About St. Michael the Archangel · Canton, Ohio
St. Michael the Archangel is a Catholic parish in northwest Canton, Ohio, founded in 1952 to serve the growing Catholic population in the Lake Cable, Hills and Dales, Avondale, and surrounding areas. It belongs to the Diocese of Youngstown (Stark 2 Deanery, Parish Code 514) and operates a K-8 parish school now part of the Stark County Catholic Schools system. The parish community worships in a church consecrated in 2000 under the patronage of St. Michael the Archangel, the spiritual warrior and champion of justice, and today offers more than 60 ministries for parishioners and the wider community.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Benson C. Okpara, Ph.D.
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Youngstown (Stark 2 Deanery, Parish Code 514)
Why belong here
St. Michael's welcomes everyone — 'regardless of your age, orientation, or race' — and is grounded in a Vatican II vision of being 'companions on the way to the Reign of God.' With more than 60 ministries spanning faith formation for children, youth, and adults (including RCIA), vibrant liturgical music, school-based Catholic education (K-8, ~370 students), weekly Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, regular Reconciliation, and active social-justice outreach led by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, it offers countless ways to worship, learn, serve, and build community in northwest Canton.
Mass times at St. Michael the Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Saturday of the month — 11:00 AM
- Third Saturday of the month — 11:00 AM
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday — 8:15 AM to 6:00 PM (following the 8:00 AM Communion Service), closes with Benediction around 5:45 PM
Parish History
St. Michael the Archangel Parish was established June 27, 1952, by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh of the Diocese of Youngstown, and Reverend Ferdinand Hartmann was named founding pastor. The 225 founding families first worshipped at the Avondale School auditorium on July 6, 1952, before moving into a basement church in November 1952 and opening a tuition-free school on November 23, 1953. The parish grew steadily through the second half of the twentieth century, building a permanent church in 1958, expanding the school in the early 1960s, and renovating the sanctuary in the 1970s to implement Vatican II directives. By 1992 the parish numbered 2,300 families, and Bishop Thomas Tobin consecrated the present church on November 18, 2000.
- 1952 — Parish announced by Bishop Walsh; Fr. Ferdinand Hartmann appointed
- 1952 (Nov 15) — First Mass in the basement church
- 1953 (Nov 23) — Tuition-free school opens with Sisters of Notre Dame
- 1958 — Permanent church completed
- 1960s — School expansion (10 classrooms, cafeteria)
- 1970s — Vatican II renovation: new altar, baptistry, choir loft, belltower
- 1981 — Msgr. Robert Fannon becomes pastor
- 1995 — Fr. Bradford Helman becomes pastor
- 2000 (Nov 18) — New church consecrated by Bishop Thomas Tobin
- 2010 — Fr. Don King appointed pastor
- 2019 — Fr. Benson Okpara, Ph.D., becomes current pastor
- 2022 — 70th anniversary celebrated
Pastor Succession
Six pastors have led St. Michael's since 1952, beginning with founding pastor Fr. Ferdinand Hartmann and continuing today with Fr. Benson C. Okpara, Ph.D. The parish website and diocesan history together record a clear succession of clergy who shaped the community from a 225-family mission church into one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Youngstown.
- Rev. Ferdinand Hartmann (1952–)
- Rev. Msgr. Clarence A. Halter (1967–)
- Rev. Msgr. Robert Fannon (1981–)
- Rev. Bradford Helman (1995–)
- Rev. Don King (2010–2019)
- Rev. Benson C. Okpara, Ph.D. (2019–present)
Mission, Vision & Welcome
St. Michael's Parish describes itself as 'A Catholic Community on Journey in the Tradition of the Second Vatican Council Seeking Companions on the Way to the Reign of God.' The parish mission statement affirms a community 'called together by God to share in the mission of Jesus Christ' that embraces the needs of its members and the wider human community, while the vision invites every member to develop their God-given gifts to love and care for one another in Christ's name. The parish's homepage explicitly welcomes all, 'regardless of your age, orientation, or race,' whether one embraces the life of faith or struggles to find God in its midst.
- Mission: share in the mission of Jesus Christ and live the gospel values
- Vision: develop unique God-given gifts and share them with the wider Kingdom of God
- Identity: companions on the way to the Reign of God, rooted in Vatican II
Clergy & Staff
Parish leadership includes the pastor, a sacramental minister, three permanent deacons, a business manager, and dedicated staff for faith formation, music, liturgy, youth, social justice, and facilities. The pastor is supported by parish staff with their own ministry areas.
