About Immaculate Conception B.V.M. · Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Immaculate Conception B.V.M. is a Roman Catholic parish in Douglassville, Pennsylvania, serving Catholics in the Birdsboro and Douglassville areas of Berks County since 1915–1916. It is one of the larger parishes in the Diocese of Allentown, drawing roughly 1,400 families from Amity, Robeson, Union, and the eastern portion of Exeter townships. The current worship space — a church that seats up to 900 — was consecrated in December 2003 on a 60-acre campus south of Birdsboro that also houses the parish school, Immaculate Conception Academy (opened 2003). The parish runs a full sacramental life with daily and Sunday Masses, Saturday confessions, CCD religious education, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), a parish school and preschool, multiple choirs, and active parish organizations.
- Established
- 1915
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Adam C. Sedar
- Diocese
- Diocese of Allentown
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception B.V.M. is a stable, family-oriented Catholic community that has served Berks County for more than a century and now reaches over 1,400 families across four townships. Visitors and parishioners encounter a full sacramental schedule (daily and Sunday Masses, Saturday confessions, OCIA, CCD), an active parish school and preschool (Immaculate Conception Academy), multiple choirs and a bell choir, a CYO for youth, a Women's Society, a Rosary group, and monthly Social Sunday fellowship. Rooted in the Marian patroness under the title of the Immaculate Conception, the parish explicitly commits to welcoming new members, bringing back those who have been away from the sacraments, and walking with the separated and divorced.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception B.V.M.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Other times by appointment (call the parish office at 610-582-2411)
Parish History
Established in 1915 by Archbishop Edmond Prendergast, Immaculate Conception B.V.M. began with about 50 families worshiping in a donated former dance hall on West Main Street, with Father Victor Strumia as first pastor. The parish expanded through the 1920s, built a new church in the early 1950s after the Korean War, and moved to its present 60-acre campus south of Birdsboro in 2003.
- 1915 — Parish established by Archbishop Edmond Prendergast; first pastor Rev. Victor Strumia; first Mass Christmas Day 1915 in a former dance hall on West Main Street.
- 1920s — Original building enlarged by parishioner labor; rectory finally built in 1926.
- c. 1960 — 'White' house at Spruce and Main Streets purchased for meetings and CCD classrooms (used ~20 years).
- 1951 — Ground broken for a new Main Street church; first Mass celebrated February 1953 after Korean War delays.
- 1979–1980 — Parish center added to the Main Street church (groundbreaking 24 June 1979, dedication 7 December 1980).
- 1998 — Parish had grown to nearly 1,300 families and was outgrowing its complex.
- 2001 — 60-acre site just south of Birdsboro selected for new home.
- 2002 — Groundbreaking for the new church on 28 September 2002.
- 2003 — Current 900-seat church consecrated 17 December 2003; Immaculate Conception Academy opens in September 2003.
- Today — Over 1,400 families across Amity, Robeson, Union, and eastern Exeter townships.
Pastoral & Administrative Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Adam C. Sedar as pastor and is assisted by Deacon James A. Bardi. The administrative team supports the pastoral ministry, religious education, finances, and facilities.
- Rev. Adam C. Sedar — Pastor
- Deacon James A. Bardi
- Rita Lukes — Administrative Assistant / Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Matt Prokopowitz — Business Manager ([email protected])
- Jeff Nissley — Facilities Manager
- Christine — Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Immaculate Conception B.V.M. partners with parents to form children in the Catholic faith through its parish-based CCD program, and welcomes adults seeking full communion through OCIA. Forms and program details are available on the parish website, and CCD enrollment is handled through the Director of Religious Education.
- CCD (Religious Education) — for parish children; enrollment form downloadable from the parish site; contact [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Christine ([email protected])
- Mailing address for forms: 905 Chestnut Street, Douglassville, PA 19518
- Checks payable to 'Immaculate Conception BVM Church'
OCIA: Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
OCIA is the parish's process for adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, including the unbaptized, baptized Christians from other traditions, and Catholics who need the Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist or Confirmation). It is also open to anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.
