About Corpus Christi · Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Corpus Christi Catholic Church is a historic bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg. The parish traces its origins to 1792, when Father Dennis Cahill established Christ's Church as a log chapel — making it the mother church of south-central Pennsylvania's western frontier. Today Corpus Christi serves as both a pilgrimage site (one of only a few Jubilee-affiliated pilgrimage churches in the diocese) and a vibrant faith community with an associated Catholic school (PreK–8, founded 1874), a perpetual adoration chapel, and Spanish-language ministries reaching the local Hispanic population.
- Established
- 1792
- Patron
- Corpus Christi — the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
- Rector
- Very Rev. Allan F. Wolfe, V.F.
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Corpus Christi is the only diocesan parish named specifically for the great gift of the Eucharist, and as such the entire parish identity is centered on Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — perpetual adoration has been offered here continuously since 2000. Worshippers can attend Mass in either English or Spanish, with two Spanish Sunday Masses and a weekly Wednesday evening Spanish Mass feeding the local Hispanic community. The parish also operates a PreK–8 Catholic school (founded 1874), a wide range of faith-formation programs (CCD, RCIA, First Communion and Confirmation prep), and a St. Vincent de Paul food pantry serving neighbors in need — making it both a spiritual home and a real civic presence on Chambersburg's historic Philadelphia Avenue.
Mass times at Corpus Christi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Friday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (since 2000) — Corpus Christi Adoration Chapel, 320 Philadelphia St., Chambersburg, PA 17201
Parish History
Corpus Christi is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in south-central Pennsylvania, with Mass first celebrated near Chambersburg in 1790 and a log chapel (Christ's Church) established by Father Dennis Cahill in 1792. A new stone church built in 1812 took the name Corpus Christi, and Father Charles Kearns became the first resident pastor in 1820. The parish school was founded in 1874, a cemetery was consecrated in 1895, and the present church — cornerstone 1900 — was dedicated on May 30, 1907, the same year as St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg.
- 1790 – First Mass near Chambersburg
- 1792 – Christ's Church (log chapel) established by Fr. Dennis Cahill
- 1812 – Stone Corpus Christi Church built
- 1820 – Fr. Charles Kearns becomes first resident pastor
- 1827 – Organ from a Philadelphia church acquired
- 1874 – Corpus Christi School founded
- 1893 – Five acres purchased for new cemetery
- 1895 – Cemetery consecrated
- 1900 – Cornerstone of the current church laid
- 1907 – Current church dedicated (May 30)
- 1922 – School building constructed
- 1984 – Church renovation completed
- 1985 – Former A&P building purchased as parish hall
- 1987 – Sisters of St. Joseph conclude 99 years of service to the school
- 2000 – Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament begins
- 2022 – Parish Narthex built and blessed by Bishop Ronald W. Gainer (June 26)
Distinctive Heritage
Two remarkable historical threads run through the parish. First, Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin — a Russian prince who became a Catholic priest — ministered in the region from 1795 until his death in 1840. Second, John Hughes, who would become the first Archbishop of New York, was once a parishioner of Corpus Christi.
- Fr. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, Russian prince turned priest (1795–1840)
- John Hughes, first Archbishop of New York — former parishioner
- Italian POWs at Letterkenny Ordnance Depot built the parish's Peace Chapel during WWII
- Parish school served by the Sisters of St. Joseph for 99 years
Mass & Eucharistic Celebrations
Corpus Christi lives up to its name as the only diocesan parish named exclusively for the Eucharist. The parish offers multiple weekend Masses in both English and Spanish, a daily weekday Mass schedule, and continuous Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in its Adoration Chapel since 2000.
- Saturday Vigil — 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday — 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday — 12:30 PM, 6:30 PM (Spanish)
- Monday / Wednesday / Friday — 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM
- Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday — 8:30 AM
- Wednesday — 6:00 PM (Spanish)
Faith Formation
The parish provides catechesis for children, youth, and adults in keeping with the Diocese of Harrisburg's two-year sacramental preparation norms. Deacon Richard Ramsey oversees the Religious Education program.
- CCD (Religious Education) for children
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact Deacon Richard Ramsey, 717-263-9541
- First Holy Communion preparation — two-year process; traditionally in 2nd grade
- Confirmation preparation — two-year process; traditionally in 8th grade
- Youth Ministry — directed by Carlos Espinosa, Coordinator of Religious Ed. / Director of Youth Ministries
RCIA — Becoming a Catholic Christian
The parish RCIA process welcomes adults who wish to explore the Catholic faith, unbaptized catechumens preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil, and already-baptized candidates seeking full communion. Stages include Inquiry, Catechumenate, Election (Rite of Election / Call to Continuing Conversion), and Mystagogy, each accompanied by a parish sponsor.
- Open to unbaptized adults and baptized Christians from other denominations
- Includes Inquiry, Catechumenate, Election, and Mystagogy phases
- Sponsor assigned from the parish community
- Contact: Deacon Richard Ramsey, 717-263-9541
Sacrament Preparation — Children
Children preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation follow a two-year formation track. First Communion is traditionally received in 2nd grade, generally the last weekend of April or the first weekend of May; Confirmation is generally received in 8th grade in the spring, and includes a retreat and required parent-candidate meetings.
