About St. Leo Oratory · Columbus, Ohio
St. Leo Oratory (Oratory of St. Leo the Great) is a Traditional Latin Mass apostolate served by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP) in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus. It occupies a beautifully restored 1917 Romanesque Revival church at 221 Hanford Street in the Merion Village neighborhood of Columbus's South Side, a parish originally founded in 1903 to serve the South End's growing Catholic population. The parish was suppressed in 1999 but saved from demolition by the St. Leo Preservation Society, and in 2020 Bishop Robert J. Brennan invited the Institute to re-establish the building as an oratory offering the 1962 Roman Missal exclusively. Today it is a thriving center of reverent liturgy, Gregorian chant, and traditional Catholic devotion in central Ohio.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. Leo the Great (Pope Saint Leo the Great)
- Rector
- Rev. Canon David N. Silvey (Rector)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Why belong here
St. Leo Oratory offers the only exclusively Traditional Latin Mass (1962 Roman Missal) apostolate within the Diocese of Columbus, celebrated in a beautifully restored 1917 Romanesque Revival church with abundant sacred music — Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony — sung Compline on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and a full weekly confession schedule. Active parishioners enjoy a tight-knit, multigenerational community with rich lay societies (Society of the Sacred Heart, Holy Name Society, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Sursum Corda young adults, teen group), children's catechism and choir programs, weekly Eucharistic adoration, and a campus preserved from demolition through two decades of lay devotion. It is a parish where the classical Roman liturgy, traditional devotions, and a strong Catholic social life converge in the historic Merion Village neighborhood.
Mass times at St. Leo Oratory
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 7:15–7:55 AM and 9:45–10:25 AM (45 minutes before each Mass)
- Monday: 7:45–8:15 AM (after the 7:00 AM Mass)
- Tuesday: 6:30–6:55 PM (before the 7:00 PM Mass)
- Wednesday: 7:45–8:15 AM (after the 7:00 AM Mass)
- Thursday: 5:50–6:40 PM (before the 7:00 PM Mass)
- Friday: 11:30–11:55 AM (before the 12:00 Noon Mass)
- First Friday (additional): 5:50–6:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:30–8:55 AM (before the 9:00 AM Mass)
Adoration times
- Thursday: 5:45 PM Holy Hour (before the 7:00 PM Mass)
- First Friday: 5:45 PM Holy Hour of Reparation
- First Saturday: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Devotions following the 9:00 AM Mass
- Monday: Holy Hour follows the 7:00 AM Mass
- Sunday: 6:00 PM Vespers and Benediction
History of St. Leo Oratory
St. Leo was founded in 1903 as a South Side Columbus parish carved from St. Mary Church, became debt-free by 1910, and saw its current Romanesque Revival church — designed by William P. Ginther and dedicated by Bishop James Hartley on May 16, 1917 — anchor parish life for the next eight decades. The 1999 suppression under Bishop James Anthony Griffin and the founding of the lay-led St. Leo Preservation Society preserved the building through two decades without a parish. On October 1, 2020, Bishop Robert J. Brennan erected the oratory under the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, with Canon David N. Silvey as its first rector.
- Founded 1903 by Father Charles Kessler at the direction of Bishop Henry K. Moeller
- Original 1903 school-and-chapel demolished October 2001
- Current Ginther church dedicated May 16, 1917 by Bishop James Hartley
- Parish suppressed July 1, 1999 by Bishop James Anthony Griffin
- St. Leo Preservation Society founded 1999 to save the building
- New roof installed 2004 by the Diocese to protect volunteer restoration work
- Korean Catholic Masses hosted 2009–2020
- Oratory established October 1, 2020 by Bishop Robert J. Brennan
- Opening Solemn High Mass celebrated October 2, 2020
- Historic altar rail restored and re-installed November 2021
- Bishop Earl Fernandes offered Pontifical Assistance from the Throne for Candlemas, February 2023
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
All Masses at St. Leo Oratory are celebrated in Latin according to the 1962 Roman Missal (the Traditional Latin Mass / Usus Antiquior). The schedule is built around a Low Mass daily, with a Sung Mass on Sunday morning, a Friday evening Low Mass added on First Fridays, and additional devotions on First Saturdays. Holy Day schedules are published in the weekly bulletin.
- Sunday: 8:00 AM Low Mass; 10:30 AM Sung/High Mass
- Monday: 7:00 AM Low Mass
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM Low Mass (Sung Compline follows)
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM Low Mass
- Thursday: 7:00 PM Low Mass (Sung Compline follows)
- Friday: 12:00 Noon Low Mass; First Fridays add 7:00 PM Low Mass
- Saturday: 9:00 AM Low Mass; First Saturday adds Exposition & Devotions after Mass
- Sung Vespers & Benediction: Sunday 6:00 PM
Parish Groups & Lay Societies
The oratory sustains a rich array of lay societies affiliated with the Institute of Christ the King and traditional Catholic parish life. The Society of the Sacred Heart serves as the formal lay branch of the Institute's spiritual family; the Holy Name Society is a men's confraternity; the Confraternity of Christian Mothers supports Catholic women in their maternal vocation; Sursum Corda serves young adults ages 18–40; and a Teen Youth Group offers fellowship and service for adolescents. Lay stewardship of the building itself continues through the St. Leo Preservation Society, founded in 1999 to save the church from demolition.
