The Catholic community in Salem was formed in the early 1850s, when Irish workers began settling in the area to work on the railroad. Visiting priests served the community by offering Masses in families’ homes in those early years, as Catholicism was not welcomed in the predominantly-Quaker community.

Ohio’s legendary “pioneer priest,” Father Eli W.J. Lindesmith, who also served the communities in Alliance and Leetonia, began serving the Salem mission on a monthly basis and organized Mass four times a year in the town hall. He chose the patronage of Saint Paul for the new community. In 1872, he purchased lots on East Main Street to build a church for them, using the $51.45 that was collected on Easter that year as a down payment. He would leave the community three years later, to become a U.S. Cavalry chaplain. He died at age 94 and is buried in Dungannon, Ohio.

The first St. Paul Church was built in 1881, and it was enlarged five years later to accommodate the growing Catholic population. The community built its first school in 1904, and it was served by Humility of Mary Sisters. Over the years, a convent was built, and so were new buildings to serve as the church and school. The St. Paul School of today stopped being run by the Humility of Mary Sisters in 2003, but it serves elementary school students in the area.

Today, the community collaborates with St. Patrick Parish in Leetonia. St. Paul Parish has an active Hispanic community and offers Spanish Masses. It is also involved in ecumenical initiatives in Salem and has an active Knights of Columbus council, a Legion of Mary, a Loyal Christian Benefit Association and a robust food and fellowship program. The community’s dedication to Saint Paul reflects a missionary spirit as well as their devotion to preaching the Gospel and strengthening the Church.

Description from The March of the Eucharist, 2nd edition (2025) published by The Catholic Echo