About St. Stephen · West Salem, Ohio
St. Stephen Parish is a small, rural Roman Catholic community in the village of West Salem, Ohio, in Wayne County, served by the Diocese of Cleveland. The parish was founded in 1952, when the first Mass was celebrated in a house purchased for the local Catholic community, and grew until it was elevated from mission status and built its current church in 1977. Today it numbers roughly 100 families and is led by Presbyteral Moderator Fr. Rod Kreidler (who also pastors neighboring St. Edward in Ashland), Parochial Vicar Fr. Jim Winings, and Deacon Pete Foradori, who serves as Parish Life Coordinator. St. Stephen is known for its warm, family-sized atmosphere, Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, and a long-running community meal program called Meals & More.
- Established
- 1952
- Patron
- St. Stephen
- Rector
- Rev. Rod Kreidler (Presbyteral Moderator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Stephen is a small rural parish where members genuinely know one another and worship together across five weekly Masses plus Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration. Its ministries reflect the heart of the parish: the Ladies Guild (40+ years of fellowship, funeral lunches, scholarships, and fundraisers), the Men's Prayer Group (meeting twice monthly), and Meals & More, a weekly Wednesday community supper founded by parishioner Anne Rogers about 35 years ago that feeds both body and spirit by pairing hot meals with companionship for elderly and neighbors in need. With a Parish School of Religion, OCIA for adults, and easy Confession times before Saturday Mass, it's a faithful, family-sized place to put down roots.
Mass times at St. Stephen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
- Any time by request
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM (except when the 4:00 PM Mass is being celebrated)
About St. Stephen Parish
St. Stephen Parish is a small, faithfully Catholic, rural community in the village of West Salem, Ohio, in Wayne County. According to the parish's own welcome message, members 'remain faithfully Catholic as a small rural parish community' where they receive the Body and Blood of Christ, hear the Word of God proclaimed, find forgiveness in Reconciliation, and support one another in faith. The parish celebrates the sanctity of life and seeks 'to build a strong parish community where all feel welcome and inspired…to live God's mission with faith, hope and love.' With about 100 families, St. Stephen offers weekly Mass in English, Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration, regular Confession, and a warm, family-sized parish life.
- Approximately 100 families
- Part of the Diocese of Cleveland (Wayne–Medina–Ashland area)
- Newcomers are invited to complete the Parish Registration Form available on the website or in the parish office
Parish History
St. Stephen's history in West Salem began in June 1952, when the first Mass was celebrated in a house purchased for the area's Catholic families. The community worshipped there for a quarter-century before outgrowing the space. In 1977 the present church was built, and the West Salem mission was formally elevated to parish status. On June 26, 2022, Bishop Edward Malesic traveled to West Salem to celebrate the 70th anniversary Mass and lead a reception recognizing the parish's seven decades of Catholic life.
- 1952: First Mass celebrated in a house purchased for local Catholics
- 1977: Current church built; mission elevated to full parish
- 2022: Bishop Malesic celebrates 70th anniversary; Father Carl Uhler remembered as pastor emeritus
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a priestly moderator and parochial vicar, with a deacon serving as Parish Life Coordinator. The Diocese of Cleveland lists Fr. Rod Kreidler (who also pastors St. Edward Parish in Ashland) as presbyteral moderator, Fr. Jim Winings as parochial vicar, and Deacon Pete Foradori as parish life coordinator. Lay staff and musicians support the parish's day-to-day operations and worship.
- Rev. Rod Kreidler — Presbyteral Moderator
- Rev. Jim Winings — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Pete Foradori — Parish Life Coordinator
- Patricia Foradori — Parish Secretary
- Denise Behary — Organist
- Laura Fryman — Organist
- Logan Garman — Maintenance
- Rev. Carl Uhler — Pastor Emeritus (remembered at 70th anniversary)
Parish Office Hours
The parish office is open Monday and Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Visitors and parishioners can call (419) 853-4946 or email [email protected] to reach staff, request sacraments, or arrange a visit.
- Monday & Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Phone: (419) 853-4946
- Email: [email protected]
Parish Groups & Fellowship
St. Stephen's life as a parish is built around several active lay groups that foster fellowship, prayer, and service. The Ladies Guild has been a vital organization for over 40 years, sponsoring social, charitable, and spiritual activities for the women of the parish. The Men's Prayer Group meets twice monthly for prayer and fraternity. Together these groups, along with the parish's bereavement hospitality, give shape to much of the parish's communal life.
- Ladies Guild — meetings first Monday of each month in Hackman Hall (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday)
- Ladies Guild activities: Father's Day Brunch, Bake Sales, Candy Sales, Scholarship Program, Funeral Lunches, Annual Raffle, Ladies Tea
- Men's Prayer Group — 2nd and 4th Mondays at 6:00 PM
Meals & More — Community Outreach
Meals & More is a long-running community supper that has been serving West Salem for about 35 years. It was started by parishioner Anne Rogers, who had learned of a program feeding hungry children and wanted to bring something similar to West Salem — but with the extra ingredient of companionship. Realizing that elderly residents in the village might not always be cooking a hot meal and might also lack regular visitors, Rogers combined a well-balanced meal with conversation. Today it is a combined parish effort supported by volunteer bakers, cooks, servers, and the priests, past and present.
- Served every Wednesday at 5:30 PM in Hackman Hall
- Founded by parishioner Anne Rogers about 35 years ago
- Open to anyone in the community regardless of need
- Volunteers welcome for setup, food prep, serving, and cleanup
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Stephen Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides catechetical instruction for children who do not attend a Catholic grade school. The program prepares students for the reception of sacraments and works to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith and Christian values, recognizing that faith formation is a lifelong process and that parents are the primary religious educators of their children.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children not enrolled in Catholic grade school
- Preparation for sacraments through PSR
- Parents recognized as the primary educators of their children
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's process for initiating adults into the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion. The local parish community serves as both catechists and models, forming candidates in the Christian faith. Interested adults are encouraged to contact the parish office to learn more.
- Adult initiation through Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion
- Contact the parish office for details
Sacraments
St. Stephen celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church. Reconciliation is offered every Saturday before Mass and by request any time. Eucharistic Adoration is held Wednesday afternoons and evenings. Weddings, baptisms, anointings, First Communion, and Confirmation are arranged through the parish office.
- Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:00–3:45 PM or by request
- Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays 1:00–8:00 PM
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, First Holy Communion, Confirmation — contact parish office
Visit & Directions
St. Stephen Catholic Church is located at 44 Britton Street in West Salem, Ohio. Visitors coming from the interstate are encouraged to note that the church is 2 blocks east of Route 42 and about 2½ miles west of I-71 off Route 539; turn right at the church sign. The parish welcomes weekend and seasonal visitors — including campers who vacation or own property nearby — to join the faithful at Mass.
- Address: 44 Britton St., West Salem, OH 44287
- Phone: (419) 853-4946
- 2 blocks east of Route 42, 2½ miles west of I-71 via Route 539
- Welcomes weekend and seasonal visitors
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Rod KreidlerPresbyteral Moderator (two-year term ending 2022, continuing ministry)
Also serves as pastor of St. Edward Parish in Ashland
- Rev. Carl UhlerPastor Emeritus
Remembered in prayers at the parish's 70th anniversary Mass in 2022