About Our Lady of the Mountains · Cumberland, Maryland
Our Lady of the Mountains is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore serving the greater Cumberland, Maryland area from four worship sites: the Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul (Cumberland), St. Patrick Church (Cumberland), St. Patrick Church (Mt. Savage), and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. The parish has been continuously served by Capuchin Franciscan Friars since 1875, who live in residence at St. Mary's. Its mission statement reads, "As children of a loving God, we are called to know Jesus Christ and share Him with others," and the parish is home to the historic 1848 Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul, founded by St. John Neumann, which was decreed an archdiocesan shrine in 2011.
- Established
- 1790 (Cumberland Catholic parish); 1848 (Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul)
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Mountains (parish patron); Saints Peter and Paul (shrine patrons); Saint Patrick; Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception); St. Francis of Assisi (Capuchin Franciscan heritage)
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen Fernandes, O.F.M.Cap.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
Our Lady of the Mountains welcomes Catholics from across Western Maryland with the unusual richness of four worship sites under one Capuchin Franciscan family — from the soaring 1848 Gothic Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul with its Innsbruck stained glass and copper steeple, to the historic St. Patrick Church on Centre Street, to the 1928 St. Mary's complex that houses both the friars' residence and the parish's outreach ministries. The parish combines daily Mass, Adoration, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation at multiple times and locations, with a vibrant Secular Franciscan (Padre Pio) fraternity, a young adults' group, faith formation for children and youth, the longstanding St. Anthony Place food pantry, and a Spanish Mass twice a month — making it a genuinely missionary community rooted in 250 years of Catholic life in Cumberland.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Mountains
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday — 5:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul
- Saturday — 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., St. Patrick Church (Cumberland)
Adoration times
- Wednesday — 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., St. Patrick Church (Cumberland)
- First Friday of the month — 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., St. Patrick Church (Cumberland) (also listed on the parish site as Wednesday 5:15–6:00 p.m. at the Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul)
Parish Overview & Mission
Our Lady of the Mountains is a Capuchin Franciscan-served Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore that unifies four historic worship sites in the greater Cumberland, Maryland area. Its mission statement reads, "As children of a loving God, we are called to know Jesus Christ and share Him with others." Daily and weekly Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation, and outreach through St. Anthony Place food pantry and the Children's Clothing Room are central to parish life.
- Parish Mission: "As children of a loving God, we are called to know Jesus Christ and share Him with others."
- Four worship sites: Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul (Cumberland), St. Patrick Church (Cumberland), St. Patrick Church (Mt. Savage), St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
- Archdiocese: Baltimore
- Clergy residence: Capuchin Franciscan Friary at St. Mary's campus
History of the Parish
Catholic life in Cumberland began in 1790 when Father Dennis Cahill established the parish and a log church was erected in 1791. The brick Church of Saint Mary was built in 1836 and replaced by St. Patrick Church (designed by John Tehan) in 1849–1851. German Catholics petitioned for their own church in 1848, and Redemptorist St. John Neumann founded Ss. Peter and Paul, dedicated September 23, 1849. The Capuchin Friars arrived in 1875 and have served continuously since. Ss. Peter and Paul was decreed an archdiocesan shrine on July 18, 2011 by Cardinal O'Brien.
- 1790 — Cumberland Roman Catholic parish established by Father Dennis Cahill
- 1795–1799 — Father Demetrius Gallitzin celebrates Mass in Cumberland
- 1848 — Ss. Peter and Paul founded by Redemptorist John Neumann (future saint)
- 1857–1862 — Blessed Francis X. Seelos serves as pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul
- 1875 — Capuchin Franciscans arrive and assume pastoral care
- 2011 — Ss. Peter and Paul decreed a shrine by Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien
- November 1, 2025 — Archbishop William E. Lori celebrates Capuchin 150th anniversary and installs Fr. Stephen Fernandes as first pastor of the unified parish
The Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul
The Shrine is a mid-19th-century Gothic church at 125 Fayette Street, founded in 1848 by Redemptorist Bishop John Neumann to serve Cumberland's growing German Catholic population. It features pointed arches, warm-colored stained glass imported from Innsbruck, Austria in 1902, hand-carved altars made by the Capuchin friars, and a green copper steeple that has been a Cumberland landmark for 175 years. Outside, a prayer garden holds statues of St. John Neumann and Blessed Seelos; a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary overlooks the city. During the 800th jubilee of St. Francis's death, a relic of St. Francis is venerated and a plenary indulgence is available for pilgrimage visits under the usual conditions.
- Address: 125 Fayette Street, Cumberland, MD 21502
- Mass times: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:00 a.m., Wed 6:30 p.m.