- Sessions bi-weekly on Monday evenings, 6:30–8:30 pm
- Location: Administration Building, lower-level meeting room
- Format: presentation, video, and group discussion covering the Four Pillars — The Creed, the 7 Sacraments, the 10 Commandments, and Prayer
- No cost; study materials and refreshments provided
- Coordinator: Hiryak; pre-registration via parish office (610-582-2411 or [email protected])
Immaculate Conception Academy & Preschool
The parish sponsors Immaculate Conception Academy, which opened on the new parish campus in September 2003. The school shares the parish's mission of forming young people in the Catholic faith and is paired with a preschool program.
- Immaculate Conception Academy / Preschool
- Website: www.icaberks.org
- Phone: 610-404-8645
- Opened September 2003 alongside the new church campus
Parish Music Ministry
Music at Immaculate Conception B.V.M. is led by Music Director Shirley A. Wheeler and includes both vocal and handbell ensembles, with opportunities for adults and youth. The choir program supports the parish's liturgical life and welcomes new members.
- Adult Choir — Director Shirley A. Wheeler; rehearsals Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm in the Church
- Bell Choir — Director Shirley A. Wheeler; rehearsals Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm in the Church
- Youth Choir — open to any child in 3rd grade or higher; sings at the 9:00 am Sunday Mass on selected Sundays during the school year
- Contact the Music Director at 610-582-2793 for more information
Parish Organizations & Fellowship
The parish sponsors a variety of organizations that bring parishioners together for faith, fellowship, and service, including youth sports, women's fellowship, prayer, and after-Mass socializing.
- Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) — sports teams and events for parish youth
- Women's Society — meets third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the church social hall
- Rosary Group — prays the Rosary every Tuesday after the evening Mass
- Social Sunday — coffee and donuts after the 9:00 am Mass on the second Sunday of each month, October through May
- Parish Mission / Renew — adult faith and renewal programs referenced in the parish Mission Statement
Parish Mission Statement
The parish's published mission statement commits the community to serving regular worshippers, welcoming back those who have been away from the sacraments, welcoming new members, accompanying the separated and divorced, educating adults through OCIA and Renew, forming the young through the parish school and CCD, and reaching out to neighboring Christian communities — all under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception.
- Continue to serve congregation members with inspirational, devotional services
- Help bring back to full communion those who have been away from Mass and the sacraments
- Welcome new members and assist them in becoming comfortable in their new religious family
- Accompany separated and divorced members
- Educate adults through O.C.I.A., Renew, and other religious education programs
- Provide religious education for youth through the parish school, CCD, and other youth programs
- Reach out to neighboring Christian communities and members of other denominations
Diocese of Allentown & Safe Environment
Immaculate Conception B.V.M. is part of the Diocese of Allentown. The weekly bulletin lists diocesan contacts for victim assistance and safe environment, reflecting the diocese's safeguarding protocols for parishes and schools.
- Diocese of Allentown — www.allentowndiocese.org
- Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator: Wendy Krisak, 1-800-791-9209
- Diocesan Safe Environment Coordinator: Pamela Russo, 610-871-5200 ext. 2204
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to call or email the parish office, sign up for CCD or OCIA, join a choir or one of the parish organizations, or simply attend Social Sunday for fellowship after Mass.
- Address: 905 Chestnut Street, Douglassville, PA 19518
- Parish Office Phone: 610-582-2411
- Parish Office Email: [email protected]
- Religious Education: [email protected]
- Business/Accounting: [email protected]
- Parish Office Hours: Wednesday–Friday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Weekly bulletin hosted by John Patrick Publishing (linked from icbvm.org/bulletins.html)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Victor Strumia1915–
First pastor of the parish; celebrated the first Mass on Christmas Day 1915 in the former dance hall on West Main Street provided by the E. & G. Land Company.