About St. Mary of the Falls · Olmsted Falls, Ohio
St. Mary of the Falls is a Roman Catholic parish in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, established in 1854 as one of the early Catholic communities in the western suburbs of Cleveland. Belonging to the Diocese of Cleveland, the parish is anchored at the corner of Bagley and Columbia Roads and serves the faithful of Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, and West View. Under the pastoral leadership of Father Ryan J. Cubera, the parish sustains a vibrant sacramental and community life that includes daily and Sunday Masses, a Catholic grade school, religious education (PSR), youth ministry, a music program, and outreach to the homebound. Its long history — stretching from log-cabin Masses to a present-day parish school celebrating its 75th anniversary — reflects deep roots in the Olmsted community.
- Established
- 1854
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Ryan J. Cubera
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Falls welcomes families and individuals seeking a historic Olmsted-area parish with a full sacramental schedule and a strong school. Daily and Sunday Masses, Saturday Vigil and weekday confessions, Eucharistic Adoration, a music ministry, and a thriving Catholic grade school make it a one-stop faith community. Outreach to the homebound, Edge and Life Teen youth programs, PSR religious education, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) offer every age a place to grow in faith.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Falls
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM (before Vigil Mass)
- By appointment
Parish History
St. Mary of the Falls traces its origins to 1849, when the Reynolds family became the first Catholics in Olmsted Township. Railroad workers — many of them Irish, German, and Polish — soon followed, and visiting priests celebrated Mass in homes, a log schoolhouse, and a village log house beginning in 1854. Father Louis J. Filiere became the first resident pastor in 1856, built a small wooden church in 1858, and laid the foundation for the parish's enduring presence at the southern end of Olmsted Falls' downtown district.
- 1849 – John Reynolds and family become the first Catholics in Olmsted
- 1854 – First Mass celebrated in a village log house
- 1856 – Fr. Louis J. Filiere named first resident pastor
- 1858 – Original wooden church built
- 1873 – Church expanded and moved to the current site; parish school opened
- 1900 – Parish school closed during financial panic
- 1948 – Fire destroys the original church
- 1949 – Current school building constructed; basement serves as church
- 1958 – Two barracks relocated from East Cleveland become classrooms
- 1987 – Kindergarten added; 1991 – first computer lab; 1997 – current school building begun
- 2024 – Parish school celebrates 75th anniversary
Parish Staff & Clergy
St. Mary of the Falls is led by Father Ryan J. Cubera and supported by a long-serving deacon, parish and school staff, and lay ministry coordinators. The team is committed to following Jesus, serving the community, and inspiring others through faith and compassion.
- Rev. Ryan J. Cubera – Pastor
- Deacon Richard A. Mueller
- Deacon Sean Neville (in formation)
- Marty Cosgrove – Music Director
- Chris Loy – Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist Coordinator
- Faith Formation Coordinator – Edge, Confirmation, OCIA
- PSR and Youth Ministry staff for Edge and Life Teen
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Mary of the Falls spans childhood through adulthood. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) serves preschool through high school students, while the EDGE program ministers to middle school youth and Life Teen to high schoolers. Adults preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church are accompanied through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), and Confirmation preparation is offered for teens.
- PSR – Preschool through High School
- EDGE – Middle School Youth Ministry
- Life Teen – High School Youth Ministry
- Confirmation Preparation
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry Program supports parish liturgies, concerts, musicals, and recordings, with the goal of evangelizing the Olmsted Falls community through music. The Parish Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings and sings primarily at the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass; plans for a Children's Choir and Funeral Choir are in development.
- Parish Choir (high school and up)
- Wednesday evening rehearsals
- Primary role at 11:00 AM Sunday Mass
- Children's Choir and Funeral Choir in development
- Director: Marty Cosgrove ([email protected])
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Trained and commissioned lay ministers assist with the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and, in a special outreach, bring the Eucharist to parishioners who are homebound or residents of the four Care Centers in Olmsted Falls. Coordinator Chris Loy reports that more than 100 people each week receive Jesus in the Eucharist thanks to this ministry.
- Diocesan training and commissioning required
- Communion brought to four local Care Centers
- Communion brought to the homebound
- Coordinator: Chris Loy ([email protected])
St. Mary of the Falls School
The parish school educates students from Preschool through Grade 8 in mind, body, and spirit, celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. Originally opened in 1873, the school closed during the 1900 financial panic and was re-established in 1949 with the Sisters of St. Joseph as staff. The current school building construction began in 1997, with Kindergarten added in 1987, a computer lab in 1991, and a Preschool program expanded prior to 2009.
- Preschool through Grade 8
- 75th anniversary celebrated in 2024
- Sisters of St. Joseph originally staffed the school
- Kindergarten added 1987; first computer lab 1991; current building begun 1997
- Preschool program expanded prior to 2009
Parish Pastoral Council & Vocations
The Parish Pastoral Council guides the parish in fulfilling its mission: Follow Jesus, Serve Community, Inspire Others. The parish also prays for and supports several seminarians currently in formation.
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Deacon Sean Neville (in formation)
- Seminarians Jeremy Gaugler and Justin Rice
- Parish Finance Council
Visit, Contact & Location
St. Mary of the Falls is located at the corner of Bagley and Columbia Roads in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, anchoring the southern end of the village's downtown district. The parish office can be reached by phone or email for sacraments, appointments, and general inquiries.
- 25615 Bagley Road, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138-1915
- Phone: (440) 235-2222
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stmaryofthefalls.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/StMaryOfTheFallsCatholicParish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Louis J. Filiere1856–
First resident pastor; founded and organized the parish, built the 1858 wooden church.