Community/Diocese
Community Overview
Painesville City is the county seat of Lake County, Ohio located in Northeast Ohio (www.painesville.com). Painesville is located along the Grand River, 27 miles northeast of Cleveland. The population is approximately 20,300. Painesville Township, Grand River, Concord Township, Fairport Harbor and Leroy Township are often considered part of the Greater Painesville area, making this area roughly 60,000 residents strong.
The Greater Painesville area consists of two school districts. Painesville City Schools (www.painesville-city.k12.oh.us) serves Painesville City, and Riverside Local Schools (www.riverside.k12.oh.us) serves the surrounding communities.
Painesville is also the home of Lake Erie College (www.lec.edu) , the only four-year college located in Lake County. Lakeland Community (www.lakelandcc.edu) is also located in Lake County and offers comprehensive two-year college transfer programs, technical and paraprofessional programs and provides general education.
Demographics
The diversity of Painesville City offers St. James an exciting opportunity for growth. Reaching out to the Hispanic/Latinx community, the African-American community and the LGBTQ+ community can bring growth to a parish yearning to look more like our area demographics, and to become an even more integral part of Painesville.
Painesville is a relatively young and ethnically diverse city, Painesville’s median age is 31 (www.painesville.com/demographics). The people who call Painesville home describe themselves as belonging to a variety of racial and ethnic groups. The greatest number of Painesville residents report their race to be White, with a substantial Hispanic/Latinx and Black/African-American populations. The education level of Painesville citizens with bachelor’s degrees or advanced degrees is similar to the national average for all American cities and towns.
Local Economy
Some of the nation’s most successful manufacturing and industrial leaders have locations in Painesville, including Avery Dennison, Lubrizol, AeroControlex, Mar-Bal Corporation, Guyer Precision and Eckart America.
The largest employers in the city are local/regional hospital systems (healthcare), county and city governments) and the public-school systems (education). Lake Erie College also plays a role in the local economy, with an undergraduate student population of around 1,200 and 17 NCAA varsity sports teams.
Our Diocese
We are a member of the Diocese of Ohio, The Right Reverend Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. is our Bishop and the Rev. Anne B. Jolly is our newly elected Bishop Coadjutor. Due to the close proximity to the Diocesan Offices in Cleveland, our members and clergy have the opportunity to participate actively at the Diocesan level. We are able to participate in many of the events and celebrations at the cathedral, participate on committees — and serve in elected leadership roles. Our members serve or have served on a variety of Diocesan and Provincial Committees. These elected positions range from Standing Committee members to DOK Presidents.
As one of twelve members of NEMAC, the Northeast Ohio Mission Area Council, our parish has been an active member of the council. We have two parishioners serving on the Council. The mission of the council is to share in communication, programs and resources as we provide mutual support among congregations and identify and implement opportunities for collaborative ministry. We have collaborated with the Council on Family Pride Fair and EfM which have been hosted by St James.
Where to Find Us Online
Technology has also brought evolution in the way we stay connected as a family. It has enabled us to reach people outside our walls, inviting them in and connecting them with our existing church community. Our website offers clear and concise information about parish activities and services. People worldwide can now see that we are a dynamic, active, warm and inviting place to worship, serve and glorify God.