About St. Sebastian · Celina, Ohio
St. Sebastian is a historic Roman Catholic parish in rural Mercer County, Ohio, serving the unincorporated community of St. Sebastian (addressed as Celina) about a mile north of State Route 274. Founded in 1852 by twenty German Catholic farm families, it is one of the so-called 'Cross-Tipped Churches' of the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today the parish is part of the Marion Catholic Community / Christ Our Light Family of Parishes and is served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.), within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- St. Sebastian
- Rector
- Rev. Kenneth Schnipke, C.PP.S.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
St. Sebastian offers a small, family-sized Catholic community rooted in 170 years of German-Catholic heritage in rural Mercer County. Worshippers gather for a Sunday morning Mass and a Monday evening Mass with Eucharistic Adoration throughout the day and Confession afterward, and they share a tightly knit cluster of ministries with four neighboring Precious Blood parishes — Precious Blood of Chickasaw, Nativity BVM of Cassella, St. Rose, and St. John the Baptist of Maria Stein — including faith formation, CYO, junior high and high school youth ministry, Vacation Bible School, Damascus, Steubenville, and service opportunities.
Mass times at St. Sebastian
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM (after the 5:30 PM Mass; except the 3rd Monday of the month)
Adoration times
- Monday 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Adoration)
- Thursday after Mass until 7:00 PM (Eucharistic Devotion, begun 1998)
History of St. Sebastian Parish
St. Sebastian traces its origin to 1850, when twenty German Catholic farm families in the heavily wooded northwest corner of Mercer County began gathering for Mass by traveling up to five miles through the forest to St. Rose and St. John the Baptist parishes. In 1851 they petitioned Bishop John Purcell of Cincinnati for permission to build their own church and school, and on the spring morning in 1852 when the cornerstone was laid, eldest founding member Sebastian Schraner raised a small statue of St. Sebastian and the congregation unanimously chose him as patron. The first frame church — built by the families themselves under carpenter Coratus — was dedicated January 20, 1853, the saint's feast day. A free school was added in 1854 and Father Peter Willhelmi became the first resident pastor in 1857.
Church Buildings: 1852, 1879, and 1904
By 1878 the original frame church had been outgrown, and Anton DeCurtins of Carthagena designed a brick replacement that was completed in October 1879 at a cost of $4,800; he enlarged it again in 1894–95 for $4,400. On January 12, 1903, while the parish was preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the church was totally destroyed by fire. The present Gothic Revival church, designed by Andrew DeCurtins (Anton's son), was completed in September 1904 at a cost of $16,510 and solemnly consecrated by Auxiliary Bishop Henry Moeller soon after, with the choir of St. Charles Seminary singing the Pontifical High Mass.
- 1852: First frame church built by parishioners under carpenter Coratus; dedicated Jan. 20, 1853.
- 1879: Brick replacement, 45 ft × 85 ft, designed by Anton DeCurtins; cost $4,800.
- 1894–95: Anton DeCurtins enlarges the brick church; cost $4,400.
- January 12, 1903: Church destroyed by fire.
- 1904: Present Gothic Revival church completed by Andrew DeCurtins for $16,510.
- 1905: Rectory built for $4,200.
- 1908: Pipe organ installed ($2,500) with a $1,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie.
- 1917: Electric lights installed.
Architecture & Historic Designation
St. Sebastian's is a textbook example of the third-generation Precious Blood churches of western Ohio: a tall single-story Gothic Revival structure with one central tower. Andrew DeCurtins used stone for the foundation, pressed brick laid in stretcher bond for the walls, and slate for the roof, with sandstone trim accenting the buttresses. Inside, the 113 ft × 52 ft worship space features a vaulted ceiling and High Gothic Revival reredos. The Ohio Historic Inventory surveyed the church and rectory in 1977, finding both in good condition; they were added together to the National Register of Historic Places on July 26, 1979 (NRHP #79002830) as part of the 'Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio' thematic resource covering more than thirty related properties in far western Ohio.
