320 Donhan Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45226
Parish Office: 513-871-3373 | parish@saintstephen.church
St. Stephen Church was founded in 1867 by German-speaking Catholic families of the Little Miami Valley. On March 3 of that year, they met at Columbia Town Hall and resolved to seek Archbishop Purcell’s approval to establish a parish in Columbia. He granted the request and named the church after St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. The church was completed and blessed by November 3, 1867. A school and pastor’s residence followed in 1868.
Originally a German-only parish, St. Stephen gradually embraced bilingual worship—adding English sermons in 1880 and catechism in 1884. Tragedy struck on January 23, 1922, when a fire destroyed the church interior. Despite financial challenges, the parish rebuilt, laying a new cornerstone in 1923 and dedicating the new church in May 1924.
While the East End and Columbia Tusculum declined mid-20th century, St. Stephen remained active, though the school closed in 1972 due to declining enrollment. In 2005, Fr. Ron Averbeck invited Fr. Stan Neiheisel to join him in residence. After Fr. Averbeck’s passing in 2006, Fr. Bob Obermeyer became the parish’s first Canonical Pastor.
Today, as Columbia Tusculum experiences revitalization, St. Stephen Church continues to play a vital role in the community. With a rich 150-year history, the parish looks forward with renewed faith and purpose, committed to being a Catholic presence grounded in community, tradition, and service.