About St. Patrick · York, Pennsylvania
Saint Patrick Catholic Church is a historic parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg located at 231 S. Beaver Street in York, Pennsylvania, just a few blocks from center city downtown York and across the street from William Penn High School. The parish was established in 1776, making it one of the oldest Catholic parishes in central Pennsylvania and a continuous witness to the faith in York City for nearly 250 years. The present church building, dedicated in 1898, is the third church to occupy the site and is celebrated for its marble altars, historic frescoes, stained-glass windows, and restored Rose Window. Today the parish is staffed by a pastor, parochial vicar, two deacons, and Religious Sisters, and it serves the city through weekend and daily Masses, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Good Shepherd Adoration Chapel, sacramental preparation, Catholic education at the affiliated Holy Trinity Catholic School, and a wide range of parish ministries including the Knights of Columbus and a Livestream Ministry.
- Established
- 1776
- Patron
- Saint Patrick
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen P. Kelley
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Saint Patrick offers the rare combination of a downtown historic church (founded 1776, building 1898) and a small, close-knit parish family where newcomers are genuinely welcomed back home. The parish sustains daily and weekend Masses, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Good Shepherd Adoration Chapel, regular confession, robust Family Faith Formation for K–8 with Confirmation prep, Catholic education through affiliated Holy Trinity Catholic School, and a vibrant calendar of ministries — Knights of Columbus Council 11872, a Livestream Ministry, Prayer Chain, Social Committee, and Young Adult events — making it easy to find fellowship and service in the heart of York City.
Mass times at St. Patrick
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:00–5:00 PM
- Saturday 3:00–4:00 PM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration at the Good Shepherd Adoration Chapel, 219 S. Beaver Street, York
Welcome and Parish Identity
Saint Patrick Catholic Church describes itself as 'a presence in the York City community since 1776,' sitting on South Beaver Street just blocks from center city. The parish invites all visitors — long-time locals, those returning to the Church, and travelers — to step into the sanctuary, sit in the presence of the Lord, and find peace. The current pastor and parochial vicar welcome both regulars and newcomers, and the parish maintains a clear, simple message: 'Our parish family welcomes you.'
- Founded 1776; parish family over 240 years old
- Located at 231 S. Beaver Street, across from William Penn High School
- Open-door policy: side door open during office hours; all doors open on weekends
Parish History
St. Patrick's history reaches back to 1776 when Jesuit missionaries from the Conewago Mission Circuit served York's small Catholic community. A modest chapel rose around 1776, a larger brick church followed in 1810, and the present church was constructed 1895–1898 under Father Charles Galligan to serve a quadrupled congregation. The building was adorned with marble altars and frescoes in 1909, expanded with a parish hall in 1980, and comprehensively renovated in 2018. The parish celebrated the building's 125th anniversary in September 2023 and its own 250th anniversary in September 2025, both with Diocesan bishops presiding.
- 1776 — first chapel near present site; early priests came from Conewago
- 1810 — larger brick church built (corner stone still documented)
- 1840s — brick church enlarged to accommodate growth
- 1895 groundbreaking — Bishop Thomas McGovern, a former pastor, presided
- 1898 — present church dedicated September 11 by Father J. J. Koch
- 1909 — marble altars installed; frescoes painted (Ascension, apostles)
- 1980 — parish hall dedicated
- 2018 — $1.2M capital campaign and multi-phase renovation under Fr. Keith Carroll
- September 2023 — 125th anniversary of church building
- September 2025 — parish's 250th anniversary
Listing of Priests Who Have Served St. Patrick
The parish publishes a comprehensive list of every priest who has served St. Patrick's going back to the first resident pastor in 1820, including Jesuit missionaries from 1741 and the resident priests in the Saint Patrick Rectory from 1819 onward. Among them are two future Bishops of Harrisburg (McGovern and Shanahan) and one future Bishop of Fort Wayne–South Bend (Rhoades). The parish's most recent leadership transitions include Keith M. Carroll (2013–2020), John B. Bateman (2020–2025), and the current pastor, Stephen P. Kelley (June 2025–present), alongside new parochial vicar Javed Kashif.
- Early Jesuit missionaries 1741–1818 (Wappeler, Schneider, Sittensberger, Geisler, Frambach, Gallitzen, etc.)
- First resident priest in rectory: Leontius Huber, S.J. (1819–1820)
- 19th-century pastors included McGovern (1870–73) and Shanahan (1882–85), both later Bishops of Harrisburg
- 20th-century long servers included Thomas J. McGough (1947–66) and William M. Cawley (1993–2012)
- Recent pastors: Samuel E. Houser (2007–13), Keith M. Carroll (2013–20), John B. Bateman (2020–25)
- Current pastor: Rev. Stephen P. Kelley (June 2025–Present)
- Current parochial vicar: Rev. Javed Kashif (June 2025–Present)
Parish Vision, Mission & Symbol
During the weekend Masses of February 26–27, 2022, then-pastor Father John Bateman introduced a new parish Vision, Mission and Symbol for St. Patrick. The vision is 'Partnering on the Journey to Salvation,' with the parish committing to Discover, Follow, Share, Celebrate, Teach, and Live the faith. This framework organizes the parish's ministries and pastoral council work, including the Evangelization thrust that focuses on both spiritual renewal of active parishioners and outreach to inactive Catholics and the unchurched.
