About St. Peter · Coatesville, Pennsylvania
St. Peter Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia serving western Chester County, Pennsylvania, from its campus at 2835 Manor Road in West Brandywine Township (Coatesville ZIP 19320). Founded in 1963 with only 89 families, the parish has grown to more than 2,000 households and is known regionally for its Perpetual Adoration Chapel, its active youth ministry (Life Teen and Edge), and its partnership with Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School, which sits directly across from the church.
- Established
- 1963
- Patron
- Saint Peter (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Michael S. Olivere
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Deanery: Chester County West — Pastoral Planning Area 240, Deanery 3 — Western Chester County and Oxford Region)
Why belong here
St. Peter offers a full Catholic life in western Chester County: six weekend Masses (Saturday Vigil at 5 PM and three Sunday Masses at 7, 9, and 11 AM), daily Mass Monday through Saturday with a First Friday school-year Mass, and a Perpetual Adoration Chapel open 24 hours a day. With more than 35 active ministries — from Life Teen and Edge youth ministry, a Knights of Columbus council, the St. Vincent de Paul conference, and choir and cantors, to small Christian communities and a community garden — newcomers of every age and season can find a place to serve, pray, and belong at the Manor Road campus in West Brandywine.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays: 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM (Shrine Room)
- Saturdays: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Shrine Room)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in the Adoration Chapel
Welcome & About St. Peter
Saint Peter Parish is located in West Brandywine Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, and is a member of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Parish Office is located to the left of the vestibule (narthex) of the church and is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (the office and facilities are closed on Fridays except by appointment). Meeting rooms can be scheduled for parish organizations by calling 610-380-9045, and the Parish Religious Education Office is located in Pope John Paul II Regional School.
- Founded 1963, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, West Brandywine Township
- Parish Office: Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (closed Fridays)
- Phone: 610-380-9045
History of Saint Peter Parish
Saint Peter Parish was founded in 1963. In its earliest years Mass was celebrated at Saint Mary Chapel in Elverson until the first church building was complete in 1967, with only 89 founding families buying land and building the church largely with their own labor. Father Hoy was the first pastor, and Cardinal John Krol attended the dedication of the original building on December 9, 1967. Father Cox succeeded him and began raising funds for a permanent church. After the 2000 establishment of Saint Elizabeth Parish in Uwchlan pulled away roughly a third of St. Peter's families, and an EPA/wastewater review made the original site unsuitable, Archdiocesan land on Route 82 became available. On March 18, 2008 the parish vacated the original building and Cardinal Justin Rigali dedicated the first permanent church — the home that today serves more than 2,000 families.
- 1963 — Parish founded (89 families); Mass initially at Saint Mary Chapel, Elverson
- December 9, 1967 — First church building dedicated; Father Hoy and Cardinal John Krol present
- Post-1967 — Father Cox raises funds for a more permanent church
- 2000 — Saint Elizabeth Parish (Uwchlan) formed; one-third of families reassigned
- March 18, 2008 — Cardinal Justin Rigali dedicates the first permanent church building
- Today — 2,000+ families worship at the Manor Road campus
Pastoral Leadership & Staff
The parish is led by Father Michael S. Olivere, Pastor. Deacon Todd Smith assists in the Parish Office, and Father Emmanuel Iheaka resides at the parish while serving as Chaplain at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Coatesville. A professional staff manages worship, faith formation, youth ministry, business, music, and facilities.
- Rev. Michael S. Olivere — Pastor ([email protected])
- Deacon Todd Smith ([email protected])
- Rev. Emmanuel Iheaka — In Residence, VA Medical Center Chaplain (Coatesville)
- JoAnn Kauffman — Parish Secretary ([email protected], ext. 104)
- Thomas Sullivan — Parish Business Manager ([email protected])
- Krystal Snyder — Director of Religious Education & Safe Environment ([email protected], ext. 105)
- Chris Anderson — Youth Minister (Life Teen & Edge) ([email protected], ext. 103); Abby Volk, Coordinator
- Austin Flinn — Director of Worship and Music / Organist ([email protected], ext. 101)
- Kathy Hoffman — Cantors
- Veronique Hadfield — Adult Choir Director
- Charles Convery — Information Technology Manager ([email protected])
- Joe Piscoglio, Jr. — Facilities Manager ([email protected], ext. 102)
- Rob Schane — Assistant to the Business Manager
Mass & Service Schedule
Mass is offered throughout the week with no Wednesday celebration. Saturday features both an 8:30 AM daily Mass and the 5:00 PM Vigil. Sunday Masses are at 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 AM, with the 11:00 AM Mass live-streamed on YouTube.
- Weekend: Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM; Sunday 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 AM
- Weekday: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 8:30 AM (no Wednesday Mass)
- First Friday during the school year: 9:30 AM
- Live-stream: Sunday 11:00 AM on YouTube
Devotions & Prayer Gatherings
In addition to weekday and Sunday Mass, the parish supports a rich devotional life around the Eucharist and Our Lady, organized largely by parishioner-led prayer groups.
- Daily Rosary after the 8:30 AM Mass (in the chapel)
- Sunday Rosary after the 7:00 AM Mass — for Respect Life intentions
- Miraculous Medal Novena after the 8:30 AM Mass
- Gethsemane Prayer Group — intercessory prayer and Rosary, Tuesdays at 6:00 PM in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Tuesday-Confession-and-Prayer evenings
Faith Formation & Education
Saint Peter Parish describes its mission as the continuous religious education, formation, and spiritual growth of its community — helping one another live as intentional disciples of Jesus. Programs exist for children, teens, and adults.
