About St. Andrew the Apostle · Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
St. Andrew the Apostle is a Roman Catholic parish in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Diocese of Harrisburg (Franklin Deanery). Founded in 1818 with the first Mass offered in the home of Joseph Oller in neighboring Rouzerville, it is one of the oldest faith communities in Franklin County and today serves roughly 1,690 registered families from the church at the corner of North Broad and East Main streets. The parish operates its own parish school, St. Andrew Catholic School (K-8), founded in 1925, and supports faith formation, sacramental preparation, and a high-school youth ministry.
- Established
- 1818
- Patron
- Saint Andrew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher Onyeneke, MSSCC
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg (Franklin Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Andrew the Apostle has served Waynesboro for more than two centuries and remains a tight-knit faith community of roughly 1,690 members. Parishioners can worship with a full schedule of daily, weekend, and Holy Day Masses, send their children to the parish's own K-8 Catholic school, walk their teens through Confirmation and a 9th-12th-grade youth group, and accompany 2nd graders and their families as they prepare for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist — all from the same parish family at the corner of Broad and Main.
Mass times at St. Andrew the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- First Wednesday of the month: 7:00 – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- First Sunday: 7:00 – 7:30 AM
History of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish
Catholic settlers were living in what is now Waynesboro as early as 1791, and the village was founded in 1797 and incorporated as a Borough on December 21, 1818. The first Mass was celebrated in the stone home of Joseph Oller (the Stouffer House) in Rouzerville, Washington Township, before 1819; in that year Father Nicholas Zocchi built the first Catholic church on Mt. Airy Avenue. That structure eventually fell to ruin in the 1940s. Between 1819 and 1853 the community was served by visiting Jesuit Fathers from Conewango Chapel and other missionary priests.
Church Buildings & Construction Milestones
On May 9, 1850, Bishop Francis P. Kendrick of Philadelphia laid the cornerstone of a new church on the corner of Broad and Main Streets. The present church was built during the pastorate of Father James P. McDermott and dedicated on September 6, 1908, by Bishop John W. Shanahan of Harrisburg. Major renovations followed: stained-glass windows were installed in 1951, and in 1988 the church interior was completely renovated to the appearance parishioners know today.
St. Andrew Catholic School
St. Andrew Catholic School was built and dedicated on August 25, 1925, during the second pastorate of Father William J. O'Callaghan. It remains the sole private school in Waynesboro, offering kindergarten through 8th grade and welcoming students of all faith backgrounds. Religious sisters taught at the school for decades — the Sisters of Mercy until 1970 and the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius from 1974 until 1998. A three-classroom wing with a meeting room was added in 1990, and the convent was demolished in 2000 due to its condition. In 2013 the school expanded to include middle school grades, and a new east-side expansion was added on campus.
- Founded: August 25, 1925
- Grades: K-8
- Catholic identity, lay teachers and principal today
- Governance: Board of Education (includes Pastor Fr. Christopher Onyeneke, MSSCC)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a pastor and supported by a deacon, parish secretarial staff, and a Director of Religious Education. According to both the parish and the Diocese of Harrisburg, current leadership includes:
- Rev. Christopher Onyeneke, MSSCC — Pastor (installed June 20, 2022)
- Deacon Michael D. McGovern
- Susan Pyatt — Secretary
- Peg Wagaman — Religious Education Coordinator / Director of Religious Education
- Regenia Smarsh — Financial Secretary
Sacramental Preparation
The parish follows the Diocese of Harrisburg's two-year catechesis requirement for First Eucharist, with preparation beginning in Grade 1 and reception of the sacraments in Grade 2. Confirmation preparation begins in Grade 7 and culminates with the sacrament in the spring of Grade 8, centering on the candidate's relationship with parents, sponsors, peers and the parish community.
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion (Grade 2 program)
- Confirmation preparation (Grades 7-8)
- Regular Mass and class attendance required for reception
Youth Group (Grades 9–12)
The parish youth group is open to all high-school teens in grades 9 through 12. It meets on the first and third Sundays of most months from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and focuses on faith, learning opportunities, activities, and retreats. Contact: Maria Clement at [email protected].
Visit, Location & Accessibility
The parish is located in the heart of Waynesboro at the corner of North Broad and East Main Streets. From I-81, take exit 5 east into town; at the fourth traffic light, turn left onto Broad Street. The Diocese of Harrisburg lists the church, parking, restrooms, and social hall as accessible facilities for visitors.
- Address: 12 N. Broad St., Waynesboro, PA 17268
- Phone: (717) 762-1914
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: standrewwbo.org
Parish Mission
The parish states its mission plainly on its home page: "Through Faith and the Sacraments, St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Follows Christ by Proclaiming the Gospel, Serving with Love, and walking together toward eternal life." Parishioners are invited to contribute their Time & Talent to support the many ministries of the parish family.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James M. BarrJune 1893 –
First resident pastor; rectory built during his tenure.
- Father William J. O'Callaghan
Second pastorate when Saint Andrew School was built and dedicated on August 25, 1925.
- Father James P. McDermott
Pastorate during which the present church was built and dedicated on September 6, 1908.
- Father Thomas J. HemlerMay 1983 – June 2004
- Father David S. KellerJune 2004 – October 2007
- Father Dennis Gerard DalessandroNovember 25, 2007 – June 2009
Installed November 25, 2007; returned to Berwick, PA in June 2009. Celebrated the 100th anniversary Mass with Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades on September 7, 2008.
- Father John B. Bateman2009 – June 20, 2014
Installed 2009; left on June 20, 2014.
- Father Augusty ValomchalilJune 29, 2014 – May 7, 2017
Installed June 29, 2014; left May 7, 2017.
- Father Robert MalagesiMay 21, 2017 –
Installed as pastor on May 21, 2017.
- Father Christopher Onyeneke, MSSCCJune 20, 2022 – present
Installed by Rev. Allan Wolfe (Dean of the Franklin Deanery, pastor of Corpus Christi Church in Chambersburg) on June 20, 2022; installation Mass celebrated July 10, 2022.