About St. Mary of the Assumption · Cleveland, Ohio
St. Mary of the Assumption (Župnija Sv. Marije Vnebovzete) is a historic Slovenian-heritage Catholic parish in the Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, founded in 1905 to serve Slovenian immigrants who had been marginalized at the local St. Joseph Church. The parish, part of the Diocese of Cleveland, continues to celebrate Mass in both English and Slovenian and remains a cultural anchor for the Greater Cleveland Slovenian community, hosting a celebrated Lenten fish fry and Slovenian cultural events. Father John Kumse has served as the eighth pastor since April 1, 1987.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption)
- Rector
- Rev. John M. Kumse
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Assumption is a parish where faith and Slovenian heritage meet — one of the few places in Cleveland offering regular Sunday Mass in Slovenian alongside English, and a community that has nurtured Catholic life for over a century. Parishioners benefit from active lay organizations (the Holy Name Society, Altar Society, Finance and Parish Councils), a long-running Parish School of Religion, the celebrated Slavic/Slovenian cultural events (palačinka breakfasts, koline sausage dinner, Lenten fish fry with homemade apple strudel), and outreach to those in need through the Community Hot Meals Program and Womankind pro-life baby bottle campaign. If you're looking for a parish with deep roots, warm hospitality, and a pastor with 35+ years of faithful service, St. Mary's welcomes you.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Fridays: 7:00-7:30 AM
- Saturdays: 4:00-4:45 PM
Parish History — Founded by Slovenian Immigrants in 1905
St. Mary of the Assumption was born from the hardship and determination of Slovenian settlers in the Collinwood neighborhood. Restricted to the back pews and derisively called 'Greenhorns' or 'Greiners' at St. Joseph Church, the immigrant community organized themselves with the help of Father Mark Pakiz of the Diocese of Marquette, who celebrated the first Mass on November 10, 1905 in his rented rooms on Collamer Street. The cornerstone was laid on September 17, 1906 and the church was formally blessed on August 18, 1907.
- First Mass: November 10, 1905 (Reverend Mark Pakiz)
- Cornerstone blessed: September 17, 1906 by Bishop Ignatius Horstmann
- Church formally blessed: August 18, 1907
- Five lots purchased June 1906 for $2,000 on corner of Case (156th St) and Crosby (Holmes Ave)
- By 10th anniversary: 480 families and 2,200 members
Growth & the 1950s New Church
Within a decade the parish had its own school; over the next half-century it added a Slovenian choir, a new brick school building, a Saturday Slovenian Language School and — most dramatically — a new 850-seat church whose groundbreaking on October 21, 1956 coincided with the parish's 50th anniversary. The old church was converted to a Social Hall in 1957 after fire damage.
- St. Mary School founded 1915 by Father Paul Hribar (200 children, Ursuline Nuns)
- Slovenian Choir 'Iliirija' founded 1925 under Martin Rakar
- New brick school building erected 1928
- Saturday Slovenian Language School (K–8) re-opened 1952
- New church groundbreaking Oct 21, 1956; blessed by Archbishop Edward Hoban with 30 priests and 850+ worshippers; cost $722,186
Clergy & Pastoral Leadership
St. Mary's has been served by just eight pastors in 120 years, reflecting the parish's deep roots and stability. Father John Kumse, the eighth pastor and first American-born to serve in decades, has led the parish since April 1, 1987 — and on April 1, 2022, Bishop Edward Malesic visited to mark his 35th anniversary. Deacon David S. Kushner assists with liturgical and faith-formation duties.
- Current Pastor: Rev. John M. Kumse (since April 1, 1987)
- Deacon: David S. Kushner
- Paid off all parish debts by 2008
- Father Kumse honored for 35th anniversary by Bishop Malesic on April 1, 2022
Sacraments
St. Mary's prepares parishioners for all seven Catholic sacraments. The Sacraments page on the parish website provides requirements for each and points families to Deacon David Kushner for faith formation questions.
- Baptism — preparation program required; Godparent sponsor certificate
- First Communion — 2nd grade after 2 years of Catholic education (or PSR)
- Confirmation — grades 7–12; separate prep program
- RCIA — for adults entering the Church; contact Fr. Kumse
- Marriage — 6-month minimum lead time with clergy meeting and premarriage instruction
- Anointing of the Sick — visits to hospitals, nursing homes, hospice and shut-ins
- Reconciliation — scheduled times or by appointment
- Funeral Arrangements — contact rectory before finalizing plans
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
The Parish School of Religion serves children in grades 1 through 12 who do not attend a Catholic school. Classes meet on Sundays and feed into the parish's First Communion and Confirmation preparation programs.
- Grades 1–12 welcome
- Sunday classes (resumed Sept 20, 2020 in the school cafeteria/classrooms)
- Parents meet in school cafeteria; students gather in their respective classrooms
- Directed in coordination with Deacon David Kushner
Slovenian Heritage & Cultural Life
Slovenian language, music and food are woven into parish life. The community maintains its own choir (one of the oldest Slovenian choirs in Cleveland), a Saturday language school, and signature cultural fundraisers — including the Koline rice & blood sausage dinner and Palačinka crepe breakfast.
