The neighborhood around Columbus St. Agnes Church has changed significantly in the 70 years since its founding, but it has retained an identity as what its pastor, Father Fernando Bonilla, describes as a “church community that is small but very warm.”

When its cornerstone was laid on Oct. 24, 1954, it was rare to find anyone in the Columbus west-side neighborhood the church serves who spoke Spanish. Today, the Latino community plays a significant role in the area. About 540 people of Hispanic origin attended a recent Spanish Mass.

For the past several years, the parish at 2364 W. Mound St. has been served by priests from the Missionary Servants of the Word, who also provide pastoral care for St. Stephen the Martyr Church, another primarily Latino parish on Columbus’ west side.

Tom Nanc, a retiree who has been a parishioner for 65 years, said there was a time after the parish school had closed when there were fears that closing of the church would follow.  One day while praying about the situation, he felt a tap on his right shoulder. A Hispanic priest told him, “Church is open,” and he said that at that point, the fear left him.

Nanc and many other English-speaking parishioners helped those who had newly arrived in Columbus with the transition. Banc volunteered for three years to assist at English as a Second Language classes. One of those who have worked with him is Isabel Placencia, who arrived at the church in 2011 with her husband, Rosendo Montalvo.

Columbus St. Agnes Church parishioners kneel in prayer during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

She said that at first, a small group of volunteers did most of the work of serving at Mass, maintaining the church and conducting events. But more people became involved, and she estimates that about 100 people now volunteer regularly at the parish, with the number of Spanish- and English-speaking volunteers about equal. “Speaking to people with humility and love, groups are formed for service,” she said.

Nanc said the church had bilingual songbooks until they were removed because of the COVID pandemic, but he now can follow the songs in Spanish. He also has learned about Hispanic traditions such as quinceaneras to celebrate a girl’s 15th birthday and posadas, a custom of visiting homes in the days leading to Christmas.

He is impressed by Hispanic people's reverence in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  “I didn’t understand why they were walking backward to leave the church, but later, I learned they didn’t want to turn their backs to Jesus,” he said.

Father Bonilla is assisted by the members of his order who are stationed at St. Stephen Church and by two young missionaries, Geovanni Baeza Zarazua and Salomón De la Cruz Andrés, who are bilingual and interested in doing more with the English-speaking community. Evangelization and preaching are very important for them. 

One missionary said he wants to plant seeds in the community that will bear fruit with an attitude of joyful service.

“We may be announcing, but we must preach the Word. When people hear the Word, they respond,” Baeza Zarazua said.

The missionaries are grateful for Father Bonilla’s willingness to work with parishioners. “It is a blessing that the pastor trusted young people to organize the church festival,” Baeza Zarazua said.

The faithful pray during the celebration of the Mass on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Columbus St. Agnes Church.

The church building is small and is being renovated, with the changes creating an intimate atmosphere for prayer, and everyone is very welcoming. The Knights of Columbus and other volunteers sponsor fundraising events including breakfasts, festivals and a monthly produce market.

The church is adding a Spanish Sunday Mass at 1 p.m. Other Mass times are 7 p.m. Saturday (Spanish), 9 a.m. Sunday (bilingual); 11 a.m. Sunday (Spanish); 7 p.m. Tuesday (Spanish) and 9 a.m. Thursday (English). There are English-speaking parishioners who attend Spanish Mass and participate with joy, even though they don’t understand most of what is said.

Bishop Michael Ready purchased the land on which the parish is located on June 1, 1946, but it was not dedicated until nearly a decade later on March 20, 1955. Father Bennett Applegate, diocesan superintendent of schools, was its first administrator and Father Robert Schmidt was the first pastor.

On the day of the church's dedication, Bishop Ready wrote a letter to the people of St. Agnes.  Here is an excerpt of that letter: “The elements which entered into the construction for this church are about a symbol of yourself. … You have been blessed with specific talents to build up a parish life marked by unity, harmony and peace. … May God grant you the increase of holiness and fortitude, Christian example among your neighbors, and a tower of strength to the community.”

Throughout the years, St. Agnes parishioners have continued to be blessed with the talents and virtues of serving and building up community with humility, harmony, unity and peace. May the Lord provide more years of unity, peace and prosperity to the people of St. Agnes.

Jessica Schira is the communications director at Columbus Christ the King Church.