St. Ambrose Church (Diocese of Youngstown)
St. Ambrose Church (Diocese of Youngstown) is a Roman Catholic parish located in Garrettsville, Ohio, within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Youngstown. Dedicated to Saint Ambrose, the 4th-century Bishop of Milan known for his theological writings and pastoral leadership, the parish serves as a spiritual hub in the Portage North region, a collaborative ministry with St. Joseph, St. Joan of Arc, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes. The parish is known for its tight-knit community, vibrant faith life, and the annual Chicken Dinner Festival, which fosters fellowship in the rural village of Garrettsville.[1][2]
Established in 1943, St. Ambrose Church has grown to serve 190 registered households, offering Masses, sacramental programs, and community outreach initiatives. As part of the Portage North region, formalized in 2022, the parish collaborates with neighboring parishes under the leadership of Rev. Frantisek Katrinak to share resources and ministries.[3] The parish’s commitment to evangelization is enhanced through tools like the Flocknote newsletter and its parish hall, which hosts events like steak dinners and funeral luncheons.[1]
| St. Ambrose Church | |
| Dedication: | Saint Ambrose |
| Venerated Saints: | |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Youngstown |
| Deanery: | Portage North Deanery |
| Address: | 11045 St. Joseph Blvd, Mantua, OH 44255 |
| Coordinates: | 41.2845, -81.0962 |
| City: | Garrettsville, OH |
| Subdivision: | Ohio |
| Country: | United States |
| County: | Portage County |
| Website: | https://www.stambroseonline.com |
| Founded: | 1943 |
| School: | No |
| Email: | st_ambrose44231@yahoo.com |
History
St. Ambrose Church traces its origins to 1885, when Father Ambrose Weber, a German immigrant priest, established a mission in Garrettsville while serving as pastor of St. Mary Parish in Warren, Ohio. The mission served Catholics in the rural Portage County area, with Weber traveling by bicycle or freight train to minister to the community.[1] In 1941, prompted by the construction of the Ravenna Arsenal and an influx of Catholic workers, the mission was re-established under St. Edward Parish in Parkman, with the first Mass held in March 1942 at the Garrettsville Opera House.[1] On May 15, 1943, the newly formed Diocese of Youngstown, under Bishop McFadden, officially established St. Ambrose Parish in Garrettsville.[1][2]
Since its founding, St. Ambrose has grown to serve 190 registered households, with a church seating capacity of 156 and a parish hall for 100 people.[1] In 2022, the parish joined the Portage North region, a collaborative effort with St. Joseph (Mantua), St. Joan of Arc (Streetsboro), and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Aurora), under the leadership of Rev. Frantisek Katrinak, appointed pastor in 2023.[3] The parish supports community engagement through events like the Chicken Dinner Festival and steak dinners, and it uses the Flocknote newsletter to keep parishioners informed.[1] The parish hall, available for rent, hosts social events and ministries, reinforcing St. Ambrose’s role as a vibrant faith community.[1]
Special features
- Chicken Dinner Festival: An annual event fostering community fellowship, known for its home-cooked meals and celebration of Garrettsville’s rural traditions.[1]
- Portage North Collaboration: Part of a regional ministry with St. Joseph, St. Joan of Arc, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, sharing resources and symbolized by a logo featuring a beehive for St. Ambrose.[3]
- Flocknote Newsletter: A weekly email and text update service keeping parishioners informed about events, Mass times, and parish news.[1]
- Parish Hall: A versatile space in the church basement, available for rent for meetings, social events, and funeral luncheons, with a capacity of 100 people.[1]
Related parishes
- St. Joseph Church (Diocese of Youngstown) – A partner parish in Mantua, Ohio, part of the Portage North region.[3]
- St. Joan of Arc Church (Diocese of Youngstown) – A partner parish in Streetsboro, Ohio, also in the Portage North region.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "St. Ambrose Catholic Parish". St. Ambrose Catholic Parish. https://www.stambroseonline.com.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "St. Ambrose Parish". Diocese of Youngstown. https://doy.org/location/st-ambrose-church-garrettsville/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Portage North Region". St. Joseph Catholic Church. https://stjosephmantua.com.