The church is located on the corner of Myersville Road and Killian Road in Springfield Township, with the address of 2425 Myersville Rd., Akron, Ohio, 44312.  We serve the communities of Springfield Township, Lake Township, and the City of Green.  We currently have 700 registered families. Check out the links below for the story of Nativity of the Lord Jesus, a history and a tour of our church.

Located in the basement of the church, The Bethlehem Cave is a replica of the cave where Jesus was born as it appears in the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and serves as a chapel and place for pilgrimage.  The chapel includes the Altar of the Nativity, the Altar of the Magi, and the manger of the Infant Jesus.  Only two such replicas exist in the United States; the other is in Washington, DC.

The creation of a new Catholic parish in southern Summit County was begun when the Cleveland Diocese purchased nine acres of property at the corner of Killian and Myersville Roads on November 24th, 1976.  Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Chapel was founded on July 1st, 1977 by the decree of Bishop James Hickey.  As the newly appointed administrator, Father David Halaiko, assisted by Sister Mildred Baker and Sister Yvonne Spenoso, Sisters of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, conducted a census of all Catholic families living in the area.  On July 19th, 1977, the Liturgy Committee was founded.

The first Masses were celebrated on July 30th and 31st, 1977, at Young School.  On August 2nd of that year, the Religious Education Program was established, also meeting at Young School.  In December, a home on Massillon Road, owned by Holdren’s Market, was purchased and in February, 1978, it was moved to the parish property, where it became our rectory, office, temporary chapel, and meeting place.  In April, the Building Fund drive began and on November 26th, 1978, ground was broken for a chapel and multipurpose building.  While beginning the material home for our parish, we were also beginning the spiritual home.

On May 14th, 1978, the first class of First Communicants received our Lord’s Eucharistic Presence, and on December 1st, Bishop Michael Murphy confirmed our first class of Confirmation candidates.  On July 1, 1978, Sister Jean Dezort, O.P., of the Dominican Order joined Nativity as Pastoral Assistant.  On June 30th and July 1st, 1979, our first Masses were celebrated in the new chapel, with the formal dedication following on September 9th.  Sister Susanne Gill, H.M., became Pastoral Associate in August, 1980.

The Spiritual growth of Nativity Parish continued, and with it, the desire for a permanent church.  To that end, parish organizations and dedicated members advanced the building program relentlessly, making it possible to break ground for our church on July 7th, 1991, with the dedication following on October 24th, 1992.  Mr. Paul Marcinkoski, a parish member, was the design architect for the new church.

The Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church was designed to reflect the 4th century A.D. Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church
2425 Myersville Rd, Akron, OH 44312
330.699.5086
[email protected]

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9am-4pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed