About St. Joseph · Hanover, Pennsylvania
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a large, diverse Roman Catholic parish serving Hanover, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Harrisburg. From its current home on Grandview Road — built in 1975 after the original Baltimore Street church was declared unsafe — the parish worships around 2,400 households and ministers to thousands of registered members through an attached Catholic school (Preschool–8), a robust K–8 School of Religious Instruction, a perpetual Adoration Chapel in nearby McSherrystown, and a wide network of parish and youth ministries. Mass is offered in both English and Spanish, and the parish describes itself as a Eucharistic community committed to the biblical call 'not to be served, but to serve.'
- Established
- 1864
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Michael W. Rothan
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers everything a Catholic family in the Hanover area could need under one parish umbrella: two English Sunday Masses plus a weekly Spanish Mass, daily 9:00 AM Mass Monday through Saturday, and both Saturday confession and a separate Spanish-language reconciliation time. A Preschool–8 parochial school, a K–8 School of Religious Instruction with Sunday and Monday sessions, an OCIA program for adults, and a vibrant Hispanic Ministry mean every age and stage is welcomed. Add in liturgical ministries, the St. Joseph Thrift Shop (since 2004), the Respect Life Committee, the Knights of Columbus, the Ablaze youth ministry, CYO sports, Grandview Seniors, and a Perpetual Adoration Chapel in nearby McSherrystown — and 'Servant Joy' stewardship — and you have a parish built on giving rather than being served.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM
- Sunday 2:00 PM (Spanish)
- Anytime by request
Adoration times
- First Friday at St. Joseph Parish: After the 9:00 AM Mass until 12:00 PM
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel, 9 N. Third Street, McSherrystown: Monday–Saturday open all hours; Sunday closed 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM for cleaning
Parish Overview
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a large, diverse Roman Catholic parish in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Located at 5055 Grandview Road, it offers weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, daily 9:00 AM Mass Monday through Saturday, Saturday confessions, and a perpetual Adoration Chapel in nearby McSherrystown. The parish's stated mission is to 'proclaim the Good News of Salvation and to serve our neighbors, by building and sharing a community of faith and love for the greater glory of God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, His Son, in union with the Holy Spirit.'
Mission & Stewardship
The parish describes itself as 'a diverse faith community called by the Holy Spirit and nurtured by the Eucharist and the word of God,' committed to the biblical mandate 'not to be served, but to serve.' In 2010 it formally launched a stewardship initiative called 'Servant Joy,' which emphasizes acknowledging God's gifts, sharing them, and returning a portion to God. A seven-week Time and Talent initiative helped parishioners identify their gifts via the 'Discovering the Gifts within You' survey and commit to specific ministries through the 'Time and Talent Intention Form.'
- Diverse faith community called by the Holy Spirit
- Servant Joy stewardship initiative (begun 2010)
- Time and Talent Intention Form
- Discovering the Gifts within You Survey
Parish History
Catholic presence in Hanover precedes the town's 1764 founding: a 1806 letter records Rev. Charles Merinchx saying Mass for seven or eight Catholic families, and Lots 93 and 94 were already purchased for the congregation on January 3, 1785. The Jesuit Fathers from Conewago ministered to Hanover Catholics from a home on Baltimore Street until November 3, 1863, when Fr. Peter Dompieri, S.J. opened the parish's first baptismal register. The parish was formally established in 1864 by purchase of the Methodist Episcopal Church on Baltimore Street; the first parochial school in Hanover followed in the same year, and in 1873 the Sisters of Saint Joseph took charge of the school — a ministry they would continue until 2015. The Baltimore Street church served until 1963, when it was condemned and demolished; the present Grandview Road church was dedicated in 1975 under Msgr. Robert C. Gribbin.
