San Juan Bautista

About San Juan Bautista

San Juan Bautista is the only Hispanic parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, dedicated to the spiritual and temporal needs of Hispanics throughout Lancaster County. The parish community has more than 50 years of history, having begun gathering for Spanish-language Masses in the 1950s before moving to its current home on South Duke Street in 1982 and being formally established as a personal parish on June 24, 2003. The parish describes itself as 'a Christian-Catholic, multicultural and bilingual family, where Catholic Christians may feel welcomed in the midst of a community of faith, hope and love.'

• First and only Hispanic parish in the Diocese of Harrisburg
• Bilingual: Spanish and English
• Roots reaching back more than 50 years to the 1950s
• Over 3,000 registered families

History of the Parish

Hispanic Catholics in Lancaster County trace their organized worship to the 1950s, gathering at St. Mary's on South Prince Street for Spanish Mass, then at the St. John the Baptist Center on South Lime Street, and — from 1972 — at the lower church of St. Anthony of Padua. In 1982 Bishop Joseph T. Daley purchased the South Duke Street building and named it Iglesia Católica San Juan Bautista; it became a quasi-parish under Bishop William H. Keeler in 1988. Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo formally established it as a personal parish for Spanish-speaking and Hispanic-heritage Catholics of Lancaster County on June 24, 2003, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, with Rev. Allan F. Wolfe as its first pastor and Rev. Ignacio Palomino as parochial vicar.

• 1950s: Spanish Mass begins at St. Mary's, South Prince Street
• 1972: St. Anthony of Padua lower church designated for Hispanic gatherings
• 1982: Bishop Daley purchases 425 South Duke Street and names the church San Juan Bautista
• 1988: Designated a quasi-parish under Bishop Keeler, served by Father Bernardo Pistone
• 2001: Rev. Allan F. Wolfe becomes administrator
• June 24, 2003: Elevated to personal parish by Bishop Dattilo — the first Hispanic parish in the Diocese
• October 2020: Rev. Luis R. Rodríguez appointed pastor

Mission Statement

In his own words, Pastor Luis R. Rodríguez describes the parish: 'I became pastor of San Juan Bautista Catholic Church in October 2020, serving Latino Catholics in Lancaster County.' The parish's bilingual mission statement calls the community 'a Christian-Catholic, multicultural and bilingual family, where Catholic Christians may feel welcomed in the midst of a community of faith, hope and love,' formed together as 'disciples, missionaries, and witnesses who in the midst of our modern world vividly continue the Eucharistic celebration, united in our formation by the Gospel of Jesus, our only true Savior.'

Pastoral Staff & Clergy

The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Luis R. Rodríguez, appointed in October 2020, and is assisted by a robust diaconate and lay staff. Five deacons serve the Hispanic Apostolate across the county, and the parish office is staffed by an Office Manager, a Director of Youth and Cultural Center, and a Religious Education Coordinator.

• Pastor: Rev. Luis R. Rodríguez
• Deacon José A. López
• Deacon Jorge L. Nazario (parish contact: 717-681-5011)
• Deacon Felix Ramos
• Deacon Expedito Santos-Santiago (parish contact: 717-393-9427)
• Deacon Armando Torres, Jr. (parish contact: 717-799-4113)
• Office Manager: Mrs. Teresa Zapata
• Director of Youth and Cultural Center: Mrs. Erica Zapata-Asso
• Religious Education Coordinator: Mr. Armando Torres

Religious Education / Educación Religiosa

San Juan Bautista runs a parish catechetical program that prepares children for the Sacraments of Confession, First Communion, and Confirmation, and welcomes those not yet baptized. The program is offered in two age groupings — Kindergarten through 6th grade, and 7th through 12th grade — with classes meeting Sundays and on Wednesdays, and transportation available for qualifying families.

• K–6th grade (Domingos de 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM; Miércoles 6:00–7:30 PM)
• 7th–12th grade (Domingos y Miércoles)
• Prepares for Confession, First Communion, Confirmation, and Baptism
• Contact: Ms. Linda Torres, 717-392-4118, [email protected]
• Religious Education Coordinator: Mr. Armando Torres
• Transportation provided (Sundays and Tuesdays) for families who qualify

Youth & Cultural Center

The parish operates a Youth and Cultural Center under the direction of Erica Zapata-Asso, supporting the formation of young people and the cultural life of the Hispanic community in Lancaster.

• Director: Erica Zapata-Asso
• Supports youth ministry and cultural activities for the parish

Parish Thrift Store

As part of its outreach and self-sustaining mission, San Juan Bautista operates a thrift store that is open to the wider community and helps support parish programs.

• Parish Thrift Store phone: 717-283-0289
• A form of parish outreach and fundraising

Sacraments

The parish celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, with preparation programs for children and youth through the Educación Religiosa office. Adults seeking Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation should contact the parish office; the deacons are available for an array of pastoral needs.

• Baptism (preparation through Educación Religiosa)
• First Holy Communion (children's preparation program)
• Confirmation (teen preparation program)
• Sacrament of Confession (Mon, Wed, Sat)
• Matrimony (contact parish office)
• Anointing of the Sick

Contact & Visiting

Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, or email, or stop in at the church on South Duke Street in the city of Lancaster. The Diocese of Harrisburg parish profile confirms that the church, parking, restrooms, and social hall are all accessible.

• Address: 425 South Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
• Office: 717-392-4118
• Fax: 717-392-4789
• Thrift Store: 717-283-0289
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://sanjuanbautistalancaster.com/
• Diocese: Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg (Bishop: Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, D.D., J.C.L.)