St. Leo the Great Parish and School

What St. Leo the Great Parish and School does

St. Leo the Great Parish and School is a nonprofit Catholic parish founded in 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio, operating under the Diocese of Cleveland and serving approximately 2,100 registered families across Cleveland, Parma, and Brooklyn Heights. The organization delivers Catholic worship services (Saturday vigil, Sunday, and weekday Masses), the full range of sacraments (Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick), and Catholic K-8 elementary education plus preschool programs through its affiliated school. It maintains a diversified ministry portfolio spanning all age groups, including PSR/Faith Formation for grades 1-8, OCIA for adult initiation, F3 young adult ministry, St. Leo's Seniors club, and a 62-year-old St. Vincent de Paul Outreach serving 35 families (102 people) with food assistance and 150 students with school supplies.

The parish operates a digital infrastructure built on third-party SaaS platforms: BoxCast-powered Leo Live streaming accessible via website and Apple TV, WeShare online giving (with a 2.65% processing fee), Flocknote email communications, and a dedicated mobile app for iPhone and Android. Revenue is generated through approximately seven distinct streams: recurring parish donations from the 2,100 families, K-8 and preschool tuition (with Cleveland Scholarship & Tutoring Program voucher eligibility), a gift certificate program yielding ~2% margin across 100+ retailers, $3 vigil candle donations, $10 Mass intentions (capped at 2 per household annually), Parish Community Center rentals ($125-$500 per event), and payment processing fees. Pricing across these streams is unit-based or transaction-based with pay-as-you-go cadence, and the organization is supported by a staff of approximately 15 led by Pastor Fr. James Schmitz (appointed 2014) and School Principal Lorenzo Jones.

The parish is part of a cluster partnership with Mary Queen of Peace, St. Thomas More, and St. Charles Borromeo under the Diocese's Vibrant Parish Life initiative, sharing resources and coordinated ministry. Its go-to-market is community-led, relying on parish registration, word-of-mouth referrals, school enrollment as a family gateway, and event-driven engagement (parish picnics, sacramental celebrations, faith formation sessions, ministry gatherings, and charitable drives).

Name

St. Leo the Great Parish and School

Legal name

St. Leo the Great Parish

Website

https://leothegreat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

St. Leo the Great Parish and School is a Cleveland, Ohio Catholic parish founded in 1948, serving 2,100 registered families with worship services, K-8 education, preschool, sacraments, and community ministries under the Diocese of Cleveland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Parish Services and Catholic Education

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC), Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE)

Keywords

• Catholic parish services
• Religious education programs
• Parish school tuition
• Sacramental preparation
• Parish community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Parish Donations and Contributions: Weekly and periodic donations from approximately 2,100 registered families through the WeShare online platform and traditional collection methods. The parish encourages regular tithing and offers one-time donation options.
2. School Tuition: Revenue from St. Leo the Great Elementary School (K-8) and preschool programs. Cleveland residents may apply for vouchers through the Cleveland Scholarship & Tutoring Program.
3. Gift Certificate Program: Parish purchases gift cards from over 100 stores and restaurants at approximately 2% discount and sells at face value, retaining the 2% profit margin. Benefits both parish and families with children in Catholic schools.
4. Shrine Vigil Candles: Online vigil candle orders with $3 donation per candle to offset candle expenses.
5. Mass Intentions and Stipends: Parishioners request Mass intentions for deceased loved ones at $10 per Mass. Each household is allowed 2 Mass intentions per year (1 weekend and 1 weekday OR 2 weekday Masses). Sanctuary candle requests run for 2 weeks at $10.
6. Parish Center Rental: Rental income from the Parish Community Center Great Room for events including funerals, birthdays, graduations, communions, reunions, and showers. Accommodates up to 70 guests with full kitchen facilities.
7. St. Vincent de Paul Donations: Monetary contributions placed in St. Vincent De Paul poor boxes at church entrances, periodic envelopes in offertory mailings, and direct donations to support food assistance for 35 families (102 people).
8. Online Payment Processing Fees: Non-refundable 2.65% service fee added to all credit card, debit card, and PayPal transactions for tuition, gift cards, and other parish payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

St. Leo the Great Parish and School is a Catholic parish and affiliated K-8 elementary school that provides sacramental worship (weekly Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration), the seven sacraments (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders referrals), Catholic K-8 education and preschool, faith formation programs (PSR, OCIA), Music Ministry, and charitable outreach through St. Vincent de Paul. It serves approximately 2,100 registered families in Cleveland, Parma, and Brooklyn Heights and is supported by an online giving platform, live streaming, and a mobile app.

