About St. Paul · Salem, Ohio
St. Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Salem, Ohio, in the Diocese of Youngstown, established in 1881 to serve the Catholic families of this Columbiana County city. The parish worships at the church on East State Street, runs an attached Catholic elementary school (St. Paul School, founded 1904), and collaborates with neighboring St. Patrick Parish in Leetonia. It is notable for its active Hispanic ministry — Centro San Pablo, opened in 2014 — and for celebrating a weekly Sunday Mass in Spanish, alongside English Masses and a thriving Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus #1818, and Loyal Christian Benefit Association (LCBA) #654. The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Joseph Ruggieri with a sizable lay staff and deacon Lawrence Pasko.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- Saint Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph Ruggieri
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown
Why belong here
St. Paul Parish is a bilingual, family-centered Catholic community in Salem where English and Spanish-speaking parishioners worship side by side, including a Sunday evening Mass celebrated entirely in Spanish. A robust faith formation program (CCD) and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) walk adults and children through the sacraments, while the parish's K-8 Catholic school integrates faith into daily academics. With active ministries like the Knights of Columbus #1818, Legion of Mary, LCBA #654, Centro San Pablo, rosary prayer groups, Bible studies, and a parish food-and-fellowship program, newcomers can find both spiritual nourishment and genuine community life rooted in 145 years of local Catholic tradition.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 3:30 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Thursdays after the 9:00 AM Mass until 4:00 PM, ending with Benediction
- Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet prayed at 3:00 PM during Thursday Adoration
Parish Identity and Mission
St. Paul Parish describes itself as 'a Roman Catholic community in the Youngstown Diocese, called by baptism to continue Christ's mission through education, example and service.' The parish, in collaboration with neighboring St. Patrick Parish in Leetonia, is nourished by Word, Worship, and Sacrament, and dedicates itself to ministry through the sharing of time, talent, and treasure. Its dedication to Saint Paul reflects a missionary charism marked by zeal for the Gospel, communication of the faith, and building up of the Church through travel, teaching, and leadership.
- Patron: Saint Paul the Apostle
- Patronal feast: January 25 — Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul
- Parish Code 308, Columbiana Deanery
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown
- Bilingual parish: English and Spanish
History
The Catholic community in Salem traces back to the early 1850s, when Irish railroad workers settled the area but faced prejudice in this predominantly Quaker town. Visiting priests celebrated Mass in private homes for over a decade before Father Eli W.J. Lindesmith organized the mission in 1868, chose Saint Paul as patron in 1869, and purchased the original East Main Street lots in 1872–73. Father Clement Treiber became the first resident pastor in July 1880; the frame church was built in 1881 at a total cost of $3,600 and dedicated by Bishop Richard Gilmour on November 28, 1886. The school opened in 1904 staffed by the Humility of Mary Sisters, who served it for nearly a century until 2003. A new, larger church was begun in 1925 under Father Alfred J. Manning and later renovated after Vatican II.
- 1850s: Irish Catholic railroad workers settle Salem
- 1869: Patronage of Saint Paul chosen; January 25 set as patronal feast
- 1872–73: Church lots purchased on East Main Street
- 1880: Father Clement Treiber becomes first resident pastor
- 1881: Frame church built (cost $3,600)
- 1886: Church dedicated by Bishop Richard Gilmour
- 1904: First parish school opens under Humility of Mary Sisters
- 1925: Construction begins on the present church (Father Alfred J. Manning)
- Post-Vatican II: Church renovated under Father Blaine Pierce's Finance Committee
- 2003: Humility of Mary Sisters turn school governance over to the parish
- 2014: Centro San Pablo opens to serve the Hispanic community
Pastoral Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by a sizable pastoral team under Pastor Rev. Joseph Ruggieri. Rev. Robert Edwards serves as Pastor Emeritus. Deacon Lawrence Pasko assists at the parishes of St. Paul and St. Patrick. The parish also benefits from two Dominican (Order of Preachers) priests — Rev. Frassati Davis, O.P., and Rev. Charles Rooney, O.P. — who serve as Sacramental Ministers for the Hispanic community at Centro San Pablo.
- Pastor: Rev. Joseph Ruggieri (30th Ordination Anniversary celebrated May 2025)
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Robert Edwards
- Deacon: Lawrence Pasko
- Hispanic Ministry Sacramental Ministers: Rev. Frassati Davis, O.P., Rev. Charles Rooney, O.P.
- Business Manager: Patrick Morrissey
- Comptroller: Richard L. Altomare, Jr.
- Pastoral Minister to the Sick & Shut-Ins / OCIA Director: Patti Schaff
- Coordinator of Religious Education (CCD) / Safe Environment Compliance Officer: Peggy Fitch
- Director of Hispanic Ministry (Centro San Pablo): Isabel Leon
- Director of Sacred Music: John Zamarelli
- School Principal: David Fischer
- Sacristan / Wedding Coordinator: Dee Stryzinski
- Executive Assistant to the Pastor: Stefanie Moran
- Administrative Assistant / Receptionist: Kim Pollock
- Bookkeeper: Renae Griffith
St. Paul School
St. Paul School is a Pre-K through Grade 8 Catholic elementary school located next to the church at 925 East State Street, Salem. Founded in 1904 and historically staffed by the Humility of Mary Sisters (who turned governance over to the parish in 2003), the school is fully accredited by the Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association (2019–2026) and serves about 102 students. Its mission is to educate the mind, body, and spirit of each child, integrating daily religious instruction, weekly student-planned Mass, service projects, and Catholic traditions such as Advent ceremonies, Stations of the Cross, May Crowning, and the Rosary. The school offers a STREAM Learning Ecosystem (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).
