About St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception · Wooster, Ohio
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic parish serving the city of Wooster in Wayne County, Ohio, in the Diocese of Cleveland. Established in 1846, it is one of the oldest parishes in the area and today includes both a church and a parish school located at 527 Beall Avenue, just south of the College of Wooster. The parish describes itself as 'faithful to the Catholic teachings of Jesus Christ and committed to serving Him by putting our Faith into Action,' offering Sunday and weekday Mass, perpetual-style weekly Adoration, the Sacraments, a parish school, youth faith formation, OCIA, campus ministry (WooCatholic) for the College of Wooster, and outreach through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Gabriel Project.
- Established
- 1846
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of the Immaculate Conception
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen P. Moran
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception offers a full sacramental and devotional life — Saturday Vigil and three Sunday Masses, weekday Mass on Wednesdays, weekly Adoration Monday through Friday, First Friday Adoration, and Saturday confessions — alongside a parish school with over 150 years of Catholic education and a multi-tiered faith formation program (Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Anchor, EDGE, Life Teen, Vacation Bible School). The parish reaches beyond its walls through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Gabriel Project for expectant mothers, Mary's Tears bereavement ministry, and WooCatholic campus ministry for students at the College of Wooster. Visitors and newcomers are welcomed into a community that explicitly describes itself as 'faithful to the Catholic teachings of Jesus Christ and committed to serving Him by putting our Faith into Action.'
Mass times at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Weekly Adoration)
- First Friday Adoration
- Tuesday 9:00 AM to Wednesday 10:00 PM (extended weekly Adoration)
History of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Catholicism in Wayne County traces to 1812, when Catholic families from Maryland and Pennsylvania settled the area. In 1817, Fr. Edward Fenwick, OP — later the first Bishop of Ohio — became the first priest to visit. Wooster was served as a mission station visited by priests on horseback from Canton and later Massillon, with Mass celebrated in homes or rented public halls before any church was built. The first church building was begun with a cornerstone laid on August 20, 1847, on Madison Avenue with Bishop John B. Purcell present. About 15 Catholic families were charter members. The Diocese of Cleveland dates the parish's formal establishment to 1846. A parish schoolhouse was erected under Fr. J. F. Gallagher in 1864, and the school opened in spring 1865 with 90 pupils.
- 1812 – Catholic families from MD/PA settle Wayne County
- 1817 – Fr. Edward Fenwick, OP first visits (later first Bishop of Ohio)
- 1846 – Parish established (Diocese of Cleveland dating)
- Aug 20, 1847 – Cornerstone for first church on Madison Avenue
- 1864 – Parish schoolhouse erected under Fr. J. F. Gallagher
- 1865 – Parish school opens with 90 pupils
- March 19, 1913 – Madison Avenue church burns (locomotive spark)
- Oct 5, 1914 – Beall Avenue / Bowman Street property purchased
- May 24, 1915 – Ground broken for present church
- April 22, 1916 – First Mass in the new church
- June 16, 1918 – Dedication by Bishop John B. Farrelly
- Oct 7, 1947 – 100th anniversary Mass with Bishop Edward F. Hoban
- Dec 5, 1964 – Beginning of English in the Mass
- Dec 8, 1981 – Mortgage-burning ceremony
- Dec 8, 2000 – Bishop Anthony M. Pilla re-dedicates the church
- June 10, 2003 – Fr. Stephen P. Moran named pastor
- 2020 – Live-streamed Mass implemented
- 2022 – 175th anniversary celebrated
- Spring 2023 – Luminous Mysteries windows dedicated
Architecture & the Rosary Windows
The current church was built in 1915–1918 after the loss of the original Madison Avenue church, and it has been renovated several times — 1946, 1975 (roofing), 1977 (pews, kneeling benches, painting, carpeting), 1981 (Parish Hall), and a major 2000 restoration that widened the north and south transepts, added air conditioning for the first time, and installed an elevator for the handicapped and for pallbearers. The church is most distinctive for its stained-glass windows depicting all twenty Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary — the Luminous Mysteries (added by St. John Paul II in October 2002) were completed in Spring 2023 with a Dedication Mass. The parish was once known as a 'Rosary Church.'
- Dedicated June 16, 1918 by Bishop John B. Farrelly
- Re-dedicated December 8, 2000 by Bishop Anthony M. Pilla
- 2000 renovation widened north and south transepts
- 2000 renovation added air conditioning and an elevator
- Stained-glass windows depict all 20 Rosary Mysteries
- Spring 2023 – Luminous Mysteries windows dedicated
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Stephen P. Moran, pastor since June 10, 2003. A native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Fr. Moran was ordained on May 30, 1992, after studies at Borromeo Seminary and Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland. He previously served as Associate Pastor at St. Brendan, North Olmsted (1992–1997) and St. Charles Borromeo, Parma (1997–2003). The Parochial Vicar is Fr. David T. Chojnacki, raised in Hudson, Ohio, who attended Borromeo Seminary and St. Mary Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland. His responsibilities include evangelization, OCIA, campus chaplaincy at the College of Wooster, and youth ministry. Deacon Robert (Bob) A. Zerrer assists, and lay staff include Jarred Opatz (Bookkeeper & Bulletin Editor) and Johnna Viator (Office Associate & SVdP Representative).
