About St. Agnes · Baltimore, Maryland
St. Agnes Catholic Church is a historic parish in the Catonsville/Woodlawn area of western Baltimore County, founded in 1852 and now part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The parish sits at 5422 Old Frederick Road and worships in a mid-20th-century church dedicated in 1951, with a strong liturgical life that includes a celebrated Latin Novus Ordo Mass. It is the mother church from which several neighboring parishes, including St. William of York, were originally founded, and it absorbed that parish's community through the Archdiocese's 'Seek the City to Come' realignment on December 1, 2024. Today it is led by Administrator Rev. Hamilton Okeke and a staff that emphasizes faith formation, music, youth ministry, and outreach to the surrounding community.
- Established
- 1852
- Patron
- St. Agnes
- Rector
- Rev. Hamilton Okeke
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Agnes offers a rare combination of historic Catholic identity and a wide range of parish life: a 170-year-old faith community in Catonsville, four weekend Sunday Masses including a beloved Latin Novus Ordo Mass, daily 8:00 am Masses Monday through Saturday, robust faith formation from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd through Life Teen, and ministries that span worship, evangelization, fellowship, and outreach to those in need. It is a parish where families, young adults, children, and seniors all have an active place—from the Seven Sisters Apostolate praying for the pastor to walking-with-purpose women's Bible study, the Arimathean Society supporting grieving families, and an Outreach Coordinator working with local partners like the 40 West Assistance & Referral Center. Welcoming visitors by name and inviting them to 'make this your church home' is at the heart of who St. Agnes is.
Mass times at St. Agnes
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:20 AM
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (not on 3rd Wednesdays)
- Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Office Chapel)
- Saturday: 3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM (after the 8:00 AM Mass) until 5:45 PM
- Saturday: 6:45 AM – 7:45 AM (Adoration with Morning Prayer)
- Holy Hour for Life: 1st Wednesdays at 4:45 PM
A Brief History of St. Agnes Parish
St. Agnes Parish traces its origins to October 28, 1852, when Archbishop Francis P. Kenrick laid the cornerstone of the original church in what was then a rural part of western Baltimore County. While the church was under construction, Mass was celebrated at Mount de Sales Academy's Chapel of St. Francis de Sales. The original church was formally dedicated on July 21, 1853. As the Catholic population of Catonsville grew, St. Agnes became the mother church from which St. Mark, St. Joseph Monastery, St. Edward, St. Cecilia, St. William of York, and St. Lawrence were all founded. The current church was dedicated on April 8, 1951 by Archbishop Francis Keough, and the parish absorbed the community of St. William of York in December 2024 under Archbishop Lori's 'Seek the City to Come' plan. The parish is preparing to celebrate its 175th anniversary.
- Cornerstone laid October 28, 1852 by Archbishop Francis P. Kenrick
- Original church dedicated July 21, 1853
- Named by Mrs. Somerville, who led early fundraising, after her daughter
- Current church dedicated April 8, 1951 by Archbishop Francis Keough
- Mother church to St. Mark, St. Joseph Monastery, St. Edward, St. Cecilia, St. William of York, St. Lawrence
- St. William of York merged into St. Agnes effective December 1, 2024
Our Team — Clergy & Staff
St. Agnes is currently led by Administrator Rev. Hamilton Okeke, who was appointed by Archbishop William E. Lori effective July 1, 2025, from the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal. He is assisted by Deacon Ed Whitesell and a lay staff team that oversees faith formation, liturgy, music, youth ministry, outreach, and parish operations.
- Rev. Hamilton Okeke — Administrator (Pastor)
- Deacon Ed Whitesell — Deacon
- Meghan Fleming — Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation/Evangelization
- Owen Hanratty — Business Manager
- Franklin Uvere — Maintenance Technician
- Alison Jefferson — Youth Discipleship Coordinator
- Stacey Bilenki — Director of Liturgical Music
- Benedicta Ebhoaye — Outreach Coordinator
- Jennifer Gross — Administrative Coordinator
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
St. Agnes Parish offers a full family catechesis program spanning early childhood through high school. The youngest disciples are served through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based, hands-on approach for ages 3–6. Elementary-age children not enrolled in Catholic school attend Wednesday evening Faith Formation, while middle and high school youth are served through Life Teen. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation is in addition to regular Faith Formation or Catholic school enrollment, in accordance with Archdiocesan policy.
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–6): 1st Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM; 3rd Wednesdays 6:45–8:00 PM
- Elementary Faith Formation (ages 7–10): 3rd Wednesdays 6:45–8:15 PM
- Middle School Life Teen (grades 6–8) and High School Life Teen (grades 9–12)
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation for 2nd grade and up (sessions 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6:00 PM)
- Confirmation preparation for 3rd grade (additional prep available for grades 4–8)
- OCIA / OCIC for children ages 7–17 not yet baptized — year-round inquiry, culminating at the Easter Vigil
Worship & Music
Music at St. Agnes is intentionally diverse, supporting a variety of worship styles across its weekend Masses. The parish's music ministry includes a Contemporary group, an Adult Choir (Traditional), Cantors, and a Latin Schola that supports the Sunday evening Latin Novus Ordo Mass. Liturgical roles are filled by trained laypeople: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Altar Servers (including the Servants of the Sacred Heart adult male servers), and Ushers and Greeters who create a welcoming atmosphere at every liturgy.
