About St. Nicholas · Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
St. Nicholas is a Roman Catholic parish in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, founded in the 1850s by German immigrant settlers. Now formally united with nearby St. Mary's as the Parish of St. Nicholas–St. Mary (established October 7, 2023), the parish continues to worship in its landmark 1887 High Victorian Gothic church on South Washington Street. The faith community is bilingual, offering several Masses in English and Spanish, and is supported by the Sisters of Christian Charity, who have ministered at the parish since 1872. Its mission is to save lives by the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, growing believers through faith, community formation, and social justice.
- Established
- 1858
- Patron
- St. Nicholas (of Myra/Bari)
- Rector
- Rev. Joseph D. Verespy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Scranton
Why belong here
St. Nicholas offers a vibrant, bilingual Catholic community rooted in 170 years of Wyoming Valley history and a landmark 1887 Gothic church. Active parishioners can join ministries spanning faith formation, the Social Concerns Committee, the Liturgical Committee, the Respect Life Committee, Boy Scout Troop 55, the St. Conrad's Young Men's Society (since 1890), the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the Grieving Support program, Vacation Bible School, and an annual summer parish bazaar with live music. The parish's culture of stewardship of time, talent, and treasure is woven into everything from daily 6:30 am Mass to monthly adoration and outreach to the poor, homeless, and homebound.
Mass times at St. Nicholas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (English; use the rear parking lot entrance)
- For Spanish confession, call Fr. Fidel at 570-823-7736
Adoration times
- Tuesday 7:00 am – 10:00 am
- Tuesday 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Parish History
St. Nicholas has anchored the Wyoming Valley Catholic community since the 1850s, when German immigrant settlers founded the parish. A historical marker on the property, erected by St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church parishioners, reads 'Founded 1855 by German Immigrants.' The first church stood on the site now occupied by Holy Redeemer High School (formerly Bishop Hoban); a second was dedicated on Christmas Day 1858 on Canal Street (now Pennsylvania Boulevard); and the present High Victorian Gothic church was built between 1883 and 1887. The parish's strong educational tradition is reflected in the Sisters of Christian Charity, who arrived from Germany in 1872 and have ministered here ever since. In 2009 the parish welcomed the Hispanic community from Holy Rosary Church, and on October 7, 2023, St. Nicholas was formally merged with St. Mary's to form the Parish of St. Nicholas–St. Mary.
- 1855 – Founded by German immigrants (per on-site historical marker)
- 1858 – Second church dedicated on Christmas Day, Canal Street
- 1872 – Sisters of Christian Charity arrive from Germany to teach at the school
- 1883 – Cornerstone of the present church laid
- June 16, 1887 – Present Gothic church dedicated
- 1890 – St. Conrad's Young Men's Society founded
- 1909/1915 – School buildings constructed (current school in 1915)
- 1928 – High school begun on site
- 1963 – Present convent dedicated
- 1971 – High school merged to form Bishop Hoban
- 1972 – Rectory built
- June 28, 2009 – Hispanic community from Holy Rosary Church welcomed
- October 7, 2023 – Consolidated with St. Mary's as St. Nicholas–St. Mary Parish
Architecture & Building
The 1887 St. Nicholas Church is widely considered one of the greatest High Victorian Gothic structures in Wilkes-Barre. It was designed by the German-born New York architect William Schickel, whose typically German details include a triple-entried frontispiece (westwerk) and a single central tower. The 1893 History of Luzerne County wrote that the church 'in an architectural point of view … ranks well with the finest buildings in the city.' For generations, downtown residents set their watches, went to lunch, and closed shop by the steeple clock. The interior is noted for its woodcarvings and stained glass windows.
- Architect: William Schickel (German-born, New York)
- Style: High Victorian Gothic
- Cornerstone: 1883; completed/dedicated: June 16, 1887
- Features: Triple-entried frontispiece (westwerk), single central tower, steeple clock, interior woodcarvings, stained glass
Parish Groups & Committees
The parish supports a wide range of lay-led councils, committees, and fellowship organizations — many of which have served the community for generations.