- Slovenian Choir 'Iliirija' (founded 1925, director Martin Rakar)
- Saturday Slovenian Language School for K–8 children (reopened 1952)
- St. Mary Slovenian School cultural program with 'Discover Slovenia' trips
- Koline – Rice & Blood Sausage Dinner (Fat Tuesday; benefits Slovenian Cultural Garden on MLK Blvd.)
- Palačinka (crepe) Breakfast benefit
- Slovenska Pristava Wine Festival partnership
Parish Organizations & Councils
Lay leadership is central to parish life at St. Mary's. Longstanding organizations raise funds, serve the community, and keep the parish financially healthy — including the Heart of a Shepherd Campaign contribution of $26,597 from 90 participating parishioners in 2022.
- Holy Name Society (annual Reverse Raffle)
- Altar Society
- Slovenia Mission Aid Society (MZA)
- Finance Council (meets in the Slovenian Room)
- Pastoral Council
- Annual Benefit Dinner with Joey Tomsick Orchestra
Famous Lenten Fish Fry & Parish Events
St. Mary's Lenten fish fry is a Cleveland tradition, drawing hundreds each Friday of Lent (except Good Friday). Dine in or take out; the menu is broad and the homemade apple strudel is legendary. The parish also hosts a Fall Clambake, Lenten Soup Fridays, and weekly Stations of the Cross.
- Fish Fry — every Friday of Lent except Good Friday, 3:00–7:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- Dinners: Fried Perch, Baked Cod, Shrimp, Crab Cake, Combos, Mac & Cheese, daily Soup
- Includes homemade apple strudel
- Bishop Malesic (April 1, 2022): 'I've heard your fish fry is among the best in Cleveland, and it didn't disappoint.'
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Social-distanced Fall Clambake (Steak & Clams / Chicken & Clams)
- Lenten Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke via Zoom
Outreach & Charity
St. Mary's supports diocesan and local Catholic charities, the diocesan seminary, the pro-life work of Womankind, the El Salvador Latin American mission collection (supporting Cleveland missionaries and St. Oscar Romero Seminary), and a Community Hot Meals Program praised by the Parish Council for its creativity and care.
- Catholic Charities Annual Appeal (parish goal $34,721 in 2022)
- Heart of a Shepherd Campaign — $26,597 disbursed to parish from 90 pledges
- Womankind pro-life baby bottle campaign (Lenten)
- El Salvador – Latin American Collection (supports Cleveland missionaries and St. Oscar Romero Seminary)
- Support the Church in Central & Eastern Europe (Ukraine aid)
- Community Hot Meals Program (free hot meals served from parish kitchen)
- Lenten Soup of the Day (donated to charity)
Bulletin, Calendar & Communications
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin (PDFs available on the website) with Mass intentions, collections, ministry announcements, and event flyers. The site also hosts a parish event calendar and an Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist schedule.
- Weekly bulletin posted as PDF (stmaryscollinwood.com/wp-content/uploads/...)
- St. Mary's Event Calendar
- Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist schedule page
- Contact: [email protected]; phone (216) 761-7740
Visit, Contact & Location
St. Mary's is located in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood on Holmes Avenue (formerly Crosby). The rectory is reachable by phone at (216) 761-7740 and by email for parish business and sacramental inquiries.
- Address: 15519 Holmes Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110
- Rectory phone: (216) 761-7740
- Email: [email protected]
- Diocese: Diocese of Cleveland (Central East region)
- Website: http://www.stmaryscollinwood.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Mark Pakiz of Sodrazica1905-1908
Founding pastor; organized Cleveland Slovenes from the Diocese of Marquette, MI; celebrated first Mass Nov 10, 1905.
- Rev. Andrej Smrekar of Kneza1908-1913
- Rev. Paul Hribar of Zgornji Tuhinj1913-1917
Established St. Mary School in 1915 with 200 children; staffed by Ursuline Nuns.
- Rev. Joseph Skur of Prosnik1917-1922
- Rev. Vitus Hribar of Zgornji Tuhinj1922-1952
Founded Slovenian Choir 'Iliirija' in 1925 under Martin Rakar; built new parish house; erected new brick school building in 1928.
- Rev. Matthias Jager of Ljubljana1952-1967
Built the new 850-seat church (groundbreaking Oct 21, 1956; cost $722,186); old church became Social Hall after 1957 fire; reopened Saturday Slovenian Language School in 1952.
- Rev. Victor Tomc of Cleveland1967-1987
First American-born Slovenian pastor; paid off debt of new church; led parish through Vatican II; retired 1987.
- Rev. John Kumse of Barberton1987-Present
Eighth pastor; took over April 1, 1987; paid off all parish debts in 2008; celebrated 35th anniversary in 2022.