About Our Lady of the Visitation · Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Our Lady of the Visitation is a Roman Catholic parish in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Established as its own parish on February 17, 1950 by Bishop George L. Leech, OLV has served the Catholics of western Cumberland County for more than 75 years and now ministers to roughly 460 families alongside an active Catholic Campus Ministry serving Shippensburg University. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, regular confession, robust faith formation for all ages, the OCIA process for adults, and outreach ministries such as the SPO Food Pantry, Christ Among Neighbors, and Source of All Hope.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Visitation (the Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Benjamin J. Dunkelberger
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
OLV is a 75-year-old parish of roughly 460 families that combines a traditional Catholic identity — daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesdays and First Fridays, frequent confession, and devotion to the Blessed Mother under her Visitation title — with an unusually strong young-adult and college-student presence through its Catholic Campus Ministry to Shippensburg University. Active ministries span outreach (the SPO Food Pantry, Christ Among Neighbors, Hounds Packs, Source of All Hope), formation for every age (Religious Education for children, High School Youth Ministry, Adult Formation, and the OCIA process for those becoming Catholic), and vibrant parish life (Music Ministry & Choir, Young Families Group, Altar Servers), giving newcomers many ways to pray, serve, and belong.
Mass times at Our Lady of the Visitation
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM
- Wednesday 5:30–6:20 PM
- 1st Friday 7:30–8:20 AM
- 1st Saturday 8:00–8:45 AM
Adoration times
- 1st Friday 7:30–8:20 AM
- Wednesday 5:30–6:20 PM
- Friday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
About Our Lady of the Visitation
Our Lady of the Visitation Catholic Church is the Catholic parish of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, located just off the campus of Shippensburg University in the Diocese of Harrisburg. The parish serves about 460 registered families, runs a full Catholic Campus Ministry for the university, and offers daily and weekend Mass, regular confession, Eucharistic Adoration, faith formation for all ages, OCIA, and a robust set of outreach ministries. The parish describes itself as a resilient, welcoming community built over more than 75 years of perseverance.
- Diocese of Harrisburg parish
- Roughly 460 registered families
- Hosts Catholic Campus Ministry for Shippensburg University
- Located at 305 North Prince Street, Shippensburg, PA 17257
Parish History
Catholicism in Shippensburg dates back to 1840, when the first Roman Catholic church — St. Mary of the Visitation — was built along the railroad tracks for Irish railroad workers. That church was sold in 1864, and for the next 75 years local Catholics traveled to Chambersburg for Mass. In 1939, with only 215 Catholics counted locally, the pastor of Corpus Christi began celebrating Mass in a private home and then in a one-room schoolhouse.
- 1840 — First Catholic church in Shippensburg built (St. Mary of the Visitation) for Irish railroad workers
- 1864 — Church sold; Catholics travel to Chambersburg for 75 years
- 1939 — Census shows 215 Catholics; Mass begins in a private home, then a one-room schoolhouse
Founding of the Parish (1950)
On February 17, 1950, Bishop George L. Leech of Harrisburg established Shippensburg as a parish in its own right. Father Norman Koller, a native of Buffalo, New York, took up residence at the Hotel Shippens on February 18 and started daily Mass on February 19. That year the parish purchased the 4.5-acre Hosfeld property; a large house was remodeled into the rectory and a former stable was converted into a chapel. The first Mass on the new site was offered on Sunday, December 3, 1950, despite strong anti-Catholic sentiment in the community. The new parish also took responsibility for the Doylesburg mission chapel until 1965.
- February 17, 1950 — Bishop George L. Leech establishes Shippensburg as its own parish
- February 18, 1950 — Fr. Norman Koller arrives as first resident pastor
- 1950 — Hosfeld property (4.5 acres) purchased; stable converted to a chapel
- December 3, 1950 — First Mass celebrated on the new parish site
- 1950–1965 — OLV responsible for Doylesburg mission chapel
The 1967 Church and Today
The parish grew and on July 2, 1967 the new church and rectory were formally dedicated. The modern building features a roof rising to a fifty-foot summit on concrete arches, large stained glass windows, Pennsylvania and Vermont slate in the sanctuary and altars, and laminated beams supporting a red cedar ceiling; a flexible second level with ramps accommodates both the parish congregation and the university student population. A social hall and education building were added in 1999. On July 2, 2017 the parish celebrated the 50th anniversary of the church's dedication at a Mass with Bishop Ronald Gainer.
- July 2, 1967 — New church and rectory dedicated
- 1999 — Social hall and education building built
- July 2, 2017 — 50th Anniversary Mass with Bishop Ronald Gainer
Parish Staff
Our Lady of the Visitation's staff combines parish and campus ministry roles, since the pastor also serves as Shippensburg University's Catholic Campus Minister. The team includes the pastor and campus minister, an associate director of Catholic Campus Ministry, a coordinator of religious education, and other parish staff.
