About St. Stephen · Cleveland, Ohio
St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church is a historic parish in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood on Cleveland's west side, founded in April 1869 to serve German-speaking Catholics who had outgrown nearby St. Mary's. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Cleveland and is distinguished by its 1881 Gothic stone church (designed by the Cleveland firm Cudell & Richardson and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977), its faithful celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass every Sunday, and a monthly German Mass that preserves the parish's founding heritage. Today it is staffed by priests of the Apostles of Jesus congregation and continues to be a fully active parish offering daily Mass, a Holy Hour with confession and Benediction, RCIA, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, and cultural programs such as a children's German summer camp.
- Established
- 1869
- Patron
- St. Stephen (the first Christian martyr and one of the first seven deacons of the Church)
- Rector
- Rev. Caroli B. Shao, A.J. (7th pastor)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Stephen's offers something rare in the Diocese of Cleveland: a fully active parish life centered on the Traditional Latin Mass every Sunday, daily Mass in both English and Latin, and a monthly German Mass that keeps the parish's founding heritage alive. Worship takes place inside a National Register of Historic Places landmark — an 1881 Gothic stone church with hand-carved oak altars and stained glass from Germany — and parishioners are served by priests of the Apostles of Jesus order along with a Latin Mass schola, a St. Vincent de Paul conference for outreach, RCIA, and family programs such as a children's German summer camp, pro-life and home-school events, and the annual Priesthood Sunday celebration.
Mass times at St. Stephen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:15–4:45 PM
- Sunday 9:00–9:30 AM
- Wednesday during the 7:00 PM Holy Hour (after the 6:30 PM Latin Mass)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 7:00 PM Holy Hour (Adoration, Confession, and Benediction following the 6:30 PM Latin Mass)
- First Friday 6:30 PM Mass and Benediction
Parish History
St. Stephen's was founded in April 1869 as the second German-language parish on Cleveland's west side, splitting from St. Mary's of the Assumption to serve German-speaking families living west of West 44th Street. Bishop Louis Amadeus Rappe appointed Fr. Stephen Falk to organize the parish, and the newly ordained Fr. Casimir Reichlin celebrated the first Mass on May 1, 1870, going on to serve as pastor for 38 years. The Gothic stone church that stands today was designed by the Cleveland firm Cudell & Richardson, begun in 1873, halted by the Panic of 1873, and finally completed and dedicated on November 20, 1881 by Bishop Richard Gilmour. Parishioners mortgaged their own homes to fund its construction, and volunteer German and Hungarian woodworkers completed the ornate oak interior. Over the next century the parish added a rectory, a Sisters of Notre Dame convent, a school, and a high school; survived a 1953 tornado; and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
- Founded April 1869 by Bishop Louis Amadeus Rappe
- First Mass: May 1, 1870 (Fr. Casimir Reichlin)
- Current church dedicated November 20, 1881
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places November 11, 1977
- Tornado damage repaired and church reopened November 6, 1953
- Spared in the 2010 diocesan parish closings for its historical significance
Architecture and Historic Interior
The church is a Gothic-style cruciform building constructed almost entirely of Amherst stone, designed by Cleveland architects Cudell & Richardson. It measures 165 feet long by 74 feet wide, with six enormous wooden pillars on each side of the main altar that branch out into columns supporting the nave. The high altar, side altars, pulpit, and pews are all carved from oak, and Mexican onyx and brass line the Communion rail. The sanctuary and aisle floors are laid in black-and-white marble tile, and stained-glass windows imported from Germany illuminate the interior. The entire building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and the Society of St. Stephen and the St. Stephen Alumni Association continue to work on its restoration and maintenance.
- Architect: Cudell & Richardson (Cleveland)
- Style: Gothic, cruciform plan
- Dimensions: 165 ft long × 74 ft wide
- Construction: Amherst stone with oak altars, pulpit, and pews
- Communion rail: Mexican onyx and brass
- Stained-glass windows from Germany
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments throughout the year. Infant and child baptisms (under age seven) are celebrated monthly and require registration through the Parish Office. Couples are asked to arrange weddings with the pastor at least six months in advance. Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and confessions are heard before every weekend Mass and during the Wednesday Holy Hour, or by appointment.
- Baptism (infants and children under 7): monthly
- Marriage: 6-month preparation with the Pastor
- RCIA: contact the Parish Office
- Confession: Saturday 4:15–4:45 PM, Sunday 9:00–9:30 AM, Wednesday during Holy Hour, or by appointment
Parish Ministries and Outreach
A small but active group of ministries supports the parish's spiritual, charitable, and cultural mission. The St. Vincent de Paul conference coordinates outreach to those in need, the Latin Schola and cantors (under directors Nathan Marinchick and Matthew Eccher) lead the sung Latin Masses, and RCIA welcomes new Catholics. The parish is also well known for its annual German Summer Camp, which introduces children to German language and culture through crafts, games, and scavenger hunts, and for promoting pro-life and home-school events throughout the year.
- St. Vincent de Paul (contact: Maureen Easley)
- Latin Schola & Cantors (Directors: Nathan Marinchick and Matthew Eccher)
- RCIA
- German Summer Camp for children
- Pro-life and home-school events
- St. Stephen Alumni Association
- Society of St. Stephen (heritage organization)
Schools and Convent
St. Stephen's has been a school parish since 1870, when the first building combined a church and a school. The Sisters of Notre Dame arrived from Germany in 1874 to teach, and for more than a century the parish ran both an elementary school and a high school for girls. After suburban migration thinned enrollment in the late 20th century, the elementary school merged with St. Michael and St. Boniface in 1986 to form Metro Catholic Parish School, which continues to serve families at 1910 West 54th Street (216-281-4044). The Sisters of Notre Dame convent remains next door to the parish at 1891 West 57th Street (216-631-0754).
- Metro Catholic Parish School — 1910 W. 54th St., 216-281-4044
- Sisters of Notre Dame Convent — 1891 W. 57th St., 216-631-0754
- First school opened 1870; Sisters of Notre Dame arrived 1874
- Last high school class graduated 1970
Cultural and Devotional Life
In addition to its Sunday and weekday Masses, St. Stephen's observes a number of special devotions that connect the parish to its German and universal Catholic heritage. The parish celebrates Priesthood Sunday each year to honor priests and encourages parishioners to write notes of appreciation. The annual German Summer Camp keeps the German language and culture alive for the next generation. The parish also keeps the first-class relic of St. Stephen on display and hosts cultural fundraisers throughout the year.
- First-class relic of St. Stephen (received December 26, 1993)
- Monthly German Mass (1st Sunday at 11:00 AM)
- German Summer Camp for children
- Priesthood Sunday celebration
- Pro-life and home-school events
Contact and Visiting
The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on weekends and holidays. Visitors and new parishioners are warmly encouraged to register by contacting the office. The church is located on West 54th Street between Lorain and Bridge avenues in Cleveland's Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood, with parking available in the parish lot.
- Parish Office: 1930 W. 54th St., Cleveland, OH 44102
- Phone: (216) 631-5633 · Fax: (216) 631-5634
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: ststephencleveland.org
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Casimir Reichlin1870–c.1908 (38 years)
First pastor of St. Stephen's; celebrated the parish's first Mass on May 1, 1870 and led construction of the present Gothic church.
- Fr. S. Michael Franz
Sixth pastor of the parish; now Pastor Emeritus; continues to celebrate the monthly German Mass and accepted the first-class relic of St. Stephen on Dec. 26, 1993.
- Rev. Caroli B. Shao, A.J.From 2013
Seventh pastor; member of the Apostles of Jesus; came from Africa to continue the missionary tradition of the parish.