- 1806: Earliest recorded Mass in Hanover (Rev. Charles Merinchx, SJ)
- 1785: Lots 93 and 94 purchased for Catholic worship
- 1863: First baptismal record entry by Fr. Peter Dompieri, SJ
- 1864: Parish established; Methodist Episcopal Church on Baltimore Street purchased
- 1873: Sisters of St. Joseph assume charge of the school
- 1880: Original St. Joseph's Church on Baltimore Street dedicated (Nov 1)
- 1950: New school built; cornerstone laid Jan 1, 1950 (~$260,000)
- 1963: 1880 church condemned and demolished
- 1975: New Grandview Road church dedicated (Sept 1)
- 1996: Monsignor Gribbin Parish Center dedicated (Labor Day)
- 2001: Parish administrative center and priests' residence dedicated
- 2004: Thrift shop opened in the former rectory
- 2017: New school and education center blessed by Bishop Gainer (Aug 13)
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is currently led by Pastor Rev. Michael W. Rothan, with Parochial Vicar Rev. Cole T. Mase. Two permanent deacons — Deacon Timothy J. Shultis and Deacon Carlos Pichardo — assist with liturgy and the Hispanic community. Lay staff include a Parish Manager, Financial Secretary, secretaries, Coordinator of Religious Education (Stacey White), Coordinator of Sacred Music (Mark Topper on the diocesan listing; Paulino Contreras on the parish staff page), Hispanic Ministry coordinator (Elena Cabello), and Principal of the school (Melissa Connahey).
- Rev. Michael W. Rothan — Pastor
- Rev. Cole T. Mase — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Timothy J. Shultis — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Carlos Pichardo — Permanent Deacon
- Jay Snively — Parish Manager
- Stacey Pellas — Financial Secretary
- Colleen Small — Secretary
- Ashley de la Torre — Secretary / SRI & Youth Ministry Assistant
- Elena Cabello — Hispanic Ministry
- Kathy de la Torre — Director, SRI & Youth Ministry
- Paulino Contreras — Sacred Music Coordinator
- Stacey White — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Mark Topper — Coordinator of Sacred Music (Diocese listing)
- Melissa Connahey — Principal, St. Joseph Catholic School
- Craig Redding — OCIA Coordinator
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School is the parish's Preschool/PreK–8 elementary school, located at 5125 Grandview Road, next door to the church. It is led by Principal Melissa Connahey and is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The school's mission is 'to nurture the spiritual and academic growth of our students by challenging them to embrace the Gospel message, to achieve full academic potential, and, as Catholic Christian citizens, to make a difference in our school, our community and our world.' In August 2017 Bishop Ronald W. Gainer blessed a new nearly 12,000-square-foot Education Center addition with eight multi-purpose classrooms and a secure entrance vestibule, allowing elementary classrooms to move from the Baltimore Street building (built 1949, expanded in the early 1960s) to the Grandview Road campus.
- Preschool/PreK through Grade 8
- Mascot: Shamrocks; Motto: Excellence
- Accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Principal: Mrs. Melissa Connahey
- Advancement Director: Theresa Smith ([email protected])
- New ~12,000 sq ft Education Center blessed Aug 13, 2017
School of Religious Instruction (SRI)
The School of Religious Instruction offers religious education for Kindergarten through 8th-grade public-school and homeschooled children of the parish, with age-appropriate Catholic catechesis preparing children to receive the sacraments. Classes meet in two sessions during the school year: Sunday morning from 8:30–9:45 AM, and Monday evening from 6:00–7:15 PM. Registration packets (English and Spanish) for the 2026–2027 school year are made available through the parish office and the directors' mailbox in the narthex.
- K through 8th grade religious education
- Sunday 8:30–9:45 AM OR Monday 6:00–7:15 PM
- Director: Kathy De La Torre ([email protected], 717-632-0118 ext. 101)
- Registration forms available in English and Spanish
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
OCIA is an eight- to nine-month in-depth course of study required for adults seeking to become Catholic, covering the adult catechism and the traditions of the Church. It is also open to Catholics who wish to learn more about their faith. Weekly classes meet Thursday evenings from approximately 7:00 to 9:00 PM, September through April, with one to one-and-a-half hours of outside preparation expected. Adults interested in receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, or Confirmation should contact coordinator Craig Redding ([email protected] or 717-659-1924).
- Thursday evenings, 7:00–9:00 PM, September–April
- Coordinator: Craig Redding — [email protected], 717-659-1924
- Open to catechumens, candidates, and Catholics seeking deeper formation
Hispanic Community / Ministerio Hispano
The Spanish-language community of St. Joseph worships at the 12:00 PM Sunday Mass and gathers for separate formation and sacramental preparation throughout the week. Fr. Michael Rothan oversees Hispanic Ministry together with coordinator Elena Cabello; Deacon Carlos Pichardo assists, especially with marriage support (matrimonial help) and pre-baptismal formation. Baptism preparation talks are held in Spanish on the second Tuesday of each month; quinceañeras are scheduled the third Friday in Spanish when the church is available. RICA classes (the Spanish OCIA) and adult sacramental preparation (baptism, first communion, confirmation, marriage) run September through May.
