About St. Leo the Great · Cleveland, Ohio
St. Leo the Great is a Roman Catholic parish in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, founded in 1948 and served today by the Diocese of Cleveland. The parish sits on Broadview Road just north of Brookpark Road and is home to both a parish school (K–8 with preschool) and an active community of ministries including the F3 young-adult group, L.I.F.T. women's fellowship, RCIA, PSR, Pro-Life, St. Vincent de Paul, scouting, and athletics. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 and 11:00 AM, with weekday Mass Monday–Friday at 8:30 AM and a monthly First Friday Eucharistic Adoration.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- St. Leo the Great (Pope Leo I)
- Rector
- Fr. James P. Schmitz
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Leo the Great welcomes families, young adults, and seniors into a parish that pairs a strong parish school (K–8 plus preschool) with a deep bench of adult and family ministries — F3 for young adults, L.I.F.T. for women, RCIA, PSR, Pro-Life, St. Vincent de Paul, scouting, athletics, and frequent retreats at Damascus. The parish offers weekday and weekend Masses, regular Saturday and Sunday confession, monthly First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, and live-streamed services, making it easy to plug in whether you are a lifelong Catholic, returning, or just curious.
Mass times at St. Leo the Great
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
- By request or appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month in the chapel, beginning after 8:30 AM Mass and ending at 3:00 PM
Parish History
St. Leo the Great was established in 1948 by Bishop Edward Hoban to serve a fast-growing stretch of Cleveland and the neighboring communities of Parma and Brooklyn Heights. Father Sylvester Lux was named founding pastor and oversaw the building of a temporary church in 1949, the opening of the parish school in September 1950, and the dedication of the first permanent church by Bishop Hoban on June 3, 1951. When the State of Ohio acquired the southern part of the parish grounds for I-480 in 1969, the proceeds funded today's church, rectory and parish offices (opened 1970). The original church's structural steel was re-erected on the north side of the school as Lux Hall. The parish marked its 75th anniversary in October 2022.
- 1948 — Parish established by Bishop Edward Hoban; Fr. Sylvester Lux appointed founding pastor.
- 1949 — Temporary church erected on parish grounds in roughly three evenings of volunteer labor.
- 1950 — School opens September (318 pupils, Vincentian Sisters of Charity); first Mass in new church celebrated December 24.
- 1951 — Bishop Hoban dedicates the new church on June 3.
- 1955 — Franciscan Sisters of Chicago assume administration of the school.
- 1969 — State of Ohio appropriates southern parish property for I-480.
- 1970 — Current church, rectory and parish offices open.
- 1977 — Death of Fr. Sylvester Lux.
- 2022 — 75th anniversary celebrated with Bishop Edward Malesic.
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Father James P. Schmitz and assisted by Deacon Patrick Berigan, with Joan Berigan serving as Pastoral Minister. The parish team includes a Parochial Manager, Business Manager, Office Manager, Facilities Manager, Director of Music Ministry, Parish Minister of Engagement, and Parish Center Coordinator.
- Fr. James P. Schmitz — Pastor
- Deacon Patrick Berigan
- Joan Berigan — Pastoral Minister
- Brandon Robinson — Parochial Manager
- Brenda Basalla — Business Manager
- Robert Banovic — Assistant Business Manager
- Nina Capone — Office Manager
- Judy Strodtbeck — Facilities Manager
- Eric Perusek — Parish Minister of Engagement
- Miss Nadia — Parish Center Coordinator
- Angela Kovic — Director of Music Ministry
- Devin Kovic — Music Minister
St. Leo the Great School
St. Leo the Great School (at 4900 Broadview Road) has been part of the parish since 1950 and today serves kindergarten through grade 8, with a preschool for ages 3 and 4 (both full- and part-time). The Catholic faith is integrated into every aspect of the curriculum; Cleveland residents may apply for vouchers through the Cleveland Scholarship & Tutoring Program. The school also supports athletics (with an Athletic Director) and a Parent/Teacher Organization.
- Principal: Lorenzo Jones
- Assistant Principal: Deandre Branner
- Office Manager: Nichole Robinson
- Athletic Director: Adam Cutright
- Counseling: Luke Brown (Sacred Heart Counseling)
- Preschool for ages 3–4
- Cleveland Scholarship & Tutoring Program vouchers accepted
Catholic Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. Leo the Great includes sacramental preparation, the Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children who don't attend the parish school, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) along with a Children's Catechumenate. Sacramental preparation is led by grade-level teachers: First Reconciliation and First Communion in Grade 2, Confirmation in Grade 8.
- PSR meets 3 Sundays a month before the 11:00 AM Mass during the school year in the Parish Center.
- First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation — Grade 2 (parents).
- Confirmation preparation — Grade 8 (students, parents, sponsors).
- RCIA for unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and uncatechized Catholics.
- Children's Catechumenate for children age 7+ preparing at the Easter Vigil.
- Pre-Cana Days or Engaged Encounter required for marriage (off-site, e.g., Jesuit Retreat House on State Road).
Adult & Family Ministries
St. Leo's runs a wide range of ministries for adults and families — from young-adult fellowship and women's groups to Bible study, hospitality, and parish councils. The parish actively invites parishioners to share their gifts through its online Parish Ministries Interest form.
- F3 Ministry (Faith, Food, Fellowship) — young adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s; meets 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
- L.I.F.T. — Living In Faith Together (women, all ages); 2nd Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Parish Center
- RCIA, Bible Study, Adult Education
- Youth Ministry
- Pro-Life Ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul Organization
- Bereavement and Divorce Support
- Hospitality Committee
- Holy Name Society
- St. Leo's Seniors
- Finance Council, Parish Council, Liturgy Committee
- The Chosen viewing/discussion group (Mondays in the Parish Center)
Liturgical & Music Ministries
The parish draws on a large bench of liturgical volunteers, supported by Music Ministry led by Angela and Devin Kovic. Volunteers serve at the altar, proclaim the Word, distribute Communion, lead music, decorate the church, and care for the sacristy.
- Altar Servers, Ushers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Eucharistic Adoration volunteers, Rosary Pray-ers, Church Decorating, Sacristans
- Adult Mass Choir, Hand Bell Choir, Cantors, Musicians
Community Life & Outreach
Beyond Mass and sacraments, St. Leo the Great is a community hub: scouting, athletics, the Parent/Teacher Organization, Adopt-a-Child, AA meetings, parish-wide retreats at Damascus (Centerburg, OH), and a News & Views newsletter keep parishioners connected. The parish also offers live-streamed services for those who cannot attend in person.
- Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts
- Athletic Program (with Athletic Director Adam Cutright)
- Parent/Teacher Organization, Day School Volunteers
- Adopt-a-Child
- AA Meetings on parish grounds
- Damascus men's and women's retreats (for F3 members)
- Flocknote weekly bulletin subscription
- News & Views Parish Newsletter
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Sylvester Lux1948–1977
Founding pastor. Oversaw temporary church (1949), school opening (1950), first Mass in new church (Dec 24, 1950), and dedication by Bishop Hoban (June 3, 1951). Parish hall (Lux Hall) is named in his honor.
- Fr. James P. Schmitzcurrent
Current pastor; led parish's 75th anniversary celebration in October 2022 with Bishop Malesic.