About St. Teresa of Avila · Cincinnati, Ohio
St. Teresa of Avila is a Roman Catholic parish in the West Price Hill / Covedale neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, belonging to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Founded in 1916, the parish grew out of a request by local Catholic families and was quickly served by a small Spanish Mission Revival-style church that was built in just 21 days. Today the parish is served by Fr. Zachary Cecil (appointed 2021) together with Deacon Dave Steinwert and lay staff, and it continues its long partnership with St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School, which opened in 1918 and has served the community for over a century. The parish's mission statement describes itself as a worshipping community called together to teach the Gospel, recognize Christ in each person, and build the Kingdom of God.
- Established
- 1916
- Patron
- St. Teresa of Avila
- Rector
- Rev. Zachary Cecil
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
St. Teresa of Avila is a long-established, family-oriented parish that has welcomed West Price Hill Catholics for over a century, anchored by a parish school that has shaped generations of Cincinnati children since 1918. The parish offers a full schedule of daily and Sunday Masses, regular Eucharistic Adoration and Confession, sacramental preparation, faith formation for school and PSR students, youth ministry, and outreach such as St. Vincent de Paul collections and other community service. Its mission statement calls parishioners to recognize Christ in each person and to build the Kingdom of God through prayer, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and loving service to neighbors.
Mass times at St. Teresa of Avila
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (per Catholic Index schedule)
Adoration times
- Saturday (per Catholic Index schedule — see parish website for current times)
Parish History
St. Teresa of Avila Parish was founded in 1916 when Catholics in the Covedale area of West Price Hill petitioned Archbishop Henry Moeller for a parish of their own. Father Joseph B. Mueller was assigned as the first pastor in July 1916. With parishioner-architect Anthony Kunz, Jr. designing the church in Spanish Mission Revival style — inspired by the 1915 Panama-California Exposition — 200 men built the original 28-by-80-foot church in just 21 days, and it was dedicated on Christmas Eve 1916. The Sisters of Mercy opened the parish school in 1918 with 50 students, and a larger combined church-school followed in 1922. The present-day church at Overlook and Glenway Avenues opened in 1962 with an eclectic Romanesque-and-Spanish design by architect John Bur of Otto Baier Nilsen. The parish celebrated its centennial on October 9, 2016, and the school marked 100 years in the 2019–2020 school year.
- 1916: First church built in 21 days; dedicated December 24, 1916
- 1918: School opens, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy
- 1922: Combined church-school groundbreaking (June 10, 1922); second church dedicated June 1923
- 1941: New school building with eight classrooms, gym/auditorium, and cafeteria
- 1960: School addition doubles building size
- 1962: First Mass in present church's lower level (August); Christmas Eve Mass in main worship space
- 1969: Primary school building adds six classrooms
- 1970: Tabernacle moved to side chapel; 1972 freestanding altar installed
- October 9, 2016: Parish 100th Anniversary
- 2019–2020: School 100th Anniversary
Our Mission
The parish mission statement reads: 'We of Saint Teresa of Avila Parish have been called together by God as a worshipping community. Embracing the traditions of our Catholic Faith, we are challenged to teach the gospel truths and to serve our neighbors. We seek to recognize Christ in each person, and together be a sign of His presence in the world. Through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and through collective use of our individual gifts, we strive to reach out with love to others, to share our Catholic values, and to build the Kingdom of God in our time and place.'
Clergy, Staff & Parish Office
St. Teresa of Avila is currently served by Fr. Zachary Cecil, pastor (appointed July 1, 2021, as part of a cluster with St. William, Cincinnati), and Deacon Dave Steinwert in Pastoral Ministries. The parish office staff includes Mrs. Grace Yuellig (Director of Evangelization) and Ms. Miranda Metz (Parish Secretary). The parish rectory and business office are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at 513-921-9200 (fax 513-921-0307).
- Pastor: Rev. Zachary Cecil
- Deacon: Dcn. Dave Steinwert (Pastoral Ministries)
- Director of Evangelization: Mrs. Grace Yuellig
- Parish Secretary: Ms. Miranda Metz
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Bill Thoman (ext. 124)
Sacraments
The parish prepares children and adults for the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (typically received in 2nd grade), and Confirmation (7th–8th grade, every other school year). Sacramental preparation is offered both through the parish school and the Parish School of Religion (PSR) program for children in public school, and includes retreats such as 'Jesus Day' for First Communicants and a Confirmation retreat. Reconciliation is celebrated at the start of the school year and during Advent and Lent. To schedule Baptism, Marriage, or Anointing of the Sick, families contact the parish office at 513-921-9200.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (7th–8th grade, every other year)
- Matrimony — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School
St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School (the 'Bruins') is an Archdiocesan Catholic school located on the west side of Cincinnati at 1194 Rulison Avenue (513-471-4530, stteresa.net). Founded in 1918 with the Sisters of Mercy as teachers, the school has now served West Price Hill families for over a century. Its mission is to 'foster a nurturing Catholic environment that strengthens children's academic abilities while affirming their self-worth and the unified value we all hold in the eyes of God,' educating the whole child spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally in partnership with parents. The school office is open Monday–Friday; Principal is Mrs. Jennifer Ostertag.
