About St. Paul · Ellicott City, Maryland
St. Paul Catholic Church is a historic parish in Ellicott City, Maryland (the county seat of Howard County), founded in 1838 and part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It is the oldest active Catholic parish between Baltimore and Pittsburgh, originally built as the only Roman Catholic church between Baltimore and Frederick. Today St. Paul is in a pastorate with the nearby Church of the Resurrection, sharing Mass schedules, faith formation, and outreach. The parish is led by pastor Fr. Andy Aaron (installed January 12, 2025 by Archbishop William E. Lori) and associate pastor Fr. Paul Kongnyuy. St. Paul is celebrated as 'a beacon of Christ's loving-kindness and mercy, welcoming all God's children and guiding them to the joy of the Gospel.'
- Established
- 1838
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Andy Aaron
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. Paul offers the warmth of a small historic parish with the resources of a larger pastorate, including daily Mass at either St. Paul or Church of the Resurrection, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confession, RCIA, small faith discussion groups, and a shared Catholic school. The parish lives out four core values: Providing Encouragement, Living in Prayer, Reaching Out in Compassion, and Honoring its History — meaning new members are welcomed into a community that treasures its 1838 roots while actively serving Ellicott City today.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM – 4:50 PM (at St. Paul)
- First Wednesday of the month 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (at Resurrection Parish Center)
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (at Resurrection Parish Center)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (at Church of the Resurrection; First Wednesday of the month)
- Perpetual Adoration is available at the Basilica in Baltimore (referenced on the parish site)
About St. Paul Catholic Church
St. Paul is a Catholic parish in Ellicott City, Maryland — the county seat of Howard County — and part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The parish community describes itself as striving to be 'a beacon of Christ's loving-kindness and mercy, welcoming all God's children and guiding them to the joy of the Gospel.' Its published mission is grounded in Matthew 28:19–20: to make disciples of all, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded. The parish is currently in a pastorate with the nearby Church of the Resurrection, sharing worship, formation, and outreach.
A Walking Parish History
Founded in 1838 on land acquired from George Ellicott, the parish predates Howard County itself (the 'Western District' was only set off from Anne Arundel County that year, with Ellicott City named county seat two years later, in 1851). It began as the only Catholic church between Baltimore and Frederick, and today remains the oldest active Catholic parish between Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The basement served as a Civil War hospital for both Union and Confederate troops. Two of its earliest pastors later became bishops: Rev. Augustin Verot (4th pastor, 1853–1858) became Bishop of Savannah and later Bishop of St. Augustine, and Rev. John Samuel Foley (5th pastor, 1858–1863) became Archbishop of Detroit.
The Babe Ruth Connection
On October 14, 1914, the 12th pastor, Rev. Thomas S. Dolan, married a 19-year-old George Herman 'Babe' Ruth to Margaret Helen Woodford, age 17, at St. Paul's. The wedding remains a piece of baseball lore and a touchstone of parish history.
Refuge in the 2016 Ellicott City Flood
During the catastrophic flash flood of July 30, 2016 — when the upper Patapsco River tore through historic Ellicott City — then-pastor Rev. Warren V. Tanghe opened parish buildings to evacuees, and over 50 people sheltered there. The parish continued flood-recovery work in 2017.
Becoming Catholic — RCIA
St. Paul's runs the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) jointly with Church of the Resurrection. Sessions meet weekly from September through May, with Scripture study in the summer, and each gathering includes prayer, a presentation, and discussion. A team of practicing Catholics walks alongside inquirers, and parishioners serve as sponsors through the Rites of Acceptance, Sending, and Election, culminating at the Easter Vigil. Contact: Kate Kleintank at [email protected].
Adult Faith Formation and Small Groups
The pastorate of Resurrection & St. Paul maintains a subscription to FORMED (the Catholic streaming service from the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press), giving parishioners access to studies, audio content, movies, e-books, and family programming. Small Faith Discussion Groups (men, women, or mixed) meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly in homes and on parish grounds to pray and study Scripture, books, or videos. ACTS Retreats are another offered formation pathway.
Resurrection-St. Paul School
St. Paul's original parish school opened in 1922 under Rev. Michael Ryan and was staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND). In 1966 it relocated to Paulskirk Drive in Ellicott City; in 1974, when Church of the Resurrection was established on the same property, it was renamed Resurrection School; in January 1990 it became Resurrection-St. Paul School. Today Resurrection-St. Paul School is fully supported by both parishes and educates students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Stewardship and Giving
St. Paul's describes itself as a stewardship parish in which every member shares responsibility for its mission. The parish encourages Offertory Giving, Electronic Funds Transfer, Legacy Giving, Church Planned Giving, Wills and Bequests, Gifts of Appreciated Securities, Life Insurance, and Parish and School Endowments. A Resurrection-St. Paul School endowment provides tuition assistance to deserving students. Recurring donations can be made via QR code through Ministry Platform.
Outreach and Charity
Parish core values include 'Reaching Out in Compassion — Caring about and addressing the spiritual and material needs of the community.' The pastorate runs a St. Vincent de Paul conference, coordinates flood-recovery efforts in Ellicott City, and supports vocations awareness through the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
Clergy and Pastoral Staff
The parish is served by Fr. Andy Aaron, Pastor (installed by Archbishop William E. Lori on January 12, 2025), and Fr. Paul Kongnyuy, Associate Pastor / Parochial Vicar (assigned July 1, 2024). Pastor phone: 410-989-6275. Fr. Paul sees his priestly role as teacher and evangelizer. Parish office: 3755 Saint Paul Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043; phone (410) 465-1670; fax (410) 313-8551; email [email protected].
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Henry B. Coskery1838–1839
First pastor; previously celebrated Mass at nearby Castle Angelo.
- Rev. B.S. Piot, SS.1840–?
- Rev. B.J. McManus
- Rev. Augustin Verot1853–1858
Later Bishop of Savannah and Bishop of St. Augustine, Florida.
- Rev. John Samuel Foley1858–1863
Later Archbishop of Detroit.
- Rev. T. O'Neill1864–1870
- Rev. William E. Starr1870–1873
- Rev. John J. Dougherty1873–1883
- Rev. Peter Tarro, D.D.1883–1907
Long ninth pastorate; added marble altars, stained glass, spire, baptistery.
- Rev. Michael Ryan1907–1912
Same priest returned later (1920–1953); founded parish school 1922.
- Rev. D.C. Keenan1912–1914
- Rev. Thomas S. Dolan1914–1920
Officiated the Babe Ruth marriage here on Oct. 14, 1914.
- Rev. Michael Ryan1920–1953
Second tenure; founded the parish school in 1922.
- Rev. Nicholas Dohony1962–1986
- Rev. Donald Croghan1986–1992
- Rev. Tom Donaghy1992–2003
- Rev. Michael Jendrek2003–2008
- Rev. Matthew T. Buening2009–2015
- Rev. Samuel Young2015
- Rev. Warren V. Tanghe2016–2019
Opened the church as a refuge during the July 30, 2016 Ellicott City flood.
- Msgr. John Dietzenbach2020–2024
- Fr. Andy Aaron2024–present
Installed by Archbishop Lori on January 12, 2025.