About Immaculate Conception · Clarion, Pennsylvania
Immaculate Conception Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Clarion, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Diocese of Erie. Established in 1852, it serves Clarion County from its church at 715 East Main Street, with the parish office and rectory one block north at 720 Liberty Street. The parish is staffed by Rev. Jason Feigh (Pastor, appointed August 2025) and Permanent Deacon Joseph Glover, and it operates Immaculate Conception School (preschool and K–6) on East Main Street. Its mission statement is simple: 'Inviting People to Christ, Uniting People with Christ, Igniting People for Christ.' The parish offers daily and Sunday Mass, Saturday confession, monthly Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for youth and adults, and a Catholic school that has served local families since 1860.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Jason R. Feigh
- Diocese
- Diocese of Erie
Why belong here
Immaculate Conception offers a faithful, welcoming Catholic home in the heart of Clarion County, with daily and Sunday Mass, regular Saturday confession, and a monthly Holy Hour of Exposition, Adoration and Benediction on the third Thursday of each month. Families with school-age children can send their kids to the parish's own Immaculate Conception School (preschool and K–6), which has educated local children 'body, mind, and soul' since 1860. Active faith formation is offered for both youth (directed by Teresa Frederick) and adults (directed by Linda Summerville), and the parish is served by a pastor and permanent deacon who are visible in the community and accessible through the parish office.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
- First and Third Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday before First Friday at 9:00 a.m.
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Third Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Holy Hour with Exposition, Adoration and Benediction; contact Deacon Joe at [email protected])
Welcome & Mission
Immaculate Conception Parish describes itself as a community of 'faithful disciples and stewards of Jesus Christ' who, 'Living the Gospel, drawing strength from the Eucharist and the sacraments, and promoting works of charity and justice, … seek to share our faith.' Its short mission is: 'Inviting People to Christ, Uniting People with Christ, Igniting People for Christ.' The parish welcomes visitors to its website and, even more, in person at the church on East Main Street.
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by a pastor, a permanent deacon, and a small team of lay and religious-education staff, with a separate principal and office coordinator for the school.
- Rev. Jason R. Feigh — Pastor
- Deacon Joseph Glover — Permanent Deacon
- Amy Bish — Office Manager
- Teresa Frederick — Faith Formation Director
- Linda Summerville — Adult Faith Formation Director
- Laura Lauer — School Principal
- Erica Smerker — School Office Coordinator
- Greg Pedley — Buildings & Grounds Manager
History of Immaculate Conception Parish
Catholic settlers had been in the Clarion area as early as 1820, but the first recorded Mass was celebrated in 1842 in the home of Joseph Kelly on Third Avenue. The first resident pastor, Rev. P. John Hoy, arrived in 1846 and was followed by a succession of missionaries who built up the mission, celebrated the first baptism (August 1, 1851) and first marriage (January 15, 1852), and raised funds across Pennsylvania to build the first Catholic church in Clarion — a brick building dedicated by Bishop Josue M. Young on June 25, 1856 as 'Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin.'
- 1842 — first Mass in Joseph Kelly's home on Third Avenue
- 1846 — first resident pastor, Rev. P. John Hoy
- Aug 1, 1851 — first baptism (Henry Hummer at Helen Furnace)
- Jan 15, 1852 — first marriage (Thomas McCarthy and Bridgetta Babbit)
- Nov 5, 1855 — Rev. Leopold Pawlowski succeeds Fr. Slattery and completes the church-building campaign
- June 25, 1856 — dedication of the first church, 'Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin,' by Bishop Josue M. Young
Building the Parish: 19th- and 20th-Century Growth
From the 1860s onward, pastors expanded the physical plant: the first rectory went up in 1879 and the parish school was opened in the sacristy before a dedicated school building was added in the mid-1860s under Fr. August H. Deckenbrock. Twentieth-century pastors — Fr. Winkler, WWI chaplain Fr. Bartholomew McAvenue, and many others — continued that growth until, by the 1970s, the 1856 church had become too small for the congregation.
- Sept 1, 1876 — Fr. August H. Deckenbrock takes charge; builds first rectory (1879) and adds adjacent lots (1887, 1893)
- Mid-1860s — first parish school building constructed
- 1916–1922 — Fr. George Winkler and Fr. Bartholomew McAvenue (WWI chaplain) lead the parish
Building the Modern Church (1970s)
Assigned in May 1972 specifically to build a new church, Fr. Edward Q. Franz organized Immaculate Conception's first Parish Council. After studies by Father Conrad Kraus and architect Herman Weber of Erie indicated a renovation could cost up to $300,000 and lose more than 100 seats, the council voted on April 25, 1974 to build new for roughly $200,000 more. The Erie firm Weber and Murphy was retained on June 26, 1974 to design the replacement church, with Bishop Alfred M. Watson's strong support.
