About Holy Sepulcher Church - Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish · Butler, Pennsylvania
Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh that serves the Cranberry Township, Adams Township, and Glade Mills areas of southern Butler County, Pennsylvania. It was formed on July 1, 2023, through the merger of Holy Sepulcher Parish (Glade Mills) and Saint Kilian Parish (Cranberry Township), as part of Bishop David Zubik's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative. The parish operates across two worship sites — Holy Sepulcher Church at 1304 East Cruikshank Road, Butler, and Saint Kilian Church at 7076 Franklin Road, Cranberry Township — both of which continue to hold regular Masses. Fr. Charles S. Bober, STD, serves as pastor, with Fr. David C. Schmidt as parochial vicar and Deacons Ralph W. Bachner Jr. and Douglas K. Nelson assisting.
- Established
- 1944
- Patron
- Holy Sepulcher (the burial place of Christ) — the original patron of the merged Holy Sepulcher Parish; the new merged parish is dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist.
- Rector
- Rev. Charles S. Bober, STD
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish welcomes Catholics across the Cranberry Township, Adams Township, and Glade Mills communities to register and join a parish with deep roots — Holy Sepulcher's Catholic mission in rural southeastern Butler County dates back to 1944. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass at two campuses (Holy Sepulcher Church and Saint Kilian Church), regular Eucharistic Adoration (first Wednesday at Holy Sepulcher, second Monday at Saint Kilian), a robust Faith Formation program from kindergarten through Confirmation, the RCIA process for adults, Holy Sepulcher School, and active ministries including 'That Man Is You!' and 'Walking With Purpose' for adults. Whether you are registering a family, seeking the sacraments, or looking to deepen your faith, the parish provides a clear path to get involved.
Mass times at Holy Sepulcher Church - Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Holy Sepulcher Church)
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Holy Sepulcher Church)
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at Holy Sepulcher Church — first Wednesday of the month (e.g., 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at Saint Kilian Church — second Monday of the month (e.g., 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
Parish History — From 1944 Mission to 2023 Merger
Holy Sepulcher Parish traces its origins to Christmas Day 1944, when Bishop Hugh C. Boyle of Pittsburgh authorized the first Mass in rural Glade Mills, celebrated by Fr. Daniel A. Lawless for about 60 people in the backroom of the Roadside Inn. Fr. Joseph Raynak led the Mission; land was purchased in May 1945, the name 'Church of the Holy Sepulcher' was given, and construction of a sandstone-faced concrete-block church began that December. The church was formally blessed on November 24, 1946. Fr. Francis King became the first installed Pastor on June 16, 1955 and died May 6, 1956. Under Fr. Daniel Mauer (Administrator 2004, Pastor 2006), the parish built and dedicated a new church on July 31, 2005 with Bishop Donald Wuerl. In 2015 Bishop Zubik launched 'On Mission for The Church Alive!', and in 2018 Holy Sepulcher and Saint Kilian were grouped under one clergy team. On July 1, 2023 the two parishes formally merged to form Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish with Fr. Charles Bober as pastor.
Clergy and Staff
Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish is led by Pastor Rev. Charles S. Bober, STD, with Parochial Vicar Rev. David C. Schmidt. Retired priests Rev. Dennis M. Buranosky and Rev. Robert F. Guay serve in residence, and Deacons Ralph W. Bachner Jr. and Douglas K. Nelson assist. The Faith Formation team includes Mary French (Director of Faith Formation), Deacon Ralph Bachner (Director of Evangelization, overseeing OCIA and Adult Faith Formation), Jo Scheller (Associate Director, Holy Sepulcher K-8 Traditional Program and Vacation Bible School), Laura Clouser (Faith Formation Coordinator, Saint Kilian K-8 and middle-school summer program), and Rosey Natale (Faith Formation Assistant).
