About St. Francis Xavier · Mc Kean, Pennsylvania
St. Francis Xavier Parish is a welcoming Catholic parish serving the Borough of McKean in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding communities. The parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie and traces its roots to a small settlement of about 30 Irish and German families near Elk Creek in 1834. Today it continues that same mission: as the People of God, the community commits itself to loving God, loving others, and making disciples, welcoming founders, longtime parishioners, newcomers, and visitors alike. Its current worship site is the third church structure on the edge of town, built in 1968, while the historic original site off Buman Road is now marked with a commemorative stone and plaque.
- Established
- 1838
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. Benjamin (Ben) Daghir
- Diocese
- Diocese of Erie (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier is rooted in one of the oldest Catholic communities in the Erie region — its very origins predate the Diocese of Erie — and yet feels like a small, personal parish where founders, longtime members, newcomers, and visitors are all welcomed by name. Active ministries span religious education and youth ministry (led by a Director of Evangelization), weekly in-person and livestreamed Masses, a parish cemetery, and a parish center available for reservation. If you want a parish with deep local history, daily Mass options, Saturday confession, and a real effort to make disciples in the McKean area, this is a worthy home.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 5:00–5:30 p.m.
- Other announced times throughout the year
- Anytime by appointment
Parish History
St. Francis Xavier Parish's roots stretch back to 1834, when Bishop Francis Kenrick came upon a settlement of around 30 Irish and German Catholic families near Elk Creek, twelve miles from the nearest town. A first church was built in 1838 and the first recorded Mass was celebrated in 1842 by Bishop Kenrick. The parish was assigned as a mission to St. Boniface in 1857, with Father J. A. Oberhoeffer performing the first baptism, and Father A. Rech becoming the first in-residence priest in 1863. A second church was built in 1876 (the one described in the 1896 Nelson's Biographical Dictionary, with Rev. Francis Aaron as rector), with major additions/renovations in 1922 and 1959. Bishop John Mark Gannon briefly served as pastor in 1923. The present (third) church was built in 1968 on the edge of town, and Father Stephen Kotyuk, appointed in 1964, blessed the new bell tower in July 1980.
- Settlement encountered by Bishop Kenrick — 1834
- First church built — 1838
- First recorded Mass — 1842
- Assigned as mission to St. Boniface — 1857
- First priest in residence: Fr. A. Rech — 1863
- Second church built — 1876; major additions 1922, 1959
- Rector in 1895: Rev. Francis Aaron
- Current (third) church built — 1968
- New bell tower blessed by Fr. Stephen Kotyuk — July 1980
Cemetery & Historic Sites
The parish maintains a cemetery today between two portions of the Sterrettania Cemetery on West Road, with the land purchased in 1893 to replace the original burial ground near the 1833 church. The original 1833 church-and-cemetery site on Buman Road — east of the terminus of Milfair Road — is marked by a commemorative stone and plaque together with gathered gravestones set in a cement base.
- New cemetery land at Sterrettania purchased — 1893
- Original 1833 site preserved with commemorative stone and plaque on Buman Road
- Cemetery inquiries handled via the parish office (Kathy Orlando, x3)
Mass & Sacrament Schedule
The parish offers daily Mass four days a week plus a Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses. The Sacrament of Penance is heard weekly on Saturday afternoons, with additional announced times and by-appointment availability throughout the year. Holy Day Masses are offered at 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Weekday Mass: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri at 7:30 a.m. (in person and online)
- Saturday Vigil: 6 p.m. (in person and online)
- Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. (in person and online)
- Holy Day: 7:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Confession: Saturday 5:00–5:30 p.m.; other announced times; by appointment
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by pastor Rev. Benjamin (Ben) Daghir, assisted by retired Deacon Ron Fronzaglia. Day-to-day parish operations are coordinated by support staff member Kathy Orlando, with faith-formation and evangelization led by Irene Schneider (Director of Evangelization) and youth ministry by Chandler Villanueva. Sarah Beaver is also listed on parish communications.
- Pastor: Rev. Ben Daghir — 814-476-7657 x6, [email protected]
- Deacon (Retired): Ron Fronzaglia — 814-864-6772
- Parish Office / Cemetery / Center Reservations: Kathy Orlando — 814-476-7657 x3, [email protected]
- Director of Evangelization: Irene Schneider — 814-476-7657 x7, [email protected]
- Youth Ministry: Chandler Villanueva — [email protected]
- Sarah Beaver — [email protected]
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Religious education and evangelization are coordinated by Irene Schneider, the parish's Director of Evangelization. Youth ministry is led by Chandler Villanueva. Together they support formation for parish children, teens, and families and tie into the parish's wider mission of 'loving God, loving others, and making disciples.'
- Director of Evangelization: Irene Schneider
- Youth Ministry: Chandler Villanueva
Livestream & Online Outreach
St. Francis Xavier livestreams its services so that those unable to attend in person can still participate. The parish streams via YouTube and mirrors the feed on Facebook, with the parish noting visitors should arrive about 5 minutes before Mass when joining via Facebook.
- Livestream available on YouTube
- Facebook mirror of the livestream feed
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Parishioners, newcomers, and visitors are all warmly welcomed. The parish office is the hub for general inquiries, parish-center reservations, and cemetery information. The parish center is available to reserve for parish-related events.
- Physical address: 8880 W. Main St., McKean, PA 16426
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 317, McKean, PA 16426
- Phone: (814) 476-7657
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish Center reservations via the parish office
Diocese & Affiliation
St. Francis Xavier Parish is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania — a relationship visible both on the parish's website and on the diocese's parish directory page, which lists the parish's full contact details and Mass schedule.
- Listed on the Diocese of Erie parish directory (Parish #10306)
- Pastor's email uses the @eriercd.org domain
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father J. A. Oberhoeffer1857
Performed the first baptism at the parish; served when it was assigned as a mission of St. Boniface.
- Father A. Rechfrom 1863
First priest in residence at the parish.
- Rev. Francis Aaron1895 (rector)
Listed as rector of St. Francis Catholic Church in 1896 Nelson's Biographical Dictionary.
- Bishop John Mark Gannon1923
Briefly served as pastor before his episcopal career (later Bishop of Erie).
- Father Stephen Kotyukfrom 1964
Appointed 1964; blessed the new bell tower in July 1980.