About Saint Francis of Assisi Parish- St. Mary of the Assumption · Herman, Pennsylvania
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish — St. Mary of the Assumption is a worship site of a multi-site Roman Catholic parish in Summit Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, within the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The parish was formed on January 4, 2021, through the On Mission for The Church Alive! initiative, uniting the former parishes of St. John (Coylesville), St. Joseph (Cabot), and St. Mary of the Assumption (Herman). The St. Mary of the Assumption church stands at 821 Herman Road in the unincorporated village of Herman, just south of Butler. The church building itself has roots going back to 1842, with major dedications in 1867 and 1955, and today serves as one of several worship sites for the parish family.
- Established
- 1842
- Patron
- Saint Mary of the Assumption (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Stephen W. Giannini, V.F.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish — St. Mary of the Assumption offers a small, rural Catholic community rooted in 180 years of faith in Butler County. Members worship at the historic 1842-founded St. Mary of the Assumption church on Herman Road, with weekend and weekday Masses celebrated there as part of a wider multi-site parish that includes St. Joseph in Cabot and St. John the Evangelist in Coylesville. The parish family is supported by a pastor and parochial vicar who shepherd the broader Saints Francis & Clare community, alongside active faith formation, sacramental preparation, and youth ministry programs.
Mass times at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish- St. Mary of the Assumption
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (per Discover Mass listing for the parish)
About the Parish
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish is a Roman Catholic community in northern Butler County, Pennsylvania, within the Diocese of Pittsburgh. It was formed in January 2021 by merging three historic parishes — St. John the Evangelist in Coylesville, St. Joseph in Cabot, and St. Mary of the Assumption in Herman — and is in turn scheduled to merge again with Saint Clare of Assisi Parish on July 1, 2026, to become Saints Francis & Clare Parish. The St. Mary of the Assumption church, located at 821 Herman Road in the village of Herman (Summit Township), is one of the worship sites of this wider parish family.
History of St. Mary of the Assumption
The Catholic community at Herman dates back to 1842, when the parish was established to serve farm families in Summit Township south of Butler. The present church building was dedicated on February 19, 1867, and a substantial renovation/rededication took place on September 18, 1955. For most of its history the church operated as an independent parish; on January 4, 2021, it became a worship site of the newly created Saint Francis of Assisi Parish under the Diocese of Pittsburgh's On Mission for The Church Alive! initiative.
- 1842 – Parish established in Herman, Butler County
- February 19, 1867 – Original church dedicated
- September 18, 1955 – Church rededicated after major work
- January 4, 2021 – Merged into Saint Francis of Assisi Parish
- July 1, 2026 – Scheduled to merge into Saints Francis & Clare Parish
Parish Staff & Clergy
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish (and the emerging Saints Francis & Clare Parish) is served by a pastor, parochial vicar, deacon, and a full team of lay staff. The Safe Environment program for the parish is coordinated by Nicole Karenbauer.
- Very Rev. Stephen W. Giannini, V.F. — Pastor
- Rev. Anthony Armbruster — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Ron Pirau
- Nicole Karenbauer — Safe Environment Coordinator
Safe Environment
The parish operates a Safe Environment Compliance Program in line with the Diocese of Pittsburgh's requirements under the U.S. Bishops' Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. All adult volunteers who work with youth — including catechists, liturgical ministers, Knights of Columbus and Christian Mothers members, festival workers, and Vacation Bible School volunteers — must be registered, fingerprinted, and trained before serving.
- Coordinator: Nicole Karenbauer (724-352-2149 ext. 204)
- Components: Waiver, Fingerprinting, Mandated Reporter Training, Protecting God's Children Workshop, Code of Pastoral Conduct, PA Clearances
Ministries & Faith Formation
The parish offers faith formation for children and youth, sacramental preparation, and a developing young-adult ministry. The full multi-site parish has been hiring a Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries to serve grades 9–12 and young adults across the worship sites.
- Religious Education / Catechesis
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12)
- Young Adult Ministry
- Vacation Bible School
- Knights of Columbus
- Christian Mothers
- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Penance. Adult initiation is offered through OCIA, and children's sacramental preparation is coordinated through the parish's catechetical program.
Visiting & Directions
St. Mary of the Assumption is located in the small village of Herman in Summit Township, south of Butler, PA. Visitors coming from either direction should follow Bonniebrook Road to Herman Road.
- From Route 356: turn onto Bonniebrook Road, then right onto Herman Road
- From Route 422: turn onto Bonniebrook Road, then left onto Herman Road
- Address: 821 Herman Road, Herman, PA 16002
- Office phone: (724) 352-2149
- Email: [email protected]