St. Stephen's
Church
St. Stephen's
Church
284 Lover’s Lane
Steubenville, OH 43953
740-264-5005
About Us
Clergy and Staff
Clergy and Staff
We look forward to greeting you
We look forward to greeting you
Rev. Benjamin Wright
Rev. Benjamin Wright
Originally from Alpine, Texas, Father Ben graduated from Univ. of Texas – Pan American and began an MBA at LSU, when the Vietnam War interrupted his studies. Ben served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, which included instructing pilots and flying in T-37/38, C-130’s in Vietnam, Cold War, and Gulf War. Ben completed his military career as Deputy Base Commander at Bitburg, Germany.
Ben completed his Master of Divinity in 1994 at Trinity Episcopal School in Ambridge, PA and served as Assistant Rector in Casper, WY and continued his service in Wyoming, New Mexico, West Texas, Pennsylvania, and now eastern Ohio.
Ben is married to wife Beryl, who hails from England. Beryl has a domestic science degree and teaching certificate from schools in Edinburgh, Scotland. She followed with accounting BS and MA degrees from Univ. of Denver and has taught in Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico. The Wrights have four adult children spread out in Oregon, Wyoming, Texas, and Maine.
724-561-8630, benjaminwright1662@gmail.com
Senior Warden, Ruth Morris
Senior Warden, Ruth Morris
Originally from Philadelphia PA, Ruth graduated from the University of Michigan in Mechanical Engineering and followed that with a masters from Columbia University in New York City. Currently, Ruth is Chief Engineer at Bulldog Rack Company in Weirton, WV. She enjoys visiting grandchildren, reading, and following college and professional sports. Ruth has two daughters. One lives in Odin MN and the other in Jackson Heights, NY. Ruth is active in the Church choir and vestry.
574-876-6753, rmorris18@gmail.com
Vestry, Glenda Matheson
Glenda was born and raised in the Steubenville/ Wintersville area. She graduated from Wintersville High School. She is currently workin XXX. Sharon is active in the Church choir, vestry, and ECW. She enjoys XXX, bible study, travel, family and friends.
740-
Junior Warden, Joyce Parrish
Junior Warden, Joyce Parrish
Joyce is from Steubenville OH. She has two sons and one granddaughter. Joyce is one of Big Red’s biggest fans! Joyce is active in the Church choir and vestry.
740-282-9270/740-317-4367, email
Vestry, Patsi Doyle
Vestry, Patsi Doyle
Patsi was born and raised in Weirton WV, the oldest of five children. She enjoys going to auctions and estate sales to resale at the Antique Warehouse. Patsi loves helping out at all of St. Stephens functions. She is active on the vestry.
Born in Charleston, West Virginia and having lived up and down the east coast and now the Midwest for the last ten years. He works in IT program management for Giant Eagle regional grocer and teaches PM at Chatham Univ. Joe is an avid Duke college basketball fan and enjoys vacation travel. Joe is married to wife Paula, who hails from central New Jersey and spent summers in Steubenville. Paula is an avid dog owner, having rescued several dogs from shelters. The Greer's have four adult children spread out in Ohio (Ron), New Jersey (Cassie), and Washington DC (Ellen, Camilla).
Vestry, Joseph Greer
Vestry, Joseph Greer
Treasurer, debbie venci
Treasurer, debbie venci
Debbie is married to Anthony Venci. She was born in Euclid OH and moved to Steubenville in third grade. Debbie graduated from Steubenville High School and from the University of Pittsburgh. The Vencis both work at Barium & Chemicals. Debbie has three children: daughter Dr. Jillian Fuhs in Zionsville IN, daughter Dr. Brittany Seminara in Mt. Holly NC, and son Anthony Jr. in Cayahoga Falls OH. Debbie is active in the church choir, flower guild, and vestry.
740-317-3194 cell, davenci@bariumchemicals.com
Organist & Choir director,
Linda Franklin
Organist & Choir director,
Linda Franklin
Linda works as a Librarian Assistant at Franciscan University for 28 years. Linda has four grandchildren and enjoys playing golf and gardening. Linda is organist and leads the Church choir.
740-
Church History
Church History
Early Years 1902 - 1964
Early Years 1902 - 1964
Later Years 1965 - Present
Later Years 1965 - Present
1n 1896, sixty parishioners left St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Steubenville, and with diocese consent, began their own parish. In May 1898, the congregation purchased property on the corner of 5th and Logan for $3,000 on which to build their first church. It was a modest brick and stone Romanesque style structure. The rector H. L. Gaylord opened for services on Christmas Day of 1902.
In April 1906, the church purchased a Felgemaker Organ from Erie PA. The parish house and corridor was opened in April 1912 by Bishop Leonard.
In the mid-1960's, the congregation decided to move their house of worship to the west end of the city. They sold the Logan Avenue church to the Zion Temple. Groundbreaking occurred in Sept 1965. The first services were held on Christmas Day 1965, even though there was no heating yet and parishioners had to sit on folding chairs. The new colonial style building dedicated on July 2, 1967 at our current location on Lover's Lane on the hill above Fort Steuben Mall. It was designed by Marr, Knapp & Crawsis of New Philadelphia. St. Stephen's held a centennial celebration on Dec. 7, 1996.
What our Fellow Christians are saying
What our Fellow Christians are saying
I enjoy being a Parishioner at St. Stephen's because everyone works so well together
Joyce Parrish - Parishioner & Junior Deacon