About St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church (Ruthenian) · Campbell, Ohio
St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic parish in Campbell, Ohio, part of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1922 by Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants who had settled in the Mahoning Valley steel mills, the parish celebrates the Byzantine Divine Liturgy in English and serves more than 350 families from its 63-acre campus on Robinson Road. As of 2026, the parish is celebrating 104 years of faith and community, now pastored by the Very Reverend Kevin E. Marks, who also serves the sister parish of St. Michael in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Very Reverend Kevin E. Marks
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian/Byzantine)
Why belong here
St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church offers a rare chance to worship in the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic tradition within a tight-knit Mahoning Valley community of more than 350 families. Parishioners enjoy celebrated liturgies, an active Eastern Christian Formation (religious education) program for children, a youth group, Vacation Bible School, a cemetery ministry, and a Social Hall open for parish rentals — all led by a pastor who also serves the Archeparchy as Vocation Director. If you are searching for a Byzantine Catholic parish in Campbell, the Youngstown area, or across the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, St. Michael's welcomes you to register, attend, and become part of its 100+ year-old Carpatho-Rusyn heritage.
Mass times at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church (Ruthenian)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Available before or after weekend Divine Liturgies
- By appointment with Fr. Kevin
About St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church
St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish in Campbell, Ohio, part of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. The parish's mission is to welcome, celebrate, and care for all of God's people according to Byzantine Catholic traditions and customs. As of 2026, the parish is celebrating 104 years of continuous worship and community life on its Robinson Road campus.
- Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish
- Part of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
- Located at 463 Robinson Road, Campbell, OH 44405
- Currently in its 104th year
Parish History
The parish was founded in 1922 by Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants who had come to the Mahoning Valley steel mills, grew through a series of pastorates from Father Nestor Rakovsky in 1926 to the present, and dedicated its current church in 1952. Under Monsignor Victor Romza's 50-year pastorate the parish reached over 350 families and freedom from debt; the centennial in 2022 brought major physical renewal including new icons, roof, paint, and carpet.
- Incorporated August 23, 1922 by 43 families; first met at 110 Bright Avenue
- First resident pastor: Father Nestor Rakovsky (1926)
- Current church dedicated October 26, 1952 by Bishop Daniel Ivancho
- Co-founded Byzantine Catholic Central School in 1954
- Diamond Jubilee observed in November 1997
- Centennial Hierarchical Liturgy celebrated July 31, 2022
Pastor — Very Reverend Kevin E. Marks
Father Kevin E. Marks was born June 30, 1978 and is a graduate of Hubbard High School (1996), La Roche University (BA Religious Studies, 2000), and the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on May 23, 2004 by the late Metropolitan Archbishop Basil M. Schott. After pastoral assignments in Uniontown, Morgantown, Aliquippa, and Ambridge, he was appointed to St. Michael Campbell on March 14, 2014. He simultaneously serves as pastor of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, and is Vocation Director for the Archeparchy, with seats on the Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, Priests Pension Board, and Chancery Staff.
- Ordained May 23, 2004
- Appointed to St. Michael Campbell on March 14, 2014
- Also pastor of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, Hermitage, PA
- Vocation Director, Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Staff & Coordinators
Parish faith formation and youth ministry are coordinated by Keri Vokish, who serves as ECF Coordinator, 2nd-grade Catechist, and Youth Group leader. She is also an ex-officio member of the Parish Advisory Council and photographer for GCU Lodge 360. Cemetery inquiries are handled by Jerry Shirilla.
- Keri Vokish — ECF Coordinator, Director of Religious Education, Youth Group leader
- Jerry Shirilla — St. Michael Cemetery contact (330-534-9104)
Sacraments (Holy Mysteries)
The parish administers the seven Holy Mysteries of the Byzantine Catholic tradition. Reconciliation is offered before or after weekend Divine Liturgies and by appointment with Father Kevin. Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist), Anointing, Crowning (Marriage), and Funerals are arranged through the parish office.
- Reconciliation: before/after liturgies or by appointment
- Initiation (Baptism/Chrismation/Eucharist): contact parish office
- Anointing: on request, usually before major surgery or serious illness
- Crowning (Marriage): at least 8 months' notice; Pre-Cana required
- Funerals: by arrangement with the pastor
Faith Formation & Youth
The Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) program meets every Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:15 PM in St. Michael Hall. The 2025–2026 catechetical theme is 'Jesus Christ our Hope.' A ByzanTEENS program is offered for older youth, alongside an active youth group led by Keri Vokish and an annual Vacation Bible School (in its ninth summer in 2025).
