In Memory of Fr. John Wall

Reverend John E. Wall passed away on April 20, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on September 13, 1931 in Cincinnati. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood, Ohio. He was ordained on May 25, 1957 at St. Monica Cathedral in Cincinnati, Ohio by Archbishop Karl J. Alter.

Father Wall received his first assignment on June 14, 1957, as Assistant at Resurrection Parish, Dayton, followed by Assistant appointments on October 10, 1957, at St. Elizabeth Parish, Norwood; June 11, 1962, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Cincinnati; and March 25, 1963, at St. Elizabeth Parish, Norwood. On September 16, 1964, he was appointed Youth Director of the St. Francis de Sales Deanery. On January 15, 1969, he was appointed Assistant Pastor of St. Teresa Parish in Springfield, part-time teacher at Catholic Central High School, Springfield, Assistant Director of Catholic Charities, Springfield, and Director of the Catholic Youth Organization in Springfield.  He was appointed Director of Youth at Central Catholic High School on August 22, 1973.  Father Wall was appointed Pastor of St. Paul Parish, Yellow Springs on June 19, 1974, while remaining Assistant Director of Catholic Charities, Springfield. He was appointed Pastor of Assumption Parish, Dayton on December 2, 1975, then appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Fairfield on June 19, 1984. On August 14, 1990, he was appointed Priest in Residence at St. Julie Billiart Parish, Hamilton.  Father Wall was appointed to the College of Consultors from November 6, 1990 until November 3, 1995. He was appointed Temporary Administrator of St. Margaret Mary Parish, North College Hill on July 5, 1994, appointed Pastor on October 16, 1994 for a period of six years; then re-appointed as Pastor for another six year term, commencing on October 17, 2000.  Father Wall retired from active ministry on July 1, 2003.  After retirement, he was appointed to another term with the College of Consultors from November 8, 2005 to November 3, 2010.

During his time of retirement, he lived and served at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish, (2003-2017) where he remained very active in his ministry serving the St. Ignatius community. He supported the RCIA program, Christ Renews, and served as the celebrant for many Masses to name a few of the ways he served the St. Ignatius community. (It surely didn’t seem he was “retired” during his time at St. Ignatius) Even after he left St. Ignatius, he continued to serve the residents of Wellington, at North Bend Crossing until his death.

Fr. Wall’s funeral Mass was live-streamed and can be accessed through this link – http://bit.ly/FrJohnWallFuneralMass. 

Fr. Wall’s Celebration of Life Video!

Thank you to everyone who shared photos and videos! Enjoy these memories as a reminder of Fr. Wall and his wonderful service to so many communities.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon. May he rest in peace.

Thank you for joining in with us to celebrate the beautiful soul of Fr. John Wall.