About Holy Name · Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
Holy Name Parish is a historic Roman Catholic community in Ebensburg, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Established in 1816 as a mission church of Saint Michael's in Loretto under the patronage of Saint Patrick, it was planted by the renowned Prince-Priest Father Demetrius Gallitzin — the 'Apostle of the Alleghenies' — and is the second-oldest Catholic church in Cambria County. The parish was formally constituted in 1857, renamed Holy Name of Jesus in 1867, and today serves a thriving community through three Sunday Masses, a PreK-8 parish school, a CCD religious education program, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, and youth ministries under pastor Father Brian L. Warchola.
- Established
- 1816
- Patron
- Holy Name of Jesus (originally Saint Patrick, 1816–1867)
- Rector
- Father Brian L. Warchola
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
Holy Name welcomes Catholics and visitors to a deeply rooted parish family with more than two centuries of faith in the Alleghenies. Weekday and Sunday Masses, regular confession times, a parish school (PreK–8), CCD religious education for elementary and junior/senior high youth, Confirmation prep, APEX youth ministry, a St. Vincent de Paul conference serving local neighbors in need, and ongoing evangelization through Sister Margie McGuire give every age and stage a place to belong and to serve.
Mass times at Holy Name
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM
- Wednesday: 6:30 PM
- Saturday: Noon & 5:00 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday: Nocturnal Adoration 7:00–8:00 PM (when school is in session)
Holy Name Parish — Welcome & Mission
Holy Name Parish describes itself as 'the people of God in the Roman Catholic Church of Holy Name in Ebensburg, PA.' Through Baptism, members are called together as a community of faith rooted in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. United with the Holy Father and the Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, the parish commits itself to worship, sacraments, teaching, service, community-building, and the work of justice through prayer and action. The parish, established in 1816, remains a vibrant expression of Catholic life in the Alleghenies.
- Established 1816
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
- Welcomes all who come through Baptism into the community of faith
Parish History
The parish traces its origins to 1816, when Father Demetrius Gallitzin began regular visits to a small framed chapel in Ebensburg built by Judge Murray and dedicated to Saint Patrick. Originally a mission of Gallitzin's Loretto church, the Ebensburg congregation had its first assigned priest (Father Patrick Rafferty) in 1829 and its first truly resident priest (Father Thomas B. O'Flaherty) in 1844. In 1857 it was constituted a regular parish, and in 1867 it was renamed Holy Name of Jesus. The parish website recounts in detail the pioneer priests — Rafferty, Duffy, Bradley, McGirr, Lemcke, Gibson, Gallagher and Gibbs — and the lay families (David Todd, Michael Hasson, John Ivory) who hosted them. Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Philadelphia made the first episcopal visit in these hills here in October 1830, confirming 126 people.
- 1816 — original log-cabin chapel built by Judge Murray; dedicated to Saint Patrick
- 1829 — Father Patrick Rafferty, first priest assigned to the mission
- 1830 — first episcopal visit by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick (Oct 14–15)
- 1834 — Father Peter Henry Lemcke, a Lutheran convert, installed as pastor
- 1843 — Cambria County placed in the new Diocese of Pittsburgh
- 1844 — Father Thomas B. O'Flaherty, first truly resident priest
- 1857 — constituted a regular parish with its first resident pastor
- 1867 — renamed Holy Name of Jesus
Holy Name School
Catholic education in Ebensburg began in 1890 with a one-room school on the grounds of what is now the Holy Name Cemetery. In 1910 three religious sisters — Sr. Antoinette, Sr. Benedict and Mother Genevieve — came to teach in a new four-room school on the present site; they initially lived at St. Joseph's Infant Home until Holy Name Convent was purchased in 1917. A four-room addition was completed in 1954, and today the school comprises eight classrooms, a social room, and a cafeteria. Enrollment has grown from 87 pupils in 1910 to a current enrollment of about 274 in PreK–8. The school is led by Principal Robin McMullen.
- 1890 — first one-room Catholic school in Ebensburg
- 1910 — three religious sisters arrive; four-room school built on present site
- 1917 — Holy Name Convent purchased
- 1953–1954 — four-room addition completed
- Today: 8 classrooms, social room, cafeteria, PreK–8, ~274 students
- Principal: Mrs. Robin McMullen
- School Office: Tina Surkovich, (814) 472-8817
- Address: 215 West Horner Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931
Faith Formation & CCD
Holy Name runs a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program alongside its parish school, serving children who do not attend Holy Name School as well as older youth. Elementary CCD covers Grades 1–5 (Tuesdays 3:30–4:45 PM) and Grade 6 (Tuesdays 3:00–4:15 PM), and is led by Director Mrs. Sydney Strouse (814-592-6967). The junior/senior high program for Grades 7–11 is led by Mrs. Nancy McCulley (814-241-7809), who also serves as Confirmation Director and coordinator of APEX Youth Ministry. Classes for Grades 7–11 are generally held every other weekend. The parish actively welcomes new registrations and volunteer catechists, with co-teaching available.
