About Our Lady of Consolation · Parkesburg, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of Consolation (OLC) is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, serving western Chester County from its main church at 603 West Second Avenue in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1853 as the Seven Dolors Parish, the parish today spans three worship sites: Our Lady of Consolation Church in Parkesburg, the historic St. Malachi Church in Cochranville (Doe Run), and the Schneider Parish Center on Cemetery Road in Parkesburg. Under pastor Father Sean F. O'Neill, supported by Deacon Eugene Favinger and a lay staff, the parish offers a full sacramental life, a robust faith-formation program from kindergarten through Confirmation, adult enrichment (CAFÉ and OCIA), three choirs, multiple service and health-care ministries, and a Knights of Columbus council.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- Our Lady of Consolation
- Rector
- Rev. Sean F. O'Neill
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Deanery: Chester County West)
Why belong here
OLC is a multi-generation Catholic community rooted in western Chester County since 1853, with three active worship sites (Parkesburg, Cochranville at St. Malachi, and the Schneider Parish Center). Parishioners can raise their children from PREP and LTJV through Confirmation in the One8 program, join adult study through CAFÉ and OCIA, pray the Rosary and Divine Mercy together on Monday evenings, praise the Lord with the Tuesday Charismatic Prayer Group, and serve neighbors through Good Samaritan meal delivery, Bereavement luncheons, and the PCCO outreach coalition. With three choirs, a Knights of Columbus council, and ministries for every life stage, there is a place for nearly anyone to belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of Consolation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 – 4:30 PM at Our Lady of Consolation Church
Parish History — From St. Malachi Cemetery (1771) to a Three-Site Parish Today
Our Lady of Consolation traces its roots to August 12, 1771, with the burial of Thomas Maguire in present-day St. Malachi Cemetery. Between 1792 and 1800 logs were hauled to Doe Run; Father Reilly of St. Mary's Wilmington encouraged local families in 1815; and in 1838 the Diocese of Philadelphia permitted construction on the Maguire farm. Father James A. Miller celebrated the first Mass in St. Malachi's on January 1, 1839, and Father Bernard McCabe was appointed first pastor. The parish was canonically erected in 1853 as Seven Dolors Parish in Parkesburg under Rev. John F. Pendergast, becoming the parent of St. Malachi's mission. After the original Parkesburg church burned, both churches passed to St. Cecilia's in Coatesville from 1871 until 1902.
- 1839: First Mass at St. Malachi's by Father James A. Miller
- 1843: First Confirmation by Bishop Kenrick
- 1853: Seven Dolors Parish canonically erected in Parkesburg
- 1854: Saint John Neumann confirms at St. Malachi's
- 1871–1902: Both churches missioned to St. Cecilia's, Coatesville
Building the Present Church (1902 – 1907)
In February 1902 the parish was re-established as independent; Fr. Joseph Sweeney served briefly. In June 1902 Fr. Thomas J. Sullivan was appointed pastor of thirty-two families. They loaded cut stone from the Pomeroy quarry onto railroad cars, transferred them by train to Parkesburg, and hauled them up the hill by horse-drawn wagon. After three years the present Our Lady of Consolation Church was dedicated on October 8, 1905 by Bishop Edmond F. Pendergast, Auxiliary to Archbishop Patrick John Ryan, during the pontificate of St. Pius X. A mysterious fire struck on September 9, 1906; the church was rebuilt and re-dedicated on October 27, 1907.
- Stone hauled from the Pomeroy quarry by 32 families (1902 – 1905)
- Dedicated October 8, 1905 by Bishop Edmond F. Pendergast
- Mysterious fire September 9, 1906
- Re-dedicated October 27, 1907
Worship Sites & Facilities
The parish operates three locations. The main church, Our Lady of Consolation, stands at 603 West Second Avenue, Parkesburg — built 1905, rebuilt after the 1906 fire, and re-dedicated in 1907. The Schneider Parish Center at 2995 Cemetery Road, Parkesburg is the newest facility, hosting most parish work, faith formation, and the 11:15 AM Sunday Mass. St. Malachi Church at 76 St. Malachi Road in Londonderry Township (Cochranville / Doe Run) is the parish's historic 'Mother Church,' now a worship site for the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass.
