About St. Paul · Englewood, Ohio
St. Paul Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Englewood, Ohio, situated on spacious grounds at 1000 W. Wenger Road. Founded in 1972 as the only parish personally planned by Archbishop Paul F. Leibold during his tenure as ordinary of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the parish was named in honor of St. Paul, the Archbishop's patron saint. Today it is the youngest and westernmost member of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes (NE-6), a six-parish grouping formed in 2022 under the Archdiocese's Beacons of Light initiative. The parish is led by Fr. Anthony (Tony) Fortman, C.PP.S., and serves a vibrant, family-oriented community of approximately 600 households from Englewood and the surrounding northwest Dayton area.
- Established
- 1972
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Anthony (Tony) Fortman, C.PP.S.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati (Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cincinnati)
Why belong here
St. Paul is a welcoming, family-friendly parish that draws members from both Englewood and the surrounding rural northwest Dayton area, and it offers the warmth of a close-knit community combined with the resources of a six-parish family. Worshippers find a modern, casual church, a thriving Religious Education program, ministries for every age and stage (Knights of Columbus, Ladies Guild, Men of St. Paul, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, God's Garden, food pantry), and devotional life rooted in 24-hour Eucharistic adoration, a May Crowning Marian shrine, and a fourteen-station prayer garden. As the youngest and westernmost parish in the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes, it is an ideal home for growing families seeking both a strong Catholic identity and active parish life.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday, 3:30 – 4:20 p.m. (May–August, coinciding with Vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- 24-hour access to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel (permitted since 2005)
Parish Identity and Community
St. Paul Catholic Church in Englewood, Ohio is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the youngest, westernmost member of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes (NE-6). Founded in 1972, it now serves approximately 600 families drawn from Englewood and the surrounding northwest Dayton rural area. The parish campus sits on spacious grounds and is characterized by a modern, casual worship space, an active Religious Education program, and a strong sense of family community fostered through parish picnics, fish fries, a pole barn, and a community garden.
- Located at 1000 W. Wenger Road, Englewood, OH 45322
- Part of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes (NE-6)
- Approximately 600 member families
- Phone: (937) 836-7535
History of St. Paul Parish
Founded through the initiative of Archbishop Paul F. Leibold and Fr. Francis B. Pilliod in 1971–1972, St. Paul Parish first gathered at Englewood Hills School before moving into its permanent church on Wenger Road on Christmas Eve 1973. Key milestones through the 1980s and 1990s included the Stations of the Cross prayer garden (1982), the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (1983), the 16,500-square-foot Pilliod Hall and education wing (1990), the launch of God's Garden (1994), the intergenerational faith formation program (1997), and the altar mural icon (2002). The 2010 Raising the Roof Campaign funded major capital repairs with extraordinary parish generosity. In 2022, St. Paul joined five other parishes to form the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes under the Beacons of Light initiative.
- 1971: Parish planned by Archbishop Paul F. Leibold and Fr. Francis B. Pilliod
- August 19–20, 1972: First Masses at Englewood Hills School (700+ attendees)
- June 8, 1973: Church groundbreaking on Wenger Road
- Christmas Eve 1973: First Mass in new church
- 1982: Stations of the Cross prayer garden installed
- 1983: St. Vincent de Paul Conference formed
- 1984: Founding pastor Fr. Pilliod retired; named Pastor Emeritus
- 1990: Pilliod Hall and 16,500 sq ft addition dedicated
- 1994: God's Garden started
- 1997: Intergenerational faith formation adopted
- January 25, 2002: Altar mural 'Christ in Glory and the Conversion of St. Paul' blessed
- 2005: Marian Shrine, 24-hour Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Knights of Columbus Council #13874
- 2010: Raising the Roof Campaign
- July 1, 2022: Joins St. Gaspar Family of Parishes (NE-6)
Worship and Liturgy
St. Paul offers a streamlined weekly Mass schedule within the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes, with one weekend Mass (Saturday Vigil in summer; Sunday year-round) and two weekday Masses. The sanctuary features the 2002 mural icon, and the church maintains a 24-hour Blessed Sacrament Chapel for perpetual adoration. Confessions are heard before the Saturday Vigil Mass during the May–August rotation.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 p.m. (May–August, rotating with St. Rita and Precious Blood)
- Sunday Mass: 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesday Mass: 8:30 a.m.
- Thursday Mass: 8:30 a.m.
- Confession: Saturday 3:30–4:20 p.m. (May–August)
- 24-hour Blessed Sacrament Chapel access
Clergy and Staff
Since July 1, 2023, the parish has been shepherded by Fr. Anthony (Tony) Fortman, C.PP.S., pastor of the entire NE-6 Family of Parishes, assisted by parochial vicars Fr. James Gaynor, C.PP.S., and Fr. Seraphine Lesiriam, C.PP.S. The parish shares a Family Leadership Team with the other five parishes in the family, including a Director of Evangelization (Deacon Brian Seibert), Director of Music and Liturgy (Marianne Pitts), Director of Stewardship (Susan Seibert), Director of Love in Action (Matt Ruttle), and School Principal (Robin Johnson).
