St. Sebastian Parish

Mission & Vision

Under the leadership of pastor The Very Rev. Fr. John Valencheck, St. Sebastian Parish strives to be a beacon of truth, goodness, and beauty. Together with more than 1,800 families, 400+ students from preschool to 8th grade, and a wide range of active ministries, the parish is a faith-filled, welcoming community dedicated to worship, service, and spiritual growth. Its mission: a community dedicated to Christ, with the Eucharist as the source and summit of its life, answering this call through worship, evangelization, and service. As it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2028, the parish moves forward with gratitude for its history and a renewed commitment to its next century of service.

Parish History

St. Sebastian Parish was founded in 1928 in response to Akron's explosive growth. Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland appointed Rev. Hilary Zwisler founding pastor; the first Mass was celebrated August 5, 1928, at Rankin School's gymnasium. Ground was broken April 28, 1929, for a combined church, school, and convent; the school opened that fall and the church welcomed its first Mass on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1929. Monsignor Zwisler went on to build a rectory (1938), a convent for the Sisters of the Humility of Mary (1950), a recreation center now called Byrider Hall (1952), and the current 1,000-seat church dedicated in 1960. He was named Right Reverend Monsignor by Pope Pius XII in 1957, retired in 1968, and died in 1971.

St. Sebastian Parish Foundation

Founded in 1971 by Fr. Charles Byrider with several long-time parishioners, the St. Sebastian Parish Foundation ensures funds will always be available to continue the parish's tradition. Originally six trustees and the pastor, the Foundation board has grown to ten parishioners plus the pastor and is supported by a Director of Development and two part-time staff. All contributions — and the interest they generate — stay within the parish to support its spiritual, educational, recreational, and physical needs. In 2017, at Fr. Valencheck's request, the Foundation launched the Cornerstone of Our Faith $1 million capital campaign to restore the church in time for the parish's 90th anniversary.

• Foundation contact: [email protected] | 330-836-2233 (fax 330-836-2235)
• Foundation address: 476 Mull Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320
• Director of Development: Milissa Smith

Clergy & Staff

St. Sebastian Parish is currently served by The Very Rev. John Valencheck (Pastor) and Rev. Joseph Ho (Parochial Vicar), with additional pastoral assistance from Fr. Marcelli and visiting confessors. A dedicated lay staff carries out parish, school, foundation, and music ministries.

• The Very Rev. John Valencheck — Pastor
• Rev. Joseph Ho — Parochial Vicar
• David Uschold, MM — Director of Music and Organist
• Keith Johnson — Parish Catechetical Leader (330-836-2233 ext. 134, [email protected])
• Cinnamon Chivers — Parish School of Religion, Principal
• Anne Dennee — Parish Business Manager
• Catherine Petit — Parish Bookkeeper
• Cathy Sivec — Rectory Office Manager
• Mike Zimmerman — Director of the Academy of Culture & Arts
• Mallory Palagyi — Youth Minister
• Bernadette Gibson — Marketing & Admissions Coordinator
• Scott Mason — Facilities Manager
• Kathy Holaday — Zwisler Hall Event Manager
• Ed Goodrum — Custodial Manager
• Terry Tolson — Development Assistant
• Ron Klamert — St. Sebastian Parish Foundation, Development Director
• Milissa Smith — St. Sebastian Parish Foundation, Development Director

Faith Formation

The parish provides a robust slate of faith-formation ministries for children, teens, and adults — from Baptism preparation through RCIA and ongoing adult enrichment.

• Baptism Preparation Team — lay leaders preparing parents and godparents
• Parish School of Religion (PSR) — public-school students age 4 through grade 8, Sunday 9:30–10:45 AM in the parish school
• Catechist Formation — training for those called to teach the Faith
• Junior High Youth Ministry — grades 7–8 (meetings, service, retreat)
• Senior High Youth Ministry — monthly faith-based meetings, service, and annual retreats
• Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
• Confirmation preparation
• Reconciliation preparation (typically Second Grade)
• Vacation Bible School — summer, grades K–5
• Little Flowers Girls Club
• Young Adults Group (ages 20s–30s)
• West Side Catholic Couples
• Mentor Couples

Community Outreach

St. Sebastian Parish carries Christ's call to serve neighbors in need through several outreach ministries, including a distinctive mobile food ministry that brings meals to at-risk sites across Summit County.

• Good Samaritan Hunger Center — mobile food ministry serving hot meals and distributing bags of food at at-risk locations in Summit County, Monday–Friday 2:30–4:00 PM
• Rockynol Communion Service Ministry — 4:00 PM Mondays at Rockynol Chapel (Mass on the first Monday)
• Operation Rice Bowl — benefits Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
• Giving Tree — Christmas-season giving ministry benefiting local charities

St. Sebastian Parish School

St. Sebastian Catholic School (preschool through 8th grade), located at 500 Mull Avenue, is part of a long Akron tradition of Catholic education begun with the parish's founding. The original 1929 combined building housed a student-teacher ratio of 220 students to six sisters; the school grew with a junior high wing in 1969, a library, science lab (2001), technology/computer lab (2001), school garden (2011), and an Innovation Lab (2017). In 2001 the former convent was converted to classrooms for kindergarten and preschool. In 2023 the school was recognized with the U.S. Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Award, and at the time of the 90th anniversary it had educated more than 5,500 students. Sister Bernadette Gibson serves as Marketing & Admissions Coordinator.

• School address: 500 Mull Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320
• School phone: 330-836-9107
• More than 5,500 students educated since 1929
• 2023 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School
• Contact for Faith Formation / PSR: Keith Johnson (330-836-2233 ext. 134)

St. Sebastian Academy of Culture & Arts

Established in 2014, the St. Sebastian Academy of Culture and Arts uses arts and culture to lift the human spirit, give glory to God, and use truth and beauty to bring about the Good in the shaping of our world. Mike Zimmerman serves as Director.

Contact & Locations

Parish office is open 8:30 AM–5:00 PM Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–6:00 PM Saturday, and 8:00 AM–1:00 PM Sunday (holiday hours vary). Phone the main rectory at 330-836-2233 or email [email protected] for general inquiries.

• Church address: Saint Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, 476 Mull Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320 — 330-836-2233
• School address: Saint Sebastian Catholic School, 500 Mull Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320 — 330-836-9107
• Foundation address: St. Sebastian Parish Foundation, 476 Mull Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320 — 330-836-2233, fax 330-836-2235, [email protected]
• Byrider Hall (gymnasium): 420 South Hawkins Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320
• Parish office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM; Sat 8:30 AM–6:00 PM; Sun 8:00 AM–1:00 PM