- Votive Mass of St. Francis — last Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
- Padre Pio Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans Rosary — first Friday after 8:00 a.m. Mass
- Founded 1848 by Redemptorist St. John Neumann
- Capuchins in continuous service since 1875
- Stained glass imported from Innsbruck, Austria in 1902
St. Patrick Church (Cumberland)
St. Patrick Church on Centre Street was built in 1849–1851 on the foundation of an earlier brick Church of Saint Mary (1836) and designed by Irish architect John Tehan. It was dedicated by Archbishop Francis Patrick Kenrick on November 23, 1851 and solemnly consecrated by Archbishop James Gibbons on June 10, 1883. It was renamed from St. Mary's to St. Patrick's because of the growing Irish Catholic population that had come to build the canal and railroad.
- Address: 201 N. Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502
- Designer: John Tehan (Irish American architect)
- Dedicated November 23, 1851; consecrated June 10, 1883
- Sunday Masses: 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday Confession: 1:00–2:00 p.m.
- Wednesday Adoration: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
Built to serve the growing Catholic population of South Cumberland, the original St. Mary's was constructed in 1900–1901. By the mid-1920s an even larger church was needed, and construction began on the present church in spring 1928; the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day of that year. The campus is now home to the parish office, the Children's Clothing Room, St. Anthony Place food pantry, the parish gift shop, and the Capuchin Friars' residence.
- Address: 300 East Oldtown Road, Cumberland, MD 21502
- Current church first Mass: Christmas Day 1928
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 p.m.; Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m.
- Spanish Mass: 2:00 p.m. on 2nd and 4th Sundays
- Capuchin Friary residence
- Parish Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–12:45 p.m. for lunch)
- Children's Clothing Room: Wednesdays 9:00–11:00 a.m.
- St. Anthony Place Food Pantry: Mon/Wed/Fri 1:00–3:00 p.m.
St. Patrick Church (Mt. Savage)
A fourth worship site of the unified parish is St. Patrick Church in Mt. Savage, Maryland, which extends the parish's reach into the surrounding Allegany County communities. (Details and Mass times for this site can be found on the parish website under the Churches menu.)
- One of four worship sites of Our Lady of the Mountains Parish
- Located in Mt. Savage, Maryland (Allegany County)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Our Lady of the Mountains serves children and youth from Kindergarten through High School, using the RCL Benzinger Family Life Program in grades K–5 and the Archdiocesan "Created to Love" program for middle and high school students on an alternating-year basis. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered the first and third Sundays at the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's and the 11:00 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick's. Vacation Bible School is held each summer.
- Coordinator: Monica Beck ([email protected])
- RCL Benzinger Family Life — Grades K–5
- "Created to Love" — middle and high school, every other year
- Worthy of the Call — safe-environment training for ages 14–18
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — 1st and 3rd Sundays
- Vacation Bible School — "Rainforest Falls – Exploring the nature of God"
- Weather Cancellation Line: 301-245-6524
Sacraments
The parish prepares the faithful for all seven sacraments, including Infant Baptism, First Reconciliation (Advent), First Eucharist (first Sunday of May), Confirmation (overnight retreat at Peterkin Camp and Conference Center), Marriage preparation, and the O.C.I.A. process for adults. Coordinator of Adult and Youth Ministry Jamie Imes ([email protected]) handles inquiries.
- Infant Baptism — registration and parent preparation class required
- First Reconciliation — Advent communal celebration; minimum one year prior Faith Formation
- First Eucharist — first Sunday of May at 11:00 a.m. Mass, St. Patrick Church
- Confirmation — seven sessions, parent and sponsor sessions, overnight retreat, service, and interview
- O.C.I.A. — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults; also for convalidation and returning Catholics
- Marriage preparation — coordinated through parish and Archdiocese
Outreach & Charity: St. Anthony Place Food Pantry & Children's Clothing Room
St. Anthony Place, the parish food pantry, began in January 1997 at 109 North Smallwood Street (on what is now the Shrine campus) and has grown to serve the Cumberland community and neighboring areas within a fifty-mile radius. The pantry assists families with non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, rent, public utilities, and (through pre-screening by the Maryland State Department of Social Services) vouchers for perishable items at designated local food markets. It is supported by the Balch Family Endowment Fund. Clients are eligible to come once a month for three months, after which Social Services provides a referral to continue assistance.
- Operating since January 1997
- Helped 2,194 people in 2022 (a 200 percent increase from founding)
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
- Currently located in the OLM Office Center at 300 East Oldtown Road
- First Sunday of each month is Food Sunday across all parish churches
- Supported by the Balch Family Endowment Fund
- Children's Clothing Room — Wednesdays 9:00–11:00 a.m., in the basement of the Faith Formation Center at St. Mary's
- Contact: Parish Office at 301-777-1750
Young Adults, MomCo & Secular Franciscans
Beyond children's formation, the parish maintains active adult ministries. The Young Adult group (ages 18–29) meets monthly with Mass & Morsels on the third Wednesday after the 6:30 p.m. Mass at the Shrine. MomCo (mothers' group) meets regularly during the program year. The Padre Pio Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans gathers on the first Friday of each month after the 8:00 a.m. Mass at the Shrine to pray the Rosary for deceased parishioners and their families.
