About St. Joseph · Mogadore, Ohio
St. Joseph Church in Mogadore, Ohio, is a historic Catholic worship site of the Diocese of Youngstown, with roots going back to 1831 when a handful of German-speaking pioneer families gathered in a log cabin in Randolph for the first Mass. Today it operates as one of two worship sites of Saint John Neumann Parish, which was formed on July 1, 2024, through the merger of St. Joseph and St. Peter of the Fields (Rootstown). The parish continues to serve southern Portage County with weekend and weekday Masses, an attached Catholic school (St. Joseph School), the celebrated Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, a thriving Knights of Columbus council, and a wide range of ministries for outreach and faith formation.
- Established
- 1831
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin Bertleff
- Diocese
- Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
Saint John Neumann Parish — anchored at historic St. Joseph Church in Mogadore — offers an unusually deep Catholic heritage: a 1905 Romanesque-Gothic church, an authentic Lourdes Grotto, and what is believed to be one of the earliest English-speaking parochial schools in the country, still operating today as St. Joseph School. Parishioners can worship at either the St. Joseph or St. Peter of the Fields worship sites, raise children in an attached Catholic school, take part in vibrant ministries (Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Altar & Rosary Society, Youth Ministry, Grief Support), and gather for beloved traditions such as summer Grotto Masses, the Assumption Triduum, Lenten Fish Frys, and the annual Parish/School Festival.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM at St. Joseph Church
- Tuesday 8:30 AM at St. Peter of the Fields Church
- Thursday 8:30 AM at St. Peter of the Fields Church
Adoration times
- 1st Wednesday following 6:00 PM Mass until 7:30 PM at St. Joseph Church
History of St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Parish was organized in 1831 by German-speaking settlers in Randolph, Ohio, after the first known Mass was offered in a pioneer log cabin in 1830. Redemptorist Father John Nepomucene Neumann — later the first male American saint — reorganized the parish in 1841, and the first resident pastor arrived in 1846. The parish built a Romanesque and Gothic brick church dedicated in 1905 that still stands today.
- 1830 – First Mass celebrated in a log cabin for six pioneer families
- 1831 – Parish formally organized under the patronage of Saint Joseph
- 1832 – St. Joseph Parish School founded (believed first English-speaking parochial school west of the Alleghenies)
- 1835 – Log chapel and schoolhouse constructed
- 1841 – Father John N. Neumann sent to reorganize the parish
- 1845 – New frame church completed
- 1846 – First resident pastor installed
- 1905 – Present Romanesque/Gothic brick church dedicated
- 1927 – Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes constructed
- 2024 – Merged with St. Peter of the Fields to form Saint John Neumann Parish
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
Built in 1927 on the grounds of St. Joseph Church, the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is an exact replica of the famous shrine in Lourdes, France. Architect John Winterich traveled to France to take measurements. The grotto continues to draw visitors and pilgrims, especially for Marian feasts, and is the setting for the parish's signature Assumption Triduum each August 13–15, with outdoor Mass and candlelight rosary procession.
- Exact replica of the Lourdes shrine in France
- Ground broken April 12, 1927 by Bishop Joseph B. Schrembs
- Surrounding outdoor Stations of the Cross
- Reflection and prayer patio with waterfall
- Annual Assumption Triduum (Aug. 13–15) with outdoor Mass
Merger into Saint John Neumann Parish (2024)
After decades of collaboration and shared ministries, St. Joseph (Mogadore) and St. Peter of the Fields (Rootstown) merged on July 1, 2024, to form Saint John Neumann Parish — named for the Redemptorist saint who reorganized St. Joseph in 1841. The new parish retains both historic worship sites, both cemeteries, and St. Joseph School.
- Merger effective July 1, 2024
- Diocese of Youngstown Parish Code 408, Portage Deanery
- Two worship sites: St. Joseph (Mogadore) and St. Peter of the Fields (Rootstown)
- St. Joseph School continues under the merged parish
- Motto: 'Grounded in faith in the Gospel… grow in mission together through Word and Sacrament, restore hope through acts of charity and service, and revive the presence of Christ in our parish, our school and beyond.'
St. Joseph School
St. Joseph School, located next to the church at 2617 Waterloo Road, traces its origins to 1832 and is believed to be the first English-speaking parochial school west of the Allegheny Mountains. It is staffed by lay teachers and, historically, by religious sisters including the Sisters of Notre Dame.
