Diocese of Columbus and St. Stephen’s honor a legacy of service and announce a new era.

For more than a century, St. Stephen’s Community House has stood as a beacon of hope and partnership in Linden and throughout central Ohio. Since 1919, a strong relationship between St. Stephen’s and the Diocese of Columbus has guided service to the community and has helped shape St. Stephen’s into the trusted resource it is today.

Through input from clients, staff, volunteers, donors and neighbors, Bishop Earl K. Fernandes and the St. Stephen’s Community House Board of Trustees determined that the time is right for St. Stephen’s to transition into a fully independent nonprofit organization. St. Stephen’s will no longer be a Catholic, diocesan-affiliated charity. The shared goal is to finalize the new structure by July 1, 2026.

“The Diocese of Columbus and St. Stephen’s Community House share the common goal of serving families in our community,” Bishop Fernandes said. “I want to thank the staff and administration at St. Stephen’s for their dedication to the people in Central Ohio.”

St. Stephen’s believes this next step will allow the organization to honor its 106-year history and expand programming, deepen impact and pursue new partnerships that meet the changing needs of today’s community. St. Stephen’s remains grateful for the generations of collaboration with the Diocese of Columbus that have strengthened this community.

Over the coming months, the Board of Trustees, St. Stephen’s leadership and representatives appointed by Bishop Fernandes will work collaboratively to thoughtfully guide this transition. Throughout this process, programs and services will continue without interruption, ensuring continued support for families who depend on St. Stephen’s.

St. Stephen’s was born from a spirit of service, faith and community. St. Stephen’s looks forward to a future filled with opportunity, growth and continued partnership for the good of the families served.