About St. Peter · Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
St. Peter Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Diocese of Harrisburg. Its Catholic roots in the area stretch back to 1752, when Jesuit Father Ferdinand Farmer said the first Mass at the farm of Henry Eckenroth. The community grew from that "Donegal Mission" into a parish in its own right in 1840 under Father Francis Marshall, and today worships at a church built in 1999 on Marshall Drive while preserving its 18th-century Historic St. Peter Church downtown. The parish mission statement reads: "We are the church of St. Peter committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through prayer, service, scripture and sacrament in the living Catholic and apostolic tradition."
- Established
- 1840
- Patron
- St. Peter (Apostle)
- Rector
- Rev. Bernard Ayo Oniwe, O.P. (Fr. Bernard-Mary Ayo Oniwe, OP)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
St. Peter offers the rhythms of a long-standing Catholic community in Elizabethtown, with weekend Vigil and Sunday Masses in its modern 1999 church and intimate daily Masses celebrated in the historic 18th-century chapel downtown. Families can grow their faith through a robust Religious Education program (PreK4 through Confirmation), the OCIA process for adults, and an active Adult Choir. There are also real ways to serve: St. Vincent de Paul Society, Bereavement Ministry, Respect Life, Marriage and Baptism Mentor couples, the Welcoming Committee, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, and an Inclusion Ministry that supports parishioners with special needs and their families.
Mass times at St. Peter
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:00 pm
- Saturday 3:30 pm
Adoration times
- Thursday 6:30 pm (following the 6:00 pm Mass at the church)
Parish History & Heritage
St. Peter's is one of the oldest Catholic communities in central Pennsylvania. Its origin is dated to 1752, when Jesuit missionary Father Ferdinand Farmer said the first Mass at the farm of Henry Eckenroth, the area's only Catholic. A log chapel — the 'Donegal Mission' — soon followed, and in 1798 Bishop John Carroll, the first U.S. Catholic bishop, visited to administer Confirmation. The cornerstone of a proper church was laid in 1799. The community became a parish in 1840 under Father Francis Marshall. Father Jules Foin (pastor from 1879) added the bell tower, stained-glass windows, and a school that still stands as the 'Foin School House.' The current church at 1840 Marshall Drive was completed and blessed on September 5, 1999.
- 1752 — first Mass said by Jesuit Fr. Ferdinand Farmer at Henry Eckenroth's farm
- 1799 — cornerstone of first church laid by Fr. Louis deBarth
- 1840 — mission becomes a parish; Fr. Francis Marshall first pastor
- 1879 — Fr. Jules Foin adds bell tower, stained glass, and parish school
- 1956 — former Church of the Brethren purchased as new school and convent
- 1991 — land purchased in Mount Joy Twp. for new church
- 1998 — ground broken (May 10)
- 1999 — new church completed; foundation stone blessed September 5
Our Two Churches: Modern & Historic
St. Peter is unusual in that it operates two worship sites. The newer St. Peter Church at 904 Mill Road (Mailing: 1840 Marshall Drive) hosts the Saturday Vigil, Sunday morning Masses, and the Thursday evening Mass with adoration. The 18th-century Historic St. Peter Church at One St. Peter Place hosts most daily Masses (Mon–Wed and Fri at 8:00 am) and the popular 1:00 pm Elizabethtown College Mass when classes are in session. Both belong to the same parish family.
- New St. Peter Church — 904 Mill Road / 1840 Marshall Drive
- Historic St. Peter Church — One St. Peter Place, Elizabethtown
- Weekend Masses at the new Church
- Daily Masses and College Mass at the Historic Church
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Bernard Ayo Oniwe, O.P., a Dominican friar serving as pastor, with Deacon Gregory M. Amarante assisting. The office and program staff include a Parish Business Administrator, Administrative Assistants, a Coordinator of Religious Education, a Director of Liturgical Music, and an OCIA Coordinator.