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation at Saint Mark the Evangelist is a lifelong process offered from kindergarten through Confirmation (typically Grade 8). Children not enrolled in a Catholic school are expected to register for and attend Faith Formation classes. The parish offers multiple program tracks: the Holy Sepulcher K-8 Traditional Program (Jo Scheller), the Saint Kilian K-8 Traditional Program (Laura Clouser), a Middle School Summer Program, a School Year Homeschool Program, the Forward Program, a Summer Homeschool Program, a Special Needs Program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Vacation Bible School, and the Totally Catholic Learning Portal for children who have been away from faith formation. Sacramental preparation is offered for Grade 2 (typically First Communion) and Grade 8 (Confirmation).
Adult Faith Formation and OCIA
Faith formation does not end at Confirmation. For adults seeking a deeper relationship with God, Deacon Ralph Bachner (Director of Evangelization) oversees the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA / OCIA) for those wishing to become Catholic, as well as ongoing Adult Faith Formation opportunities including 'That Man Is You!' (men's program), 'Walking With Purpose' (women's Bible study), and a Wednesday Morning women's Bible study.
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School
Holy Sepulcher Catholic School, the parish's K-8 elementary school, has been a cornerstone of the parish since ground was broken in April 1956. The first phase was completed and dedicated on May 7, 1960 by Bishop John J. Wright, and additional classrooms were added by 1964, completing the 9-classroom building. Under Pastor Fr. John Gizler (appointed 2011) and Principal Sr. Anna Marie Gaglia, CSJ, the school pursued advancements in marketing, fundraising, and curriculum. The school's Pre-School Building is over 135 years old — a former farmhouse and convent adapted over time for early-childhood education.
Parish Facilities — The Glade Mills Campus
The parish campus at Glade Mills includes the current Holy Sepulcher Church (dedicated July 31, 2005) with attached offices, conference room, and meeting room; the original 1946 church building, now repurposed as the Youth and Young Adult Center with hall, small kitchen, stage, and offices; the 1960 Rectory (5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 bathrooms, three-car garage); the 9-classroom School Building; the 135-year-old Pre-School Building; and the Bish House and adjoining two-acre property purchased in 2016.
Joining the Parish
Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish serves the boroughs of Valencia and surrounding areas, and the townships of Cranberry, Adams, and Middlesex. Parishioners living within parish boundaries are invited to complete the online Parish Registration Form, while existing parishioners may update their information via the Parishioner Information Update Form. Questions about registration may be directed to the Parish Office at 724-625-1665 or [email protected].
Safe Environment
Clearances are required for all who serve in ministry, whether or not the ministry directly involves children. Jo Scheller assists parishioners step-by-step with renewing, updating, or checking on clearances ([email protected]). The parish also publishes contact lines for reporting suspected abuse: PA ChildLine 1-800-932-0313 (call 911 if there is imminent danger) and the Diocesan Hotline for adult victims of abuse at 1-888-808-1235.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Joseph Raynak1944 – c.1955
First priest placed in charge of the Holy Sepulcher Mission at Glade Mills.
- Fr. Francis King1955 – 1956
First installed Pastor of Holy Sepulcher, June 16, 1955. Died May 6, 1956.
- Fr. Daniel Mauer2004 – 2008
Administrator from February 2004, installed Pastor 2006. Oversaw groundbreaking and construction of the new church (dedicated July 31, 2005). Departed 2008.
- Fr. Albert Semler2008 – 2012
Brought rapid growth and emphasis on parish togetherness and unity; retired 2012.
- Fr. John Gizler2011 – 2023
Appointed Pastor January 2011; previously served in McKeesport, PA. Led reorganization, school revitalization with Sr. Anna Marie Gaglia CSJ, fiscal responsibility, formation of Parish Pastoral Council and Wedding Coordinator Ministry. Led parish through merger process.
- Rev. Charles S. Bober, STD2023 – present
Appointed first Pastor of the merged Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish on July 1, 2023.