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Built by the hands and hearts of German-Catholic farmers and Irish-Catholic railroad workers, St. Michael the Archangel Parish and School has roots dating back to the early 20th century. These hard-working immigrants first celebrated Mass together in the home of J.D. O’Sullivan on Christmas Day, 1919. As progress expanded north from the Ohio river, community needs grew, and plans began to build a dedicated church and school.
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With help from The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Ohio Province, St. Michael Parish School welcomed 85 students into a two-story, 4-classroom schoolhouse in 1927. The Sisters’ mission was to form a strong Catholic school system in Bishop Purcell’s young Diocese. With much success, the Sisters staffed St. Michael Parish school and others through the mid-1900s. In 1962 a new church was built, an additional story was added to the schoolhouse, and parish property lines were extended to accommodate an increased population of Catholics.
However, this wouldn’t be the most significant expansion event in the parish’s history. In 2002, the entire parish moved off-property. Classes were held for St. Michael Parish School students in St. Saviour Parish’s now defunct school building a few miles away. Masses took place around town, in places such as Sharonville United Methodist Church and the Evendale Recreation Center. This turbulent time allowed students to learn and parishioners to worship in a safe and construction-free environment while the St. Michael Parish property underwent major renovations.
On June 29, 2003, Archbishop Pilarczyk dedicated the St. Michael Parish altar, and the school re-opened on August 24 of the same year. The school now featured 2 classrooms for grades K-8, a fully operational cafeteria, administration space, assembly hall, and more. Today, St. Michael School educates 401 students in the Catholic faith and employees 45 faculty and staff members. Just like our founding families, together we work hand and heart to help St. Michael Parish and School continue to thrive.
However, this wouldn’t be the most significant expansion event in the parish’s history. In 2002, the entire parish moved off-property. Classes were held for St. Michael Parish School students in St. Saviour Parish’s now defunct school building a few miles away. Masses took place around town, in places such as Sharonville United Methodist Church and the Evendale Recreation Center. This turbulent time allowed students to learn and parishioners to worship in a safe and construction-free environment while the St. Michael Parish property underwent major renovations.
On June 29, 2003, Archbishop Pilarczyk dedicated the St. Michael Parish altar, and the school re-opened on August 24 of the same year. The school now featured 2 classrooms for grades K-8, a fully operational cafeteria, administration space, assembly hall, and more. Today, St. Michael School educates 401 students in the Catholic faith and employees 45 faculty and staff members. Just like our founding families, together we work hand and heart to help St. Michael Parish and School continue to thrive.
The Sisters of Notre Dame De Namur
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Ohio Province, is the oldest Province in the United States. The congregation’s roots are in 1804 France and Belgium. At the request of Bishop John B. Purcell, eight Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur arrived in Cincinnati from Belgium on Oct. 31, 1840, to teach children of immigrants. Bishop Purcell wanted the Sisters’ help in building a strong Catholic school system in his young Diocese and across the country. Eventually, the Sisters staffed several schools in the Cincinnati area, including our Parish School, St. Michael Parish School.
Pastors
Fr. Ed Burns (2018-2022)
Fr. Tom DiFolco (2012-2018)
Fr. Tom DiFolco (2011-2012, Parochial Administrator)
Fr. John Fischer (2007-2011)
Fr. Jeffrey Silver (2005-2007)
Fr. Michael Pucke (1993-2005)
Fr. Robert Thorsen (1988-1993)
Fr. John Wessling (1976-1988, Co-Pastor)
Fr. Francis Lay (1976-1988, Co-Pastor)
Fr. Oscar Lauber (1969-1976)
Fr. Robert Bastian (1967-1969)
Fr. Joseph Meinerding (1962-1967)
Fr. James Scanlon (1958-1962)
Fr. John Kelly (1947-1958)
Fr. Raymond Brown (1946-1947)
Fr. Charles Hoctor (1935-1946)
Fr. James Conroy (1919-1935)
Fr. Tom DiFolco (2012-2018)
Fr. Tom DiFolco (2011-2012, Parochial Administrator)
Fr. John Fischer (2007-2011)
Fr. Jeffrey Silver (2005-2007)
Fr. Michael Pucke (1993-2005)
Fr. Robert Thorsen (1988-1993)
Fr. John Wessling (1976-1988, Co-Pastor)
Fr. Francis Lay (1976-1988, Co-Pastor)
Fr. Oscar Lauber (1969-1976)
Fr. Robert Bastian (1967-1969)
Fr. Joseph Meinerding (1962-1967)
Fr. James Scanlon (1958-1962)
Fr. John Kelly (1947-1958)
Fr. Raymond Brown (1946-1947)
Fr. Charles Hoctor (1935-1946)
Fr. James Conroy (1919-1935)