About St. Michael · Independence, Ohio
St. Michael Catholic Church is a historic parish in Independence, Ohio, founded in 1851 and serving close to 1,000 families in Independence and the surrounding Cuyahoga County communities. It is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland, celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2026, and operates alongside the award-winning St. Michael School (preschool through grade 8) and St. Francis Center on the parish grounds. Under the leadership of Pastor Fr. Matthew W. Jordan and a pastoral team that includes a permanent deacon, retired priest in residence, and parish staff, the parish is committed to its mission of 'meeting Christ through prayer and being Christ for the world' through daily and weekend liturgies, faith formation, and outreach.
- Established
- 1851
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Matthew W. (Matt) Jordan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Michael is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland, with 170+ years of Catholic tradition rooted in Independence and surrounding Cuyahoga County communities, and it serves close to 1,000 families today. Worshippers find a full schedule of weekday and weekend Masses, weekly confessions, and faith formation for children and youth led by an engaged pastoral team. The parish is anchored by an award-winning parish school (St. Michael School, preschool through grade 8, Blue Ribbon recognized), an on-site St. Francis Center, and a variety of ministries for prayer, fellowship, and outreach — making it a stable, active home for longtime parishioners and newcomers alike.
Mass times at St. Michael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:00 PM (or by appointment)
Our Mission and History
St. Michael Church is proud to be one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland. Founded in 1851 and located in the heart of Cuyahoga County, it celebrates over 170 years of Catholic tradition and serves close to 1,000 families in Independence and the surrounding communities. The parish's stated mission is to be 'committed to meeting Christ through prayer and being Christ for the world' through participation in the Liturgy, parish ministries that evangelize and build community, and activities that help parishioners grow in faith and fellowship.
- Founded 1851 — one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland
- Approximately 1,000 families served
- Located at 6912 Chestnut Road, Independence, OH 44131
- Affiliated school (St. Michael School) organized in the 1870s
175th Anniversary Celebration (2026)
As the parish prepares to celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2026, a calendar of community events has been planned and parishioners are being invited to submit photos and memorabilia from parish and school history for possible display and inclusion in a commemorative video.
- June 4 – Historic Churches Bus Tour
- June 27–28 – Independence Historical Society Display featuring St. Michael and other Independence churches
- June 28 – Parish Picnic on the grounds of St. Michael Parish (1:00 PM)
- July 24 – Grandparent Day (RSVP required)
- Photo/memorabilia submissions coordinated by Tom and Janis Kundmueller
- Financial donations still being accepted for the 175th Anniversary via the online form or eoffering.com
Clergy and Parish Staff
St. Michael's pastoral team is led by Pastor Fr. Matthew W. Jordan and includes a retired priest in residence, two permanent deacons (one active, one retired), a religious sister coordinating pastoral care, and lay staff handling music, youth ministry/faith formation, business, and administration.
- Fr. Matt Jordan — Pastor (installed May 9, 2024)
- Fr. Tom Haren — Retired, in Residence
- Deacon Tom Litwinowicz — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Vincent Belsito — Permanent Deacon, Retired
- Sr. Betty Gulick — Pastoral Care to the Sick & Homebound
- Randy Kula — Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Faith Formation
- Todd Dockrill — Director of Music, PSR & Technology
- Christine Dockrill — Business Manager
- Wendy Boergert — Administrative Assistant
- Maintenance Team: Bill Gordon, Lisa Londrico, Vic Luhinec
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith formation for children and youth is coordinated by Randy Kula, Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Faith Formation, working alongside Director of Music, PSR & Technology Todd Dockrill. Together they oversee the parish's PSR (Parish School of Religion) program and youth ministry offerings for parishioners' children.
- PSR (Parish School of Religion)
- Youth Ministry programming
- Coordination with St. Michael School
Music Ministry
Music for the parish liturgies is directed by Todd Dockrill, who also oversees PSR and technology. The parish music ministry supports the daily and weekend Mass schedule.
- Director of Music: Todd Dockrill
Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound
Pastoral care for parishioners who are sick or homebound is coordinated by Sr. Betty Gulick, who provides visits and brings the Church's sacramental and prayerful support to those unable to attend Mass in person.
- Coordinated by Sr. Betty Gulick
- Reaches parishioners unable to attend Mass on site
St. Michael School
The award-winning St. Michael School, an independent parish-affiliated Catholic school serving preschool through grade 8, draws students from Independence, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Seven Hills-Parma and other neighboring districts. Organized in the 1870s and staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame since 1908, the school earned the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award in 2007 and observed its 150th anniversary during the 2021–2022 school year. Since 1997, the preschool through first grade has been offered at the Early Childhood Learning Center at St. Basil in Brecksville, while kindergarten through grade 8 remain at the St. Michael campus.
- Preschool through grade 8
- U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award (2007)
- Staffed by Sisters of Notre Dame since 1908
- Busing arrangements with most local districts
- Early Childhood Learning Center partnership with St. Basil the Great (Brecksville)
Parish Facilities
Parish facilities include the main church and rectory at 6912 Chestnut Road and the St. Francis Center on the parish grounds at the corner of Sunset and Second Street. The St. Francis Center serves as a gathering space for parish events, including the scheduled 175th anniversary parish picnic.
- Main church and rectory at 6912 Chestnut Road
- St. Francis Center — corner of Sunset and Second Street on parish grounds
- Rectory office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Parish Information and Contact
Parish contact information and office hours are published on the parish website. Bulletin announcements and parish communications are coordinated through the rectory office.
- Mailing address: 6912 Chestnut Road, Independence, OH 44131
- Rectory phone: 216-524-1394
- Bulletin announcements: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Matthew W. Jordaninstalled May 9, 2024 – present
Current pastor; installed by the Diocese of Cleveland on May 9, 2024.
- Rev. John Mulleeinstalled February 1, 2019 – 2024
Previously pastor before Fr. Matt Jordan succeeded him.