Holy Trinity

Parish History

Holy Trinity was born from the German Catholic immigration to Columbia between 1840 and 1860. After Bishop (later St.) John Neumann suggested a parish of their own, planning began in 1856, property was purchased in 1859, the cornerstone was laid in 1860, and the first brick church was completed in 1862. A school opened in the church basement in 1865 — the same year three acres were bought for a cemetery — and a two-story brick rectory followed in 1866. The Franciscan Sisters arrived to teach in 1868, and a new school was dedicated in 1870. Growth continued through the early 20th century. A new school and auditorium were dedicated October 24, 1915. By 1924 the parish had outgrown its church, so the old school and convent were razed and the 1862 church itself was demolished in the summer of 1926. Bishop Philip R. McDevitt dedicated the present 'magnificent new church' on October 6, 1929, and it remains the home of the parish today. In 1998 the parish schools of Holy Trinity and St. Peter were consolidated into Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School, continuing Catholic education in Columbia without interruption since 1865.

Parish Staff and Clergy

Holy Trinity is pastored by Rev. Mark T. Wilke, who was ordained in 2013 and was assigned to Holy Trinity in June 2025. He is assisted by Permanent Deacons Henry J. Reese and James (Jim) Doyle (retired). The lay staff includes Faith Murphy, Director of Religious Formation and Catechesis (a lifelong Holy Trinity member and Our Lady of the Angels alumna); Bernard Wickenheiser, Director of Music Ministry and Organist (serving since 2001); Laura Kemmick, Youth Ministry Coordinator; Christine Horn, Parish Secretary (joined the staff in fall 2020); and Sr. Anna Cosgrave, OSF, a Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia member from Knock, County Mayo, Ireland, who has been in active ministry at the parish since 1983 and is co-Director of the Columbia Catholic Mental Health Ministry with St. Peter parishes.

• Rev. Mark T. Wilke — Pastor ([email protected])
• Deacon Henry J. Reese — Permanent Deacon
• Deacon James (Jim) Doyle — Permanent Deacon, Retired (ordained 2010)
• Faith Murphy — Director of Religious Formation and Catechesis ([email protected])
• Bernard Wickenheiser — Director of Music Ministry & Organist ([email protected], 717-855-3291)
• Laura Kemmick — Youth Ministry Coordinator
• Christine Horn — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
• Sr. Anna Cosgrave, OSF — Pastoral ministry ([email protected])

Faith Formation

Faith formation at Holy Trinity runs from pre-school children through adults. The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) supports parents in the faith formation of their children from Pre-K through 8th grade, with First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation built into the curriculum. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) welcomes adults who are not Catholic but interested in learning about the faith; after prayer, discernment and catechesis they are received through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. Adult Faith Formation complements PREP and OCIA with bible studies, informational events, trips, and other opportunities for ongoing growth.

• Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) — Pre-K through 8th grade
• Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
• Adult Faith Formation — bible studies, events, trips

Columbia Catholic Youth Ministry (CCYM)

Columbia Catholic Youth Ministry is the parish's faith-based program for students in 7th through 12th grade, coordinated by Laura Kemmick and supported by the Director of Religious Formation. CCYM offers activities that help teens form a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and build lasting friendships with peers across the parish community, complementing PREP and Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School.

Liturgical Ministries

A wide range of lay liturgical roles are open to parishioners at every age and stage. Greeters arrive about 30 minutes before Mass to welcome fellow parishioners and visitors; ushers collect the offertory; lectors proclaim the Word of God; gift bearers present the bread and wine; extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest and deacon in distributing the Eucharist; and students in 4th through 12th grades may serve as altar servers. Music ministry — led by Director of Music Bernard Wickenheiser — includes the parish Choir (rehearsals Thursday 7:00–8:15 pm, singing the 8:00 am Sunday Mass on the first Sunday of each month October through June and at major liturgies such as Christmas Eve, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, and Confirmation) and a Cantor program.

• Greeters — contact Michelle Detz (717-449-1740) or Roseanne Nikolaus
• Ushers — contact Head Usher Kevin Kraft, Sr. (717-587-4266)
• Lectors — contact [email protected]
• Altar Servers (4th–12th grade) — contact [email protected]
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — contact [email protected]
• Music Ministry (Choir, Cantors) — contact Bernard Wickenheiser

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School

Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School, located on the parish campus next to Holy Trinity Church, was established in 1998 through the consolidation of Holy Trinity and Saint Peter Schools and continues a tradition of Catholic education in Columbia that reaches back to 1865. The school describes itself as a safe, nurturing Christ-centered environment with small class sizes and a focus on the 'whole child' — spiritually, academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. Students participate in daily religion class, weekly school Mass, Adoration, the Rosary Club, and service projects, with sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. After-school offerings include Science Club, Art Club, Math Club, Choir, an after-school child care program, Crusaders Youth Sports (CYO), and a range of athletics.

• Founded 1998; rooted in Holy Trinity School (est. 1865) and St. Peter School
• Daily religion class and weekly school Mass
• Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation
• After-school clubs and CYO athletics
• Campus building sits next to Holy Trinity Church at 420 Cherry St

Holy Trinity Cemetery

Holy Trinity Catholic Church maintains its own parish cemetery, founded in 1865 and located between Manor Street, 10th Street, and Barber Street in Columbia. The cemetery is the resting place for generations of parish families and friends. The cemetery chapel, built in 1894 and donated by Fr. Pieper — along with the statues inside — is no longer used for funeral services but is opened each All Souls' Day for the memorial service for those who died in the previous year. Many burial plots remain available; inquiries about burial or about anyone buried there can be directed to [email protected]. Decoration removals take place on the first Monday of March and May and the last Monday of June and September.

• Cemetery founded 1865 — three original acres
• Chapel built 1894, donated by Fr. Pieper (statues also his gift)
• All Souls' Day memorial Mass each November
• Contact: [email protected]

Contact, Office Hours, and Location

The parish office is at 409 Cherry Street, Columbia, PA 17512, with phone (717) 684-2711 and email [email protected]. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Tuesday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm; and Friday 8:00 am – 12:00 noon; the office is closed for lunch from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. Parking is available in the lots directly across from the church next to the Our Lady of the Angels School building (GPS: 420 Cherry St, Columbia, PA 17512).

• Address — 409 Cherry Street, Columbia, PA 17512
• Phone — (717) 684-2711
• Email — [email protected]
• Office hours — M/W/Th 8–4, T 1–4, F 8–12 (closed for lunch 12–1)
• Parking lot (GPS) — 420 Cherry St, Columbia, PA 17512