PREP — Parish Religious Education Program
PREP is the parish's catechetical program open to all registered families of St. Peter for children attending public, private, charter, or home schools. Classes meet at Pope John Paul II Regional Elementary School directly across Manor Road from the church. St. Peter PREP does not follow any school district schedule. Sacramental preparation (First Communion, Confirmation) is coordinated through the program.
- PREP Office: 610-384-3145 / [email protected] (Director Krystal Snyder, ext. 105)
- Classes for 2026/2027 at Pope John Paul II Regional Elementary School
- Open to home-schooled and public/private/charter school families
- Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Adult Education / Faith Formation
Adult faith formation includes both daytime and evening Bible studies and other topical programs selected by the parish's Education Commission. The parish also maintains a strong commitment to the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process for those seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Bible studies — day and evening sessions
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — contact the parish office
- Inquiries: [email protected]
Youth Ministry (Life Teen & Edge)
Saint Peter runs a parish-based youth ministry built around the Life Teen high-school program and the Edge middle-school program, supplemented by OCIT (Order of Christian Initiation of Teens). The ministry also gathers parents and teens for a parent-led Holy Hour and an EDGE/CANTOR-style Sunday schedule.
- Life Teen (High School) and Edge (Middle School)
- OCIT (Order of Christian Initiation of Teens)
- Youth & Young Adult Choir — liturgical ministry for teens
- Contact: [email protected] or 610-380-9045 ext. 103
- Coordinator: Abby Volk; Director: Chris Anderson
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at St. Peter is led by Austin Flinn, Director of Worship and Music, who serves as organist and oversees clergy-coordinated music for funerals and weddings. Cantors and the Adult Choir anchor weekend Masses, supported by the Youth & Young Adult Choir.
- Austin Flinn — Director of Worship and Music / Organist (ext. 101)
- Kathy Hoffman — Cantors
- Veronique Hadfield — Adult Choir Director
- Youth & Young Adult Choir
Ministries at St. Peter
The parish identifies more than thirty active ministries, organized under Liturgical, Discipleship (Small Christian Communities), Outreach, Youth, and Family-Life umbrellas. Newcomers are encouraged to explore via the parish website or by calling the Parish Office.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Greeters, Music Ministries, Art & Environment, Cleaning Committee (Altar Linens)
- Outreach & Charity: SVDP Conference, Aid For Friends / Caring For Friends, Birthright of Coatesville, Food Drive, Good Works, Blood Drive, Respect Life Committee, Angel Tree, Community Garden
- Care & Support: Bereavement, Bethany, Cancer Support, Caregiver Support, Prayer Shawl, Wedding Belles, Elizabeth Ministry, Hospitality, A Call to Welcome
- Faith & Prayer: Gethsemane Prayer Group, Rosary, Small Christian Communities, Scholarship Committee
- Community Groups: Knights of Columbus Council #10351, Scouts of America Troop 56
Small Christian Communities
Small Christian Communities are groups of 6–12 parishioners who meet to discuss faith, go deeper in the weekly message, and support one another in their relationship with Christ. The parish invites everyone to participate and to start new groups by contacting the Parish Office.
- Groups of 6–12 meeting around faith and life
- Contact the Parish Office at 610-380-9045 to form or join a group
Sacraments
Information for each sacrament is published on the parish bulletin and website.
- Baptism — celebrated the 1st and 3rd Sundays after 11:00 AM Mass; infants: Austin Flinn (ext. 101); school-age: Krystal Snyder (ext. 105)
- Marriage — at least six months' notice; contact Fr. Olivere at 610-380-9045
- Anointing of the Sick — call the Parish Office
- OCIA & OCIT — contact the parish office
School Partnership — Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School
Parish children attend the regional Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School, located directly across from the church at 2875 Manor Rd., West Brandywine, PA 19320. The Religious Education Office for St. Peter PREP is also located at the school, making the campus a single hub for parish faith formation and primary Catholic education.
- School address: 2875 Manor Rd., West Brandywine, PA 19320
- School phone: 610-384-5961
- Web: www.popejohnpaul2sch.org
- Principal: Patty Tarquinio
Contact & Visit
The parish welcomes visits in person, by phone, and online. Office hours are Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. For specific needs, parishioners are routed to individual staff by email or extension.
- Address: 2835 Manor Road, West Brandywine, PA 19320
- Phone: 610-380-9045 • Fax: 610-380-9049
- Pastor: Fr. Michael Olivere (during normal office hours)
- Funerals, Weddings, Music Ministry: Austin Flinn, [email protected], ext. 101
- Business / Accounting: Tom Sullivan, [email protected]
- PREP / Safe Environment: Krystal Snyder, ext. 105
- Life Teen & Edge: Chris Anderson, ext. 103
- General inquiries: JoAnn Kauffman, [email protected]
Diocesan & Deanery Information
St. Peter is one of the parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and falls within the Chester County West deanery (Deanery 3), serving the Western Chester County and Oxford Region as Pastoral Planning Area 240.
- Diocese: Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- Deanery: Chester County West (Deanery 3) — Western Chester County and Oxford Region
- PPA: 240
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Hoyfounding era – c.1967
First pastor; celebrated the dedication of the original church building on December 9, 1967 with Cardinal John Krol; later transferred to another parish.
- Father Coxafter Father Hoy
Succeeded Father Hoy; began raising funds for a more permanent church building.
- Rev. Michael J. Fitzpatrick
Listed as pastor on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia parish roster page; preceded Father Olivere.
- Rev. Michael S. Oliverepresent
Current pastor; see sacramental contact for Weddings on the parish website.