- Our Lady of Consolation Church — 603 W. Second Ave, Parkesburg, PA 19365
- Schneider Parish Center — 2995 Cemetery Rd, Parkesburg, PA 19365 (Phone 610-857-1003)
- St. Malachi Church — 76 St. Malachi Rd, Londonderry Twp / Cochranville, PA 19330
- Cemeteries: Our Lady of Seven Dolors Cemetery and St. Malachy Cemetery
Parish Staff & Clergy
The current pastor is Rev. Sean F. O'Neill; Deacon Eugene (Gene) Favinger serves as Permanent Deacon, and Dennis Murphy is identified as a Permanent Diaconate Candidate in the parish bulletin. Rev. Victor J. Eschbach is listed as Pastor Emeritus. The lay staff includes Janice Dagney (Director of Religious Education, 610-857-0511), Mary Beth Rohrer (Parish Secretary), Douglas Rohrer (Property Manager), Scott Ray (Parish Business Manager), and Janeen Walker (Music Director, 717-799-3877).
- Father Sean O'Neill — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Gene Favinger — Permanent Deacon ([email protected])
- Dennis Murphy — Permanent Diaconate Candidate
- Rev. Victor J. Eschbach — Pastor Emeritus
- Janice Dagney — Director of Religious Education (610-857-0511)
- Mary Beth Rohrer — Parish Secretary
- Douglas Rohrer — Property Manager
- Scott Ray — Parish Business Manager
- Janeen Walker — Music Director (717-799-3877)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Children's faith formation runs the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for kindergarten through 5th grade, meeting Sundays 9:15 – 10:45 AM at the Schneider Parish Center. LTJV (Life Teen Junior Varsity) is offered for 6th and 7th graders on Tuesday evenings. Confirmation preparation continues through One8 for 8th graders and older, with a parent meeting each September. The parish also runs a Vacation Bible School (VBS) and a parish preschool.
- PREP (K – 5th grade) — Sundays 9:15 – 10:45 AM at the SPC
- LTJV (6th – 7th grade) — Tuesday evenings at the SPC
- One8 Confirmation Program (8th grade and up) — parent meeting and weekly formation
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- Parish Preschool
Adult Faith Formation — CAFÉ & OCIA
CAFÉ (Catholic Adult Faith Enrichment) meets weekly, generally for eight-week sessions that align with the Church's liturgical seasons. Wednesday morning sessions are led by Fr. O'Neill; Thursday evening sessions run 6:30 – 8:00 PM in the conference room at the Schneider Parish Center, with a Zoom option. The current series is 'The Mysteries of the Rosary: The Sorrowful Mysteries' filmed in the Holy Land with Mark Hartfiel, available free through the parish's FORMED.org subscription. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes meet Wednesdays at 6:45 PM in the church hall, supporting adults seeking baptism, Confirmation, or full reception into the Catholic Church.
- CAFÉ — Wednesday mornings with Fr. O'Neill
- CAFÉ — Thursday evenings 6:30 – 8:00 PM at the SPC (with Zoom)
- Current series: 'The Mysteries of the Rosary: The Sorrowful Mysteries'
- Resources available at no cost on FORMED.org (parish subscription)
- OCIA — Wednesdays 6:45 PM in the church hall
Music Ministries
Three choirs enrich parish liturgies: the Angels Sing Children's Choir, the St. Malachi Adult Choir, and the Voices of Praise Choir. Janeen Walker serves as Parish Music Director and approves all liturgical music for weddings in accord with Roman Catholic sacred-music norms (secular music is not permitted in liturgical celebrations).
- Angels Sing Children's Choir
- St. Malachi Adult Choir
- Voices of Praise Choir
- Music Director: Janeen Walker — 717-799-3877
Service & Outreach Ministries
OLC parishioners are encouraged to share their time and talent through service. The Bereavement Ministry provides funeral luncheons for any parishioner at no cost. The Good Samaritan ministry delivers homemade meals to parishioners who have had new babies, illness, or other needs. Community Outreach connects the parish to the PCCO (Parkesburg Coatesville Catholic Outreach), a coalition of 11 area churches providing multi-faceted social assistance. Young at Heart serves older parishioners; Special Events coordinates parish-wide gatherings.
- Bereavement Ministry — funeral luncheons
- Good Samaritan — homemade meal delivery for parishioners in need
- Community Outreach / PCCO — coalition of 11 area churches
- Young at Heart — fellowship for senior parishioners
- Special Events — parish-wide gatherings
Spiritual & Devotional Ministries
A wide range of devotional life is offered. The OLC Charismatic Prayer Group meets Tuesdays at 7:30 PM in the OLC church for singing, praying, and scriptural reading, exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The OLC Rosary & Divine Mercy gathering meets Mondays at 7:00 PM in the OLC church; Rosary booklets and Divine Mercy pamphlets are provided for beginners. The Prayer Chain lifts up the intentions of parishioners (contact the rectory). The Ministry of Spanish-Speaking Members coordinates Spanish-language weddings and quinceañera ceremonies.