- ECF classes: Tuesdays, 6:00–7:15 PM, St. Michael Hall
- Catechetical year theme: 'Jesus Christ our Hope'
- ByzanTEENS — led by Father Kevin and catechists
- Youth Group — contact Keri Vokish
- Vacation Bible School — annual, free to parish children
Catechists 2025–2026
The parish's ECF program is staffed by a team of volunteer catechists, each responsible for a grade level, with the ByzanTEENS group led by Father Kevin alongside catechists.
- ECF Coordinator: Keri Vokish
- Pre-school / Kindergarten / 1st grade: Emily Vasilchek
- 2nd grade: Celeste Strohmeyer
- 3rd & 4th grades: Geri Romito
- 5th & 6th grades: Sarah Circelli
- ByzanTEENS: Father Kevin and Catechists
St. Michael Cemetery
The parish operates St. Michael Cemetery on its Robinson Road campus. Inquiries about cemetery lots and services are handled by Jerry Shirilla.
- St. Michael Cemetery contact: Jerry Shirilla, 330-534-9104
Parish Life & Ministries
Beyond the Divine Liturgy and formation programs, the parish hosts a narthex religious-goods showcase and the GCU (Greek Catholic Union) Lodge 360, a fraternal organization rooted in the parish's Carpatho-Rusyn heritage. The Social Hall is available for rentals, supporting parish fellowship and fundraising.
- Religious Goods Showcase in the narthex
- GCU Lodge 360 (Greek Catholic Union fraternal lodge)
- Parish Advisory Council
- Social Hall (available for rentals)
Parish Registration
Anyone is welcome to become a parishioner of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church. Registration is done only through the pastor by appointment and assumes a stewardship of time, talent, and treasure to the parish family. Members are expected to worship at the parish weekly, and the office should be notified promptly of any address changes.
- Registration by appointment with the pastor
- Members expected to render stewardship of time, talent, and treasure
- Weekly worship expected of registered parishioners
Contact & Location
Parish office, pastor's cell, Social Hall, and Cemetery lines are all listed on the parish website contact page, along with dedicated email addresses for the pastor, youth group, and parish/centennial communications.
- Parish Office: 330-755-4831
- Pastor's Cell: 412-480-4508
- Hall: 330-755-5688
- Cemetery: 330-534-9104 (Jerry Shirilla)
- Email Pastor: [email protected]
- Email Youth Group: [email protected]
- Email Parish/Centennial: [email protected]
100th Anniversary (Centennial)
St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church celebrated its centennial on July 31, 2022 with a Hierarchical Liturgy at 3:00 PM followed by a banquet. The centennial year also brought a major roof restoration, interior repaint, new carpet, and the first two phases of a new icon installation — physical renewal in step with a century of Byzantine Catholic worship in Campbell.
- Centennial Hierarchical Liturgy: July 31, 2022, 3:00 PM
- Major roof restoration in 2022
- Interior repaint and new carpet in 2022
- First two phases of new icons installed in 2022
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Nestor Rakovsky1926–
First resident pastor (appointed 1926); led slow growth, added catechism classes.
- Father Michael Warady1939–
Welcomed into the new Tenney Avenue rectory; among the married Byzantine priests of the era.
- Father Victor Kovalickyby 1939–
Initiated planning for a new church and rectory during pastorate beginning by 1939.
- Father George Petro1946–1952
Visionary young pastor who moved the parish to purchase 63 acres and broke ground on the new church in 1950.
- Father Paul Vasko1952–1958
Oversaw dedication of completed church by Bishop Daniel Ivancho on Oct. 26, 1952; paid off the mortgage; helped launch Byzantine Catholic Central School in 1954.
- Father Michael Felock1958–1963
Built the new rectory (1961) and Social Hall (1962); oversaw construction of the outdoor Our Lady of Grace shrine.
- Monsignor Victor Romza1963–2014 (50 years)
Parish's longest-serving pastor; elevated to monsignor in 1985; led parish to mortgage freedom by 1970; oversaw 50th anniversary enhancements including the Last Supper mosaic (1972); led Diamond Jubilee in 1997; retired March 2014; died 2017.
- Reverend Kevin E. Marks2014–present
Appointed March 14, 2014; simultaneously pastor of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, Hermitage, PA; Vocation Director for the Archeparchy.