- Pastor: Fr. Benson C. Okpara, Ph.D. (ext. 212)
- Sacramental Minister: Rev. Ryan Furlong
- Deacon Mark Fuller (Permanent Deacon)
- Deacon Phil Tischler (Permanent Deacon)
- Deacon Peter Pohl (Permanent Deacon, retired)
- Bruce Gordon — Business Manager (ext. 211)
- Stephanie Bole — Administrative Assistant (ext. 220)
- Stephanie Halas — Receptionist (ext. 210)
- Sarah Bressler — Bookkeeper (ext. 225)
- Jim Shundry — Facilities Manager (ext. 103)
- Emergency Assistance: Gary Martzolf & Jim Bates (ext. 226)
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School is a Preschool–8th grade parish school that has served the community since November 23, 1953, when it opened tuition-free under the Sisters of Notre Dame. It is now part of the Stark County Catholic Schools system. The school enrolls about 370 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade and offers dedicated faculty in art, music, media, physical education, Spanish, STEM, and speech, plus Title I support, before/after care, and a full preschool and TK program.
- Principal: Claire Gatti (ext. 103)
- Assistant Principal: Sarah Sciarretti (also 6th-grade teacher)
- Preschool–8th grade classroom teachers (per parish staff page)
- Special-area teachers: Art (Rachel Schumacher), Media (Mindy Dragomier), Music/Choir/Band (Deborah Garren), PE (Michelle Clark), Spanish (Noreen Mbatha), STEM (Tina Miller), Speech (Susan Sparks)
- Title I support staff and tutors
- Health aide and aftercare program
- Part of the Stark County Catholic Schools system
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Michael's spans childhood, youth, and adulthood. The 'Families Growing in Faith' program (formerly PSR) offers grade-level in-person classes, supported home learning, and a week-long summer intensive option. Youth Ministry serves 8th–12th graders with relational catechesis and Confirmation preparation, while Adult Faith Formation hosts faith groups, Bible studies, speakers, and seasonal programs including RCIA and the 'Spirits and Spirituality' group for adults in their 20s and 30s.
- Families Growing in Faith (Julie Sutton, ext. 219 — also Safe Environment)
- St. Michael's Youth Ministry (Rachel Shumar, ext. 222) — including Confirmation prep
- Adult Faith Formation (Roberta Muoio, ext. 218) — faith groups, Bible studies, speakers, retreats
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — contact Fr. Benson Okpara or Roberta Muoio
- Spirits and Spirituality — young adults in 20s and 30s
- Men's Fellowship (1st and 3rd Mondays, 6:30 PM)
- Women's Bible Study (Mondays, 6:30 PM, Fannon Center)
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Liturgical ministry at St. Michael's is coordinated by Deacon Mark Fuller, with Trevor Ivan as Liturgy Coordinator and Jeff Fricker as Director of Music Ministry. Children in at least 4th grade can train as altar servers, and adults are also welcomed, especially for the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass, funerals, and other special occasions. A vibrant Music Ministry supports parish worship, complemented by the school's Music/Choir/Band program.
- Altar Servers (boys and girls, 4th grade and up; adult servers)
- Eucharistic Ministers
- Lectors
- Ministry of Hospitality (greeters/ushers)
- Director of Music Ministry: Jeff Fricker (ext. 214)
- Liturgy Coordinator: Trevor Ivan (ext. 216)
- School Music/Choir/Band: Deborah Garren
Social Justice, Outreach & Pastoral Care
Following the example of St. Michael the Archangel as 'a spiritual warrior and champion of justice,' the parish invests heavily in social-justice ministry, coordinated by Sr. Carolyn Capuano, HM. Long-running programs include Habitat for Humanity volunteering, the marriage-renewal program, Christ Renews His Parish retreats, and an Emergency Assistance line. The Sisters of the Humility of Mary have served the parish community for decades and remain active in social-justice outreach.
- Liturgical and Social Justice Ministries — Sr. Carolyn Capuano, HM (ext. 215)
- Emergency Assistance — Gary Martzolf & Jim Bates (ext. 226)
- Habitat for Humanity volunteer ministry
- Marriage-renewal and Christ Renews His Parish retreats
- Vacation Bible School (seasonal)
- Knights of Columbus 5K (annual parish event)
- Safe Environment program (Julie Sutton, ext. 219)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Ferdinand Hartmann1952 –
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop Emmet M. Walsh; led the 225 founding families and opened the basement church (Nov 1952) and school (Nov 1953).
- Rev. Msgr. Clarence A. Halter1967 –
Oversaw rectory addition with offices and living quarters; school library opened in 1972.
- Rev. Msgr. Robert Fannon1981 –
Shepherded parish from 1,300 families to 2,300 families at the 40th anniversary in 1992; 550 students in grade school, 400 in PSR.
- Rev. Bradford Helman1995 –
Initiated and oversaw construction of the new church, consecrated November 18, 2000.
- Rev. Don King2010–2019
Served until retirement in 2019; created new contemporary office space and expanded parish ministries.
- Rev. Benson C. Okpara, Ph.D.2019–present
Originally from Nigeria; served 20+ years in the Diocese of Youngstown. Added LED screens, technology center, stained-glass window, and mosaic in the Eucharistic Chapel.