About Immaculate Heart of Mary · Abbottstown, Pennsylvania
Immaculate Heart of Mary is a Roman Catholic parish in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, part of the Diocese of Harrisburg, with a remarkable lineage as the first Catholic church in the United States dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The parish, long known locally as 'Paradise Church' because of its historic site near Paradise School, serves the Abbottstown–East Berlin area of Adams County with weekend Masses, a full weekday Mass schedule, Eucharistic Adoration, and a robust Religious Education program. Under the pastoral care of Rev. Samuel E. Miller, the parish family gathers around its historic 1845 stone church — itself inscribed with 'Heart of Mary, Pray for Us, 1843' — and reaches outward through OCIA, CCD, Vacation Bible School, the Knights of Columbus, PCCW, Legion of Mary, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, Respect Life Committee, a joint area Food Pantry, and a livestream of its Saturday Vigil Mass.
- Established
- 1845
- Patron
- Immaculate Heart of Mary (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Samuel E. Miller
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Immaculate Heart of Mary offers a richly rooted Catholic home in the Abbottstown–East Berlin area, with three weekend Masses (including a Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses), daily weekday Mass Tuesday through Friday plus First Saturday, and a 7:45 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration. Parishioners grow in faith through CCD (PreK–Grade 8), Vacation Bible School, OCIA, Adult Enrichment (Thursdays 9:30–11:00 a.m.), a Sunday Faith Sharing Group, a Charismatic Prayer Group, and Bible-based fellowship groups for men, women, and young adults. Outreach runs deep here too — a Food Pantry, Ruth's Harvest, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Respect Life Committee, Bereavement Luncheon Ministry, Parish Caring Committee, and a livestream of the Vigil Mass bring the parish family together for worship, service, and pastoral care.
Mass times at Immaculate Heart of Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:45 PM
- Sunday 7:30–8:00 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- 7:45 AM Eucharistic Adoration (weekday, in connection with 9:00 AM weekday Mass)
Parish History & Heritage
Immaculate Heart of Mary's story stretches back to the ancient Conewago mission station. Three successive places of worship have stood on or near the present site: the Caspar Wise homestead (1761, used 1800–1815), the 'Brandt Chapel' farmhouse (1815), and the present stone church built in 1845 with a date stone inscribed 'Heart of Mary, pray for us, 1843.' The church is believed to be the first in the United States dedicated to the Blessed Mother under the title of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was long called 'Paradise Church' after the nearby Paradise School farm established by Bavarian immigrant Frederick Brandt. The Conewago Jesuits served the community until 1891, when the Diocese of Harrisburg took over; the first resident pastor was Rev. Samuel Milner in 1903. Irish Capuchin Franciscan Fathers ran the parish and school from 1911 to 1931, when diocesan clergy resumed care.
- First Mass-House: Caspar Wise homestead (1761–1915) — foundations and Native American stone spring-basin still visible
- Second Mass-House: 'Brandt Chapel' (1815) — still standing, now the rectory; on the Civil War history registry
- Current stone church built 1845 with adjoining cemetery — first in the U.S. dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- 1841 windstorm damage; closed until 1949 full restoration
- 1949: stone memorial tower 'Heart of Mary, Pray for Us' erected
- 1979: Religious Education Center built; 1984: rectory renovated
Clergy & Staff
Immaculate Heart of Mary is shepherded by a small, dedicated pastoral team. The pastor is supported by a permanent deacon and a Sister Servants of St. Joseph (SSJ) who directs the parish's Religious Education program and coordinates many of its ministries.
- Pastor: Rev. Samuel E. Miller
- Deacon: Deacon Thomas M. Aumen
- Director of Religious Education: Sr. Rosanne Karmazin, SSJ
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Sister Rosanne Karmazin, SSJ, directs parish faith formation for all ages. Children in PreK through Grade 8 attend Cultivating Christian Disciples (CCD) classes each Sunday from 9:30 to 11:00 AM in the Religious Education Center, in parallel with the Faith Sharing Group for adults held in Father Langan Social Hall.
- CCD (PreK–Grade 8): Sundays 9:30–11:00 AM, Religious Education Center
- Faith Sharing Group: Sundays 9:30–11:00 AM, Father Langan Hall
- Adult Enrichment: Thursdays 9:30–11:00 AM, Father Langan Hall
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
- Religious Education Catechists (volunteer teachers)
- Vacation Bible School (annual summer program for ages 4 through completed Grade 5)
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of liturgical roles let parishioners of all ages serve at the altar and beyond. The Music Ministry welcomes cantors and instrumentalists year-round, with a Children's Choir singing on Christmas Eve. The Livestream Ministry broadcasts the 5:00 PM Saturday Vigil Mass so that homebound parishioners and those at a distance can join the celebration live or anytime afterward.