- Young Adult Ministry (18–29) — Coordinator Jamie Imes
- Mass & Morsels — 3rd Wednesday of the month after 6:30 p.m. Mass
- MomCo — mothers' group, contact Sara Vance, Jamie Imes, or Monica Beck
- Padre Pio Fraternity of the Secular Franciscans — first Friday Rosary
- Weekly Rosary — Wednesdays at Noon at St. Mary Church
Clergy, Staff & Vocations
Our Lady of the Mountains is staffed by Capuchin Franciscan Friars and lay professionals. Fr. Stephen Fernandes, O.F.M.Cap. (ordained May 2011) is pastor; Fr. Mark Carter, O.F.M.Cap. (ordained September 1992) is Parochial Vicar; Fr. Eric Gauchat, O.F.M.Cap. serves as Hospital Chaplain; and Fr. Jim Froehlich, O.F.M.Cap. (ordained June 1982) is Pastoral Supply Priest. Deacons Ryan Schmeltzer (O.F.M.Cap.) and James Rose assist in ministry. Lay staff include Monica Beck (Faith Formation), Jamie Imes (Adult and Youth Ministry), and Stephanie Vollmerhausen (Business Manager).
- Rev. Stephen Fernandes, O.F.M.Cap. — Pastor
- Rev. Mark Carter, O.F.M.Cap. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Eric Gauchat, O.F.M.Cap. — Hospital Chaplain
- Rev. Jim Froehlich, O.F.M.Cap. — Pastoral Supply Priest
- Deacon Ryan Schmeltzer, O.F.M.Cap.
- Deacon James Rose
- Mrs. Monica Beck — Coordinator of Faith Formation
- Mrs. Jamie Imes — Coordinator of Adult and Youth Ministry
- Mrs. Stephanie Vollmerhausen — Business Manager
Friends of the Shrine & Preservation
The Friends of the Shrine of Ss. Peter and Paul is a nonprofit organization formed in 2019 specifically to support maintenance and preservation of the historic 1848 Gothic church. As of 2023 it had raised more than $250,000 toward a $500,000 campaign, funding projects that protect the copper steeple, altars, stained glass, and other heritage features that connect Cumberland Catholics to their past.
- Nonprofit founded in 2019
- Raised more than $250,000 toward $500,000 preservation campaign
- President (2023): Joe George
- Website: https://www.friendsoftheshrine.com
Visit, Contact & Directions
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at all four sites. The Parish Office is at 300 East Oldtown Road, Suite 2, Cumberland, MD 21502 and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed for lunch 12:00–12:45 p.m.). The Shrine sits on the highest point in the original city limits of Cumberland and is a notable landmark with its green copper steeple visible from the surrounding mountains.
- Parish Office: 300 East Oldtown Road, Ste 2, Cumberland, MD 21502
- Phone: (301) 777-1750; Fax: (301) 777-2669
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.olmcumberland.org
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–12:45 p.m.)
- Weather Cancellation Line: 301-245-6524
- Gift Shop: open by request at the Parish Office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Dennis Cahill1790
Established the Cumberland Roman Catholic parish as a missionary priest
- Father (Prince) Demetrius A. Gallitzin1795–1799
Second priest ordained in the United States; celebrated Mass in Cumberland before going to Loretto, PA
- Father Henry Myers1836
Built the brick Church of Saint Mary on the present St. Patrick site
- St. John Neumann (Redemptorist)1848
Founded the Church of Saints Peter and Paul to serve Cumberland's German Catholics
- Blessed Francis X. Seelos1857–1862
Redemptorist pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul while also prefect of students at the Redemptorist seminary
- Father Leonard Obermeyer1849
Began construction of the present St. Patrick Church
- Fathers Anton Schuermann and Franz Wolff, O.F.M.Cap.1875
German Capuchins who purchased the Holy Hill property and installed the hand-carved altars
- Archbishop James Gibbons1883
Solemnly consecrated St. Patrick Church
- Monsignor Thomas R. Bevan2001 (sesquicentennial plaque)
Pastor at the 2001 sesquicentennial commemoration of St. Patrick's dedication
- Rev. Stephen Fernandes, O.F.M.Cap.Installed November 1, 2025
First pastor of the unified Our Lady of the Mountains Parish; installed by Archbishop Lori at the Capuchin 150th anniversary Mass
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