About St. Andrew Catholic Church · Newtown, Pennsylvania
Saint Andrew Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Founded in 1880 to serve Catholic railroad laborers who arrived with the 1878 opening of the railroad, the parish has grown into one of the largest in the region with a main church on Swamp Road, the historic Olde Church on South Sycamore Street, and the Catholic Education Center (preschool and elementary school) on Wrights Road. The parish operates a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, livestreams Mass, and runs extensive faith formation, music, charity, and outreach ministries. Worship includes multiple Sunday Masses, daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and a robust Confession schedule. In 2025 Saint Andrew began a three-year Next Generation Parish process with the Catholic Leadership Institute.
- Established
- 1880
- Patron
- Saint Andrew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Kevin C. Lawrence
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Why belong here
Saint Andrew is one of the larger parishes in Bucks County, offering multiple Sunday Masses, daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, regular Confession, livestreamed worship, and a deep bench of ministries for every age and stage of life — from preschool through the Catholic Education Center and a National Blue Ribbon School, to adult OCIA, small faith groups, choirs, and a vibrant youth program. Its outreach arms (St. Vincent de Paul Conference, H.O.P.E., Mary's Cupboard, the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ministry, Knights of Columbus) put faith into action across Newtown and the wider region. Members also benefit from a rare local treasure: the lovingly restored 1880 Olde Church on Sycamore Street, where the parish's roots are still celebrated.
Mass times at St. Andrew Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays, 6:30 PM
- Saturdays, 4:00–4:45 PM
History of Saint Andrew Parish
Saint Andrew was organized about 1876 by Father P.F. Lynch, who celebrated the first Catholic Masses in Newtown at the home of Nicholas McGowan. The opening of the Newtown railroad in 1878 drew Catholic laborers to the area, and in 1880 a small group of Catholic families built the original stone church at 135 South Sycamore Street, dedicating it to Saint Andrew the Apostle. By 1985 the parish had outgrown the original building and opened its present Main Church on Swamp Road. The 1880 Olde Church was lovingly restored in 2001 (with stained-glass work completed in 2007) and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1876: Parish organized by Father P.F. Lynch
- 1878: Newtown railroad opens, drawing Catholic laborers
- 1880: Olde Church built at 135 S. Sycamore Street
- 1883: Rectory built (later razed 2002)
- 1910: Bell tower and parapet added to Olde Church
- 1930: Convent added
- 1980: Parish celebrates 100th anniversary with printed booklet
- 1985: Main Church on Swamp Road opens for first Mass
- 2001: Olde Church fully restored with new Welsh slate roof
- 2007: Stained glass restored; Newtown Historic Association marker erected
- 2005: Parish history documented by Catholic Historical Research Center
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Msgr. Kevin C. Lawrence, with Rev. Msgr. Michael Picard serving as Pastor Emeritus. Two parochial vicars and three permanent deacons assist, alongside a staff that includes the Director of Religious Education, Director of Music & Liturgy, Adult Faith Formation coordinator, and Parish Financial Manager.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Kevin C. Lawrence
- Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Msgr. Michael Picard
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Alexander W. Pancoast
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Peter Nho V. Nguyen
- Permanent Deacons: Deacon Edward E. Duess, Deacon Steven M. Javie, Deacon John S. McDonald
- Director of Religious Education: Cathy DeRico
- Director of Music & Liturgy: David Kimock
- Adult Faith Formation: Mai Pham
- Parish Financial Manager: Richard Schellinger
Catholic Education Center & School
The Catholic Education Center at 51 Wrights Road, Newtown, houses Saint Andrew Catholic School, a preschool and elementary school serving Council Rock, Pennsbury, Neshaminy, Central Bucks, New Hope-Solebury, Bensalem, Bristol, Centennial, and New Jersey school districts. The school was named a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2013 and again in 2021. The Preschool is co-located at 51 Wrights Road.
