About St. John the Baptist · Summerhill, Pennsylvania
St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic parish in Summerhill, Pennsylvania, part of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Founded in 1903 and historically served by Benedictine monks from Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, PA (the first Benedictine monastery in the United States), the parish shares ministry with its sister church, Immaculate Conception in nearby New Germany. Today the parish is led by Fr. Joseph Nale as pastor, with Fr. Donald Dusza serving as parochial vicar and Deacon Richard Golden assisting, offering daily and weekend Masses, religious education for grades 1–11, OCIA for adults, and a wide range of liturgical and outreach ministries serving Cambria County.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph C. Nale
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist offers the stability of more than 120 years of Catholic life in Summerhill, staffed by clergy of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and rooted in the Benedictine tradition of Saint Vincent Archabbey. Parishioners find a full sacramental life — weekday and Sunday Mass, confession before every weekend Mass, Thursday adoration at the sister church, and OCIA for adults — along with religious education for grades 1 through 11, a parish choir and cantor program, and lay ministries such as altar servers, lectors, ushers and greeters, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and St. Vincent de Paul–style outreach. The parish also shares the New Germany Grove Hall, a 400-seat handicap-accessible reception venue that hosts parish fish fries, the 4th of July picnic, fundraisers, and community events year-round.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 5:15 PM (15 minutes before weekend Masses)
- Sunday: 8:15 AM (15 minutes before weekend Masses)
Adoration times
- Thursdays 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM at sister-parish Immaculate Conception, New Germany (available November through April)
Parish Identity & Heritage
Saint John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown serving the residents of Summerhill and the surrounding Cambria County area. It has been and continues to be rooted in the Benedictine tradition of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania — the first Benedictine monastery in the United States. Today's parish operates as a collaborative with sister-parish Immaculate Conception in New Germany, sharing clergy and ministries across both worship sites.
History: From a Branch Chapel to a Parish Family
Saint John's Parish dates to the turn of the 20th century, when Catholics — drawn by the town's proximity to the railroad — began arriving in Summerhill in numbers too large to keep traveling to Immaculate Conception in New Germany. The full history, including the choice of the parish's name by a fund-raising contest between two brothers, is preserved in the parish's centennial record.
- Cornerstone blessed May 24, 1903, by Bishop Eugene A. Garvey
- First Mass celebrated Christmas Day 1903, before pews or organ were installed
- Bishop Garvey dedicated the new church October 9, 1904
- Original parish: 70 families (392 souls)
- 1904 Van Dusen bell, 35 inches in diameter, 800 pounds
- Rectory built on land purchased for $150; John Long again architect-contractor
- Sanctuary and church renovated during summer of 1977; main altar changed in the 1950s
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led today by clergy of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and assisted by a permanent deacon. Fr. Joseph Nale is pastor, with Fr. Donald Dusza serving as parochial vicar and Deacon Richard Golden assisting in liturgical and pastoral ministries.
- Rev. Joseph C. Nale — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Donald Dusza — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Richard Golden ([email protected])
- Parish office staffed Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Faith Formation
The parish runs a Parish Religious Program (CCD) for children and teens in First Grade through Eleventh Grade, with First Communion and Confirmation preparation built in. The mission is to help youth gain a deeper love and knowledge of God and to grow in knowledge and practice of the Catholic faith. Catechists, substitutes, and Confirmation leaders are needed; volunteers may call the parish office.
- Parish Religious Program (CCD), grades 1–11
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
- Volunteer opportunities for catechists, substitutes, Confirmation leaders
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the parish's faith-formation process for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. It serves unbaptized adults seeking God intentionally, Christians baptized in other denominations, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received Confirmation and Eucharist. The team teaches the fullness of the Catholic faith, relates it to Holy Scripture, and walks alongside seekers through the four periods and three rites of the OCIA process.
- OCIA for unbaptized adults (catechumens)
- OCIA for baptized Christians seeking full communion
- OCIA for baptized Catholics completing Sacraments of Initiation
- Four periods of growth and three rites in the OCIA process
- Opportunities to serve as sponsors or team members
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy in a wide variety of roles, from welcoming at the door to proclaiming Scripture, distributing Holy Communion, and leading sacred music. All liturgical ministers are registered parishioners, and many roles are open to teens who have been Confirmed.
- Altar Servers — assist at daily and weekend Masses, weddings, funerals, and special occasions
- Lectors / Readers — proclaim Sacred Scripture and the Prayers of the Faithful
- Ushers and Greeters — welcome worshippers, direct movement, assist with emergencies
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — distribute the Eucharist and bring Communion to the sick and homebound
- Collectors — gather the offering and donations for those in need
- Adult Choir — trained singers who lead and enhance congregational sacred music
- Cantor — serves as music leader, psalm verse singer, and worship facilitator
Outreach & Service
The parish extends the Eucharistic and corporal works of mercy beyond its walls through visits to the sick and homebound, and through parish-wide fundraisers that serve the broader Cambria County community. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned by the bishop and delegated by the pastor to bring the Blessed Sacrament to those unable to attend Mass.
- Communion to the sick and homebound
- Annual St. John's Funny Fundraiser
- Immaculate Conception 4th of July Picnic at New Germany Grove Hall
- Parish Fish Fry events at New Germany Grove Hall
Parish Events & The Grove Hall
The New Germany Grove Hall, located on the property of sister-parish Immaculate Conception Church at 1635 New Germany Road, Summerhill, is a handicap-accessible reception venue run by the parish and rented for a wide range of community events. It serves Cambria County year-round and supports parish fundraisers and socials.
- Wedding receptions and bridal showers
- Baby showers, parties, anniversary celebrations
- Funeral luncheons, banquets and dinners
- Dances, meetings and fundraisers
- Seats up to 400 people
- Clean tile dancing floor and clean restrooms
- Bartenders provided for BYO alcohol events
- Handicap accessible
- Rental coordinated through the parish office (814-495-5241)
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office during regular hours by phone, fax, or email. The parish publishes a weekly bulletin and links to diocesan communications including the Proclaim newsletter.
- Mailing address: P.O. Box 248, Summerhill, PA 15958
- Office address: 538 Main Street, Summerhill, PA 15958
- Church address: 540 Main Street, Summerhill, PA 15958
- Phone: 814.495.5241
- Fax: 814.495.9522
- General email: [email protected]
- Pastor email: [email protected]
- Deacon email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Diocesan website: dioceseaj.org; Proclaim: https://proclaim.dioceseaj.org
Sister Parish: Immaculate Conception, New Germany
St. John the Baptist shares clergy and programming with Immaculate Conception Parish in New Germany. Masses at Immaculate Conception are offered Wednesday at 7:45 AM, Friday at 7:45 AM, Saturday at 4:00 PM, and Sunday at 7:00 AM. Confession is heard 15 minutes before weekend Masses, and Exposition and Adoration take place there on Thursdays.
- Immaculate Conception Church — 1640 New Germany Road, Summerhill, PA 15958
- Mass times: Wed 7:45 AM; Fri 7:45 AM; Sat 4:00 PM; Sun 7:00 AM
- Confession 15 minutes before weekend Masses
- Adoration Thursdays 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM (November–April)
- New Germany Grove Hall on parish grounds