Product overview

St. Leo the Great Parish and School is a Catholic faith community offering religious, educational, and community services. Core offerings include St. Leo the Great Elementary School (K-8) and Preschool; Parish School of Religion/Faith Formation for grades 1-8; Music Ministry with adult choir and hand bells; and comprehensive sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation, and OCIA. The parish provides additional services including a Gift Certificate Program (over 100 retailer partnerships), Online Payments (WeShare platform for donations/tuition), Parish Center Rental for events up to 70 guests, F3 Young Adult Ministry, Funeral & Burial Preparations, Vigil Candle Ministry at four shrines, St. Vincent de Paul Outreach (food/emergency assistance), and Leo Live streaming via BoxCast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• St. Leo the Great Elementary School & Preschool Catholic elementary school serving kindergarten through grade 8 with integrated Catholic faith curriculum; also offers preschool for children ages 3 and 4 with full and part-time sessions. Cleveland residents may apply for vouchers through the Cleveland Scholarship & Tutoring Program.
• Parish School of Religion (PSR) / Faith Formation Faith formation program for children in grades 1-8 who do not attend the parish school, meeting on Sundays 9:30-10:45am before 11am Mass; also serves as sacramental preparation extension for parish school students.
• Music Ministry Parish music ministry including adult choir (high school age and older), hand bell choir, cantors, and musicians for Masses and special liturgical occasions, directed by Angela Kovic.
• Gift Certificate Program Parish fundraising program selling gift certificates from over 100 stores and restaurants at approximately 2% discount off face value, with certificates sold at face value generating a parish profit margin. Benefits both parish and families with children in Catholic schools.
• Online Payments Online payment system accepting credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal for tuition, fees, gift cards, and parish donations, with a 2.65% non-refundable service fee added to each transaction.
• Parish Center Rental Event venue rental of the Parish Community Center Great Room accommodating up to 70 guests, with full kitchen, outdoor grounds, handicap access, and catering options for funerals, parties, showers, reunions, graduations, and communions. Rental tiers: $125 for 1-2 hours, $200 for 3-4 hours, $300 for 5-7 hours, $500 all day, plus $100 refundable deposit.
• F3 Ministry (Young Adult Group) Young adult ministry (20s, 30s, 40s) combining Faith, Food, and Fellowship through bi-monthly dinners and monthly Faith Nights featuring prayer and discussion. Includes access to Damascus retreats.
• Funeral & Burial Preparations Comprehensive Catholic funeral planning services including Mass of Christian Burial, vigil services, cremation guidance, funeral luncheons, and memorial offerings coordination. Priest stipend $200 (not required for Christian burial); musician services $175–$400 (not required).
• Baptismal Preparation Sacramental preparation for infant and child baptism including parent meetings with the pastor, godparent qualification guidance, and Rite of Baptism ceremony scheduling.
• Sacramental Preparation Programs Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation including parent preparation sessions and candidate formation.
• Shrine Vigil Candle Ministry Online vigil candle lighting service for special intentions at four parish shrines (Sacred Heart, St. Anne & Mary, St. Leo the Great, St. Vincent de Paul) with $3 donation per candle to offset expenses.
• Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program for those seeking to join the Catholic Church through baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, including catechumenate period and mystagogy. Also includes Children's Catechumenate for children aged 7+.
• St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Parish charitable organization serving 102 people across 35 families with monthly food drives, holiday food deliveries (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas), sock and underwear drives, and back-to-school supplies for 150 students annually.
• Leo Live Streaming Live streaming and on-demand video services for Masses and liturgical events via BoxCast platform, accessible through the parish website and Apple TV app. Includes past broadcasts on demand.
• Sunday and Weekday Mass Services Regular Catholic worship services including Saturday vigil Mass at 4:00pm, Sunday Masses at 8:00am and 11:00am, 2nd Sunday 5:00pm Mass in the Chapel, and weekday Masses at 8:30am Monday through Friday; also includes Reconciliation (Confessions) on Saturdays 3:00-3:45pm, Sundays 10:00-10:45am, and by appointment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 102 people (35 families) receive monthly food assistance
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• WomankindminorOthers · 1 January 2026Parish supports Womankind's life-affirming mission through annual baby bottle fundraiser. Parishioners fill bottles with coins, cash, or checks to support Womankind's services for mothers and families.
• Damascus (Centerburg, OH)minorOthers · 1 January 2026Damascus retreat center in Centerburg, OH provides men's retreats (twice yearly) and women's retreats (three times yearly) accessible to F3 Ministry members and parish young adults seeking spiritual growth and retreat experiences.
• Mary Queen of PeaceminorOthers · 1 January 2022Parish cluster partner within the Diocese of Cleveland's Vibrant Parish Life initiative. St. Leo collaborates with Mary Queen of Peace, St. Thomas More, and St. Charles Borromeo in parish clustering for shared resources and coordinated ministry.
• St. Thomas MoreminorOthers · 1 January 2022Parish cluster partner (phone: 216-749-0414) within the Diocese of Cleveland's Vibrant Parish Life initiative for shared resources and coordinated ministry.
• St. Charles BorromeominorOthers · 1 January 2022Parish cluster partner (phone: 440-884-3030) within the Diocese of Cleveland's Vibrant Parish Life initiative for shared resources and coordinated ministry.
• Diocese of ClevelandcoreOthers · 1 January 1948St. Leo the Great Parish operates under the authority of the Diocese of Cleveland. The Diocese provides oversight, liturgical guidelines, and pastoral direction. The parish participates in Diocesan initiatives including the consecrated vow, adheres to Diocesan policies on sacraments, and follows the Bishop's directives on matters of faith and practice.
• Society of St. Vincent de PaulcoreOthers · 1 January 1948Local St. Leo's St. Vincent de Paul Outreach Organization follows the footsteps of the Society's namesake, providing 62 years of aid to those in need. The national organization's logo appears on parish materials, and the parish connects with the Diocese of Cleveland's SVDP Ozanam Center for additional support services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Diocese of Cleveland Catholic Schools: Umbrella authority for all parish-affiliated K-8 schools in the Cleveland diocese, including St. Leo the Great Elementary. Provides shared accreditation, voucher-program administration, and curricular standards across member schools.
• EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network): Largest Catholic media broadcaster in the U.S., offering live-streamed Mass, catechesis, and faith programming that competes with parish-level digital outreach like St. Leo's Leo Live streaming initiative.
• Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland: Regional faith-based social services agency operating food pantries, shelter, and outreach at scale across the Cleveland area. Functions as a scaled alternative or complement to St. Leo's parish-level SVdP food assistance program.

