Dedicated to Christ, Answering the Call
At St. Sebastian Parish, we are a community dedicated to Christ, with the Eucharist as the source and summit of our lives. We answer this call through worship, evangelization, and service, guided by our principals of truth, goodness and beauty.
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OUR HISTORY
In 1928, overcrowding at historic St. Vincent Parish made it clear that a new church was needed to serve the growing West Akron community. Bishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland approved the creation of a new parish and chose Rev. Hilary Zwisler to found and shepherd what would become St. Sebastian Parish. The first Mass was celebrated on August 5, 1928, in the gymnasium of Rankin School.
Father Zwisler, an Akron native ordained in Rome in 1913, brought a wealth of experience and leadership to this new endeavor. He had studied in Canada, Maryland, and Cleveland, and his early priesthood included assignments in both Cleveland and Akron, along with service as an Army chaplain during World War I. By 1928, he was serving his third year as pastor of St. Barbara Parish in Massillon, when he was called to establish St. Sebastian. Under his guidance, groundbreaking for a combined church, school and convent building took place on April 28, 1929. The parish school opened that fall, with classes held off site until Nov. 1, 1929, when construction of the school was completed. Construction of the new church was finished soon after, and the new church opened its doors for its first Mass on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1929.
In 1957, Pope Pious XII named Father Zwisler a domestic prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. During his tenure, Msgr. Zwisler oversaw the growth of the parish and the construction of several key buildings, including a rectory in 1938, a convent in 1950 (now our Center for Early Learning), a recreational center in 1952 (now known as Byrider Hall), and the current 1,000-seat church, dedicated in 1960.
The St. Sebastian Parish Foundation was founded in 1971 by Fr. Byrider with a vision to ensure that the parish would remain a vital and vibrant presence in West Akron. The St. Sebastian Academy of Culture and Arts was established in 2014 to use arts and culture to lift the human spirit, give glory to God, and use truth and beauty to bring about the Good in the shaping of our world. In 2023, our Parish School was recognized with the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Award, highlighting our school’s mission to provide an education dedicated to Christ and rooted in academic excellence.
PASTORS OF ST. SEBASTIAN PARISH
- Msgr. Hilary Zwisler – 1928 to 1968
- Fr. Charles L. Byrider – 1968 to 1985
- Fr. John T. McDonough – 1985 to 1995
- Fr. William Karg – 1995 to 2008
- Fr. John Valencheck 2008 to Present
ST. SEBASTIAN PARISH TODAY
The legacy of our past pastors and generations of parishioners lives on in the vibrant community they helped build. With over 1,800 families in our parish, over 400 students (preschool to 8th grade), and a wide range of active ministries, we are a faith-filled, welcoming community dedicated to worship, service, and spiritual growth.
Under the leadership of our current pastor, Fr. John Valencheck, St. Sebastian Parish strives to be a beacon of truth, goodness, and beauty. Together with our dedicated parishioners, Fr. Valencheck continues to carry this legacy forward with pastoral care and vision.
As we look ahead to our 100th anniversary in 2028, we do so with gratitude for all that has been, joy in all that we are, and a renewed commitment to shaping our parish for the next century of service to the community. Rooted in Catholic tradition and guided by the Holy Spirit, St. Sebastian Parish remains a cornerstone of faith in West Akron