- Rev. Stephen P. Moran — Pastor (since June 10, 2003)
- Rev. David T. Chojnacki — Parochial Vicar (OCIA, evangelization, youth ministry, campus chaplain)
- Deacon Robert A. Zerrer
- Jarred Opatz — Bookkeeper & Bulletin Editor
- Johnna Viator — Office Associate & SVdP Representative
Faith Formation for Children & Youth
The parish describes its catechetical mission as 'Christ-centered, solidly Catholic catechesis for ages 0–18.' Programs are organized developmentally: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for Preschool and Kindergarten; Anchor PSR for Grades 1–5; EDGE for Grades 6–8; and Life Teen for Grades 9–12. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is offered, and Vacation Bible School serves Preschool through Grade 5. The parish also facilitates VIRTUS — Protecting God's Children training as part of its safe-environment commitment.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Preschool/Kindergarten)
- Anchor PSR (Grades 1–5)
- EDGE (Grades 6–8)
- Life Teen (Grades 9–12)
- Vacation Bible School (Preschool–Grade 5)
- First Reconciliation / First Communion Preparation
- VIRTUS – Protecting God's Children
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
The parish's Faith Formation page describes faith formation as a 'form of evangelization' and 'a lifelong process' that incorporates catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral ministries. Adult Faith Formation programming is offered, and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) welcomes and prepares adults, teens, and children to receive the sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation — at the Easter Vigil. Fr. David Chojnacki coordinates OCIA, Adult Education, and Formation. Recent OCIA groups have met Thursday evenings from 7:00–8:30 PM, with the 2026 group beginning September 25 and sacraments conferred at the Easter Vigil on April 4, 2026.
- Adult Faith Formation
- OCIA – Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (and teens/children)
- Faith Foundations track (returning Catholics)
- Coordinator: Fr. David Chojnacki
St. Mary Parish School
St. Mary's Parish School has been in continuous operation since 1865, when it opened with 90 pupils. Today the school continues the parish's educational mission, focused on 'Character, Faith, and Knowledge' in a safe, affordable, private Catholic environment with contemporary academic and developmental programs. The school is currently enrolling new students for the 2026–2027 academic year, with scholarships available, and supports the Angel Scholarship Fund and Ohio's 'Turning Taxes into Tuition' scholarship tax-credit program (up to $750 for individuals / $1,500 married filing jointly). The school office can be reached at 330-262-8671 to schedule a tour.
- Parish school in operation since 1865 (90 pupils in its first year)
- Motto: Character, Faith, and Knowledge
- Currently enrolling for 2026–2027
- Scholarships available; Angel Scholarship Fund
- Participates in Ohio 'Turning Taxes into Tuition' tax credit
- School office: 330-262-8671
Community Outreach Ministries
The parish's outreach is rooted in Catholic social teaching and the corporal works of mercy. Three signature ministries are highlighted on the parish site. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul brings 'Vincentians' into direct contact with neighbors in need, seeing Christ in them and praying that they see Christ in the volunteers. The Gabriel Project offers free, caring, confidential assistance to pregnant women — material help, mentoring, financial-resource referrals, housing/counseling/medical/employment connections, prayer, and ongoing accompaniment regardless of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, or religious affiliation. Mary's Tears offers spiritual support and the healing comfort of God to those mourning the loss of a loved one through death; support sessions are offered twice yearly.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (330-264-8824 parish office)
- Gabriel Project – [email protected] / 330-466-6670
- Mary's Tears – bereavement support (twice-yearly sessions)
- WooCatholic – College of Wooster campus ministry
WooCatholic — College of Wooster Campus Ministry
WooCatholic ministers to college-aged young adults in the Wooster area, with events held both at the College of Wooster and at St. Mary Parish. The ministry provides weekly formation, community, and service opportunities and is open to the public. Communication is run through Flocknote (text 'woocatholic' to 84576) and Instagram (@woocatholic).
- Weekly formation, community, and service events
- Hosted at the College of Wooster and St. Mary Parish
- Open to the public
- Flocknote: text 'woocatholic' to 84576
- Instagram: @woocatholic
Sacraments
St. Mary celebrates the seven Catholic Sacraments. Reconciliation is offered Saturday afternoons at 3:00 PM. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is provided through the Children/Youth Faith Formation program. Adults, teens, and children seeking Baptism, Eucharist, or Confirmation enter through OCIA, which prepares candidates to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. Couples preparing for Marriage should contact the parish office, and Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral care is available by contacting the parish at (330) 264-8824.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation / First Communion
- Confirmation (via OCIA for adults/teens; for school-age children through faith formation)
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Mass)
- Reconciliation – Saturday 3:00 PM
- Marriage – contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / pastoral care
Visit, Contact & Location
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception is located at 527 Beall Avenue, Wooster, Ohio 44691 — at the corner of Beall Avenue and Bowman Street, just south of the College of Wooster. The parish office can be reached at (330) 264-8824, and the school office at 330-262-8671. The 2000 renovation added an elevator, making the church accessible. Mass-goers who cannot attend in person can join via the parish's Live Stream. The parish welcomes visitors and newcomers through its message from Fr. Stephen Moran and ongoing evangelization efforts led by Fr. David Chojnacki.
- Address: 527 Beall Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691
- Parish office phone: (330) 264-8824
- School office phone: (330) 262-8671
- Corner of Beall Avenue and Bowman Street
- Just south of the College of Wooster
- Elevator installed in 2000 renovation for accessibility
- Live-Streamed Mass available
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Stephen P. Moran2003–present
Named pastor June 10, 2003; ordained 1992; previously Associate Pastor at St. Brendan, North Olmsted (1992–1997) and St. Charles Borromeo, Parma (1997–2003); native of Bucks County, PA.
- Rev. John J. Mueller
Pastor who concelebrated the December 8, 2000 re-dedication Mass with Bishop Pilla and former pastors.