About St. Joseph · Dallastown, Pennsylvania
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg located at 251 East Main Street in Dallastown, York County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1850 as a mission served by visiting Jesuit priests under the Bishop of Philadelphia, the parish was assigned a full-time priest in 1868 when the Diocese of Harrisburg was erected, and today worships in a church built in 1963 that still houses the original 1,200-pound bell purchased in 1890. The parish is part of the York Deanery, sustains roughly 1,448 households, runs an attached Catholic elementary school (Pre-K through Grade 6), and serves its community through worship, faith formation, Confirmation preparation, and outreach under the leadership of Rev. Christopher Oranyeli, OP (Administrator), and Deacon Daniel L. Bernardy.
- Established
- 1850
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher Oranyeli, OP (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg (York Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a historic, mid-sized parish where the Eucharist is celebrated daily and a strong sacramental life is offered — including Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses, weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, and Saturday confessions. Families with children can enroll in the parish Religious Education program (classes resumed September 7, 2025) or send their children to the attached St. Joseph School (Pre-K through Grade 6), with Confirmation preparation for 7th and 8th graders that combines classroom work with real service hours (altar serving, greeting, library and school volunteering). A Deacon, a parish Music Minister, and a Director of Religious Education support a worshipping community that aims, in its own words, to 'manifest the Kingdom of God through worship, fellowship, education, evangelization and service.'
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:40 PM in the Church (or by appointment; call the parish office at 717-246-3007)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Prayer & Adoration – First Friday
About St. Joseph Parish
Welcome to St. Joseph Church, Dallastown — a Catholic community of faith that has been worshipping the Lord and serving his people since 1850. Rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and united in Baptism, the parish family welcomes all who enter and wish to belong. The parish seeks to manifest the Kingdom of God through worship, fellowship, education, evangelization, and service. It is part of the York Deanery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.
- Founded 1850 (Jesuit mission, under the Bishop of Philadelphia)
- Currently administered by the Diocese of Harrisburg (York Deanery)
- Approximately 1,448 households/individuals served
History
Before 1850, Catholics in southern York County traveled to New Freedom or York for Mass. That year St. Joseph's was founded as a mission church served by visiting priests of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). In 1868, when the Diocese of Harrisburg was created, St. Joseph's received its first full-time resident priest. The parish grew steadily: a bell was purchased in 1890, a rectory built in 1895, an elementary school opened in 1927 under the Sisters of St. Francis, and the present church building constructed in 1963 — which still houses the original 1,200-pound bell.
- 1850 — Mission founded (Jesuit fathers, under the Bishop of Philadelphia)
- 1868 — Diocese of Harrisburg erected; first full-time priest assigned
- 1890 — 1,200-pound bell purchased (still in use today)
- 1895 — Rectory built
- 1927 — Elementary school opened, staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis
- 1963 — Present church building constructed
Liturgical Calendar (Holy Days & Christmas / New Year)
St. Joseph publishes a special schedule for Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (New Year), as well as for other Holy Days throughout the year. These schedules override the regular weekly calendar.
- Christmas Eve: 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 12:00 Midnight
- Christmas Day: 10:00 AM
- Mary, Mother of God — Vigil: 5:00 PM
- Mary, Mother of God — Day: 9:00 AM
- Holy Days (except Christmas Season): 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM
Clergy & Staff
The parish is currently administered by Rev. Christopher Oranyeli, OP, assisted by Deacon Daniel L. Bernardy. A lay staff supports parish operations, worship, and faith formation.
- Administrator: Rev. Christopher Oranyeli, OP
- Deacon: Deacon Daniel L. Bernardy
- Fr. Mark Weiss — Pastor (listed on parish staff page)
- Office Administrator: Mrs. Shirley Cherry
- Receptionist: Mrs. Dana Kohajda
- Music Minister: Mrs. Patricia Germick
- Director of Religious Education: Megan Wood
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Religious Education classes resume September 7, 2025. The program is guided by the Holy Spirit, with catechists journeying with families as they grow in the knowledge of God's love, and working to bring about the Kingdom of God through learning and compassion. The parish also offers Vacation Bible School.
- Mission: to journey with families in learning and growing in the knowledge of God's love
- Religious Education classes (2025 classes begin Sept. 7)
- Vacation Bible School
- Volunteer opportunities in Religious Education
Confirmation Program
The parish prepares youth for the Sacrament of Confirmation through a two-year program (Confirmation I in 7th grade and Confirmation II in 8th grade). The program includes classroom work and required service hours, and extends to Confirmation students from York Catholic High School and the home-school program. Candidates complete service hours through roles such as altar server (training provided), Mass greeter, weekly bulletin distribution, assisting younger students at school, library volunteering, and other community service. The program concludes with an interview with the pastor and a letter to the bishop.
- Confirmation I (7th grade) — service-hour requirements begin
- Confirmation II (8th grade) — 20 total service hours
- Service opportunities: altar server, greeter, bulletin distribution, school helper, library, local volunteering
- Interview with the pastor and letter to the bishop
St. Joseph School (Pre-K – Grade 6)
The parish school, located at 271 East Main Street, has been in continuous operation since 1927, when it was opened and staffed entirely by the Sisters of St. Francis. Today it continues to offer Catholic education from pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade, serving the families of the parish and the wider Dallastown area.
- Address: 271 East Main Street, Dallastown, PA 17313
- Grades served: Pre-K through 6
- Founded 1927 by the Sisters of St. Francis
Sacraments
St. Joseph's sacramental life centers on the Eucharist, Penance, and Confirmation. Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick are coordinated through the parish office in line with standard diocesan practice.
- Eucharist (daily and Sunday Masses)
- Sacrament of Penance (Saturday 4:00 PM or by appointment)
- Confirmation (two-year program for youth)
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — through the parish office
Visit, Contact & Accessibility
St. Joseph welcomes visitors at 251 East Main Street, Dallastown. The parish office can be reached at 717-246-3007. The Diocese of Harrisburg parish listing notes that the church, parking, and restrooms are accessible, and assistive-listening devices are available.
- Address: 251 East Main Street, Dallastown, PA 17313
- Phone: 717-246-3007
- Handicap access: church, parking, restrooms
- Assistive-listening devices available
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend John McCloskey, OFM Cap.by 2015
Listed as Pastor in the Diocese of Harrisburg Official Directory 2015–2016.