About Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Mc Sherrystown, Pennsylvania
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania, in Adams County, served by the Diocese of Harrisburg. The parish traces its roots to the turn of the 20th century, when McSherrystown's cigar-industry boom swelled the local Catholic population beyond what nearby Holy Trinity Church could hold. The current church, designed by architect H.A. Roby and built on Stormbaugh-donated land at the corner of North and Third Streets, was consecrated on June 2, 1901, by Bishop John W. Shanaghan. Today, led by Father Richard J. Lyons and a staff that includes a permanent deacon, a Sister of Saint Joseph pastoral assistant, and a director of religious education, the parish continues its mission of being 'nourished by the Word and Eucharist' and serving the Hanover area as a vibrant Eucharistic community with around-the-clock adoration.
- Established
- 1901 (church consecrated; Catholic community in McSherrystown dates to 1890 with Holy Trinity)
- Patron
- The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Richard J. Lyons
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a 120-plus-year-old Catholic community rooted in the McSherrystown–Hanover area of Adams County with deep family, civic, and educational ties — its first baptism in 1900 was the father of a sister still in pastoral ministry there today. Worshippers are nourished by daily and weekend Masses, the gift of 24-hour Perpetual Adoration at the Adams Deanery Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, and a lively sacramental life including OCIA, Religious Education for grades 1–8, and a Middle School Youth Ministry. With more than two dozen active ministries — from the St. Vincent de Paul Society (founded 1911) and Ruth's Harvest backpack meals to That Man Is You, St. Paul Street Evangelization, the Hanover Catholic Young Adults, and the Women of Mercy & Joy — there is a place for nearly every age, stage, and calling, all under the pastoral care of Father Richard Lyons and a dedicated lay staff.
Mass times at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
- 30 minutes before all Masses
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Adams Deanery Eucharistic Adoration Chapel: 24 hours / 7 days a week (Perpetual Adoration). Volunteers sign up for one hour or more; all are welcome to stop by.
Parish History
Around the turn of the 20th century, McSherrystown Catholics were part of Conewago Chapel — the largest parish in the colonies. The post-Civil War cigar boom swelled the local Catholic population, and the Jesuits began digging a foundation in 1890 for Holy Trinity Church, whose cornerstone was laid June 1, 1890. That church was too small and too far downtown, and in 1903 it was torn down. The Diocese of Harrisburg had begun searching for new land in 1898, and the Stormbaugh family will provided for a church at the corner of North and Third Streets. Rev. Pius P. Hemler was transferred from New Oxford in 1899 to build it, and on June 2, 1901, Bishop John W. Shanaghan, D.D., consecrated the new church. The original building — church and rectory — cost $41,987.47. The parish recorded 1,400 souls in 1900, with 30 baptisms, 12 marriages, and 20 deaths that year.
- 1890: Holy Trinity cornerstone laid (Jesuit-directed, later demolished 1903)
- 1899: Construction begins under Fr. Pius P. Hemler; architect H.A. Roby
- June 2, 1901: Church consecrated by Bishop John W. Shanaghan, D.D.
- 1905: Fr. Hemler purchases 4 acres from Henry S. Noel for $700 as parish cemetery
- 1906: Fr. Hemler dies at the rectory at age 46; is among the first interred in the new cemetery
- 1906–1934: Long pastorate of Fr. L. Augustus Reudter
- 1938: School destroyed by fire; 600 students displaced
- 1939: School rebuilt and blessed by Bishop George L. Leech; Delone Catholic High School founded
- 2017: Parish school consolidates with two neighboring schools to form St. Teresa of Calcutta School
- 2024: Church closes for restoration; reopens September 28, 2024
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers Religious Education classes for children in grades 1–8 who attend public school or are homeschooled, meeting on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:00 PM, September through April. The Middle School Youth Group (grades 6–8) meets several times a month with a focus on faith, service, and fun; students from any local parish are welcome. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) accompanies inquirers, the unbaptized, Christians baptized in another denomination, and baptized Catholics seeking the sacraments of initiation.
- Religious Education: grades 1–8, Wednesday evenings 6:45–8:00 PM (Sept–Apr)
- Director: Christine Sanders, CRE ([email protected] / 717-637-1191)
- Middle School Youth Ministry: grades 6–8, open to all local parishes
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — journey for inquirers, catechumens, and candidates
- The Rescue Project — 8-week gospel experience with built-in retreat (high school age and older)
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Annunciation BVM runs more than two dozen active ministries, organized under Liturgical, Faith Formation, Outreach, and Parish Organizations categories. Whether serving at the altar, teaching religious education, feeding children through Ruth's Harvest, evangelizing on the streets, or simply greeting at the door, parishioners are invited to share their gifts and grow in discipleship.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Ushers, St. Barnabas Greeters, Music Ministry (Choir Director Patrick Colgan), Adult Funeral Servers, Offertory Counters
- Formation: Religious Education (grades 1–8), Middle School Youth Ministry, OCIA, The Rescue Project
- Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Society (since 1911), Ruth's Harvest (Hanover Public School backpack meals), St. Paul Street Evangelization (Adams Deanery team)
- Prayer & Devotion: Prayer Circle, Women of Mercy & Joy, Prayer Shawl Committee, St. Monica Prayer Group, Pro-Life Rosary, That Man Is You
- Pastoral Organizations: Parish Pastoral Council (Chair: Angela Rider), Finance Council, Hanover Catholic Young Adults (ages 18–39), Grocery Card Program
Catholic Education in McSherrystown
Catholic schooling in McSherrystown dates to 1908, when Fr. Reudter erected St. Mary's Parochial School at a cost of $40,000 (builder John Coulson). Secondary classes were added in 1921 and the first high school class graduated in 1924; in 1931 the high school was designated Central High School, and by 1938 it served 600 students in grades 1–12. That year the school was destroyed by fire. Rev. Patrick McGee rebuilt the school, which was blessed on July 2, 1939, by Bishop George L. Leech. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill taught generations of students. In 2017 the parish school consolidated with Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary School (New Oxford) and Sacred Heart of Jesus School (Conewago) to form St. Teresa of Calcutta School, with the McSherrystown campus at 316 North Street (grades 3–8) and the Conewago campus at 55 Basilica Drive, Hanover (K–2).
