. Canon Steven M. Paliwoda — Pastor
- Also serves as Eparchy Chancellor and Financial Officer
- Honored with the title of Mitred Archpriest
Pastoral Succession
From 1923 to 1933 the parish was served by a series of visiting priests from Cleveland and Toledo, some staying only a few months. In 1949 Father Pellich became the first permanent pastor and founded the Ukrainian Saturday school; he was succeeded in 1959 by Father J. Pidarko, who died shortly after arriving in Lorain. Very Rev. Canon Steven M. Paliwoda has served as pastor across two stints (1997–2000 and 2003–present).
- Father Pellich — first permanent pastor (1949–1959); founded Ukrainian Saturday school
- Father J. Pidarko — succeeded 1959; died shortly after arrival
- Very Rev. Canon Steven M. Paliwoda — pastor 1997–2000, then 2003–present
Worship & Liturgy
St. John the Baptist celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy, the central act of worship in the Ukrainian Catholic tradition. The parish website identifies Sunday Liturgy at 11:30 AM as the regular weekly service. Confessions are available before each Divine Liturgy and by appointment. The parish also follows the Byzantine Horologion: the 3rd and 6th Hours are prayed at 9:00 AM before the Sunday Divine Liturgy (9:30 AM) according to the parish's monthly calendar.
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 11:30 AM
- 3rd & 6th Hour — 9:00 AM before Sunday Divine Liturgy
- Confessions before each Divine Liturgy and by appointment
Sacraments
Parishioners and visitors arrange the sacraments directly with the priest. The website specifically asks those seeking weddings to contact the priest at least six months before the planned date, and those seeking baptisms to contact the priest as soon as possible before the birth. Funerals and confessions (outside the scheduled times) are also handled by appointment through the parish office.
- Weddings — 6 months advance notice to priest
- Baptisms — contact priest before birth
- Funerals — coordinated through the parish
- Confession — before each Divine Liturgy or by appointment
Parish Life & Ministries
Although small (about 80 members, with 30–40 attending on a typical Sunday in 2013), St. John the Baptist maintains a vibrant parish life centered on its Ukrainian Catholic identity. The parish is known for its handmade pierogi — made from an old traditional Ukrainian recipe handed down through generations and sold on the third Friday of each month from September through May. Cantor Jerry Maksymiw served the parish for over 20 years, and the parish has hosted Ukrainian dance performances, including by the world-renowned Kashton troupe at the centennial. Historically, the Saturday Ukrainian School taught faith and heritage to generations of children — peaking at about 120 students in the early 1970s.
- Handmade pierogi fundraiser — third Friday monthly, September–May
- Cantor and choir ministry
- Ukrainian cultural events and dance (e.g. Kashton)
- Saturday Ukrainian School (faith + heritage education)
Parish Pierogi Sale
The parish's signature fundraiser is its handmade pierogi, made by hand using an old traditional Ukrainian recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. Pierogi are sold on the third Friday of each month from September through May. Orders are taken by calling the parish hall at (440) 277-9080 on the Wednesday before the sale between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM, with pick-up on Friday from 9:00 AM (as listed on the parish website).
- Orders: call hall (440) 277-9080 on Wednesday before the sale, 5:30–6:00 PM
- Pick-up: Friday from 9:00 AM
- Sales run September through May, on the third Friday of each month
Hall Rental & Facilities
The parish social hall — built by parishioners during the post-WWII expansion of the community — is available for rental and is the site of parish dinners and fundraising events such as the centennial celebration. Inquiries about hall rental are made through the parish's website contact form.
- Social hall built during the post-WWII growth era
- Used for pierogi pick-ups, parish dinners, and the 2013 centennial
- Hall rental inquiries handled via the parish website contact form
Visit, Contact & Location
St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church is located at 3038 Charleston Avenue, Lorain, Ohio 44054-2164. Visitors can call the parish office at (440) 277-7114 or reach out through the contact form on the parish website (stjohnlorain.org). For pierogi-sale coordination, the parish hall can be reached at (440) 277-9080 on designated Wednesdays. The parish welcomes new families regardless of ethnic background to share in its Byzantine Ukrainian Catholic liturgical and community life.
- Address: 3038 Charleston Avenue, Lorain, OH 44054-2164
- Parish phone: (440) 277-7114
- Hall phone: (440) 277-9080 (for pierogi-sale coordination)
- Website: http://stjohnlorain.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Various visiting priests from Cleveland and Toledo parishes1923–1933
Some stayed only a few months; helped keep worship services running during the early years.
- Father Pellich1949–1959
First permanent pastor of the parish. Founded the Ukrainian Saturday school and oversaw the post-WWII growth from displaced immigrants.
- Father J. Pidarko1959
Succeeded Father Pellich but died shortly after his arrival in Lorain.
- Very Rev. Canon Steven M. Paliwoda1997–2000
First term as pastor; later returned.
- Very Rev. Canon Steven M. Paliwoda2003–present
Returned as pastor and led the parish through its 2013 centennial celebration.