About St. Joseph · Emmitsburg, Maryland
St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Emmitsburg, Maryland is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, with roots that stretch back to the very founding of the town in 1785–1786. The parish is celebrated for its historic 1841 Italian Renaissance-style church building, its deep ties to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and the founding of the Sisters of Charity, and its long association with Mount St. Mary's University. Today the parish is served by priests of the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE) and is part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, offering daily and Sunday Masses, a robust faith formation program for children through Confirmation preparation, youth ministry, Eucharistic Adoration, and outreach ministries including Stephen Ministry and the Legion of Mary.
- Established
- 1786
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Mariano Vicchi, I.V.E.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Joseph's offers a small-town Catholic community where parishioners can be deeply involved: daily Mass in a historic 1841 church, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, weekly Confession, the Miraculous Medal Novena on Mondays, and a parish mission rooted in active participation in the Eucharist, evangelization, and service to those in need. Children and teens are well-cared for through Kindergarten–Confirmation faith formation, the Voces Verbi youth group, and Children's Oratory, while adults have access to OCIA, Catholics Returning Home, Voces Verbi Bible Study, the Legion of Mary, and Stephen Ministry for those who are hurting.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:15 P.M. – 4:15 P.M.
- Sunday: 9:15 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
- First Saturday of each month: 9:15 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
- Thursday: 7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of every month: 9:15 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.
- Daily Monday–Saturday: 7:00 A.M. – 8:00 A.M.
- Every Thursday: beginning after morning Mass, ending with Benediction at 8:00 P.M.
Our Parish & Mission
St. Joseph's mission statement declares: 'We, as a faith community under the patronage of St. Joseph, seek to continue the Mission of Jesus Christ. Through active participation in the Eucharist, we commit to share our faith, to evangelize, and help those in need.' The parish welcomes new parishioners and encourages all who visit to register by calling or stopping in at the Parish Office.
- Patron: St. Joseph
- Served by priests of the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE)
- Faith Formation directed by the Servants of the Lord & the Virgin of Matara (SSVM)
- New parishioners welcome — register by calling the Parish Office
History of St. Joseph's Parish
The Catholic community was organized together with Emmitsburg itself in 1785–1786. James Hughes set aside a room in his house as the first chapel (1786); Father Matthew Ryan became the first resident pastor and built the first church in 1793. The current Italian Renaissance-style church was built under Father John McCaffrey in 1841–1842. Since 1852 the parish has been entrusted to religious orders: first the Vincentians (Congregation of the Mission) and today the IVE.
- 1786 — James Hughes's house chapel (the 'Cradle of the Parish')
- 1793 — First wooden church built on Hughes-donated land
- 1809 — St. Elizabeth Ann Seton arrives; names the area 'St. Joseph's Valley'
- 1841 — Cornerstone laid by Archbishop Eccleston (May 6)
- 1842 — Church dedicated September 29 on the feast of St. Michael the Archangel
- 1849 — Church bell cast (restored 1940)
- 1852 — Parish entrusted to the Vincentians (Congregation of the Mission); St. Vincent's House built
- Today — Served by the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE)
Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently led by a team of two priests, religious sisters, and lay staff, all working together to serve the Emmitsburg faith community.
- Rev. Mariano Vicchi, IVE — Pastor (301-741-0490)
- Rev. Peter Trinko, IVE — Associate Pastor
- Ms. Sarah Heil — Office Manager (301-447-2326 ext. 10)
- Mr. James Lewis — Bookkeeper (301-447-2326 ext. 27)
- Sister Trinity — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 19; [email protected])
- Mr. John Miller — Custodian
- Mary Myers — Director, Catholics Returning Home
- Arlene Putnam — Volunteer contact for Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, singers (717-642-4245)
Sacramental Life
The parish walks with families through every major sacramental moment, from Baptism preparation through Marriage, with policies and formation programs to support each step.
- Baptism — registered parishioner; parents and godparents attend baptismal prep class before the child's birth
- First Holy Communion & Confirmation — prepared through Faith Formation (K through 9th grade)
- Marriage — contact the parish at least one year before the proposed wedding
- Confession (Penance) — weekly schedule plus by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the Parish Office
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation program, directed by Sister Trinity of the Servants of the Lord & the Virgin of Matara, serves children from Kindergarten through Confirmation preparation in grades 7–9. Classes meet Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:45 P.M. Online registration is available via Jotform for the 2025–2026 year.
- Kindergarten through Confirmation (grades 7–9)
- Tuesday classes, 6:30 P.M. – 7:45 P.M.
- Director: Sister Trinity (SSVM)
- Online registration via Jotform for 2025–2026
- Adult Faith Formation programs and opportunities scheduled throughout the year
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
Adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their initiation sacraments participate in the parish's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the modern successor to the RCIA process.
- Open to unbaptized adults, baptized Christians, and baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation
- Contact Sister Trinity for more information
Youth & Family Ministry
The parish actively engages its teens and younger children through several ongoing programs, many of them meeting in conjunction with Faith Formation or at St. Anthony Shrine in Emmitsburg.
- Voces Verbi High School Youth Group — Tuesdays 6:30–7:45 P.M. with Faith Formation
- Voces Verbi Bible Study — Saturdays 10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. at St. Anthony Shrine
- Children's Oratory (ages 6+) — Saturdays 10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. at St. Anthony Shrine
- Catholics Returning Home — Director: Mary Myers (for inactive Catholics returning to the practice of the faith)
Parish Ministries & Volunteer Opportunities
St. Joseph's parish life runs on the gifts of its parishioners. Liturgical roles (Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, choir) and outreach ministries (Legion of Mary, Stephen Ministry) are always looking for new members.
- Eucharistic Ministers (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion)
- Lectors
- Singers / Choir — contact Arlene Putnam at 717-642-4245
- Legion of Mary — Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary (33-day preparation)
- Stephen Ministry — trained lay ministers walk alongside those who are hurting
- Catholics Returning Home
Parish Office & Visiting
The Parish Office is located at 47 DePaul Street, PO Box 376, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, just across from the church on DePaul Street. The historic church entrance itself is on North Seton Avenue. Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to call (301) 447-2326 with any questions, to register as parishioners, or to request information about sacraments, faith formation, or volunteering.
- Parish Office: 47 DePaul Street, PO Box 376, Emmitsburg, MD 21727
- Phone: (301) 447-2326
- Fax: (301) 447-3579
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stjosephcatholicchurchemmitsburg.com/
- Church entrance: 100 North Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Matthew Ryanfirst resident pastor, served from late 1700s until death in 1817
Came from Frederick; persuaded James Hughes to build the first chapel in 1793; buried in parish cemetery.
- Rev. John Hickey, S.S.1825–1841
First priest ordained at Mount St. Mary's; first American member of the Society of St. Sulpice in Baltimore; enlarged the original church.
- Rev. John McCaffrey1841–1851
Native of Emmitsburg; also president of Mount St. Mary's College; built the present Italian Renaissance-style church dedicated 1842; brother Thomas assisted him.
- Rev. Thomas Augustine McCaffreymid-1800s (multiple terms)
Brother of John McCaffrey; last pastor from Mount St. Mary's before the Vincentians took over in 1852.
- Father Maller, C.M.1852–
First Vincentian (Congregation of the Mission) pastor after Archbishop Eccleston entrusted the parish to the Vincentians in June 1852.