- Elementary CCD (Grades 1–5): Tuesdays 3:30–4:45 PM
- Grade 6 CCD: Tuesdays 3:00–4:15 PM
- Junior/Senior High CCD (Grades 7–11): every other weekend
- Confirmation preparation (Mrs. Nancy McCulley)
- APEX Youth Ministry (Mrs. Nancy McCulley)
- Volunteer catechists and co-teachers always welcome
Youth & Family Ministry
Beyond elementary CCD, Holy Name reaches older youth through its 7th–11th grade CCD classes, Confirmation preparation, and APEX Youth Ministry, all coordinated by Mrs. Nancy McCulley. Kid Watch, a parish childcare program staffed by Parish Assistant Miss Ema Sheesley, supports parents during parish activities.
- APEX Youth Ministry
- Confirmation preparation
- Kid Watch (parish childcare)
Outreach: Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Holy Name Parish hosts a local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Catholic lay charitable organization that visits and assists neighbors in need. The Holy Name Conference can be reached at 814-472-4362 and is supported by the diocesan Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Altoona-Johnstown.
- Holy Name SVdP Conference: 814-472-4362
- Home visits to neighbors in need
- Direct material and spiritual aid to the local community
Evangelization
Parish-wide evangelization is coordinated by Sister Margie McGuire, CCW, who serves as Evangelization Coordinator (office 814-472-8315, home 814-472-9457). Her ministry supports the parish's mission to proclaim Christ's good news and to renew community life through prayer and witness.
- Sr. Margie McGuire, CCW — Evangelization Coordinator
Parish Staff
The parish is led by pastor Father Brian L. Warchola, who also serves the parish school. A native of Central City, PA, he was ordained a priest in 2011, served as Parochial Vicar of Holy Name from 2011 to 2015 (also as chaplain of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School), and returned as pastor in July 2019. He is assisted by Senior Deacon Michael Condor Jr. and Deacon Christopher Conner, along with a team of lay and religious staff.
- Rev. Brian L. Warchola — Pastor (since July 2019)
- Senior Deacon Michael Condor Jr.
- Deacon Christopher Conner
- Sr. Margie McGuire, CCW — Evangelization Coordinator
- Mrs. Lori Bender — HNS Financial Manager
- Victoria (Victor) Cornetti — Parish Manager
- Miss Ema Sheesley — Parish Assistant / Kid Watch
- Mrs. Robin McMullen — School Principal
- Tina Surkovich — School Office
- Mrs. Sydney Strouse — Elementary CCD Director
- Mrs. Nancy McCulley — 7th–11th CCD, Confirmation, APEX Youth
- Mike Hurley — Maintenance Supervisor
Visit & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at Holy Name Parish, located at 500 North Julian Street in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. The parish office can be reached by phone at (814) 472-7244 or by email at [email protected]. The parish school (Holy Name School) is located nearby at 215 West Horner Street and can be reached at (814) 472-8817. The parish website at www.holynameebg.org hosts the full schedule of Masses, confession times, CCD registration forms, parish bulletins, and contact information for every ministry and staff member.
- Church: 500 N Julian St., Ebensburg, PA 15931
- School: 215 W Horner St., Ebensburg, PA 15931
- Parish Phone: (814) 472-7244
- School Phone: (814) 472-8817
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.holynameebg.org
- Diocese: Altoona-Johnstown
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Demetrius Gallitzin1816–1829
Prince-priest, founder of the Loretto mission; began regular visits to the Ebensburg log-cabin chapel and dedicated it to St. Patrick.
- Father Patrick Rafferty1829 (approx.)
First priest formally assigned to the Ebensburg mission.
- Father Duffycirca 1830
Welcomed Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Philadelphia to Ebensburg in October 1830.
- Father James Bradley1830–1834
Served the mission and ministered to Irish railroad workers.
- Father Terrence McGirrearly 1830s
Aided Father Bradley; celebrated Mass at his home for Catholics from Ebensburg and Johnstown.
- Father Peter Henry Lemcke1834–1837
A convert from Lutheranism; installed by Gallitzin; administered Catholics as far south as Johnstown before moving toward Carrolltown.
- Father M. Gibson1840s
One of the priests who traveled from Loretto to serve Ebensburg.
- Father Hugh Gallagher1840s
Served the mission from Loretto.
- Father A. P. Gibbs1840s
Served the mission from Loretto.
- Father Thomas B. O'Flahertyfrom late 1844
First truly resident priest of the Ebensburg mission; served under Bishop O'Connor of Pittsburgh.
- (First resident pastor)1857
The mission was formally constituted a regular parish and received its first resident pastor in 1857.
- Father Brian L. WarcholaJuly 2019–present
Current pastor; previously parochial vicar at Holy Name (2011) and pastor of Saint Michael Parish, Saint Michael PA.