Others

• Pushpay (church-giving platform): Major digital giving and church engagement SaaS platform serving U.S. parishes and faith communities. Competes with St. Leo's WeShare online giving infrastructure as a vendor choice for parish donations.

Regional players

• St. Mary of the Falls (Olmsted Falls, OH): Diocese of Cleveland Catholic parish in the western Cleveland suburbs operating a K-8 school, faith formation, and parish center rentals. Comparable operating model to St. Leo but serves a different suburban catchment to the southwest.

Direct peers

• St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (Cleveland): Parish-cluster partner with St. Leo under the Diocese of Cleveland. A comparable-size Catholic parish serving Cleveland-area families with Mass, sacraments, faith formation, and school/community ministries.
• Holy Name Catholic Church (Cleveland): Historic Catholic parish in the Diocese of Cleveland serving a similar urban/suburban Cleveland footprint. Operates Mass, sacraments, faith formation, and community ministry programs targeting overlapping Catholic-family demographics.
• St. Rocco Catholic Church (Cleveland): Cleveland-area Catholic parish within the Diocese of Cleveland offering Mass, sacramental preparation, faith formation, and outreach programs to a comparable urban Cleveland demographic.
• St. Thomas More Catholic Church (Cleveland): Nearby Catholic parish in the Diocese of Cleveland and explicit St. Leo parish-cluster partner under the Vibrant Parish Life initiative. Operates similar worship, faith formation, and community outreach programs to overlapping Cleveland-area Catholic families.
• Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church (Cleveland): Parish-cluster partner of St. Leo under the Diocese of Cleveland's Vibrant Parish Life initiative. Comparable Catholic parish offering worship, sacramental preparation, PSR, and community outreach to overlapping Cleveland-area demographics.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Great_StLeo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@slgchurch8313/streams
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/stleothegreatcle?igsh=MXNzM2xycjBtc3ptOA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st.-leo-the-great-parish-and-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Leo the Great Parish and School