- President: Robert Sikora
- Principal: Jessica Wagner
- Assistant Principal: Andrew Fasullo
- Admissions: Deb Rachuba
- Phone: 215-968-2685
- Web: standrewcec.com
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Saint Andrew offers a comprehensive Religious Education program for children and adults, led by Director Cathy DeRico. The program focuses on the Real Presence of the Eucharist and includes a Special Needs track. Adult formation is coordinated by Mai Pham, and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes meet in the lower level of the Olde Church from 7:00–8:30 PM during the program year.
- Saint Andrew Religious Education (215-968-6929)
- Special Needs Religious Education program
- OCIA / RCIA classes at the Olde Church
- Adult Faith Formation with Mai Pham
Music & Liturgy Ministries
The Music & Liturgy program, directed by David Kimock, supports the parish's worship with multiple ensembles that rehearse in the Main Church and sacristy. The choirs and tonechimes ensemble sing at Masses, an annual Christmas Concert, First Holy Eucharist, and Good Friday's Liturgy of the Passion.
- Adult Choir — rehearses Wednesdays 7:30–9:00 PM; sings 10:30 AM Sunday Mass
- Youth Choir — grades 3–8, rehearses Mondays 4:30–5:15 PM
- Tonechimes — grades 5–8, rehearses Mondays 4:30–5:15 PM
- Chamber Choir — auditioned, rehearses Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 PM
- Annual Christmas Concert
- Liturgy of the Passion on Good Friday
Outreach & Charitable Ministries
Saint Andrew lives out the corporal works of mercy through a number of parish-based outreach programs. These include the parish's own Saint Vincent de Paul Conference, the Knights of Columbus, the H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everyday) Ministry, food collections through Mary's Cupboard delivered to Catholic Social Services in Levittown, and specialized support ministries for families experiencing pregnancy loss and for those who are grieving.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference — [email protected], ext. 512
- Knights of Columbus
- H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everyday)
- Mary's Cupboard food & hygiene collection for Catholic Social Services
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ministry (Kathy Coolahan, Monica Lawall)
- Bereavement Ministry — Healing Power of the Blessed Mother meetings
Small Faith Groups & Adult Faith Life
Small Faith Groups meet regularly across the parish for men, women, and the wider community, offering gospel reflection, faith sharing, rosary, practical Catholicism talks, and personal testimonials. The parish also offers dedicated ministries for new parishioners, baptism preparation, and a Next Generation Parish process begun in 2025.
- Men's Small Faith Group (18–45): 1st Saturday each month
- Women's Small Faith Group: every other Saturday, St. Michael Room
- General Small Faith Groups: 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Saturdays
- Online new-parishioner registration available
- Next Generation Parish initiative with Catholic Leadership Institute (2025)
Parish Facilities & Locations
The parish operates three Newtown properties. The Main Church at 81 Swamp Road is the principal worship space; the Olde Church at 135 S. Sycamore Street is the historic 1880 building used for special Masses, devotions, and parish meetings; and the Catholic Education Center at 51 Wrights Road houses the preschool and elementary school. All facilities are accessible per the Archdiocese of Philadelphia listing.
- Main Church — 81 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940
- Olde Church — 135 S. Sycamore Street, Newtown, PA 18940
- Catholic Education Center — 51 Wrights Road, Newtown, PA 18940
- Facilities contact: [email protected]
- Accessible church and meeting room with accessible restroom
Visiting the Olde Church
The 1880 Olde Church of Saint Andrew is a must-see piece of Newtown history. Built of coursed ashlar stone from the Lewis Buckman Quarry, modified Gothic in style, with a 1910 bell tower and parapet overlooking the parish cemetery, it was thoroughly restored in 2001 (Welsh slate roof, ribbon pointing, repainted murals, reinforced stained glass, new pews) with stained-glass restoration completed in 2007. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Newtown Heritage Walk, and a Newtown Historic Association marker was erected in 2007.
- National Register of Historic Places listing
- Newtown Heritage Walk site
- Newtown Historic Association marker (2007)
- Coursed ashlar stone from Lewis Buckman Quarry
- Restoration completed 2001 (building) and 2007 (stained glass)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. P.F. Lynchc. 1876 – ?
Organized the parish about 1876 and celebrated the first Masses in Newtown at the home of Nicholas McGowan; led the effort that led to the 1880 construction of the Olde Church.
