About Most Holy Trinity (at Juniata College) · Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, founded in 1826 by the Diocese of Philadelphia and now part of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church in continuous use in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, with the original brick Gothic-style church built in 1828 under the care of the Rev. John O'Reilly and blessed on July 4, 1830 by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick. Today the parish serves roughly 473 registered families at 524 Mifflin Street, and it is closely linked to the Catholic Campus Ministry at Juniata College, which gathers the Roman Catholic community on campus for Sunday evening Mass in the Global Commons of Tussey Hall.
- Established
- 1826
- Patron
- Most Holy Trinity (Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark R. Reid
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
Most Holy Trinity combines nearly two centuries of Catholic heritage — the original 1828 Gothic brick church is still the oldest in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown — with a living, active parish family of about 473 households. Worship is offered in multiple forms, including the Sunday evening Mass held right on the Juniata College campus at the Global Commons of Tussey Hall, daily Mass in the Daily Chapel, First Friday adoration, and Saturday confessions. Students, families, and lifelong parishioners serve together through the Music Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Adult Education, Holy Cross Cemetery, Family Hospice (UPMC), the parish social hall, and the Catholic Council student organization, with a broad resource library housed at the Unity House on Moore Street.
Mass times at Most Holy Trinity (at Juniata College)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (at Most Holy Trinity Church)
- By appointment / by request (also offered on campus upon request through Catholic Campus Ministry)
Adoration times
- First Friday — 11:00 AM
Catholic Campus Ministry at Juniata College
Catholic Campus Ministry at Juniata College exists 'to be a sign and witness of the presence of Christ at Juniata College,' guiding students in the Catholic perspective while building a welcoming, diverse, and supportive campus community. It is a commissioned office of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and is closely tied to Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, sharing its sacramental life. Catholic Council, the student organization, meets weekly, and a broad resource library is maintained at the Unity House, 1905 Moore Street.
- Sunday campus Mass — 6:00 PM in the Global Commons of Tussey Hall during the academic year
- Confession Saturdays at 3:00 PM at Most Holy Trinity Church, or by request on campus
- Catholic Council (student organization)
- Liturgical Minister opportunities (readers, singers, keyboard players)
- Resource library at Unity House, 1905 Moore Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652
- Contact: Lisa Baer, Catholic Campus Minister — [email protected], 814-641-3362
Parish History — From 1826 Log Chapel to 1995 Building Complex
Most Holy Trinity traces its roots to the late 1780s, when Huntingdon's small Catholic community worshiped in log chapels, private homes, and even a tavern. The Diocese of Philadelphia formally established the parish in 1826; construction of the brick church began in September 1828 under Rev. John O'Reilly, and the building was blessed on July 4, 1830 by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick. The parish grew through the 19th century, added its 100-foot steeple in 1893, built a social hall in 1956, doubled the sanctuary in 1962, and dedicated its present church-and-office complex on March 26, 1995 under Bishop Joseph Adamec.
- 1826 — Parish founded by the Diocese of Philadelphia
- 1828 — Brick Gothic-style church built under Rev. John O'Reilly, largely funded by Irish canal workers
- 1830 — Church blessed by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick (with Bishop Henry Conwell)
- 1893 — 100-foot steeple and stained-glass windows added under Rev. Patrick J. Hawe
- 1956 — Parish social hall built at Sixth and Mifflin Streets
- 1962 — Sanctuary doubled by adding a new wing behind the altar
- 1978 — 150th anniversary Mass presided by Bishop James Hogan
- 1990 — New rectory purchased at 1000 Warm Springs Avenue
- 1995 — Present building complex dedicated by Bishop Joseph Adamec (March 26, 1995)
Pastorate and Pastoral Succession
The first resident pastor, Rev. Peter M. Doyle, served until the Civil War. A long succession of pastors followed, including Father Patrick J. Hawe (who built the steeple), Father John Crowley (who built the social hall), and Monsignor Francis Ackerson (who doubled the church in 1962). Father David Lockard established the Parish Pastoral Council and oversaw the 1995 building complex; he was succeeded by the current pastor, Rev. Mark R. Reid.
- First resident pastor: Rev. Peter M. Doyle (until the Civil War)
- Rev. Patrick J. Hawe (1892–1896) — built the steeple
- Rev. John Crowley (1951–1961) — built the social hall
- Monsignor Francis Ackerson — doubled the sanctuary in 1962; returned 1980
- Father David Lockard (from 1988) — established Parish Pastoral Council; oversaw 1995 complex
- Rev. Mark R. Reid — current pastor
Worship, Sacraments, and Schedule
The parish offers Vigil Mass on Saturday afternoon, a principal Sunday morning Mass, and daily Mass on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the Daily Chapel. A second Sunday Mass is celebrated at 6:00 PM on the Juniata College campus. Reconciliation is heard Saturday afternoons at Most Holy Trinity Church or by appointment, and Eucharistic Adoration is held on First Fridays. The parish supports those exploring the Catholic faith through Adult Education, with contacts Mr. Jason Morse (814-506-9165) and Deacon Don (814-251-2599).