- Fr. Ben Dunkelberger — Pastor & Campus Minister ([email protected])
- Joseph Gonzalez — Associate Director of Catholic Campus Ministry (Shippensburg University)
- John Klarmann — Associate Director of Campus Ministry ([email protected])
- Jamie LaVergne — Coordinator of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Michael Adams — Parish staff
- Tracy Plotner — Parish staff
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at OLV serves the whole family — adults, teens, and children — through a range of programs designed to support every stage of the spiritual journey. The coordinator of religious education, Jamie LaVergne, oversees programming; children and teens (ages 5–18) participate in Religious Education and sacramental preparation, while adults can join Adult Formation. Registration for the 2025–2026 Religious Education year has closed; families are invited to contact the parish to register.
- Religious Education for children & teens (ages 5–18)
- Adult Formation
- High School Youth Ministry
- Sacramental Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — the modern Catholic process for adults exploring the faith. OCIA walks inquirers through Inquiry, the Catechumenate, and Mystagogy, and is open to the unbaptized, baptized Christians from another tradition, or simply those seeking. Adults preparing for First Communion or Confirmation also go through the OCIA / Adult Formation pathway.
- Inquiry — initial questions and exploration
- Catechumenate — deepening faith and commitment
- Mystagogy — living the mystery of Christ after reception of the sacraments
Sacraments
OLV prepares parishioners for the three sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) and supports families and adults through the process. Children preparing for First Communion or Confirmation are directed to the Formation page; adults seeking First Communion or Confirmation are directed to Adult Formation / OCIA. Baptism is described as 'the first step into life with Christ and His Church,' welcoming both new babies and adults.
- Baptism (infants and adults)
- Eucharist / First Communion (children via Religious Ed.; adults via Adult Formation)
- Confirmation (teens via Religious Ed.; adults via Adult Formation)
- Reconciliation — see weekly confession schedule
Catholic Campus Ministry at Shippensburg University
Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) is a vibrant Christian community rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ is the path to the fullness of life. Through fellowship, formation, and friendship, campus ministers and students come together to grow in their faith and deepen their relationship with Christ. The pastor of OLV also serves as Campus Minister to the university, and the parish church building itself provides space for some CCM activities. When Shippensburg University is in session, an extra Monday evening Mass (9:00 PM) is added to the schedule, and Saturday Mass is celebrated at 9:00 AM as well.
- Pastor of OLV also serves as University Campus Minister
- Joseph Gonzalez — Associate Director of Catholic Campus Ministry
- John Klarmann — Associate Director of Campus Ministry
- Monday 9:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM Masses offered only when College is in session
- Opportunities to serve as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, lector, cantor, choir, or musician
Parish Ministries and Outreach
OLV's parish life includes liturgical, formation, fellowship, and outreach ministries that span the local community and Shippensburg University. The Music Ministry & Choir leads song and prayer at Mass, while the Young Families Group supports parents of young children through fellowship, prayer, and age-appropriate activities. Outreach ministries include the SPO Food Pantry, Christ Among Neighbors, Source of All Hope, and Hounds Packs.
- Music Ministry & Choir
- Altar Servers
- Young Families Group
- SPO Food Pantry — non-perishable food aid for Shippensburg residents, parishioners, and students
- Christ Among Neighbors — parish outreach and service to local residents and SU students
- Source of All Hope
- Hounds Packs
- Clothing and scholarship support for young adults and college students
Youth Protection
OLV is committed to the safety and protection of all children and youth in the parish, in accord with the Diocese of Harrisburg's Youth Protection program. Detailed policies and reporting information are maintained on the Diocesan Youth Protection website.
- Diocesan Youth Protection standards followed
- More information via the Diocesan Youth Protection Website
Contact and Office Information
Parishioners and visitors are warmly invited to reach out — whether they are new to the area, interested in joining the parish, have questions about sacraments, or want to learn more about campus ministry. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday and closed Friday through Sunday, including Holy Days and holidays.
- Address: 305 North Prince Street, Shippensburg, PA 17257
- Phone: (717) 532-2912
- Parish Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed Fri–Sun, Holy Days, and holidays)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Norman Koller1950–
First resident pastor; native of Buffalo, New York. Took up residence at the Hotel Shippens on February 18, 1950 and began daily Mass on February 19, 1950.
- Rev. Dwight D. Schlalinethrough 2020
Pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation and Campus Minister at Shippensburg University. In 2020 he was appointed Pastor of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hanover.
- Rev. Benjamin J. Dunkelberger2020–present
Appointed in 2020 from Parochial Vicar at St. John the Baptist Parish, New Freedom and Campus Minister at York College; serves as both Pastor of OLV and Campus Minister at Shippensburg University.