- First Holy Communion — 2nd grade (and older, Sunday-morning option)
- Confirmation — 8th grade; spring celebration
- Director: Deacon Richard Ramsey
Sacraments for Adults
Adults who have been baptized Catholic but have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation do so through the RCIA process. Those unbaptized may also be received through RCIA at the Easter Vigil.
- Adult First Communion via RCIA
- Adult Confirmation via RCIA
- Baptism for unbaptized adults via RCIA
Corpus Christi Catholic School
Founded in 1874, Corpus Christi Catholic School is a private, coeducational, PreK–8 Catholic elementary school affiliated with the Diocese of Harrisburg, with a long tradition of parish-sponsored Catholic education on Chambersburg's historic streets. It follows the Diocesan Elementary Curriculum, integrates 1:1 iPads (PK–2) and Chromebooks (3–8), and offers Art, Music, Library, Spanish, Technology, and Physical Education in addition to core subjects.
- 305 N. Second Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201
- Phone: (717) 263-5036
- Website: https://www.cccschambersburg.org/
- Grades: PreK–8; coeducational
- Founded: 1874
- Principal: Mary Margaret Osterman
- Affiliated with the Diocese of Harrisburg; member of NCEA
- Served by the Sisters of St. Joseph from 1888 to 1987
Outreach & Charity
The St. Vincent de Paul Conference at Corpus Christi operates the parish food pantry, one of the most visible acts of charity the parish offers the broader Chambersburg community. The pantry is open three days a week and is closed whenever the local school district runs on a delayed schedule or closes for weather.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
- Hours: Mon / Tue / Thu 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Tue 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Food open to anyone in need; ID required
- Donations of food, egg cartons, and plastic bags accepted in the SVDP box in the church vestibule
- Closes when Chambersburg School District delays/closes for weather
Music & Liturgy
A parish choir led by Organist/Choir Director James Kase III supports the parish's full schedule of weekend and weekday liturgies, including bilingual celebrations.
- Organist and Choir Director: James Kase III (ext. 120)
- Organist at Corpus Christi since at least the 1827 Philadelphia organ
Facilities & Campus
The Corpus Christi campus stretches across downtown Chambersburg and includes the historic 1907 church, the parish narthex (2022), parish hall/parish center (former A&P building, 1985/1990), the dedicated Perpetual Adoration Chapel, the parish school (305 N. Second Street), and parish cemetery. On-site parking, restrooms, and the social hall support parish and pilgrimage gatherings.
- Historic church (1907; undergoing renovation)
- Parish narthex complex (2022) — at-grade entrance, pilgrim welcome, wheelchair-accessible restrooms
- Parish Hall / Parish Center (former A&P, 1985–1990)
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel (since 2000)
- Corpus Christi School (PreK–8, 1874), 305 N. Second Street
- Parish cemetery (consecrated 1895) — ~500 bodies relocated in 1909
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a pastor with a vicar, a deacon, and an office staff including a Coordinator of Religious Education, Parish Office Manager, Parish Secretary, Finance Secretary, Pastoral Minister, and the school Principal.
- Pastor — Very Rev. Allan F. Wolfe, V.F.
- Parochial Vicar — Rev. Benjamin B. Kwaghgba, O.P. (Dominican)
- Deacon — Deacon Richard Ramsey (also Director of Religious Education); 717-263-9541
- Coordinator of Religious Ed. / Director of Youth Ministries — Carlos Espinosa (ext. 126)
- Pastor's Assistant — Renee D. Galvan
- Office Manager — Diane McCarty (ext. 121)
- Administrative Assistant (Parish Secretary) — Suannis Mendez (ext. 119)
- Finance Secretary — Mary Cramer (ext. 128)
- Pastoral Minister — Pamela K. Gent (ext. 195)
- Organist / Choir Director — James Kase III (ext. 120)
- School Principal — Mary Margaret Osterman (ext. 112)
Visiting & Pilgrimage
Corpus Christi has been designated a Diocesan Pilgrimage / Jubilee site for the Diocese of Harrisburg. Pilgrim groups may call ahead to arrange a guided walk-through of the parish's history, and all are welcome to join the regular Mass schedule while visiting. Note: during recent church-building renovations, daily Masses have temporarily been celebrated in the Parish Center, two buildings south of the church.
- Diocesan pilgrimage / Jubilee site
- Narthex open 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Mon–Sat) and 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Sun)
- Guided history tours available by advance request
- Daily Mass scheduled to return to renovated church when work is complete
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Dennis Cahill1792–
Established the original log chapel (Christ's Church) in Chambersburg in 1792.
- Father Charles Kearns1820–
First resident pastor of Corpus Christi (in the 1812 stone church).
- Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin1795–1840 (ministered in Chambersburg)
Former Russian prince who served the Catholic faithful in this region from 1795 until his death in 1840.