- Altar Servers (children, teens, and adults at funeral Masses)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (Diocesan mandate required)
- Lectors
- Ushers
- Music Ministry (adult choir/cantors, Children's Choir Christmas Eve, instrumentalists)
- Livestream Ministry (Saturday 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Liturgical Preparations
Adult & Family Ministries
Immaculate Heart of Mary nurtures adult faith and fellowship through ongoing formation groups, prayer gatherings, and parish-wide organizations. Men's and women's Scripture groups meet monthly for fellowship and study at local restaurants, while a Charismatic Prayer Group, the Parish Council of Catholic Women, and the Knights of Columbus round out the spiritual and social life of the parish.
- Adult Enrichment (Thursdays 9:30–11:00 AM)
- Faith Sharing Group (Sundays 9:30–11:00 AM)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Charismatic Prayer Group
- Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW)
- Knights of Columbus
- Men's Scripture Breakfast — last Saturday of the month, East Berlin Diner, 9:00–10:30 AM
- Women on a Journey — last Saturday of the month, Perkins (Hanover), 7:00 AM
- Young Adults — 1st, 2nd, 3rd Thursdays at 7:00 PM in the Religious Education Building
Children & Youth Ministries
Beyond CCD and Vacation Bible School, the parish hosts Cub Scout Pack #127 and Boy Scout Troop #127, extending faith formation and character development beyond the classroom for the parish's young people.
- Cultivating Christian Disciples (CCD), PreK–Grade 8
- Vacation Bible School (annual)
- Cub Scouts Pack #127
- Boy Scouts Troop #127
Outreach & Service
Outreach is woven into parish life. A joint ministry with other Abbottstown–East Berlin area churches stocks and runs the local food pantry; Ruth's Harvest feeds school children during the academic year; the Bereavement Luncheon Ministry provides meals after funeral Masses and during Advent/Lenten Soup & Sermon lunches; and the Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets prayer shawls and blankets for the elderly, infirmed, homeless, bereaved, Rachel's Vineyard retreatants, OCIA candidates, and hospice veterans.
- Food Pantry Ministry — 1st Wednesday 4–6 PM at Trinity Lutheran East Berlin; 1st Thursday 3–5 PM at St. John's Abbottstown
- Ruth's Harvest — monthly at the Abbottstown fire hall (collects single-serve Mac & Cheese Sept.–May)
- Souper Bowl of Caring — annual January/February drive
- Parish Caring Committee — visitation, transportation, meals, light home maintenance, medical equipment loans
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — shawls and lap blankets for those in need
- Respect Life Committee — parish and community events on the dignity of the human person
- Bereavement Luncheon Ministry
- Legion of Mary — visits to the homebound, nursing homes, and new parishioners
Parish Campus & Facilities
The Immaculate Heart of Mary campus centers on its 1845 stone church, with the adjoining cemetery laid out at the same time. Lower-level Father Langan Hall serves as the parish social hall and gathering space for Adult Enrichment, Faith Sharing, and Soup & Sermon lunches, while the 1979 Religious Education Center hosts CCD classes and the Young Adults group. The 1815 'Brandt Chapel' farmhouse, renovated in 1984, serves as the rectory. Parking, restrooms, and access to the social hall are available on site.
- Historic stone church (1845) with 1843 date stone and 1949 memorial tower
- Adjoining cemetery (established 1845)
- Father Langan Hall (social hall, lower level of the church)
- Religious Education Center (built 1979)
- Rectory (renovated 1815 'Brandt Chapel' farmhouse)
- On-site parking, restrooms, and Social Hall access
Visiting, Office & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The Saturday Vigil Mass is livestreamed on the parish website for those unable to attend in person. Registration in the parish, faith formation programs, and ministry sign-ups can all be initiated through the office or via the parish email.
- Address: 6084 W. Canal Road, Abbottstown, PA 17301
- Parish Office Phone: 717-259-0611
- Parish Office Fax: 717-259-6371
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Website: http://www.ihmparadise.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ihmparadise/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Samuel Milner1903
First resident pastor after the parish became a mission of New Oxford under the Diocese (1891).
- Irish Capuchin Franciscan Fathers1911–1931
Took charge of the parish and Paradise School when it was built in 1911; remained until 1931 when diocesan clergy resumed care.