The Roman Catholic Church is a world-wide community of people God has called to share the life, light, and love of Jesus Christ. Catholics believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the truth of the Sacred Scriptures, the handing down of the faith through tradition, and the sacraments. The seven-fold sacramental system is vital in Catholic life. Catholics all over the world are united in the Body of Christ in common belief, morality, and worship. Catholics recognize the authority of the Pope and bishops for preserving the truth of faith and doctrine. Each Catholic is called to fulfill Christ's mission of Redemption through both participation in liturgy and worship, and service through education and acts of charity. There are numerous rites of the Catholic Church. The five parishes in Lakewood which areS under the Roman Rite are Saint Clement, Saints Cyril and Methodius, Saint Hedwig, Saint James, and Saint Luke. Saint Gregory is under the Byzantine, or Eastern Rite.

Sister Mary Jean Eucher

2022 Lincoln Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 226-5116
http://www.saint-clement.net/
ramp and elevator available

St. Clement Parish was established in 1922 to serve Lakewood’s growing population from Detroit Avenue south to Fischer Road. The official dedication of the church was on September 16, 1923 with Father Joseph J. Schmit as pastor. By 1931, the parish had tripled in size, so the need to enlarge and improve the church became imperative. The decor embodies many features of the ancient church of San Clemente in Rome. The church has a distinct devotional atmosphere and a quiet earnestness which seems to lull and soothe the spirit with promise of peace and benediction. In 1982, the church hall was renovated providing new kitchen facilities, additional meeting rooms, and a new church entrance to enable the elderly and handicapped access to the church without climbing steps.

12608 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 521-7288
http://www.lkwdpl.org/sscmes/

The parish of Saints Cyril and Methodius was founded in 1903, to serve the Slovak people of this area. The parish was named after two missionary brothers who were sent to Central Europe by Emperor Michael III at the request of King Rateslav, ruler of Slovakia, in the 8th century. Cyril and Methodius are patron saints of all Europe. The first church, built in 1903, can still be seen on Lakewood Avenue. In 1927 the Rev. F.J. Dubosh was assigned pastor and felt the need for a bigger church due to the rapid growth of the parish. The church was completed in 1931. The church was decorated in 1948 with the artistry of Dr. Joseph G. Cincik and the marble work supplied by John W. Winterich and Associates. The blessing of the new church took place in July 1949 by Bishop Hoban. The Geometric interlacing and round leaf patterns are from the Carolingian period, which coincides with the time that Saints Cyril and Methodius worked among the Slovak people. A beautiful mural of profound significance is that of the Sorrowful Mother, Patroness of the Slovak Nation.

See also The Carpathian Connection: "Birdtown"

2035 Quail Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 521-1081

St. Gregory was organized in September 1905 with the Rev. Gabriel Choey as pastor. In 1915 parishioners from St. Gregory’s parish formed a Greek Orthodox church on Quail Avenue which is now know as St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The dividing issue was the concept of married priesthood. The current brick church building was erected in 1925, redecorated in 1935, and totally renovated in 1978 with the addition of five new domes. In 1959, a building was erected at Madison and Cohassett as a recreation center and school. It currently serves as a banquet center.

See also The Carpathian Connection: "Birdtown"

12903 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 521-5086

Built in 1906 to serve Roman Catholic Poles, St. Hedwig Church is the only one in Lakewood named after a female saint. Early on, the yellow brick church building (with the mosaic of St. Hedwig above the door) was a frame building that was used for gatherings. At that time, the red brick building on the corner of Halstead was used as the church. Unique features of the current church building is a ceiling mural that is right-side-up whether you face the back of the church or the front and a life size mosaic behind the altar of St. Hedwig.

17514 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 221-0233
http://www.saintjamesfamily.org/
ramp available

St. James Parish was founded in 1908 with 80 families under newly appointed pastor, Father Michael D. Leahy. On April 10, 1910, the present property was purchased, and in September 1912, classes were begun for 104 students by the Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary. It was on June 30, 1913, that work was begun on a permanent parish plant. It grew to its present size with the dedication of the church on May 21, 1935. The architecture is Sicilian Romanesque, patterned after the Monreale Cathedral in Palermo, Sicily.

1212 Bunts Road
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 521-0184
http://www.bjkresearch.com/stluke/
ground level entrance

St. Luke Parish was established in April 1922, with services conducted in a tent on the grounds of St. Augustine Academy until a frame church was built on Bunts Road in 1923. In 1950, a new church was constructed on Clifton Boulevard to meet the needs of the growing parish. St. Luke School was constructed in 1927 and received its first students in the fall of that year. The school has been enlarged over the years. Six classrooms and a library were added in 1954, and a new gym, social hall, and classrooms were constructed in 1960.