- Sunday Mass in Spanish at 12:00 PM
- Sunday Spanish-language confessions at 2:00 PM
- Baptism preparation in Spanish: second Tuesday of each month
- Quinceañera: third Friday (call parish office)
- Adult sacramental preparation (baptism, communion, confirmation, marriage)
- RICA — Spanish OCIA, September–May
- Hispanic Ministry: Fr. Michael Rothan & Elena Cabello
- Marriage support: Deacon Carlos Pichardo
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are celebrated at St. Joseph. Baptism for infants is celebrated on the Sunday following the 12:00 PM Mass after a parent preparation class held the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Church Library; classes may be attended before the child is born. Marriage requires at least ten months' notice to the parish office and includes formation through either the 'God's Plan for Love' conference or an 'Engaged Encounter' weekend retreat. Children prepare for First Communion and Confirmation through the SRI program; adults prepare through OCIA. Sponsors (godparents) must be at least 16, fully initiated Catholics, and living in accord with Church teaching.
- Baptism — Sundays after 12:00 PM Mass; prep class first Tuesday 6:30 PM
- Eucharist (First Communion) — through SRI
- Confirmation — through SRI; adults through OCIA
- Matrimony — 10 months' notice; 'God's Plan for Love' or 'Engaged Encounter'
- RCIA / OCIA — coordinated by Craig Redding
- Sponsor eligibility: 16+, fully initiated, living in accord with Church teaching
Parish Ministries & Organizations
St. Joseph supports a wide network of parish ministries, councils, and fellowship organizations, all listed on the 'Get Involved' and 'Liturgical Ministries' pages of the website. Liturgical ministries are coordinated through published EMHC/Lector, Sacristan, Altar Server, and Music schedules. Service and fellowship groups include the Council of Catholic Women, the Hanover Area Knights of Columbus, the St. Conrad Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order, Grandview Seniors (SAM), the St. Joseph Thrift Shop, and the St. Joseph Respect Life Committee. Youth-focused programs include Ablaze (parish youth ministry) and the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), which fields boys' and girls' basketball and girls' volleyball teams within the Harrisburg Diocese.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Sacristans, Altar Servers, Sacred Music
- Council of Catholic Women
- Hanover Area Knights of Columbus
- St. Conrad Fraternity — Secular Franciscan Order
- Grandview Seniors (SAM)
- St. Joseph Thrift Shop (since 2004)
- St. Joseph Respect Life Committee
- St. Joseph Athletic Association
- Ablaze Parish Youth Ministry
- CYO basketball and volleyball (grades K–12)
- Communications Committee
- Advocacy for persons with disabilities
- Bishop's Annual Lenten Appeal
Facilities & Campus
The current Grandview Road campus has grown continuously since the new church was dedicated in 1975. The Monsignor Gribbin Parish Center (completed 1996) houses a gymnasium, social hall, meeting rooms, and classrooms used for SRI and middle-school programs. A parish administrative center and priests' residence was dedicated in 2001. The most recent expansion is the Saint Joseph Parish School and Education Center blessed on August 13, 2017 — a nearly 12,000-square-foot addition with eight multi-purpose classrooms, offices for the principal, nurse, and SRI, a secure entrance vestibule and lobby, new restrooms, copy and storage rooms, an expanded kitchen supply room, and new voice/data systems. The Diocese of Harrisburg notes the property includes the church, parking, restrooms, social hall, and assistive listening.
