REV. PHILIP ROGERS

(2007- 2022)

Fr. Philip Rogers was officially installed as new Pastor of St. Charles on November 4, 2007.

In 2008, the parish wanted to honor the late Pastor, Fr. Daniel Venglarik by erecting a Bell Tower in his name. A letter was found from a meeting in 2005 between Fr. Dan and the The Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, which described the Trinity Tower. That design was chosen and would cost $50,000. A memorial fund began and was to be built solely on donations. The fund garnished over $87,850.00 and the monies that exceeded the actual cost of construction and installation was used to assure upkeep and landscaping around the memorial.

A new parish sign was also erected in front of the church on State Route 224.

Conversation began in 2007 regarding a Habitat for Humanity project. As a partner in the project, we were responsible for providing the money ($50,000) for one home, the volunteers, and the meals for the build.

In 2009, a massive change occurred at St. Charles School. After 57 years of St. Charles School, the first lay-person was hired as school principal. The principal at the time, Sr. Mary Alyce Koval retired as the school principal and Mary Welsh was hired.

In 2013, the pews and kneelers in the sanctuary were reupholstered and refinished along with the installation of new carpet.  The pews were changed from a maroon/red color to a light green. The floor/carpeting was also changed, the carpet originally was a maroon/white combination, which was changed to plain maroon carpet squares, while the aisle and the gathering space carpet were changed to a green/maroon/white paisley combination.

In 2014, the modular classrooms that were put in during 1997 were taken down and sold to Youngstown Christian School.

Following a harsh winter in 2015 the parish needed a new roof. After much planning, surveying and meetings, a new campaign was needed to pay for it. The "Raise the Roof Campaign" began in September 2015. The cost of the roof was over $1.2 million. The original cement roof tiles were replaced with asphalt roof shingles and the project was completed in 2017.

The parish convent originally purchased in 1987 was sold in 2018.

At the beginning of 2020, the parish purchased a house on Westview Drive as the new permanent pastor residence. The parish rectory building, due to its severe deterioration and age, was supposed to be razed in the summer of 2020, but has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was eventually torn down in the spring of 2021.

The COVID-19 Pandemic closed church doors due to the uncertain times in March 2020. The parish began live-streaming Mass to the parish community. On Pentecost, May 31, 2020 the congregation was allowed back in the sanctuary building for in person Mass. People were allowed back in the building, provided they followed the COVID-19 protocols which included, wearing a mask, social distancing, no hand shaking during the sign of peace, and discontinued the use of the chalice.

In the summer of 2022, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, Most Rev. David Bonnar reassigned Fr. Rogers to Christ Our Savior Parish in Struthers, Ohio. Monsignor John Zuraw was named the ninth pastor of St. Charles Borromeo in July of 2022.

Fr. Rogers created many ministries during his time as pastor, including, Community Meal, Graceful Hands, Rosary Makers, Rosary Recitation prior to Saturday Mass, Mass Live-Streaming, and a social media presence.