- Founded 1918 by the Sisters of Mercy
- Principal: Mrs. Jennifer Ostertag
- Director of Student Engagement: Mrs. Michelle Stevens
- Administrative Assistants: Mrs. Lisa Hingsbergen and Mrs. Mindy Collins
- Address: 1194 Rulison Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45238
- Phone: 513-471-4530 · Fax: 513-471-1254
Faith Formation & Religious Education
At St. Teresa of Avila, faith formation is at the core of the educational mission. Religion is not just a subject but is woven into daily curriculum. Students attend weekly Mass and actively participate in prayer services including the Living Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and the Sacraments. Catholic second graders prepare for and receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion; seventh and eighth graders prepare for and receive Confirmation every other school year. Catholic students are given the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the beginning of the school year and during Advent and Lent.
- Weekly All-School Mass (Wednesdays at 1:00 PM during school year & Holy Days)
- First Communion preparation includes 'Jesus Day' retreat
- Confirmation preparation includes a retreat (every other year for 7th–8th graders)
- Reconciliation at start of school year, Advent, and Lent
Theology of the Body
St. Teresa of Avila School is a Theology of the Body Campus, partnering with the Ruah Woods Institute. Theology of the Body is Pope St. John Paul II's 120+ lecture catechesis exploring what it means to be human in light of scripture, helping students understand their identity in Christ, the dignity of the person, and God's design for human relationships.
- What it means to be a human person made in God's image
- What it means to love (oneself and others)
- God's original blueprint for who He made us to be
- Understanding one's gifts and how to share them with others
Community Service & Outreach
Throughout the school year students participate in community service projects fostering personal and spiritual growth. Student Council organizes themed Advent activities symbolizing Faith (Prayer Contest), Hope (Toy Drive for Children's Hospital and St. Vincent de Paul), and Love (Christmas cards for the elderly). Canned food drives, classroom pen-pal letters with the elderly, and spirit-day donations to various charities round out the year. The Youth Group also runs coat and sock drives for local charities such as St. Vincent de Paul and Pregnancy Center West.
- Student Council Advent Toy Drive for Children's Hospital and St. Vincent de Paul
- Christmas cards for the elderly
- Canned food drives
- Coat and sock drives for St. Vincent de Paul and Pregnancy Center West
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
PSR provides religious education and sacramental preparation for parish children who attend public school, working alongside the parish school to ensure every child has access to the Faith Formation, First Communion, and Confirmation preparation that the parish offers.
- Religious Education Office: 513-921-9200
- In-depth catechesis, spiritual guidance, and reflection opportunities
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Facilities & Buildings
The parish campus at the corner of Overlook Avenue and Glenway Avenue has grown over more than a century. The 1923 church (the parish's second church) survives today as Avila Hall, used for meetings and storage and as the meeting room for the St. Teresa Boy Scout troop. The present worship space is the 1962 church building, with its Romanesque Revival interior, primitive Spanish touches, and St. Gilles-du-Gard-inspired façade. Additional school buildings — a 1941 building, a 1960 addition, and a 1969 primary building — house St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School.
- 1923 building — now 'Avila Hall' and Boy Scout room
- 1962 present-day church — Romanesque/Spanish eclectic
- 1941, 1960, 1969 school buildings
Getting Involved & Contact
Parishioners can get involved through the school, PSR, Youth Group, Student Council, Boy Scouts, SafeParish volunteering, or the parish's outreach to St. Vincent de Paul and Pregnancy Center West. The parish office is open Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., at 513-921-9200 (fax 513-921-0307). The school office is reached at 513-471-4530 (fax 513-471-1254).
- Parish Rectory / Business Office: 513-921-9200
- School Office: 513-471-4530
- Safe Environment Coordinator: Bill Thoman, ext. 124
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Joseph B. Mueller1916–
First pastor, assigned by Archbishop Henry Moeller to the new Covedale parish in July 1916.
- Msgr. William Anthony
Pastor who broke ground for the present 1962 church; toured Europe with architect John Bur for design ideas.
- Rev. Michael L. Bidwell
Co-author of the 2016 parish history; retired as Pastor of St. Teresa of Avila and St. William effective July 1, 2021.
- Rev. K. Scott Morgan
Parochial Vicar of St. Teresa of Avila and St. William, Cincinnati, effective July 1, 2021.
- Rev. Zachary Cecil2021–present
Appointed Pastor of St. Teresa of Avila and St. William effective July 1, 2021.