- Founded 1904; run by Humility of Mary Sisters until 2003
- Pre-K through Grade 8, fully accredited (OCSAA 2019–2026)
- 102 students enrolled (October 2025)
- STREAM Learning Ecosystem curriculum
- Weekly student-planned Mass, daily religious instruction
- Principal: David Fischer
- Phone: (330) 337-3451
- Website: www.stpaul.k12.oh.us
Faith Formation and Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's Coordinator of Religious Education, Peggy Fitch, oversees the CCD program and safe-environment compliance. Religious Education sessions for school-age children meet on Sundays in St. Paul School (typically 9:15–10:40 AM or 9:50–10:50 AM depending on the year). Adult formation is provided through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), directed by Patti Schaff, and through ongoing Bible studies.
- Coordinator of Religious Education (CCD): Peggy Fitch
- OCIA Director: Patti Schaff
- Religious Education sessions in St. Paul School on Sundays
- OCIA meetings: Mondays at 6:30 PM in St. Paul Parish Center Living Room
- Women's Bible Study: Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
- Children's sacramental preparation (First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation)
Centro San Pablo — Hispanic Ministry
Opened in 2014, Centro San Pablo is a parish-created ministry space where faith, culture, and community come together to support Hispanic families in northwest Ohio. It has become a gathering place for families from different Latin American countries and keeps their traditions alive for new generations. The ministry is directed by Isabel Leon and supported by two Dominican priests, Rev. Frassati Davis, O.P., and Rev. Charles Rooney, O.P., who serve as Sacramental Ministers. The parish celebrates a weekly Sunday Mass in Spanish at 5:00 PM.
- Opened: 2014
- Director: Isabel Leon ([email protected], 234-564-9609)
- Hispanic Ministry Sacramental Ministers: Rev. Frassati Davis, O.P., and Rev. Charles Rooney, O.P.
- Sunday Spanish Mass: 5:00 PM
- Traditions celebrated: Los Posadas and other Latin American devotions
- Serves Hispanic families from across Latin America now living in the Salem area
Parish Ministries, Groups, and Devotions
St. Paul Parish is sustained by a wide network of lay-led ministries and devotional groups, including fraternal organizations, prayer and Bible study groups, and outreach programs. Each of these gives parishioners concrete ways to participate in the parish's mission of Word, Worship, and Sacrament.
- Knights of Columbus Council #1818 (meets first Monday evenings)
- LCBA Branch #654 (Loyal Christian Benefit Association; meets at Salem Senior Housing Clubhouse)
- Legion of Mary (Mondays 12:30 PM, St. Paul Rectory Meeting Room)
- Funeral Buffet Ministry
- Food and Fellowship
- Centro San Pablo / Hispanic Ministry
- Women's Bible Study (Wednesdays 6:30 PM)
- OCIA (Mondays 6:30 PM)
- St. Paul Prayer Chain (Mary Ann Sugar, 330-718-7444)
- Divine Mercy Chaplet (Rosalyn Hardgrove, 234-567-1863)
- Music Ministry under John Zamarelli
- Pastoral Care to the Sick and Shut-Ins (Patti Schaff)
- Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Security Council, Liturgy/Worship Committee
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and provides clear avenues to arrange each through the Parish Office at (330) 332-0336. Baptisms and Marriages must be scheduled in advance; First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are coordinated through the Religious Education (CCD) program and celebrated annually, with Confirmation typically conferred at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown.
- Baptism — Call the Parish Office to arrange
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist — through CCD
- Confirmation — usually celebrated at St. Columba Cathedral, Youngstown
- Marriage — Call the Parish Office at least 6 months in advance; Wedding Coordinator Dee Stryzinski
- Anointing of the Sick — annual Mass and by appointment
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:30 PM or by appointment
- Communion to the Shut-Ins — coordinated through the Parish Office
Visiting and Getting Involved
St. Paul Parish welcomes visitors and new parishioners to its historic church on East State Street, where the school, parish offices, and worship site all sit within a single block. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. The bulletin — published weekly and available on the parish website — lists current Mass intentions, upcoming events, and ministry meeting times, and is the best way to find a ministry that fits your gifts.
- Parish Office: (330) 332-0336
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–3 PM; Fri 9 AM–12 PM
- Address: 935 East State Street, Salem, OH 44460
- Weekly bulletin published at stpaulsalem.org
- Collaborates with St. Patrick Parish in Leetonia
- Ecumenical involvement in the wider Salem community
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Frassati Davis, O.P.
Hispanic Ministry Sacramental Minister (Order of Preachers)
- Rev. Charles Rooney, O.P.
Hispanic Ministry Sacramental Minister (Order of Preachers)
- Rev. Robert Edwards
Pastor Emeritus of St. Paul Parish
- Rev. Joseph Ruggieri
Current pastor; celebrated 30th Ordination Anniversary in May 2025
- Rev. Eli W.J. Lindesmith1868–1880
Served Salem as a mission from Alliance/Leetonia; chose St. Paul as patron; left to become U.S. Cavalry chaplain
- Rev. Clement Treiber1880–
First resident pastor; oversaw construction of the 1881 frame church
- Rev. Alfred J. Manningfrom 1925
Began construction of the present church
- Rev. Maurice J. Casey
Pastor during the church's dedication by Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland
- Rev. Blaine Pierce
Organized a Finance Committee to renovate the church after Vatican II