- May 26, 1972 — Fr. Edward Q. Franz assigned with mission of building a new church
- First Parish Council formed under Fr. Franz (William Brochetti, president)
- April 25, 1974 — council votes to build new rather than renovate
- June 26, 1974 — Weber and Murphy selected as architects
Immaculate Conception School
Immaculate Conception School, located at 729 East Main Street, Clarion, has educated children 'body, mind, and soul' since its founding in 1860. Today it offers preschool for four-year-olds and kindergarten through sixth grade, welcoming children of all denominations. The school's philosophy focuses on the spiritual, intellectual, social and physical development of each child, on teaching Catholic beliefs and values, on fostering cooperation among students, parents, teachers, the parish and the wider Christian community, and on advocating the achievements of its students and alumni.
- Preschool for age 4 and kindergarten through sixth grade
- All denominations welcome
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Principal: Laura Lauer
- School Office Coordinator: Erica Smerker
- Phone: (814) 226-8433 Ext. 105
- Website: http://icclarionschool.org
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered to parish youth and adults in two distinct programs. Youth Faith Formation registration for the 2025–2026 year opens August 1 and runs through August 31, and is directed by Teresa Frederick ([email protected]). Adult Faith Formation is directed by Linda Summerville. Online registration, an authorization form for use of children's images, and links to the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation are all available on the parish website.
- Youth Faith Formation — Director Teresa Frederick; registration opens Aug 1, 2025
- Adult Faith Formation — Director Linda Summerville
- Diocesan links: Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry; Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation
Parish Office, App & Communications
The parish office and rectory are at 720 Liberty Street, one block north of the church, and the school office shares the 729 East Main Street address. The parish operates its own mobile app (text APP to 88202 and select Immaculate Conception after opening; more at myparishapp.com), which carries parish news, Mass times, daily scripture readings and inspiring homily videos. Online giving is offered through the parish website, and donations may also be mailed to the Liberty Street address.
- Parish & School Office Hours: Mon/Thu 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Tue 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–Noon; Wed closed
- Parish App: text APP to 88202 (myparishapp.com)
- Online giving available through the parish website
- Mailing address for donations: Immaculate Conception Parish, 720 Liberty Street, Clarion, PA 16214
Visiting Clarion & Church Hours
The parish publishes summer church hours in effect through Labor Day (subject to change for Masses, Adoration, Confession, special events and holidays): the church is open Mon/Tue/Wed 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., Thu 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Fri 7:00 a.m.–Noon, and Weekends 7:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to consult the parish bulletin for the most up-to-date weekday Mass schedule, which can vary.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. P. John Hoy1846 – June 1847
First resident pastor of Clarion, sent by Bishop O'Conner; harsh winters and travel wore down his health.
- Rev. Joseph F. DeaneJune 1847 – early 1850
Succeeded Fr. Hoy; oversaw the mission and surrounding area.
- Rev. James Slatteryearly 1850 – November 5, 1855
Also pastor of the 'Wilderness' mission in Farmington Township; recorded first parish baptism (Aug. 1, 1851) and first marriage (Jan. 15, 1852); began building plans but left for mission work in Iowa.
- Rev. Leopold PawlowskiNovember 5, 1855 – June 25, 1857
Completed construction of the first Catholic church in Clarion, raising funds in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Erie.
- Rev. Andrew Skopezfrom June 25, 1857
Former pastor of St. Michael's, Fryburg; took charge of Clarion parish.
- Rev. John Kochfrom July 1, 1860
Also had charge of The Wilderness (Crown), Vogelbacher (Lucinda), Sligo and surrounding points.
- Rev. August H. Deckenbrockfrom September 1, 1876
Built the first parish rectory (1879) and enlarged it with adjacent lots on Liberty Street; opened the first small school in the sacristy and built the first school in the mid-1860s.
- Rev. George Winklerabout July 1, 1916 – ~March 1920
Served Clarion almost four years.
- Rev. Bartholomew McAvenueMarch 5, 1920 – March 17, 1922
World War I military chaplain.
- Rev. Edward Q. FranzMay 26, 1972 – end of May 1973
Assigned with the mission of building a new church; organized the parish's first Parish Council and oversaw the decision to build rather than renovate.
- Rev. John A. Kuzillafrom June 2, 1973
Succeeded Fr. Franz; continued the new-church project with architect Weber and Murphy.
- Rev. Jason R. Feigheffective August 12, 2025
Appointed by Bishop Lawrence T. Persico as Pastor of Immaculate Conception, Clarion, and Parochial Administrator of St. Eusebius, East Brady (with mission St. Richard, Rimersburg), through July 31, 2031. Celebrated his first Sunday Mass at the parish on August 17, 2025.