About Queen of the Most Holy Rosary · Elysburg, Pennsylvania
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary is a Roman Catholic parish in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, situated in the rolling hills of Northumberland County and serving Catholics in the broader valley area. Founded in 1950 as part of the Diocese of Harrisburg and placed under the patronage of Mary, Mother of God, the parish has grown from a small congregation meeting in what is now the rectory into a thriving faith community with a modern church, a parish center, and a wide array of ministries. Weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturday evening and twice on Sunday morning, with daily Mass Monday through Thursday, and the parish remains a welcoming center of Catholic life in the Elysburg area.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- Our Lady (Mary, Mother of God) — Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph T. Scanlin
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary is a Marian-centered parish family where Catholics of the Elysburg valley worship together, deepen their faith, and put that faith into action. Weekend Masses are offered Saturday evening and twice on Sunday morning, with daily Mass Monday through Thursday, the Sacrament of Penance on Saturday afternoons, and a vibrant CCD program, RCIA, Centering Prayer, Knights of Columbus council, pro-life and disability advocacy, food chain ministry, and funeral support. With a modern parish center, an updated sanctuary, and a long-running Father Slough Scholarship Fund that helps parish youth attend Catholic schools, it is a parish that takes seriously its mission 'to share and spread our Catholic faith… and demonstrate through service to church and community that we are a people of faith.'
Mass times at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM (per Diocese of Harrisburg parish listing)
Parish Identity & Mission
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, is a parish of the Diocese of Harrisburg dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. Its mission statement proclaims that, as parishioners, 'we will share and spread our Catholic faith with those we encounter, and demonstrate through service to church and community that we are a people of faith.' The parish family works to welcome all Catholics into the life of the parish, support one another spiritually and materially, reach out to inactive Catholics and other Christians, provide religious education to youth, offer educational opportunities for grown in faith, and identify the spiritual and corporal needs of the parish and minister to them.
- Parish motto: 'blessed by the patronage of Mary, the Mother of God'
- Affirms the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the center of parish life
- Welcomes all Catholics into the parish family
History & Founding
Established by Bishop George L. Leech in 1950 and built up by a long succession of pastors, the parish has served the Elysburg valley for more than seven decades. Father Thomas Eovacious celebrated the first Mass in 1950 and saw the original church built in 1951 before his death just days after its dedication. The current church, designed by A. Robert Brooks and Associates and built by Project Construction Company of Paxinos, was dedicated in 1981 after a long campaign led by Father Charles Slough. A Parish Center followed in 2008 under Father Al Sceski, with a sanctuary renovation completing the modern campus.
- 1950 — parish founded by Bishop George L. Leech; Father Eovacious celebrates first Mass
- 1951 — original church dedicated; Father Eovacious dies shortly after
- 1976 — Father Charles Slough begins long pastorate
- 1981 — current church dedicated by Bishop Joseph Daley
- 2008 — new Parish Center opens under Father Al Sceski
- Sanctuary renovation brings the interior to its present modern look
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by its pastor, a parish manager, a Coordinator of Religious Education, a parish ministry sister, an organist, scheduling coordinator, housekeeping, and maintenance staff. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM; the office is closed Fridays, Holy Days, and National Holidays.
- Pastor — Rev. Joseph Scanlin (570-672-2302)
- Parish Manager — Sheila Olsheskie (Father Eovacious Center)
- Coordinator of Religious Education — Sister Joseph Theresa, S.S.C.M.
- Parish Ministry — Sr. Jeanne Ambre, S.S.C.M.
- Organist / Liturgical Music — Anne Rutkoskie
- Schedules & Web — Brian Major
- Housekeeping — Sherry Karpinski
Pastor Succession
The parish's official history page lists every pastor from its founding in 1950 to the present. The succession reflects continuous growth and pastoral care, with Father Charles Slough's thirty-year pastorate (1976–2006) serving as the bridge between the parish's original building era and the modern campus.
