St. Joseph

Parish Identity & Mission

St. Joseph Catholic Church is one of the two worship sites of Guardian Angels Parish in Canton, Ohio, serving the Catholic community of the city's west side under the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. The parish's mission statement declares: 'Called to be Disciples of Jesus Christ, we, the people of Guardian Angels Parish, comprised of St. Joseph and St. Joan of Arc Churches in Canton, seek to establish a prayerful community of believers, wherein all are welcomed and cherished as beloved children of God.' The parish offices are open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

History of St. Joseph Church

Founded in 1902 by 80 German and Irish immigrant families from Canton's west-side factories and steel mills, St. Joseph began celebrating Mass in Benskin Hall before a temporary chapel was dedicated in June 1903 and a school opened that August under three Sisters of St. Joseph from Cleveland. Construction of the permanent church began April 2, 1921 and took more than a decade; the school received a new building in 1957 and was expanded in 1959. The school, which enrolled nearly 1,000 students in the 1960s, was ultimately closed in June 2014. On July 1, 2024, St. Joseph merged with St. Joan of Arc Church to form Guardian Angels Parish, a name honoring the angelic visitation theme shared by both patron saints.

• 1902: 80 families petition Bishop Horstmann; first Masses in Benskin Hall
• 1903: Temporary chapel dedicated; school opens with 151 students and three Sisters of St. Joseph
• 1921: Construction of permanent church begins (April 2); completed 10+ years later
• 1957: New school building; 1959 expansion of two classrooms
• Late 1980s: School transitions from Sisters of St. Joseph to lay teachers
• 1960s: Enrollment peaks near 1,000 students
• June 2014: Parish school closes
• July 1, 2024: Merger with St. Joan of Arc forms Guardian Angels Parish

Clergy & Staff

Guardian Angels Parish is currently led by a Pro Tem Administrator with the assistance of two Parochial Vicars and a Pastor Emeritus of St. Joseph. The parish staff supports worship, faith formation, communications, music, and facilities across both church sites.

• Rev. Benson Okpara — Pro Tem Administrator / Parochial Vicar
• Rev. Richard Pentello — Pro Tem Administrator (listed on the Diocese of Youngstown parish page)
• Father Bryan Tutas — Parochial Vicar
• Father Silvestre Robiñol — Parochial Vicar
• Msgr. Frank Carfagna — Pastor Emeritus, St. Joseph Church
• Mr. Rick Hull — Director of Liturgy
• Mr. Matt Andreski — Music Director
• Mrs. Katie Mozingo — Pastoral Associate
• Mrs. Jennifer Harrison-Cox — Coordinator of Religious Education
• Mrs. Patricia Long — Religious Education Secretary
• Mr. Phil Salasek — Facilities Manager
• Mrs. Cheryl Andrews — Bookkeeper
• Mrs. Julie Boylan — Parish Secretary
• Mrs. Marie Fehrenbach — Director of Communications
• Mr. Daniel Mitchell — School Principal (St. Joan of Arc School)

Ministries & Outreach

Guardian Angels Parish maintains a wide range of liturgical and outreach ministries rooted in its two historic communities. Outreach efforts focus on feeding the hungry and visiting the homebound, while liturgical ministries keep the Mass reverent and welcoming.

• Food Cupboard (St. Joan of Arc)
• St. Joseph's Cupboard
• Ministry to the Homebound
• Prayer Chain

Religious Education & School

Faith formation continues through the parish Religious Education program (Coordinator Sarah Ress; Secretary Patty Long), which serves youth of the merged parish. St. Joseph's former parish school (closed June 2014) has been succeeded by St. Joan of Arc School as the parish school for Guardian Angels Parish, serving K-8 students within the Stark County Catholic School System.

• Religious Education Office: (330) 454-2144
• St. Joan of Arc School: 120 Bordner Ave. S.W., Canton, OH 44710; Phone (330) 477-2972
• Principal: Mr. Daniel Mitchell

Sacraments

The parish welcomes parishioners and visitors seeking Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation, the Eucharist, and other sacraments. Because of the 2024 merger, scheduling and preparation are coordinated through the central Parish Center.

• Contact the Parish Center at (330) 477-6796 for Baptism or Marriage preparation
• Reconciliation — see current schedule
• Religious Education / Faith Formation for children

Visit & Contact

St. Joseph Church stands at 2427 W. Tuscarawas Street, Canton, OH 44708. The parish's shared offices are at 166 Bordner Ave. S.W., Canton, OH 44710, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to register as parishioners or to ask about specific programs.

• St. Joseph Church: 2427 W. Tuscarawas St., Canton, OH 44708 — (330) 453-2526
• Parish Center / Mailing: 166 Bordner Ave. S.W., Canton, OH 44710 — (330) 477-6796
• Religious Ed. Office: (330) 454-2144
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.