Immaculate Conception of B.V.M.

Parish History

The parish's history unfolds in three chapters: a struggling mission, the attainment of parish status, and recent expansion. Catholic services in the Berwick area began with priests visiting private homes during construction of the North Branch Canal between 1826 and 1830. A cemetery on Mulberry Street was purchased on August 26, 1828, and later became the site of the first and second St. Mary's churches. By 1902 the Catholic population had grown to 42, and a church was built and completed in January 1903. The first resident pastor was appointed in October 1906. A fire destroyed the church on January 24, 1915; Bishop Philip McDevitt dedicated the new church on July 15, 1917. Industrialization and waves of immigration from Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe swelled the parish, which opened a parish school in 1954 (closed 1987). In 1975 thirteen acres were purchased in northeast Berwick for the present-day parish complex.

• 1826–1830: First Masses celebrated in private homes by a priest from Milton during canal construction.
• 1828: Mulberry Street property purchased as a cemetery.
• 1903: First church completed (January).
• 1906: First resident pastor appointed (October).
• 1915: Church destroyed by fire (January 24).
• 1917: New church dedicated by Bishop Philip McDevitt (July 15).
• 1954–1987: Parish school open.
• 1975: Thirteen acres purchased in northeast Berwick for new complex.

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by a pastor and parochial vicar with support from the Coordinator of Religious Education and the Parish Secretary.

• Rev. William T. Barbee, Th.D. — Pastor
• Rev. Dominic Azagbor, OP — Parochial Vicar
• Kathy Eckrote — Coordinator of Religious Education
• Kristina Kelchner — Parish Secretary

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry

Immaculate Conception operates a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) religious education program and Youth Ministry that together provide catechesis, community service, and related activities to about two hundred Berwick-area Catholic children. Seventh- and eighth-grade students preparing for Confirmation perform and report on service projects focused on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy each year, and Youth Ministry participants continue their service work into high school.

• CCD / Religious Education program
• Youth Ministry for high schoolers
• Confirmation preparation with Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy service projects

Stewardship: Time, Talent & Treasure

The parish describes its stewardship approach as helping families balance faith practice, religious education, work, and activities, with an emphasis on giving of time, talent, energy, and treasure. Eighth-grade formation includes chastity and Christian formation, while CCD promotes conservation, ethics, and stewardship awareness.

• Time, talent, energy, and treasure stewardship model
• Service-learning integrated into CCD and Confirmation prep
• Greening/conservation and ethical awareness in formation

Knights of Columbus

The parish points to the local Knights of Columbus Council 3301 as a model Catholic organization practicing community outreach and charity.

• Knights of Columbus Council 3301
• Address: 1416 West Front Street, Berwick, PA 18603
• Lodge phone: 570-752-4000

Sacraments

Immaculate Conception celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick, in line with the Diocese of Harrisburg's pastoral and canonical policies.

• Baptism — for registered parishioners; pre-Baptismal preparation required.
• Confirmation — conferred by the Bishop; preparation classes required.
• Eucharist — celebrated at weekend and weekday Mass times.
• Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00 PM at St. Joseph's, First Wednesday mornings, or by appointment.
• Marriage — at least six months' preparation; one wedding per Saturday; couple must meet with a priest before any date is set.
• Anointing of the Sick — for advanced age, serious illness, or chronic illness; communal celebration annually in October.

Parish Facilities & Campus

The parish complex occupies thirteen acres purchased in northeast Berwick in 1975 and includes the third church building plus parish facilities. The Diocese of Harrisburg lists the parish's accessibility features as Church, Parking, Restrooms, and Social Hall.

• Church (third building on present site)
• Parking
• Restrooms
• Social Hall

Mission Statement

From the parish's own website: "Welcome to Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Berwick, Pennsylvania, affectionately known as 'St. Mary's.' Our mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our community and to the whole world. We strive to witness to the truth with love, revealed by Christ and handed down through every age by the Catholic Church."

Contact & Location

Parish office contact information as listed by the parish and the Diocese of Harrisburg.

• Address: 1730 Fowler Avenue, Berwick, PA 18603
• Phone: (570) 759-8113
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://www.stmarysberwick.com/