- 1908: St. Mary's Parochial School built (Fr. Reudter, $40,000)
- 1921: Secondary classes added; first high school class graduates 1924
- 1931: Designated Central High School; $10,000 addition built
- 1938: School destroyed by fire
- 1939: School rebuilt and blessed by Bishop George L. Leech
- Generations taught by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill
- Delone Catholic High School founded through donation of Charles J. Delone
- 2017: Consolidation forms St. Teresa of Calcutta School (McSherrystown campus grades 3–8; Conewago campus K–2)
Architecture, Art & Restoration
Architect H.A. Roby designed the church built 1899–1901, with construction beginning in 1899 after apple trees were cleared from the Stormbaugh-donated land at North and Third Streets. Notable artistic and architectural features added over the decades include a gilded belfry cross (1920), re-frescoed interior with new marble altars and statues (1921), a circular 'Last Judgment' stained-glass window (1924), a large carved crucifix brought from Bavaria (1923), and a complete set of stations of the cross. The 2024 restoration — the first of a two-phase project ahead of the parish's 125th anniversary in 2026 — replaced the century-old radiator system with a new HVAC, added aesthetic lighting, fresh paint, bright tile flooring, restored stained-glass windows (including the recently renovated 'Last Judgment' window, originally $2,130, restored for $175,650), and refurbished the pews. A second phase will add a new main altar and assess other heritage features.
- Architect: H.A. Roby
- Cost of original church and rectory: $41,987.47
- Belfry cross gilded and added 1920
- Interior re-frescoed 1921; new marble side altars and statues
- 'Last Judgment' circular window installed 1924 ($2,130; restored 2024 for $175,650)
- Bavarian crucifix installed 1923 — still in the sanctuary
- 2024 restoration: new HVAC, lighting, paint, tile, restored stained glass, refurbished pews (reopened Sept 28, 2024)
- Phase 2 (planned): new main altar; ADA-compliant accessibility upgrades
Parish Staff & Contact
The parish is led by Father Richard J. Lyons, installed as pastor on July 4, 2021 by Bishop Ronald Gainer. He is assisted by Permanent Deacon Larry J. Wilson, Pastoral Assistant Sister Ann Marie Wierman, SSJ, and Director of Religious Education Christine Sanders. Choir Director Patrick Colgan leads the Music Ministry, and parish secretaries Cindy DePorter and Sarah Christ keep the office running Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The parish office is at 26 North Third Street, McSherrystown, PA 17344 (phone 717-637-1191; fax 717-637-1715).
- Pastor: Rev. Richard J. Lyons
- Permanent Deacon: Dcn. Larry J. Wilson
- Pastoral Assistant: Sr. Ann Marie Wierman, SSJ
- Director of Religious Education: Christine Sanders
- Choir Director: Patrick Colgan
- Parish Secretaries: Cindy DePorter, Sarah Christ
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM
- Phone: 717-637-1191 | Fax: 717-637-1715
Getting Involved
Whether you are a long-time parishioner or new to the area, Annunciation BVM welcomes you to register, attend Mass, and find a ministry that fits your gifts. The parish's mission is to be 'a vital, welcoming Catholic faith community that embraces each person,' and its ministries span the liturgical, formation, prayer, outreach, and social spectrum — from greeting at the door to feeding hungry children to praying for the fallen-away.
- Register as a parishioner through the parish office or website
- Join a liturgical ministry: Altar Servers, Lectors, EMHCs, Ushers, Greeters, Music
- Serve through outreach: St. Vincent de Paul, Ruth's Harvest, St. Paul Street Evangelization
- Grow in prayer: Prayer Circle, Women of Mercy & Joy, That Man Is You, St. Monica Prayer Group, Pro-Life Rosary, Perpetual Adoration
- Connect with your peers: Middle School Youth Ministry, Hanover Catholic Young Adults (18–39)
- Support the church: Grocery Card Program (5% of Weis/Giant gift card sales supports the Restoration Fund)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Pius P. Hemler1899–1906
Adams County native; transferred from New Oxford to oversee construction of the new church and rectory. Hired H.A. Roby as architect; construction began 1899; church consecrated June 2, 1901. Purchased 4 acres for the parish cemetery in 1905. Died June 29, 1906, at the rectory at age 46; was among the first interred at the new cemetery.
- Rev. Dr. L. Augustus Reudter1906–1934
Born in Metz, Alsace; migrated to the U.S. in 1880. Built St. Mary's Parochial School (completed 1908, $40,000). Organized the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society branch in 1911 (still active). Purchased 9¾ acres for an athletic field in 1914. Re-frescoed the church (1921), added the 'Last Judgment' window (1924), and brought back a large carved crucifix from Bavaria in 1923 that still hangs in the sanctuary. Died October 1934.
- Rev. Patrick McGee1938–
Named pastor in 1938 after the school fire; had the school rebuilt and blessed by Bishop George L. Leech on July 2, 1939. Era also saw the founding of Delone Catholic High School through the generosity of attorney Charles J. Delone.
- Rev. Richard J. Lyons2021–present
Installed as pastor by Bishop Ronald Gainer on July 4, 2021. Currently leads the parish's two-phase restoration project and 125th-anniversary preparations.