Early History

A few years after the creation of the Diocese of Youngstown in 1943, the first Catholic census was completed, which indicated the presence of 90 Catholic families within the township. Because of this sizable Catholic presence, a new church was established under the direction of Bishop McFadden to serve both Springfield and Poland.

By June 1952, St. Paul the Apostle parish was founded, and Fr. Pawlewicz became its first pastor. The parish’s first masses then were held on July 6th at the New Middletown School. Soon after, the first Parish Council was also created. Around the same time, the Sisters of Humility of Mary joined the staff at St. Paul’s, and Fr. Pawlewicz formed the Altar Guild.

Ground-breaking began on a new church building in April 1953. A few months later, on September 20th, the church’s cornerstone was laid. The first mass at this new building was held Christmas Day at midnight. The dedication of the new church occurred in November 1954. By 1955, St. Paul’s tradition of Tuesday night BINGO began, which would continue for the next 35 years.

1960s, 70s, and 80s

In January 1965, Fr. Pawlewicz died and was replaced by Fr. Haidet as pastor of St. Paul’s. Fr. Haidet stayed only two and a half years at St. Paul’s; Fr. Bissler succeeded him in August 1967. Nine months after the parish received a new pastor, the diocese received a new bishop as Bishop Malone was appointed to lead the Youngstown diocese. In October 1969, our Religious Education Center was dedicated and opened for use.

Fr. Bissler’s time at St. Paul’s ended in 1971 as he was succeeded by Fr. William O’Neil. During his 10 year term at our parish, some of Fr. O’Neal’s chief accomplishments were the reorganization of Parish Council and the purchase of the Allen Organ that is still used today.

In 1981, Fr. Richard Brobst succeeded Fr. William O’Neil. Under his direction, the pirohy program began in 1984. In July 1987, another O’Neill came to the parish as Fr. Tim O’Neill replaced Fr. Brobst. During this same year, the church renovation begun under Fr. Brobst was finished, and some of the men of the parish built the pavilion. By 1989, a new St. Paul’s tradition began as the first outdoor mass was celebrated that summer.

1990s

On October 13th, 1992, Fr. Martin Kopunec was appointed to succeed Fr. Tim O’Neill. That same day, Fr. Martin Kopunec unexpectedly passed away, leading to the appointment of Fr. Francis Hughes as interim pastor. In July 1993, Fr. Shori became pastor at St. Paul’s. At the time of his appointment, the families at the parish numbered 750. Later that same year, Fred Kihm was ordained a priest, the only one ordained from the parish.

In 1995, the parish began to study a renovation and building plan to meet the future needs of the parish. Later that year, Parish Council approved construction of a new church. A new ministry also began at St. Paul’s in 1995 as the parish chapter of the Knights of Columbus was established. In December 1995, Bishop Tobin became the new Bishop of Youngstown.

Groundbreaking on the new church began in April 1997, with construction commencing two months later. In October 1997, Parish Council buried a time capsule to be opened in 2022. It is located on the south side of the hall where the wooden cross marks the spot. The first mass was held in the new church on May 16, 1998. Bishop Tobin later dedicated the building that October.

1999 saw the creation of new ministries at the parish as the Charismatic Prayer Group, the Chinese Auction, and the Corn Roast each began that year. The Memorial to the Born and Unborn was also built that year.

2000 to the Present

St. Paul’s tradition of the Palm Sunday drama began in 2000. The following year, the “Heart of Christ” bust arrived and was placed at its current location inside the church. in 2002, the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary, marked by the arrival of a new Tabernacle.

The Total Parish Religious Education program began in 2004. That same year, the Garden Angels ministry started, and Sisters in Grace held its first annual conference. The Granite Cross near the lake was also installed in 2004.

2006 was also a busy year at the parish. The Bereavement Ministry, the Blanket Ministry, and  the Cantor Program all began that year. Additionally, an addition was built onto the Rectory, and the Religious Education and preschool offices underwent renovation. The Prison Ministry was established the following year.

Bishop Murry became the new Bishop of Youngstown in 2007 and later made his first visit to the parish in 2008. Fr. Stephen Popovich succeeded Fr. Shori as pastor in 2010. He suffered severe injuries in a 2013 car accident and eventually resigned as pastor later that year. Fr. John Trimbur then served as interim pastor until the appointment of Fr. Christopher Luoni in 2014. After approximately two years at St. Paul’s, Fr. Luoni accepted the position as pastor at St. Joan of Arc in Streetsboro, OH. Later in 2016, Fr. Lawrence Frient is named the new pastor at St. Paul the Apostle Church. He celebrated his first mass here December 3rd, and was installed as pastor in May 2017. In March 2017, Bishop Murry dedicated our church hall to Fr. Nick Shori.