About Immaculate Conception of B.V.M. · York, Pennsylvania
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish — known affectionately as St. Mary's — is a bilingual, multicultural Roman Catholic parish in the heart of downtown York, Pennsylvania, founded in 1852 by Saint John Nepomucene Neumann to serve the city's German-speaking Catholics. Since 1995 it has been a territorial and multilingual parish with particular care for Hispanic immigrants, offering weekend Masses in both English and Spanish each Sunday. Worship takes place in a striking 1884 church whose 1921 Italian-Carrara-marble interior is crowned by fourteen ceiling murals painted by Frederick de Henwood, and whose historic 1885 pipe organ continues to enrich the liturgy. Today the parish is led by Father John M. Kuchinski and belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (under her title of the Immaculate Conception)
- Rector
- Rev. John M. Kuchinski
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
St. Mary's is a warm, bilingual downtown parish where longstanding German-Catholic heritage and a vibrant Hispanic ministry (in place since 1995) share one beautiful historic church. Parishioners are served by an active Religious Education program, a youth group for ages 12–17, a Spanish-language Knights of Columbus council, and prayer and women's societies — and the parish puts the works of mercy into practice through the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry, Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, Off the Streets (homeless housing help), St. Vincent de Paul, and the parish-run St. Mary's Thrift Shop.
Mass times at Immaculate Conception of B.V.M.
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- Saturday 4:00–5:00 p.m.
- Other times by appointment
Our Parish
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish — familiarly 'St. Mary's' — is a bilingual, multicultural Roman Catholic parish rooted in 1852 in the heart of downtown York, PA. Worship is offered in English and Spanish, and the parish is guided by a Pastor, an In-Residence priest, three deacons, a Director of Religious Education, Director of Music/Organist, Parish Administrative Manager, Pastoral Assistant for Hispanic Ministry, and lay leadership through the Parish Council and Parish Finance Council.
- Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
- Pastor: Rev. John M. Kuchinski
- In Residence: Rev. Damon A. Tritle (Hospital Chaplain, WellSpan York Hospital)
- Deacons: Catalino Gonzalez (Hispanic Apostolate), Stephen P. Pichler, Bill Autrey
- Director of Religious Education: Mrs. Marisa Starceski (717-846-6001, [email protected])
- Director of Music/Organist: Mrs. Melissa Schneider
- Parish Administrative Manager: Mr. Peter Siwik ([email protected])
- Pastoral Assistant / Hispanic Ministry: Mrs. July Ginett Torres ([email protected])
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed for lunch 12–1 p.m.)
History
St. Mary's has been a York landmark since 1852, when Bishop John Nepomucene Neumann of Philadelphia bought property for a church to serve the city's German-speaking Catholics. The 1884 church that stands today was built over the original without interrupting Mass, fitted with a magnificent 1885 pipe organ, and lavishly redecorated in 1921 with Italian Carrara marble and fourteen ceiling murals by Frederick de Henwood before being consecrated by Bishop Philip McDevitt — making it the first consecrated Catholic church in York County. After the Henwood frescoes were hidden under a 1952 redecoration, they were rediscovered and restored in 2002 for the parish's 150th anniversary, and in 2019 a new atrium linked the church to the former school. Bishop Ronald Gainer led the 100th anniversary of the consecration in July 2021.
- 1852 — Parish founded by Saint John Nepomucene Neumann for German-speaking Catholics
- 1853 — First church dedicated
- 1884 — Present church built; first Mass celebrated Dec. 14, 1884
- 1885 — Pipe organ installed ($3,000; 1,091 pipes, 23 stops, 22 ft tall)
- 1921 — Italian-Carrara-marble interior installed under Fr. George Breckel
- July 16, 1921 — Consecration by Bishop Philip McDevitt; first consecrated Catholic church in York County
- 1952 — Renovation covered most of the Henwood frescoes
- 1995 — Re-established as a territorial and multilingual parish with special care for Hispanic immigrants
- 2002 — Henwood murals rediscovered and restored by Nancy Stamm for the 150th anniversary
- 2019 — $1.8-million atrium completed (gift of Dr. James & Beverly Mohatt Estate)
- July 16, 2021 — 100th anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Ronald Gainer
Henwood Murals
Fourteen ceiling murals painted in 1921 by the English-born artist Frederick de Henwood trace the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and have been called the church's most striking feature. They were concealed in a 1952 redecoration — only two above the side altars survived visibly — and were rediscovered in 2002 during renovation work for the 150th anniversary. Parishioners and restorers Othmar Carli and Nancy Stamm restored them by the end of July 2002, and St. Mary's once again reads as 'a catechism through paint and stone.'
- Artist: Frederick Dimble Henwood (b. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England)
- Commission: Father George Breckel, 1921
- Subject: Fourteen scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Restoration 2002: Othmar Carli (evaluator) and Nancy Stamm of Carlisle
The Pipe Organ
St. Mary's 1885 pipe organ by the Baltimore (Pomplitz) Organ Company is the oldest instrument in the church and the only surviving example in central Pennsylvania of the firm's work in this period. It was converted to electro-pneumatic action by Gundling Company of Lancaster in the 1930s, releathered and fitted with chimes after a 1970s steam-pipe rupture, and in 2008–09 was rebuilt by SDG Organ Company of Millersville from 14 ranks to 21 ranks in three divisions, with 1,295 pipes and a rededication on July 26, 2009.
