History
Our History
70 years of service, faith, and community
On June 27, 1952, the Most Reverend Emmet M. Walsh, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, announced the formation of the new St. Michael the Archangel Parish to serve the needs of Catholics residing in Lake Cable, Hills and Dales, Avondale, and areas northwest of Canton. Reverend Ferdinand Hartmann was appointed by Bishop Walsh to lead the formation of the new parish.
Within a month of formation, the women had formed St. Michael's Guild, while the men formed St. Michael's Men's Club, to assist in fund-raising and to promote the development of the parish family. This cooperative spirit, forged at the very beginning of our parish, continues to this day as parishioners give their time and talents to further the work of the community.
Although the members of St Michael's were eager for a church of their own in which to worship, no need was more pressing than that of providing a Catholic education for their children. In 1953, the first phase of a comprehensive building plan was the construction of a school, with temporary space for a church in the basement of the building.
On November 15, 1952, St. Michael the Archangel's members, led by Fr. Hartmann, celebrated the first Mass in their own worship space. The basement church, seating approximately 400, was designed for use as a cafeteria once the planned permanent church was built. On November 23, 1953, the tuition-free school officially opened. The first school building contained five rooms and accommodated nearly 160 students who were taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame.
In June 1967 Reverend Monsignor Clarence A. Halter was assigned to the parish which consisted of 900 families. During Monsignor Halter's pastorate, the parish continued to grow and he oversaw an addition to the rectory, adding offices and living quarters. In 1972, a school library was opened to the delight of the staff as well as the students.
Reverend Monsignor Robert Fannon was appointed pastor of St. Michael's in 1981, with the parish having grown to 1,300 families. When the parish celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1992, it had grown to 2300 families, with 550 children in St. Michael's grade school and another 400 in the Parish School of Religion.
Reverend Bradford Helman was appointed pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in 1995. On November 18, 2000, nearly five years after the idea of a new church was first broached with Fr. Helman, the worship space was consecrated.
Reverend Don King was appointed in 2010 and served until his retirement in 2019. Under his guidance, a new contemporary office space was created in addition to many new ministries to the parish and community.
Reverend Benson Okpara Ph. D., was appointed pastor in 2019. Fr. Benson’s leadership has brought many welcomed additions such as the LED projection screens in the church along with a technology center, a stained-glass window, and a mosaic in the Eucharistic Chapel. St. Michael’s has over 60 ministries to serve the parish and community.
The Sisters of the Humility of Mary and The Sisters of Notre Dame – Chardon have served the school and parish community over the years.
St. Michael’s marked its 70th anniversary in 2022. Looking back to the beginnings of this parish, we find that although the physical surroundings have changed, the people of St. Michael's have not. Whether worshipping in a public school auditorium or in a new contemporary facility, our values remain the same. Individually and through our many ministries, we still care for each other, we maintain friendships forged through the church community, and we reach out to others in the community and beyond. We believe that the human family is one in the body of Christ and we strive to treat our brothers and sisters as we would be treated.
