The first of two communities that make up St. Catherine of Siena Parish is St. Charles Borromeo, which can trace its origins to a former stagecoach inn and tavern in Mass was offered for two years in this space while the community built a permanent structure. Archbishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland dedicated the new space in May 1928. In the ensuing decades, as Boardman’s population grew, the parish acquired more land and built many additional structures— including a social hall, school and a new worship space.
The St. Luke community is the second community that is part of St. Catherine of Siena Parish. It was founded by Youngstown Bishop Emmett Walsh as a mission in 1962. Due to rapid population growth, the parish received its first resident pastor two years later and its combination church/school/rectory opened in 1964 as well. Like St. Charles, the community made several additions and built new structures over the years. The Humility of Mary Sisters from Villa Maria, Pennsylvania, were engaged in pastoral ministry at the St. Luke Community from 1989 to 2018. Now, the Ursuline Sisters provide that ministry for St. Catherine of Siena Parish.
The St. Charles Borromeo community first had an elementary school for grades 1 to 8 in the late 1920s, but it was closed shortly thereafter. During the baby boom in Boardman, however, the parish created a religious education program for more than 300 children and, in 1951, opened a new school. Both the religious education program and the K-8 school remain strong to this day. The St. Luke community also had a school, which was founded in 1964 and closed in 2011. The Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown helped staff both schools since their founding.
The two communities combined on January 1, 2025, to form St. Catherine of Siena Parish. Today, the parish has a St. Vincent de Paul Society and a Knights of Columbus Council, in addition to several important outreach ministries. The parish chose the patronage of Saint Catherine of Siena because they believe she is a model for living faith with courage and confidence. This is reflected in the parish’s apostolic charity, Eucharistic celebrations and authentic communal witness of Christ’s love and mercy.
Description from The March of the Eucharist, 2nd edition (2025) published by The Catholic Echo