- Original builder: Pomplitz / Baltimore Organ Co. (1885)
- Spec: 23 speaking stops, 1,091 pipes (originals); 21 ranks / 1,295 pipes after 2009 rebuild
- 1930s: Gundling Co., Lancaster — converted tracker to electro-pneumatic action
- 1970s: Chimes added; chests releathered; new blower
- 2009: SDG Organ Co., Millersville — rebuilt and rededicated July 26, 2009
Sacraments & Faith Formation
The Religious Education Office (Mrs. Marisa Starceski, 717-846-6001, [email protected]) coordinates sacramental preparation and ongoing formation for parishioners of all ages. Baptism is celebrated monthly in both English and Spanish; English baptisms follow the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass on the 2nd Sunday at 1:30 p.m., and Spanish baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick and the rest of the seven sacraments are arranged through the parish office.
- Baptism (English): 2nd Sunday, 1:30 p.m.
- Baptism (Español): 2nd Saturday, 3:00 p.m.
- Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick: contact parish office
- RCIA and ongoing faith formation: through Religious Education Office
Ministries & Outreach
St. Mary's puts the corporal works of mercy into practice through an unusually broad network of parish and partner ministries. The parish-run St. Mary's Thrift Shop at 26 E. College Ave. (717-812-9999) sells donated clothing and household goods and partners with local social-service agencies to clothe neighbors in need at no charge. St. Mary's also partners with the Catholic Harvest Food Pantry (628 E. Market St., 717-846-8571), Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, the nondenominational Off the Streets housing ministry, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Women's Care Center.
- St. Mary's Thrift Shop — 26 E. College Ave., York (717-812-9999)
- Catholic Harvest Food Pantry — 628 E. Market St., York (717-846-8571)
- Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen — adjacent to St. Mary's
- Off the Streets — homeless-to-housing partnership
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Women's Care Center
- Immaculate Conception Youth Group — ages 12–17, Wed. 6:30–8:00 p.m. (DRE Marisa Starceski, 717-846-6001)
- Spanish Choir
- Knights of Columbus — Spanish-speaking council
- St. Mary's Women's Societies (Holiday Bazaar)
- Cultural Festival — annual multicultural celebration
- Prayer Groups (multiple)
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Mary's is led by Director of Music/Organist Mrs. Melissa Schneider, supported by assistant organist Mr. Dominic Russo, and enriched by the parish's historic 1885 pipe organ (rebuilt 2009) and a Spanish Choir that serves the parish's Hispanic liturgy. The organ tradition at St. Mary's stretches back to a 1885 recital by 'Professor Hermes,' who called the new instrument an ornament to the church.
- Director of Music / Organist: Mrs. Melissa Schneider ([email protected])
- Assistant Organist: Mr. Dominic Russo
- Spanish Choir — serves the 11:30 a.m. Sunday and Wednesday evening Spanish Masses
- 1885 pipe organ — Pomplitz/Baltimore Organ Co.; rebuilt 2009 by SDG Organ Co.
Parish Leadership & Staff
Pastoral leadership rests with the Pastor, supported by an In-Residence priest and three deacons (one of whom also serves as Pastoral Assistant for Hispanic Ministry). Day-to-day operations are handled by the Director of Religious Education, Director of Music/Organist, Parish Administrative Manager, Pastoral Assistant, and Clerical/Religious Education Assistant. Lay governance is exercised through the Parish Pastoral Council and the Parish Finance Council.
- Pastor: Rev. John M. Kuchinski ([email protected])
- In Residence: Rev. Damon A. Tritle
- Deacon Catalino Gonzalez (Hispanic Apostolate / Pastoral Assistant, 717-683-8752)
- Deacon Stephen P. Pichler
- Deacon Bill Autrey ([email protected])
- Director of Religious Education: Mrs. Marisa Starceski (717-846-6001, [email protected])
- Director of Music/Organist: Mrs. Melissa Schneider
- Parish Administrative Manager: Mr. Peter Siwik ([email protected])
- Pastoral Assistant: Mrs. July Ginett Torres ([email protected])
- Clerical Assistant – Religious Education: Ms. Karisa Castro
- Assistant Organist: Mr. Dominic Russo
- Cook/Housekeeper: Mrs. Nancy Goodwin
- Parish Pastoral Council: chaired by Angela Pennell; meets 2nd Monday, 6 p.m., Parish Hall
- Parish Finance Council: chaired by Joe Rice; meets quarterly
Visit, Contact & Giving
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. Mary's by phone (717-845-7629) during office hours, by the contact form on stmarysyork.org, or in person at 309 S. George St., York, PA 17401. Mass Intentions, Sacramental forms (Baptism, Marriage, Religious Education, etc.) are available on the parish 'Forms' page, and online giving is offered through the parish website.
- Parish Office: 717-845-7629 | Office hours Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed for lunch 12–1 p.m.)
- Religious Education Office: 717-846-6001 | [email protected]
- Address: 309 S. George St., York, PA 17401
- St. Mary's Thrift Shop: 26 E. College Ave., York, PA 17401 | 717-812-9999
- Online giving available via the parish website
- Forms page: baptism, marriage, religious education, etc.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. George Breckelearly 20th century
Oversaw the 1921 interior renovation, commissioned the Henwood murals, and led the parish to its 1921 consecration.
- Rev. Robert M. Gillelanearly 2000s
Pastor in 2002 when the Henwood ceiling frescoes were rediscovered and restored for the 150th anniversary.
- Rev. J. Michael McFadden
Former pastor who returned for the 2021 centenary Mass.
- Rev. Jonathan Sawicki
Immediate predecessor of Fr. Kuchinski; his transition coincided with the 2019 completion of the new atrium.
- Rev. John M. Kuchinskipresent pastor
Current pastor; led the parish through the 2021 consecration centenary.