About St. Joseph Parish · Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, founded in 1831 under what was then the Diocese of Cincinnati — making it older than the Diocese of Cleveland itself. Centered on the Eucharist and dedicated to spreading the Gospel through word, sacrament, and service, the parish serves Catholic families in Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Munroe Falls, and Tallmadge from its historic church at 1761 Second Street. It is pastored today by Father Jared P. Orndorff and is part of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
- Established
- 1831
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Jared P. Orndorff
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Joseph Parish is a historic, traditional Roman Catholic community that has served the Cuyahoga Falls area for nearly two centuries — a place where the Eucharist is at the center of parish life and where faith is deepened through word, sacrament, and service. Members benefit from a robust Parish School of Religion with three options (traditional classroom, family-based, and a new Special Needs PSR), adult formation through OCIA and 20-Minute Catechism, Bible study, ongoing ministries, and a parish school that is part of the diocesan community. With weekday Masses, a Saturday Vigil, multiple Sunday Masses, and regular Saturday confession, the parish offers the rhythm of Catholic life for families in Cuyahoga Falls, Stow, Munroe Falls, and Tallmadge.
Mass times at St. Joseph Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM
- By appointment — call Parish Office at 330-928-2173
Welcome & Mission
St. Joseph Parish describes itself as 'a Roman Catholic community centered on the Eucharist and dedicated to spreading the Gospel of Jesus and fostering discipleship through word, sacrament, and service.' The parish welcomes visitors and invites registration through the parish office. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM.
- Mission: centered on the Eucharist; spreading the Gospel through word, sacrament, and service
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Parish Registration Form available on the website
Parish History
St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1831 under the Diocese of Cincinnati — before the Diocese of Cleveland itself existed — when the Rev. Vincent DeRaymacher, a Dominican priest, was sent to minister to area Catholics. By 1835, Rev. John Dillon of St. Mary's in the Flats was visiting Cuyahoga Falls families. In 1867 the area became a mission of St. Mary's, Hudson; in 1883 Father Patrick Barry purchased land at Sackett and Second Streets, and in 1887 the 30 × 60 ft mission church was dedicated to St. Joseph at a cost of about $2,000. The parish then had just twenty Catholic families. Pastor Rev. John Nolan (May 1906 – April 1922) built the larger church in 1912, which was dedicated September 21, 1913. The parish's growth gave rise to Our Lady of Victory (Tallmadge, 1944), Holy Family (Stow, 1946), Immaculate Heart of Mary (Cuyahoga Falls, 1952), and St. Eugene (1962).
- Founded 1831 — pre-dates the Diocese of Cleveland
- Mission church dedicated 1887 (cost ~$2,000)
- Current church built 1912, dedicated September 21, 1913
- Mother church of Our Lady of Victory (1944), Holy Family (1946), Immaculate Heart of Mary (1952), St. Eugene (1962)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Joseph is described as 'a form of evangelization,' going beyond religious education to form the whole of life around Jesus Christ. The parish offers PSR for children in preschool through grade 8 whose families homeschool or attend public/non-Catholic private schools, and a range of adult formation opportunities.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — three tracks (Classroom, Family, Special Needs)
- 20-Minute Catechism after Sunday Masses
- Bible Study (Advent, Lent, and topical studies)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
PSR is the educational arm of the parish for children who do not attend Catholic school, assisting parents as primary educators of faith. Beginning in 2026–27, PSR is offered as 'Parish Partners for PSR,' a collaboration of Blessed Trinity, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Anthony, and St. Joseph — meeting in Jones Hall on the St. Joseph Parish campus. Families may choose from three PSR options.
- Classroom PSR: Sundays 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, grades K–8
- Family PSR: home-based with monthly gatherings (limited to 25 families)
- Special Needs PSR (NEW): Saturday mornings 9:30–10:30 AM beginning September 5
- Registration fee $75, due August 15
- Contact: Regina Rohan ([email protected]) or Jessica Plaspohl ([email protected])
Adult Faith Formation
Adults at St. Joseph can deepen their faith through several ongoing opportunities. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) welcomes unbaptized persons and Christians baptized outside the Catholic Church into full communion. The 20-Minute Catechism is a short post-Mass adult formation talk. Bible Study is offered during Advent and Lent, with study of specific books of the Bible throughout the year.
- OCIA — preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- 20-Minute Catechism — held after the 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Masses
- Bible Study — Advent and Lent sessions; specific books of the Bible
Clergy & Staff
St. Joseph Parish is led by Father Jared P. Orndorff, whose appointment as pastor was renewed by the Diocese of Cleveland in July 2025 for a six-year term. He was ordained May 10, 2008. The parish is also served by a priest in residence and an additional assigned priest, according to the diocesan clergy directory.
- Pastor: Rev. Jared P. Orndorff (ordained May 10, 2008; appointment renewed July 2025)
- In Residence: Rev. David J. McCarthy
- Rev. Kent L. Davis
- PSR contacts: Regina Rohan and Jessica Plaspohl
Parish School
GuideStar lists the parish under the alternate name 'Saint Joseph School,' indicating that St. Joseph Parish operates a parish school alongside its church and PSR programs. (No detailed school history was available from the official website at the time of this research.)
Service & Outreach
The parish honors its patron, St. Joseph, with an annual St. Joseph's Table celebration. Father Jared Orndorff blesses a traditional St. Joseph's Table during Mass; the bread, pastries, and other foods on the table — symbolizing a call to serve the poor and hungry — are donated to the Akron Food Bank. The parish has also coordinated service projects with nonprofit organizations serving the poor and vulnerable in Northeast Ohio.
- St. Joseph's Table — food donated to the Akron Food Bank
- More than 100 volunteers have participated in patron-saint service days
- Service coordinated with area nonprofits
Sacraments
St. Joseph offers the seven Catholic sacraments through regular parish life. Baptisms are prepared for through a Parent Baptism Class (upcoming class listed July 21). Confession is offered Saturday afternoons and by appointment. For Marriage and Anointing of the Sick, families are invited to contact the Parish Office.
- Baptism — Parent Baptism Class
- First Eucharist and Confirmation via PSR/OCIA
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment
- Marriage — contact Parish Office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact Parish Office
Visit & Contact
St. Joseph Parish welcomes visitors. The Parish Office/Rectory is at 215 Falls Avenue, and the church stands at 1761 Second Street, both in Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, and can be reached at (330) 928-2173.
- Parish Office/Rectory: 215 Falls Avenue, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
- Church: 1761 Second Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
- Phone: (330) 928-2173
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Vincent DeRaymacher, O.P.Pre-1831 (missionary priest from Diocese of Cincinnati)
Dominican priest sent from Cincinnati to care for Catholics in the area before the Diocese of Cleveland existed.
- Rev. John Dillonc. 1835
First resident pastor of Cleveland at St. Mary's in the Flats; visited Cuyahoga Falls Catholic families.
- Rev. Patrick BarryOctober 1883 (purchase of land)
Resident pastor of St. Mary's, Hudson; purchased land at Sackett and Second Streets in October 1883; the mission church was dedicated to St. Joseph in 1887.
- Rev. John NolanMay 1906 – April 1922
Led the building of a larger new church in 1912, dedicated September 21, 1913 at a cost of about $13,000.
- Rev. Jared P. OrndorffCurrent (renewed July 2025 for six years)
Ordained May 10, 2008. His appointment as pastor of St. Joseph Parish was renewed by the Diocese of Cleveland in July 2025.