- Organ and Cantor — 4:30 PM Saturday Vigil and 10:00 AM Masses on 5th Sundays
- Traditional Choir — 2nd & 4th Sundays at 10:00 AM Mass (September–June)
- Contemporary group — 1st & 3rd Sundays at 10:00 AM Mass
- Latin Schola — supports the 5:00 PM Latin Novus Ordo Mass
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Altar Servers, Ushers/Greeters
- Servants of the Sacred Heart — adult male altar servers, age 18+
Fellowship & Small Communities
St. Agnes nurtures a wide range of lay-led groups that build community across ages and stages of life. From a young adult group meeting Monday evenings in the Emmaus Room, to Walking with Purpose women's Bible study, to Men's Morning Prayer & Fellowship, parishioners have many ways to form friendships around prayer and study. The Seven Sisters Apostolate dedicates seven women to a year of one Holy Hour each before the Blessed Sacrament for the pastor's intentions, while the Legion of Mary continues its lay apostolic work. The Arimathean Society comforts grieving families at funerals, and the Adopt-a-Garden Ministry keeps the parish grounds welcoming.
- Young Adult Group & Bible Study (ages 18–34, Mondays 7:00–9:00 PM, Emmaus Room)
- Walking with Purpose Women's Bible Study
- Men's Morning Prayer & Fellowship
- Seven Sisters Apostolate (seven women, one Holy Hour per week each)
- Legion of Mary
- Arimathean Society (funeral ministry)
- Adopt-a-Garden Ministry
- Church Cleaning/Decorating Ministry
- Offertory Counters
- Little Disciples Children's Ministry (Children's Liturgy of the Word for ages 3–6)
Outreach & Service to the Community
Outreach is coordinated by Benedicta Ebhoaye and extends both locally and globally. The parish partners with the 40 West Assistance & Referral Center and is involved in parish outreach programs along with neighboring churches. Parishioners are invited to get involved in initiatives serving those in need in the local community and beyond; the parish office can connect interested volunteers with specific opportunities.
- Outreach Coordinator: Benedicta Ebhoaye
- 40 West Assistance & Referral Center partnership
- Outreach ministries with local and global reach
- Parishioners welcome to join; contact the parish office at 410-744-2900
Sacraments
St. Agnes prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist—through age-appropriate programs. Infant Baptism is celebrated on most Saturday mornings or after the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass, with a required parent preparation class. Children in 2nd grade and up prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist; 3rd graders prepare annually for Confirmation (additional prep available for grades 4–8). Adults seeking Confirmation are directed to OCIA, and children ages 7–17 not yet baptized are welcomed into the OCIA-adapted-for-children (OCIC) process, which culminates in full initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- Infant Baptism — Saturdays or after Sunday 10:00 AM Mass; parent prep class required
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist — for 2nd grade and up
- Confirmation — for 3rd grade (additional prep for grades 4–8)
- OCIA — for adults; OCIC — for children ages 7–17, year-round inquiry process
- Sacramental Preparation sessions resume Fall 2026; registration end of Summer 2026
St. William of York Merger
Under Archbishop William E. Lori's 'Seek the City to Come' pastoral realignment, St. William of York Church was merged into St. Agnes Parish effective December 1, 2024. The Archdiocese issued the official decree on September 28, 2024. In November 2024 the combined faith community celebrated two closing St. William of York Church Commemorative Masses, recognizing that parish's 110-year history. St. William of York's former site at 600 Cooks Lane, Baltimore, MD 21229 now refers visitors to St. Agnes for Mass times and contact information.
- Decree issued September 28, 2024 by Archbishop William E. Lori
- Effective date: December 1, 2024
- Two closing commemorative Masses held November 2024
- St. William of York (est. c. 1914) was itself originally founded from St. Agnes
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward Caton1852 (founding pastor)
Chaplain at Mount de Sales Academy; appointed to minister to the growing Catholic community in Catonsville when the cornerstone was laid.
- Rev. John M. Barry
- Rev. Ignatius Fealy
- Msgr. Maurice W. Roche
- Msgr. Francis W. Fortenbaugh
- Rev. Victor B. Galeone
Later became Bishop of St. Augustine, Florida.
- Msgr. Carl Cummings
- Rev. Michael DeAscanis
- Rev. Michel J. Foppiano
Oversaw the restoration and gold-leafing of the tabernacle and its placement on the original 1852 altar.
- Fr. Isaac Makovo
- Rev. Hamilton Okeke2025–present
Appointed Administrator effective July 1, 2025 by Archbishop William E. Lori, from the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Tribunal.