- Current St. Joseph Church — dedicated 1975
- Monsignor Gribbin Parish Center — 1996 (gym, social hall, meeting rooms, classrooms)
- Parish administrative center & priests' residence — 2001
- Saint Joseph Parish School and Education Center — blessed 2017 (~12,000 sq ft, 8 classrooms, secure vestibule)
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — 9 N. Third Street, McSherrystown
- Former Baltimore Street school building (1949, expanded 1960s) — for sale
Getting Involved — Thrift Shop, Stewardship & Volunteering
In addition to liturgical and outreach ministries, St. Joseph offers several practical ways for parishioners to live out stewardship. The St. Joseph Thrift Shop, opened in 2004 and staffed entirely by volunteers, runs from the former rectory and provides both low-cost goods to the community and a faithful gathering place for volunteers. The parish also coordinates the Bishop's Annual Lenten Appeal, the St. Joseph Respect Life Committee, advocacy for persons with disabilities, and ongoing 'Time and Talent' stewardship committees. Several liturgical schedules (Daily Altar Server, EMHC & Lector, Sacristan, Music) are published bimonthly on the website.
- St. Joseph Thrift Shop (volunteer-run, established 2004)
- Servant Joy Time and Talent Intention Form
- Bishop's Annual Lenten Appeal
- Respect Life Committee
- Advocacy for persons with disabilities
- Communications Committee
Directions & Accessibility
The parish publishes driving directions from every direction on its Directions page. From the Hanover Town Square, travelers head south on Route 94 about two miles, turn right at the Grandview Road traffic light, proceed straight through the first stop sign, and turn right into the parish parking lot. From Spring Grove and from Route 116 West, the parish is reached by following Grandview Road past three traffic lights and through the first stop sign after Route 94. Maryland travelers coming north on Route 30 cross into Pennsylvania as Route 94, turn left onto Grandview Road at the traffic light, and follow the same approach to the parking lot. The Diocese of Harrisburg lists accessible amenities including church, parking, restrooms, social hall, and assistive listening on site.
- From Hanover Town Square: Route 94 South to Grandview Road
- From Spring Grove / Route 116 West to Grandview Road traffic light
- From Maryland (Route 30 becoming Route 94): left onto Grandview Road
- Accessible amenities: church, parking, restrooms, social hall, assistive listening
Contact Information
The parish office, church, and school all share the Grandview Road address in Hanover. The parish office can be reached at 717-637-5236 (fax 717-637-6615); St. Joseph Catholic School at 717-632-0118.
- Parish Office — 717-637-5236
- Parish Fax — 717-637-6615
- St. Joseph School — 717-632-0118
- Address — 5055 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA 17331
- School Address — 5125 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA 17331
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Peter Dompieri, S.J.1863 (founding Jesuit; first baptismal entry)
Jesuit from Conewago who began hearing confessions and instructing Catholic youth in Jacob Hilt's house in Hanover.
- Fr. John B. Emig, S.J.1877– (first resident pastor)
Built the original St. Joseph's Church on Baltimore Street, dedicated November 1, 1880.
- Fr. J.C. Foinfrom 1903
Studied at Mt. St. Mary's and St. Vincent's Seminary, Latrobe; ordained for the Harrisburg Diocese on May 1, 1878.
- Fr. James A. Huber1903–1940
Served 36 years; died January 23, 1940 at age 82 (per parish history).
- Fr. Edward D. O'Flynn1940–1948
Native of England; oversaw construction of schools in Waynesboro, Littlestown, and St. Joseph's; died August 31, 1948, age 72.
- Fr. William J. B. Weaver1948–1950
Native of McSherrystown; ordained May 26, 1923 at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Harrisburg; laid cornerstone of new school Jan 1, 1950; died Dec 11, 1950, age 54.
- Fr. Charles Park1950–1964
Ordained June 10, 1922; oversaw the difficult era when the 1880 church was condemned; became Pastor Emeritus 1964, died 1972.
- Msgr. Robert C. Gribbin1964–1998
Born 1923 in Shamokin; ordained May 31, 1947 at the Cathedral in Harrisburg; retired debt by 1968; built new Grandview Road church (dedicated 1975) and the Gribbin Parish Center (1996).
- Fr. Joseph F. Gotwalt1998–2012 (retired June 17, 2012)
Native son of St. Joseph Parish; ordained May 15, 1965; earned degrees from St. Mary's University Baltimore and Loyola College; led capital campaign for admin center/rectory (2001) and the 'Servant Joy' stewardship initiative.
- Msgr. James M. Lyons2012–
Native of Pittsburgh; previously Pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Steelton; was Diocesan Administrator between Bishops Datillo and Rhoades; served as Vicar General under Bishop Datillo.