- Architect: Andrew DeCurtins
- Style: Gothic Revival
- NRHP Reference No.: 79002830
- Date added to NRHP: July 26, 1979
- Thematic Resource: Cross-Tipped Churches of Ohio TR
Religious & Priestly Vocations from the Parish
The parish has produced a remarkable number of religious and priestly vocations, recorded on the parish history page as 'Sons and Daughters of the Parish in God's Service.'
- Sr. Remberta (Otillia) Will
- Sr. Scholastica (Julia) Will
- Sr. Juliana Schaeffer
- Sr. Lucille Schmitmeyer
- Fr. Edgar Jutte
- Fr. Ronald Will
- Sr. Patricia Ann Froning
- Sr. Cecilla (Lillian) Huber
Renovations & Major Improvements
In 1959 Fr. George Grevenkamp, C.PP.S. had the interior repainted by Walter Colen of New Albany, Indiana for $4,000. During the pastorate of Fr. Aloys Friedrich, C.PP.S., a new altar facing the people was installed. Beginning in 2000, the Parish Council launched a major renovation campaign with a $5,000-per-family pledge goal; over six years the roof was replaced ($71,000), exterior stone and brick were cleaned and tuck-pointed ($31,232), interior plaster and paint were renewed ($15,854.91 and $51,716), the tabernacle door was regilded, a 1912 chime was restored, and a skylight above the altar was uncovered. Steps, sidewalks, and a cemetery circle driveway were completed in 2007 thanks in part to a $36,000 gift from the Ernest and Regina Schwieterman family.
Current Pastoral Team (Marion Catholic Community)
The Christ Our Light Family of Parishes is led by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. As of June 2026, the announced configuration includes a Sacramental Minister (Fr. Matthew Jozefiak, C.PP.S.) continuing in reduced ministry, and a new Parochial Vicar, Fr. James Smith, C.PP.S., beginning July 1, 2026, who previously served the St. Henry Cluster.
- Rev. Kenneth Schnipke, C.PP.S. — Pastor
- Rev. Matthew Jozefiak, C.PP.S. — Sacramental Minister (former pastor of the cluster)
- Fr. Mark Hoying, C.PP.S. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Vara Kumar Chowtapalli, C.PP.S. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Kenneth Alt, C.PP.S. — Sacramental Minister
- Fr. James Smith, C.PP.S. — Parochial Vicar (beginning July 1, 2026)
- Rev. Mr. Ken Wuebker — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Roger Klosterman — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Steve Broering — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Brad Feltz — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Greg Bornhorst — Deacon
Parish & Cluster Staff (St. Sebastian)
Day-to-day parish operations are coordinated through the Marion Catholic Community cluster staff, with dedicated staff serving St. Sebastian.
- Business Manager: Sue Roeckner
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Judy Forsthoefel
- Music Director: Doris Wilker
- Parish Council President: Tyler Schmit
- Maintenance: Tom Wilker
- Basement Rental: Becky Kunkler — (419) 953-4411
- Cluster Director of Liturgy and Worship: Nick Wilker
- Cluster Adult Faith Formation: Carolyn Stucke
- Cluster Parish Administrator: Sharon Kremer
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
St. Sebastian shares its faith-formation programming with the rest of the Marion Catholic Community, offering Religious Education (CCD), Vacation Bible School, CYO, junior high and high school youth ministry, and retreats such as Damascus and Steubenville. Children's CCD classes were moved into the converted former rectory in 1991.
- Religious Education / CCD — Coordinator: Judy Forsthoefel
- Adult Faith Formation — Carolyn Stucke (cluster)
- Vacation Bible School
- CYO
- MCC Junior High Youth Ministry
- MCC High School Youth Ministry
- Damascus retreats
- Steubenville Youth Conference trips
- Service Opportunities
Sacraments
Sunday and weekly Mass are the heart of parish sacramental life, complemented by regular Confession and Eucharistic Adoration. Baptisms, marriages, and Anointing of the Sick are coordinated through the Marion Catholic Community pastoral staff.