- Founding pastor (1950): Rev. Thomas Eovacious
- Longest-tenured pastor: Rev. Charles Slough (1976–2006)
- Recent pastors: Rev. Al Sceski (2006–2015), Rev. Joseph Scanlin (2015–present)
Faith Formation & Education
Religious education for youth is provided through the parish CCD program (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine), with classes held from 9:15 to 10:15 AM most Sunday mornings from September to May. The Coordinator of Religious Education (Sister Joseph Theresa) recruits both CCD Teachers and CCD Aides / substitutes. Adults seeking to enter or return to the Catholic Church are accompanied through the RCIA process, and Centering Prayer gatherings offer a contemplative complement to parish life.
- CCD classes Sundays 9:15–10:15 AM (September–May)
- CCD Teachers and CCD Aides needed
- RCIA for adults — contact Father Joe
- Centering Prayer — contact Beth Graboski (570-509-2030)
- Father Slough Scholarship Fund for Catholic education (contact Ann Benedict, 570-648-1150)
Ministries & Outreach
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary is blessed with many parishioners who give of their time to help others. Current ministries span faith formation, liturgical service, pro-life witness, and care for those with disabilities, as well as a vibrant parish food ministry and Knights of Columbus council with active community fundraising (recently awarding over $2,000 in charitable support).
- Liturgical: Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers (Brian Major)
- Pro-Life ministry
- Disability Advocacy (Steve Resuta)
- Food Chain (food ministry)
- Funeral ministry
- Father Slough Scholarship Fund
- Knights of Columbus (monthly meetings)
- Music Ministry — Anne Rutkoskie
Facilities & Campus
The parish campus at 599 W. Center Street, Elysburg includes the present church (built 1981), the Father Slough Hall (used for parish receptions and community events), the Father Eovacious Center (which houses the parish manager's office), the parish library (used for Centering Prayer and small meetings), and a Parish Center opened in 2008 housing classrooms and a gymnasium to support CCD and community life. The Diocese of Harrisburg notes accessible facilities including the Church, parking, restrooms, and social hall.
- Sanctuary — modern interior via renovation under Father Al Sceski
- Father Slough Hall — reception space
- Father Eovacious Center — parish manager's office
- Parish Center (2008) — classrooms, gymnasium
- Library / meeting room
- Accessible parking, restrooms, and social hall
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office by phone, fax, or in person Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The website provides a 'Map & Directions' link, the weekly bulletin with schedule updates, and contact information for each staff member. The parish regularly posts open positions (such as part-time maintenance and Coordinator of Religious Education) and welcomes inquiries about getting involved.
- Address: 599 W. Center St., Elysburg, PA 17824
- Phone: 570-672-2302
- Fax: 570-672-3310
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu, 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM (closed Fridays, Holy Days, National Holidays)
- Website: http://www.qmhr.net/
- Diocese: Diocese of Harrisburg (hbgdiocese.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas EovaciousSeptember 1, 1950 – 1951
Founding pastor; celebrated first Mass Sept. 1, 1950; built the original church; died shortly after its dedication Oct. 28, 1951.
- Rev. Ferdinand GrussNovember 23, 1951
Succeeded Father Eovacious after the founding pastor's death.
- Rev. James CoyleAugust 10, 1954
- Rev. Boleslaus StankiewiczNovember 8, 1957
- Rev. Cletus HauckAugust 20, 1959
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas LeitchFebruary 21, 1963
Returned as a concelebrant at the 1981 dedication.
- Rev. Francis FilipelliJune 30, 1964
- Rev. James NoelMay 28, 1965
- Rev. Francis LahoutMay 31, 1968
Returned as a concelebrant at the 1981 dedication.
- Rev. John GunvilleMay 29, 1970
- Rev. Bernard MatternJune 1, 1973
- Rev. Charles SloughFebruary 5, 1976 – 2006
Long-tenured pastor who led the campaign to build the present church (dedicated 1981); honored by the Father Slough Scholarship Fund.
- Rev. Al SceskiJune 15, 2006 – 2015
Led the 2008 Parish Center project and the sanctuary renovation; CCD/RE consolidation.
- Rev. Joseph ScanlinJune 21, 2015 – present
Current pastor; installed by Bishop Senior (per parish bulletin note referencing 'Bishop Senior').