- Fr. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S. — Pastor
- Fr. James Gaynor, C.PP.S. — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Seraphine Lesiriam, C.PP.S. — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Brian Seibert — Director of Evangelization
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. Paul's Religious Education program serves students from pre-K through 8th grade and has been a central ministry since the parish's earliest days. The parish also runs the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), instituted in 1986, to walk inquirers through the Catholic faith with parish sponsors. In 1997 the parish transitioned to an intergenerational model emphasizing the domestic church, accompanied by the creation of a parish library and website.
- CCD / Religious Education (Pre-K through 8th grade)
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (since 1986)
- Intergenerational faith formation model (since 1997)
- Parish library
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The parish sponsors a wide range of ministries serving youth, men, women, the poor, and the broader Englewood community. The Knights of Columbus Council #13874, Ladies Guild, Men of St. Paul, and youth organizations form the backbone of parish life. Outreach ministries include the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference (since 1983), God's Garden (since 1994), and a food pantry pickup program.
- Knights of Columbus Council #13874
- Ladies Guild
- Men of St. Paul
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul (since 1983)
- God's Garden (since 1994)
- Food Pantry
- Sister-parish relationship with Santa Luzmila, Lima, Peru
- Parish Picnic and Fish Fry fundraisers
Devotions and Sacred Spaces
Beyond Sunday worship, St. Paul maintains several beloved devotional spaces. The outdoor Marian Shrine (blessed 2005) hosts the annual May Crowning following First Communion; the fourteen-station outdoor prayer garden (1982) uses twelve-ton stations rescued from a former Dominican Sisters' retreat house; and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel has been open 24 hours a day since 2005 for perpetual adoration.
- Outdoor Marian Shrine (blessed 2005)
- Annual May Crowning
- Fourteen Stations of the Cross prayer garden (1982)
- 24-hour Blessed Sacrament Chapel
- Blessing of the Throats
St. Gaspar Family of Parishes
Since July 1, 2022, St. Paul has been one of six parishes in the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes (designated NE-6), created under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light pastoral planning initiative. The family groups St. Paul with Precious Blood, St. Rita, Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, and St. Joseph — all served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.). The parishes share clergy, staff, and sacramental schedules; the Saturday Vigil Mass and Confession rotate among St. Paul, St. Rita, and Precious Blood every four months.
- Family designation: NE-6
- Other parishes: Precious Blood, St. Rita, Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, St. Joseph
- Common pastor: Fr. Tony Fortman, C.PP.S.
- Parochial vicars: Fr. James Gaynor, C.PP.S.; Fr. Seraphine Lesiriam, C.PP.S.
- Formed July 1, 2022 under Beacons of Light
- All parishes ministered by Missionaries of the Precious Blood
Visiting and Contact
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitors are warmly welcomed at all Masses and are encouraged to explore the parish grounds, including the outdoor prayer garden, Marian Shrine, and God's Garden. The parish phone is (937) 836-7535 and email correspondence may be directed to [email protected].
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Phone: (937) 836-7535
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://stgasparfamily.org/st-paul-parish/
- Address: 1000 W. Wenger Road, Englewood, OH 45322
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francis B. Pilliod1971/1972 – June 24, 1984
Founding pastor; previously pastor of St. Rita Parish, Dayton. Appointed by Archbishop Paul F. Leibold to organize the 36th parish in Montgomery County. Named Pastor Emeritus by Archbishop Pilarczyk upon retirement.
- Fr. Ronald Wilker1984 – August 1, 1993
Second pastor; previously of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Dayton. Oversaw the 16,500 sq ft Pilliod Hall / education wing addition (dedicated September 1990). Departed to become pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, Coldwater.
- Fr. Todd GroganAugust 1, 1993 – 2005
Third pastor; previously Associate Pastor of St. Jude Parish, Bridgetown. During his tenure: God's Garden started (1994), intergenerational faith formation adopted (1997), parish library and website created, mural icon 'Christ in Glory and the Conversion of St. Paul' commissioned (blessed January 25, 2002), Marian Shrine and 24-hour Blessed Sacrament Chapel introduced (2005). Transferred to Annunciation Parish, Cincinnati in 2005.
- Fr. Ken Baker2005 – (until Beacons of Light reorganization)
Fourth pastor; previously from neighboring St. Rita Parish. Served during the Raising the Roof Campaign (2010).
- Fr. Anthony (Tony) Fortman, C.PP.S.Effective July 1, 2023 – present
Fifth pastor; appointed by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as Pastor of the NE-6 (St. Gaspar) Family of Parishes under the Beacons of Light initiative. Member of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.