- OLC Charismatic Prayer Group — Tuesdays 7:30 PM at OLC Church
- OLC Rosary & Divine Mercy — Mondays 7:00 PM at OLC Church
- OLC Prayer Chain — request-based, contact the rectory
- Ministry of Spanish-Speaking Members — Spanish weddings and quinceañeras
- First Friday Devotions following 8:30 AM Mass
- First Saturday Mass with Devotions at 8:30 AM
Health Care & Recovery Ministries
The parish reaches out to those struggling with illness or addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous meets at OLC, and a Substance Abuse Ministry supports parishioners and families facing dependency. The Health Care Ministry extends prayer and practical help to those facing medical needs, in cooperation with the parish's Anointing of the Sick preparation.
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Health Care Ministry
- Substance Abuse Ministry
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the rectory before planned surgery/procedure
Knights of Columbus Council 9727
Council 9727 of the Knights of Columbus, one of the oldest Catholic fraternal organizations in the United States, meets at OLC on the second Monday of each month at 7:15 PM in the OLC Church basement meeting room. The council is recognized for helping parishioners, non-parishioners, veterans, and people with disabilities. Current Grand Knight: Bill Green.
- Council 9727 — meets 2nd Monday at 7:15 PM in the OLC church basement meeting room
- Current Grand Knight: Bill Green
- Outreach to parishioners, non-parishioners, veterans, and the disabled
Sacraments — Baptisms, Marriages, Anointing, OCIA
Baptisms are scheduled through the rectory, with baptism meetings required for first-time parents. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia requires at least six months of marriage preparation; weddings are scheduled Fridays 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Saturdays 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (no Saturday-evening or Sunday weddings), at either OLC Church or St. Malachi Chapel. The parish offers its own Pre-Cana program. Anointing of the Sick can be arranged through the rectory prior to a surgery or procedure. OCIA prepares unbaptized adults and baptized Catholics seeking full initiation.
- Baptism — call the rectory; baptism meetings for first-time parents
- Marriage — minimum 6 months preparation; Pre-Cana available; OLC or St. Malachi Chapel
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the rectory prior to surgery/procedure
- OCIA — adult initiation, Wednesdays 6:45 PM
- Confession — Saturdays 4:00 – 4:30 PM at OLC
Contact, Giving & Practical Info
Parish Office Hours are 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday. The mailing address is 603 West Second Avenue, Parkesburg, PA 19365. The rectory phone is 610-857-3510; fax 610-857-2353; general email [email protected]. The Schneider Parish Center can be reached at 610-857-1003. Electronic giving is available (online, text-to-give, and app).
- Rectory phone: 610-857-3510
- Fax: 610-857-2353
- Email: [email protected]
- Schneider Parish Center phone: 610-857-1003
- Office hours: Mon – Fri 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Electronic giving available (online, text, app)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Bernard McCabefrom 1839
First pastor of St. Malachi's with missions in Coatesville and Parkesburg.
- Rev. John F. Pendergastfrom 1853
Led the canonical erection of the Seven Dolors Parish in Parkesburg.
- Rev. Joseph SweeneyFebruary 1902
Briefly revived Seven Dolors as an independent parish, then transferred both churches back to St. Cecilia's.
- Rev. Thomas J. SullivanJune 1902 onward
Rallied 32 families to quarry, haul, and build the present OLC Church; saw it dedicated in 1905 and re-dedicated in 1907 after a 1906 fire.
- Rev. Dr. Simon Carr, Ph.D.June 1924 – September 1951
Former St. Charles Borromeo Seminary professor; renovated St. Malachi's for its 1938 centenary.
- Rev. Francis J. Walsh, Litt.D.1951 – June 1963
Tireless pastor who restored parish buildings and grew the congregation through evangelization; transferred to St. Bartholomew in Philadelphia.
- Rev. Vincent G. McGartlandJune 6, 1963 – September 1974
Celebrated monthly Mass at St. Malachi's mission per Cardinal Kroll's instructions.
- Rev. George P. Schneiderfrom September 1974
First pastor of St. Malachi's to initiate a weekly Sunday Mass at the mission.
- Rev. Victor J. Eschbach
Pastor Emeritus on the parish bulletin; succeeded by Fr. O'Neill.
- Rev. Sean F. O'Neillcurrent
Installed as current pastor of Our Lady of Consolation Parish.