- Society of the Sacred Heart
- Holy Name Society (3rd Monday of the month)
- Confraternity of Christian Mothers (monthly)
- Sursum Corda (Young Adults 18–40; social 1st Sunday, event 3rd Sunday)
- Teen Youth Group
- St. Leo Preservation Society (founded 1999)
Music & Sacred Liturgy
The music program at St. Leo centers on Gregorian Chant and Renaissance Polyphony, in keeping with the Church's traditional norms for sacred music. The Adult Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings, and a separate Children's Choir is offered for younger parishioners (registration required). The oratory's 2,700-pipe Tellers-Kent organ (1927) anchors the choral and congregational music after its years-long volunteer restoration.
- Adult Choir: Gregorian Chant & Renaissance Polyphony — rehearses Wednesdays 6:30 PM
- Children's Choir: registration required; rehearses most Tuesdays 6:00 PM
- Director of Sacred Music: Mr. Ross C. Schmittgen
- Assistant Director of Sacred Music: Mrs. Aubrey L. Harris
- Organist: Mr. Robert A. Wisniewski
- Instrument: 2,700-pipe Tellers-Kent organ (1927), restored by Mike Wolf
Faith Formation & Catechism
The oratory offers a four-level Children's Catechism program, with classes held most Tuesdays during the year beginning at 4:45 PM, alongside the Children's Choir rehearsal. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is arranged through the rector. Adult inquirers interested in becoming Catholic are encouraged to contact the oratory directly for catechumenate formation.
- Children's Catechism — four levels; Tuesdays beginning 4:45 PM (registration required)
- First Communion & Confirmation preparation — contact the rector
- Children's Choir rehearsal — most Tuesdays 6:00 PM
- RCIA / adult inquiry — contact the rector by phone or email
Architecture & Building
The 1917 church is a Romanesque Revival building designed by the prolific Ohio Catholic architect William P. Ginther, built of buff brick and measuring 136 feet by 60 feet with a stated capacity of 812. The interior features Italian marble flooring, an Italian marble high altar and baldachin, and a restored 1927 Tellers-Kent organ. The attached rectory is undergoing phased renovation to provide housing for the ICKSP canons and oblates who staff the oratory.
- Architect: William P. Ginther
- Style: Romanesque Revival
- Dimensions: 136 ft long × 60 ft wide; capacity 812
- Materials: buff brick exterior; Italian marble floor, high altar and baldachin
- Organ: 2,700-pipe Tellers-Kent, 1927 (restored)
- Rectory: under phased renovation for ICKSP housing
Visiting & Practical Information
St. Leo Oratory is located at 221 Hanford Street in the Merion Village neighborhood of Columbus's South Side, just south of downtown. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any scheduled Mass or confession; those considering registration, baptism, marriage, or reception into the Catholic Church are encouraged to contact the rector. The weekly bulletin (available on the oratory's webpage) is the most reliable source for holy day schedules, special events, and seasonal schedule changes.
- Address: 221 Hanford Street, Columbus, OH 43206
- Phone: 614-443-7685
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://institute-christ-king.org/columbus-home
- Reconciliation available before (and on Mon/Wed, after) every Mass
- Bulletin: current and archived copies posted on the oratory's web page
Clergy & Staff
The oratory is staffed by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest under the authority of the Bishop of Columbus. Rev. Canon David N. Silvey serves as rector, with the Institute's U.S. leadership under Very Rev. Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz (Vicar General) and Rev. Canon Matthew L. Talarico (United States Provincial Superior). A small lay staff oversees sacred music, organ, and building maintenance.
- Rector: Rev. Canon David N. Silvey
- ICKSP Vicar General: Very Rev. Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz, STD, JCD
- ICKSP U.S. Provincial Superior: Rev. Canon Matthew L. Talarico
- Project Manager & Maintenance: Mr. Michael R. Wolf
- Director of Sacred Music: Mr. Ross C. Schmittgen
- Assistant Director of Sacred Music: Mrs. Aubrey L. Harris
- Organist: Mr. Robert A. Wisniewski
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles Kessler1903–
First pastor; called by Bishop Henry K. Moeller from his post as assistant pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral to organize the new parish carved from St. Mary territory in November 1903.
- Bishop James Hartley1917
Diocesan bishop who dedicated the current Ginther-designed Romanesque Revival church on May 16, 1917.
- Bishop James Anthony Griffin1999
Diocesan bishop who suppressed the parish on July 1, 1999, merging it into St. Mary Church.
- Rev. Kevin Francis Lutz1999–2012 (approx.)
Diocesan priest associated with St. Leo during the preservation era; quoted in 2012 WOSU reporting on the Preservation Society's stewardship of the closed building.
- Rev. Canon David N. Silvey2020–present
First rector of the oratory under the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, appointed by Bishop Robert J. Brennan when the oratory was canonically erected on October 1, 2020; presided at the opening Solemn High Mass on October 2, 2020.
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