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Masses: 10:30 AM (parish) and 6:00 PM (Juniata College Global Commons, Tussey Hall)
- Daily Mass: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:00 AM in the Daily Chapel
- Confession: Saturday 3:00 PM, or by appointment/on-campus by request
- Adoration: First Friday at 11:00 AM
- Communion Services at Westminster Woods
Liturgical and Music Ministry
The parish Music Ministry supports Sunday and daily liturgies, with bulletin references to entrance, Communion, and dismissal hymnody (e.g., 'This is the Day,' 'Shepherd Me, O God,' 'How Can I Keep From Singing'). Liturgical Ministers are actively recruited among students and parishioners who read, sing, or play keyboard; inquiries go to Lisa Baer at [email protected].
- Music Ministry
- Liturgical Ministers (readers, singers, keyboard players)
- Campus recruitment through Catholic Campus Ministry
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Most Holy Trinity maintains a focused set of lay ministries that combine spiritual formation, music, comfort for the sick and bereaved, and care of parish grounds. The parish also participates in the Huntingdon Forum of Churches, supporting ecumenical work in the borough.
- Adult Education (RCIA-style faith formation)
- Music Ministry
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Holy Cross Cemetery
- Family Hospice (part of UPMC)
- Huntingdon Forum of Churches (ecumenical support)
Sacraments and Faith Formation
All seven Catholic sacraments are celebrated at Most Holy Trinity, including weekday and Sunday Mass, Saturday confessions, Anointing of the Sick, and marriage. Adults interested in becoming Catholic are invited to contact Mr. Jason Morse (814-506-9165) or Deacon Don (814-251-2599) to learn about the process.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
- Penance / Reconciliation — Saturday 3:00 PM or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony and Holy Orders
- RCIA / Adult Education — contact Jason Morse (814-506-9165) or Deacon Don (814-251-2599)
Parish Directory and Staff
The pastoral team is led by the pastor and includes a parochial vicar and a deacon; parish bulletins and diocesan directories also list a Director of Religious Education, Religious Education Assistant, Financial Assistant, and Administrative Assistant supporting parish operations.
- Rev. Mark R. Reid — Pastor
- Rev. Antony Sudherson, HGN — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Donald Gibboney
- Director of Religious Education (Mrs. Rita Martinez, per 2021 bulletin)
- Religious Education Assistant (Mrs. Anita Roseborough)
- Financial Assistant (Mrs. Joie Escuadro)
- Administrative Assistant (Mrs. Doreen Mills)
- Lisa Baer — Catholic Campus Minister at Juniata College
Bicentennial Anniversary (2026)
In 2026 Most Holy Trinity is celebrating the 200th anniversary of its 1826 founding — a bicentennial that highlights both the original 1828 Gothic brick church (still the oldest Roman Catholic church in use in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown) and the modern worship complex dedicated in 1995. A parish-wide 200th Anniversary celebration is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, 2026, 1:00 PM–6:00 PM at Detwiler Field, Huntingdon.
- 200th Anniversary of founding (1826–2026)
- Celebration event: Sunday, May 31, 2026, 1:00–6:00 PM at Detwiler Field, Huntingdon
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Peter Helborn, O.S.F. (Irish Franciscan)pre-1860s (itinerant)
Traveling priest who served the parish before it had a resident pastor
- Rev. Peter M. Doyleuntil Civil War
First resident pastor of Most Holy Trinity
- Rev. Peter Hughesuntil 1863
Transferred to the new Broad Top mission
- Rev. S. Wall1863–1865
Built the priest's residence next to the church; later named president of the diocesan seminary
- Rev. O. P. Gallagher1865–1868
Made improvements to the church and surroundings; transferred to Wilmore
- Rev. Patrick O'Halloran1871 (brief)
In feeble health, retired and died shortly after in Ireland
- Rev. Martin Murphyfrom 1871
Purchased ground for a parish cemetery
- Rev. Arthur Devlin1878–1881
- Rev. Thomas Neville1882
Died of typhoid while pastor
- Rev. Louis M. Woelfel1882–1888
- Rev. Joseph J. McDonnell1881–1891
- Rev. James DonavinMay–October 1891
- Rev. Patrick J. Hawe1892–1896
Built the 100-foot church steeple and added stained-glass windows
- Rev. David J. Walsh1896–1900
- Rev. Thomas Conlin1900–1901
- Father Burkhardtuntil 1951
Preceded Father Crowley
- Rev. John Crowley1951–1961
Built the parish social hall at Sixth and Mifflin in 1956; died in office
- Father Francis (Monsignor) Ackerson1961; returned 1980
Doubled church capacity in 1962 by adding a wing behind the altar
- Father O'Tooleuntil 1980
Retired in 1980
- Father John Orlando1983–1988
Brought influential initiatives; retired 1988
- Father David Lockardfrom 1988
Established the Parish Pastoral Council; oversaw 1995 building complex dedication
- Rev. Mark R. Reidpresent
Current pastor; succeeded Father Lockard