Holy Angels has long history in community

SANDUSKY — After more than 170 years, Holy Angels Catholic Church still stands strong.Holy Angels Catholic Church is the oldest Catholic church in Sandusky, established in 1845, and has the oldest church building in the Diocese of Toledo, church leaders said. The church has mass at 5 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday through Wednesday.The Sandusky parishes' associate pastors, Fathers Jeff Walker and Matt Frisbee, and pastoral associate Sister Joyce Bates are at Holy Angels. This weekend, Bishop Daniel Thomas will install Father Monte Hoyles, who came earlier this month, as the leader of Sandusky's Catholic churches. Father Joe Steinbauer was reassigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Toledo.Holy Angels collaborates with St. Mary's and Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic churches to offer faith-building opportunities for parishioners. For younger children, Holy Angels has a Christian education program while they have EDGE and Life Teen youth groups for middle and high school students, respectively.A plaque in front of the Holy Angels details the church's beginnings in Sandusky. As for adult ministries, Bible studies for men and women occur between the parishes. Holy Angels also offers a grief support group for anyone who lost a loved one. A program is also available for anyone interested in joining the Catholic church.Holy Angels provides assistance to community members, too. It hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for men on Thursdays and Overeaters Anonymous meetings on Mondays.The church also hosts bimonthly blood drives, fish fries each Friday during the Lenten season and coordinates a Thanksgiving dinner with Zion Lutheran Church on Columbus Ave.To provide for residents in need, Holy Angels provides clothing, food and connects people to other needs through the Society of St. Vincent De Paul and Catholic Charities' crisis navigation services. A Catholic community supper also occurs several times a month and is supported by many volunteers across Sandusky's Catholic parishes. A radio station, 88.1 WHRQ, is at Holy Angels, which broadcasts Catholic programming and highlights what Bishop Thomas is up to and other happenings across the diocese, Walker said.Other than its history, Holy Angels' uniqueness stems from its close-knit atmosphere."Holy Angels is a lot like Cheers, it's where everyone knows your name," Walker said. "It's really very much a family atmosphere there with families that have been there for generations and new families starting out their Holy Angels traditions. It's a welcoming family of faith."Holy Angels Catholic Church at 428 Tiffin Ave., Sandusky. Get to know Holy Angels Catholic Church• Address: 428 Tiffin Ave.• Phone number: 419-625-3698• Website: holyangelssandusky.org• Facebook page: Holy Angels Catholic Church (@holyangelssandusky)Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodHoly Angels Catholic Church at 428 Tiffin Ave., Sandusky.