- Sunday Mass — 8:30 AM
- Monday Mass — 5:30 PM
- Confession — Monday 6:15–7:00 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration — Monday 8:00 AM–5:30 PM
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — through the Marion Catholic Community
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Sebastian is led by Music Director Doris Wilker. Across the Marion Catholic Community, Director of Liturgy and Worship Nick Wilker coordinates the cluster's liturgical life. The parish still uses the historic 1908 pipe organ — originally funded in part by a $1,000 gift from Andrew Carnegie — and a 1912 chime that was restored and hung in the rear of the church during the 2006 renovation.
- St. Sebastian Music Director: Doris Wilker
- Cluster Director of Liturgy and Worship: Nick Wilker
- 1908 pipe organ (Carnegie gift $1,000)
- 1912 chime — restored and rehung in 2006
Facilities: Cemetery, Rectory, Basement Rentals
St. Sebastian Parish maintains a cemetery on its grounds (a Cemetery Board was organized in 1944). The old rectory was converted into the CCD/Religious Education center in 1991. A circle driveway was added to the cemetery in 2007 by Paul Bruns Construction, and the parish basement is available for rental events through Becky Kunkler at (419) 953-4411.
- Parish cemetery (Cemetery Board organized 1944)
- Cemetery circle driveway added 2007 (Paul Bruns Construction)
- Old rectory converted to CCD center (1991)
- Parish basement rental — Becky Kunkler, (419) 953-4411
The Marion Catholic Community / Christ Our Light Family of Parishes
Since July 2004 St. Sebastian has been part of the Five-Parish Marion Catholic Community Cluster (now called the Christ Our Light Family of Parishes) within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's St. Marys Deanery. The cluster is served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.). Cluster parishes share faith formation, youth ministry, music, and administrative staff.
- Precious Blood — Chickasaw
- Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary — Cassella
- St. Rose — St. Rose, Ohio
- St. John the Baptist — Maria Stein (cluster center, address 7428 State Route 119, Maria Stein, OH 45860)
- St. Sebastian — Celina / St. Sebastian
- Deanery: St. Marys Deanery, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
- Served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.)
Visiting St. Sebastian
St. Sebastian sits in the unincorporated community of St. Sebastian in Marion Township, Mercer County — about one mile north of State Route 274. The parish address is 3280 Mercer County Road 716A, Celina, OH 45822, and the parish office can be reached at (419) 925-4775. The cluster mailing address is 7428 State Route 119, Maria Stein, OH 45860.
- Address: 3280 Mercer Cty. Rd. 716A, Celina, OH 45822
- Phone: (419) 925-4775
- Cluster mailing: 7428 State Route 119, Maria Stein, OH 45860
- Located ~1 mile north of State Route 274
- Part of the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Von den Brook1852–1857
Pastor of St. John, Maria Stein; said Sunday Mass at St. Sebastian in rotation with Father Kunkler.
- Father Andrew Kunkler1852–1857
Pastor of St. Rose; rotated Sunday Masses at St. Sebastian.
- Father Peter Willhelmi1857–
First regularly appointed resident pastor.
- Fr. George Grevenkamp, C.PP.S.
Led 1959 interior repainting by Walter Colen.
- Fr. Aloys Friedrich, C.PP.S.
During his pastorate, a new altar facing the people was installed.
- Fr. John Bensman1991–2004
Combined St. Sebastian with Precious Blood of Chickasaw under one priest (1991); began Thursday Eucharistic Devotion (1998); started 2000 renovation campaign; retired July 2004.
- Fr. Ken Schroeder, C.PP.S.2004–
Became pastor July 2004 when St. Sebastian joined the Five-Parish Marion Catholic Community Cluster; Fr. Harry Cavanaugh, C.PP.S. served as associate.
- Fr. Matthew Jozefiak, C.PP.S.
Pastor of the Marion Catholic Community before transitioning to Sacramental Minister (announced June 2026) due to health.
- Rev. Kenneth Schnipke, C.PP.S.
Current Pastor of the Marion Catholic Community / Christ Our Light Family of Parishes.