Immaculate Conception

Parish Identity and Mission Status

Immaculate Conception Parish was founded in 1866 to serve the Catholic families of the newly incorporated borough of Osceola Mills in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. After more than 150 years as an independent parish, it was merged by extinctive union into Christ the King Parish in Houtzdale on December 2, 2023, and now operates as a secondary mission church of that parish under the Diocese of Erie. Its pastor is Rev. Johnathan Schmolt, with Rev. Cory Pius serving as Parochial Vicar.

History

Catholic life in Osceola Mills began in 1864, when the pastor of Saint Matthew Parish in Tyrone began monthly visits to celebrate Mass in private homes. Immaculate Conception Parish was established two years later in 1866. The first church was a modest building without a bell tower, and the early pastors were responsible for up to nine additional missions in surrounding towns. A brick church was dedicated in 1882, and the present church was constructed in 1924. Through the late 20th century, the parish was partnered variously with Christ the King (Houtzdale) and Saint Agnes (Morrisdale) before the 2023 merger.

• 1864 — First Masses celebrated in private homes by the pastor of St. Matthew, Tyrone
• 1866 — Immaculate Conception Parish formally established
• 1882 — New brick church dedicated
• 1924 — Present church constructed
• 1990 — Briefly partnered with Christ the King Parish, Houtzdale
• 1994 — Re-partnered with Saint Agnes Parish, Morrisdale, and its mission of Saints Peter and Paul, Hawk Run
• 2023 (Dec 2) — Merged into Christ the King Parish by decree of Bishop Persico

The 2023 Merger into Christ the King Parish

Citing a 6.5% population decline in Clearfield County between 2000 and 2022, falling Mass attendance at both parishes, and a reduced number of available priests, Bishop Lawrence Persico of the Diocese of Erie issued a decree on June 22, 2023 merging Immaculate Conception Parish into Christ the King Parish effective December 2, 2023, the First Sunday of Advent. Under the decree, all sacramental records, assets, and liabilities of Immaculate Conception were transferred to Christ the King, the parish church became Christ the King in Houtzdale, and Immaculate Conception church was retained as a secondary mission church authorized to celebrate Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

• Average Mass attendance at Immaculate Conception fell from 138 (2014) to 60 (2022)
• Christ the King average attendance fell from 350 (2014) to 222 (2022)
• The two church buildings are approximately 5.8 miles apart
• The merger was unanimously recommended by the diocesan Presbyteral Council

Sacramental Life

Baptisms are scheduled by appointment through the parish office, and marriages require at least six months of preparation. Anointing of the Sick can be requested for oneself or a loved one by calling the rectory. Father Johnathan maintains a Communion Call list for homebound parishioners, and the parish office mails the weekly bulletin to those who cannot attend in person.

• Baptism — by appointment
• Marriage — six months' notice required
• Anointing of the Sick — by request
• First Communion — through Religious Education program
• Homebound Communion visits

Religious Education and Faith Formation

Religious education classes for parish children are held on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The program is led by Cassandra Kitko, the parish's Religious Education Leader. Adult faith formation includes a Monday-evening Bible Study, a Tuesday-evening video-discussion series on "The Chosen," and a Theology on Tap event for adults ages 20–40. A registration form for the children's program is available on the parish website.

• Children's Religious Education — Sundays 10:00–11:15 a.m.
• Leader: Cassandra Kitko ([email protected], 814-590-0325)
• Adult Bible Study — Monday evenings at Christ the King
• "The Chosen" — Tuesday evenings at Christ the King
• Theology on Tap — Friday evenings, ages 20–40, at the Eureka in Houtzdale

Parish Organizations and Ministries

Immaculate Conception parishioners take part in the wider life of Christ the King Parish through several organizations and councils. The Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Valley Council runs charitable fundraisers such as the baby-bottle campaign for Life Line, which raised $2,000 in one recent drive. The Altar Rosary Society meets monthly for prayer and fellowship, while the Pastoral Council, Evangelization Committee, and Fundraising Committee help guide parish life and planning.

• Knights of Columbus — Our Lady of the Valley Council
• Altar Rosary Society
• Pastoral Council
• Evangelization Committee
• Fundraising Committee

Outreach and Charity

Outreach is a visible part of parish life. The Knights of Columbus annually support Life Line of Clearfield County — an organization that provides clothing, diapers, formula, and other baby products to mothers in need — through a parish-wide baby bottle change drive. The parish also participates in the diocesan Catholic Services Appeal and the Good Shepherd Collection for priestly vocations.

• Life Line of Clearfield County (baby-bottle campaign, $2,000 raised in one recent drive)
• Catholic Services Appeal 2026
• Good Shepherd Collection for Vocations
• Homebound visits and mailed bulletins

Staff and Clergy

Immaculate Conception is served by the clergy of Christ the King Parish. Rev. Johnathan Schmolt is pastor and Rev. Cory Pius serves as Parochial Vicar. Deacon Eugene J. Miller assists in liturgical and pastoral ministry. Two retired priests, Rev. Joseph Staszewski and Rev. Stephen Collins, also live in residence and assist with parish life. Pauline Raab is the parish support staff member, and Cassandra Kitko serves as the Religious Education Leader.

• Rev. Johnathan Schmolt — Pastor
• Rev. Cory Pius — Parochial Vicar
• Deacon Eugene J. Miller — Permanent Deacon
• Rev. Joseph Staszewski — Retired
• Rev. Stephen Collins — Retired Resident
• Pauline Raab — Support Staff
• Cassandra Kitko — Religious Education Leader

Visiting and Contact

Immaculate Conception is located at 408 Stone Street in Osceola Mills, Pennsylvania. Because Immaculate Conception is now a mission church of Christ the King, all parish correspondence, registration, and sacramental records go through the Christ the King Parish office at 123 Good Street, Houtzdale, PA 16651. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Mailing address — c/o Christ the King Parish, 123 Good St., Houtzdale, PA 16651
• Phone — (814) 378-7653
• Email — [email protected]
• Website — https://ctk-ic.org
• Office hours — Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.