- Address: 2617 Waterloo Road, Mogadore, OH 44260
- Phone: 330-628-9555
- Principal: Miss Sarah Johnson
- Continuous operation since 1832
Parish Staff
Saint John Neumann Parish is led by pastor Rev. Kevin Bertleff with an experienced team of parochial clergy, permanent deacons, school staff, and parish office personnel.
- Rev. Kevin Bertleff — Pastor
- Father John Rovnak — Parish Priest, Moderator
- Father David Misbrener, D.MIN — Sacramental Minister
- Deacon Ted Suzelis, Deacon Tim DeFrange, Deacon Chris Germak, Deacon Eric Ruehr — Permanent Deacons
- Miss Sarah Johnson — School Principal
- Yuliana Kvinta — St. Joseph Music Director
- Judy Hendershot — Music Director / Sacristan
- Hannah Scholles — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Eileen Edwards — Safe Environment / Faith Formation
- Sandy Blazewick — Parish Secretary
- Tracy Ferrett, CPA — Parish Accountant
- Cathy Griggy — Parish Office Assistant
- Diane Michalec — Records & Sacramental Secretary
- Fred Mathews — Cemetery Sexton
Ministries and Outreach
The parish offers a broad range of ministries serving the spiritual, charitable, and social needs of southern Portage County. Parishioners are encouraged to find their fit — from women's societies and fraternal orders to youth ministry, grief support, and food assistance.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Altar & Rosary Society (St. Peter of the Fields)
- St. Martha Ministry — funeral luncheons
- Food Shelf and Community Hot Meal
- Grief Support Group
- Knights of Columbus — Council 2039 (meetings at 2697 Waterloo Rd.)
- Catholic War Veterans
- Faith Sharing Groups and Scripture Study
- Youth Ministry and Youth Stations of the Cross
- Liturgical Ministers
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at Saint John Neumann Parish is offered for children, youth, and adults. The parish grounds its catechetical work in the General Directory for Catechesis, viewing faith formation as a responsibility of the entire Christian community.
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Hannah Scholles
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Eileen Edwards
- Programs for children, youth, and adults
- Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) for unbaptized adults and candidates for full communion
Festivities and Fundraisers
The parish life at Saint John Neumann is marked by a rich calendar of seasons — Lenten devotions, summer grotto gatherings, Marian feasts, and the parish/school festival.
- Parish/School Festival (with 5K run/walk)
- Lenten Fish Frys and Soup Suppers
- Stations of the Cross and Youth Stations of the Cross
- Scripture Study and Faith Sharing
- Summer Grotto Masses (Memorial Day–Labor Day)
- Assumption Triduum at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto (Aug. 13–15)
- Fall School Auction
- Knights of Columbus Reverse Raffle (February), Golf Outing (June), and Dinner (September)
Cemeteries
The merged parish maintains two historic Catholic cemeteries, one at each former parish site.
- St. Joseph Cemetery — 2643 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore, OH 44260
- St. Peter of the Fields Cemetery — 3487 Old Forge Rd., Rootstown, OH 44272
- St. Joseph Cemetery established in the late 1830s; first burial listed in 1867 at St. Peter's grounds
- Contact the parish office for burial information (Cemetery Sexton: Fred Mathews)
Contact and Locations
The parish office handles inquiries for both worship sites, the school, and the cemeteries. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Thursday.
- Parish Office / St. Joseph Church — 2643 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore, OH 44260 — 330-628-9941
- St. Peter of the Fields Church — 3487 Old Forge Rd., Rootstown, OH 44272 — 330-325-7543
- St. Joseph School — 2617 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore, OH 44260 — 330-628-9555
- Knights of Columbus Hall — 2697 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore, OH 44260 — 330-628-9053 (hall rentals 234-813-9350)
- Office Hours: 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, Monday–Thursday
- Fax: 330-628-9942
- Website: https://neumann.church/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward Spitzig1926–
Pastor who dreamed of and broke ground for the Lourdes Grotto replica in 1927.
- Rev. Kevin Bertleff2024–
First pastor of the newly merged St. John Neumann Parish (effective July 1, 2024).