- Parish Pastoral Council – advises the pastor on spiritual, social, and physical well-being of the community
- Finance Council
- Building & Grounds Committee – inspects and maintains the parish's physical plant
- Cemetery Committee – oversees cemeteries on Darling Street, Wilkes-Barre, and Pioneer Avenue, Shavertown
- Social Concerns Committee – supports the poor, homeless, elderly, and migrants; food barrel, poor box, holiday baskets for homebound
- Liturgical Committee – plans worship, music, and decoration
- Respect Life Committee – works with the Human Life Resource Center in Wilkes-Barre on pro-life activities
- Grieving Support Ministry – offers one-on-one spiritual and personal support after the loss of a loved one
- St. Conrad's Young Men's Society (since 1890) – Catholic men's club named for first pastor Msgr. Peter Conrad Nagel; sponsors bowling, volleyball, and a summer picnic; charity: 'God's Special Children'
- St. Nicholas Federal Credit Union – parish-affiliated savings and low-interest loans (Mon evenings 6:00–8:30 pm, school basement)
Faith Formation & Youth
Faith formation at St. Nicholas is rooted in the parish's original mission of Christian education, stretching back to the German founders' first school in 1859. Today's Faith Formation program, led by Director Justin DePasquale, prepares children for the sacraments beginning in first grade, with First Holy Communion celebrated each May with second-grade students. The parish also hosts an annual Vacation Bible School for children entering Kindergarten through 5th Grade and sponsors Boy Scout Troop 55 for ages 11–17.
- Director of Faith Formation: Justin DePasquale ([email protected])
- First Holy Communion celebrated each May with 2nd-grade students
- Faith Formation enrollment begins in 1st grade
- Vacation Bible School: held one week each summer, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, $25/child
- Boy Scout Troop 55: meets Thursdays 6:30–7:30 pm in the Community Room (school year); contact Sheryl Snyder, 570-855-3297 or [email protected]
Sisters of Christian Charity
The Sisters of Christian Charity came to the parish from Germany in 1872 to teach at Saint Nicholas School — a presence that has continued for more than 150 years. Their foundress, Blessed Mother Pauline von Mallinckrodt (1817–1881), dedicated her life to education, childcare, and serving the poor. The Sisters' convent on the parish grounds provides a home for the Sisters who minister in the parish and throughout the Diocese of Scranton.
- Sisters in residence at Saint Nicholas Convent since 1872
- Blessed Mother Pauline von Mallinckrodt – foundress
- Present convent dedicated in 1963
Cemeteries
St. Nicholas Parish maintains two historic Catholic cemeteries, both overseen by the Cemetery Committee.
- Darling Street Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre – the 'old German cemetery' associated with the parish from its early days
- St. Nicholas Cemetery, Pioneer Avenue, Shavertown – the newer church cemetery
- Cemetery Committee reports to the Building and Grounds Committee and Finance Council
Outreach & Community Life
St. Nicholas has a long tradition of caring for the broader community. The Social Concerns Committee coordinates gifts on St. Nicholas Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets, flowers for the homebound, the parish food barrel, the poor box, assistance to migrants, shelter for the homeless, and emergency relief collections. Annual parish-wide events — including the summer bazaar with live music, flea market, and food booths — bring parishioners and the wider Wilkes-Barre community together.
- Annual St. Nicholas–St. Mary Parish Bazaar (3 days in July, 5:30–10:30 pm)
- Live music by Flaxy Morgan, Popstar Drive, and Kartune at the bazaar
- Flea Market (donations accepted in advance; held during the bazaar)
- St. Nicholas Day gift-giving for those in need
- Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets and homebound visits
- Ongoing food barrel, poor box, migrant assistance, and homeless shelter support
Clergy & Staff
The parish is served by a pastor, an assistant pastor, and a deacon, with parish office staff reachable Monday through Friday. The Faith Formation program has its own director.
- Rev. Joseph D. Verespy – Pastor
- Rev. Fidel Ticona – Assistant Pastor (Spanish-language ministry)
- Deacon Michael M. Golubiewski
- Justin DePasquale – Director of Faith Formation ([email protected])
- Parish Office hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Visit & Contact
The parish warmly welcomes visitors and new parishioners. Office staff can be reached by phone, email, or in person during weekday office hours. The rear parking lot is specifically used for those coming to Monday confessions.
- Address: 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
- Phone: (570) 823-7736
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: parishwb.com
- Facebook (live-stream Mass): facebook.com/St.NicksChurchWB
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Peter Conrad Nagel (Msgr.)1858–
First pastor of Saint Nicholas; the St. Conrad's Young Men's Society (founded 1890) is named in his honor.