- Vision: 'Partnering on the Journey to Salvation'
- Six verbs: Discover, Follow, Share, Celebrate, Teach, Live
- Evangelization: spiritual renewal and outreach to inactive/non-Catholics
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Patrick's Family Faith Formation program, coordinated by Patrick Copenheaver, is built around parents and children learning the faith together. K–6th-grade families meet twice a month for 'LIFT' (Living in Faith Together) sessions, with Catholic Brain online accounts and student books for two at-home lessons each month. 7th–8th-grade students (including Confirmation prep for those not in Catholic school) gather Sunday evenings from 6–8 PM for dinner, fellowship, and lessons using Alpha Youth and Chosen, with additional Confirmation dates for 8th graders.
- K–6th grade: twice-monthly Family LIFT Sessions
- 7th–8th grade: Sunday evenings 6–8 PM, after 5:00 PM Mass
- Online platform: Catholic Brain (catholicbrain.com)
- Confirmation prep: Chosen curriculum for 8th grade
- Annual Family Fun Day and combined parish events with Sacred Heart
Catholic School: Holy Trinity
Saint Patrick Parish is affiliated with Holy Trinity Catholic School, located next door at 235 S. Beaver Street. Holy Trinity partners with families to provide an exceptional Christ-centered educational experience that promotes academic excellence, lifelong service, and formation in the teachings of Jesus Christ. (Phone 717-854-8263.)
- Address: 235 S. Beaver Street, York, PA 17401
- Phone: 717-854-8263; Fax: 717-846-6049
- Christ-centered mission with academic excellence
Knights of Columbus Council 11872
St. Patrick Council 11872 of the Knights of Columbus is one of the parish's most visible ministries, with general meetings the first Wednesday of each month (Rosary at 6:30 PM, meeting at 7:00 PM) in the cafeteria, and officers' meetings the fourth Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the Blessed Fr. McGivney Room. Knights are active across nearly every aspect of parish life and are best known for fundraisers such as chicken barbecues and breakfasts. The Council has a strong Culture of Life focus, having partnered with the Parish and Supreme Council to fund an ultrasound machine for York's Pregnancy & Family Resource Center and receiving a Culture of Life Award.
- Council 11872 chartered at St. Patrick Parish
- Meetings: 1st Wed general (Rosary 6:30, meeting 7:00 PM); 4th Wed officers (7:00 PM)
- Major fundraiser: Chicken BBQs and parish breakfasts
- Funded an ultrasound machine for Pregnancy & Family Resource Center
- Culture of Life Award recipient; Past Grand Knight Fr. Samuel Houser connection
Livestream and Online Ministries
The Livestream Ministry streams the Saturday 4:30 PM Vigil Mass on the parish's YouTube channel and Facebook page, supported by a small team of trained volunteers. The parish also maintains a blog (stpatrickyork.blogspot.com), a Flocknote messaging account, and a Facebook page to keep parishioners up to date on events and faith content. A Parish Prayer Chain (coordinated by Joellen) lets members request prayers and serve as Prayer Partners.
- Livestream: Saturday Vigil 4:30 PM on YouTube/Facebook
- Parish blog and Flocknote account
- Parish Prayer Chain and Prayer Resources
- Volunteer opportunities to stream weekly Mass
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
The parish office coordinates preparation and celebration of the sacraments. Baptisms are usually celebrated after the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass or by appointment; couples are asked to call 9–12 months before their desired wedding date for Matrimony preparation; Funeral policies are published on the parish website; Anointing of the Sick and other pastoral needs are available by contacting the office.
- Baptism: usually after 11:00 AM Sunday Mass or by appointment
- Matrimony: contact office 9–12 months in advance
- Funeral policies published on parish website
- Confirmation: 8th-grade prep via Family Faith Formation
Parish Life and Fellowship
Beyond the sanctuary, Saint Patrick is a community of groups that bring parishioners together. The St. Patrick Social Committee runs regular Trivia Nights and gatherings after Mass; a Young Adults group hosts events for younger parishioners; the Pastoral Council and Evangelization committees coordinate parish-wide renewal and outreach. The parish also celebrates its deep history through anniversary Masses and dinners.
- Social Committee Trivia Nights and parish dinners
- Young Adults group events
- Pastoral Council with Evangelization focus
- Anniversary celebrations: 125th (2023) and 250th (2025)
Visiting, Contact, and Practical Information
The parish office is located at 219 S. Beaver Street and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to Noon and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The church building at 231 S. Beaver Street is across the street from William Penn High School, with on-site parking and a Social Hall. Visitors are warmly invited to step inside; the side door from the parking lot is open during office hours and after weekday evening Masses, and all doors are open on weekends.
- Phone: 717-848-2007
- Office: 219 S. Beaver Street, York, PA 17401
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–Noon and 1:00–4:30 PM
- On-site parking and Social Hall
- Side door accessible during office hours and evenings
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Charles J. Galligan1890–1896
Pastor who oversaw construction of the current church building
- Thomas F. McGovern1870–1873
Afterwards the second Bishop of Harrisburg; presided at the 1895 groundbreaking
- John W. Shanahan1882–1885
Afterwards the third Bishop of Harrisburg
- Kevin C. Rhoades (as Parochial Vicar)1983–1985
Afterwards the ninth Bishop of Harrisburg, then Bishop of Fort Wayne–South Bend
- William M. Cawley (as Parochial Vicar)1988–1991; 1993–2012
Long-serving associate and parochial vicar
- Thomas J. McGough1947–1966
Long-serving resident priest
- Samuel E. Houser2007–2013
Pastor
- Keith M. Carroll2013–2020 (administrator Nov 2013, pastor May 2014–Oct 2020)
Oversaw the 2018 $1.2M capital campaign and renovation
- John B. BatemanOct 2020–June 2025
Pastor; led 125th anniversary in 2023 and introduced new parish vision/mission in 2022
- Stephen P. KelleyJune 2025–Present
Current pastor