- Pastor — Rev. Bernard Ayo Oniwe, O.P. (Fr. Bernard-Mary)
- Deacon — Gregory M. Amarante
- Parish Business Administrator — Steve Desjardins (x5)
- Administrative Assistant — Eileen M. Rider (x2)
- Parish Secretary — Kira Crispino (x2)
- Coordinator of Religious Education — Georgann Azzalina ([email protected])
- Director of Liturgical Music — Michael Checco ([email protected])
- OCIA Coordinator — Vicky Kern ([email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Religious Education program serves Catholic children attending public school, forming them in the faith and preparing them for the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. PreK4 through 6th grade meet Wednesday evenings 6:30–7:35 pm; Confirmation preparation for 7th and 8th graders meets Sunday evenings 6:30–8:00 pm. All catechists and aides must have diocesan clearances.
- Coordinator: Georgann Azzalina ([email protected])
- PreK4–6th grade: Wednesdays 6:30–7:35 pm
- 7th & 8th grade Confirmation prep: Sundays 6:30–8:00 pm
- RCIC for unbaptized children runs Sept–Easter Vigil
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adult Education is an open call for catechists, retreat leaders, Vacation Bible School coordinators, and seasonal program leaders for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) welcomes non-Catholics, adults seeking Confirmation, and spouses of Catholics into a year-long journey of study, prayer, and discernment.
- OCIA Coordinator: Vicky Kern (717-439-7955, [email protected])
- OCIA meets Mondays 7:00–9:00 pm, September through May
- RCIA hospitality committee assists with setup, snacks, and retreats
- Adult Ed covers VBS, Confirmation service hours, and seasonal programs
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Liturgical life at St. Peter is supported by a choir, servers, lectors, and extraordinary ministers — along with a Welcoming Committee and Nursery. The Adult Choir leads the assembly in song three weekends a month from September through May. Michael Checco serves as Director of Liturgical Music.
- Adult Choir — Director Michael Checco ([email protected]); rehearses weekly; sings 3 weekends/month Sept–May
- Altar Servers — 4th through 12th grade; July training for September schedule
- Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Ushers
- Nursery Helpers
- Welcoming Committee for new parishioners
Outreach, Charity & Pastoral Care
St. Peter extends its ministry beyond the sanctuary through several service and care-oriented groups, including a St. Vincent de Paul Society, Bereavement Ministry, Respect Life, an Inclusion Ministry that supports parishioners with special needs (and offers respite events), and Baptism and Marriage mentor couples who walk with families through the sacraments. A Vocations Committee prays for and promotes vocations to religious life and the priesthood.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Bereavement Ministry — serves funeral Masses, plans November 2 Remembrance Mass
- Respect Life
- Inclusion Ministry — respite events for families of parishioners with special needs
- Baptism Mentor Couples (Jessica & Josh Capelli, 717-808-5046)
- Marriage Mentor Couples — generally six meetings using Diocese of Harrisburg materials
- Vocations Committee
- History & Archives — preserves sacramental records, photos, and genealogy requests
Sacraments
St. Peter prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism is supported by mentor couples; First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are prepared through Religious Education or OCIA. Marriage preparation pairs engaged couples with Marriage Mentor couples. Confession is offered twice weekly, and the parish assists with Anointing of the Sick and Funeral Masses through the Bereavement Ministry.
- Baptism — mentor meeting required; call parish office
- Reconciliation — Thursday 5:00 pm & Saturday 3:30 pm
- First Communion & Confirmation — via Religious Ed or OCIA
- Marriage — six sessions with Marriage Mentor couples
- Anointing of the Sick & Funeral Liturgies — via Bereavement Ministry
Visit, Register & Get Involved
New parishioners are warmly invited to register; registration forms appear in the weekly bulletin and can be dropped in the offertory basket or mailed to the parish office. The Welcoming Committee contacts newcomers, provides a Ministry Booklet listing every opportunity for involvement, and helps people plug into Mass schedules, faith formation, and service groups. Parish office hours are Monday–Thursday 9:00 am–4:00 pm (closed Friday).
- Parish Office: 1840 Marshall Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 am–4:00 pm (Fri closed)
- Phone: 717-367-1255 · Fax: 717-367-1270
- Email: [email protected]
- Live-stream Mass on YouTube: youtube.com/@stpeteretown/streams
- Facebook: St. Peter Parish, Elizabethtown
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Francis Marshall1840 (first pastor)
First pastor when the mission became a parish in its own right; the parish's current address, 1840 Marshall Drive, commemorates this year.
- Father Jules Foinfrom 1879
Added the bell tower, leaded stained-glass windows, and established the parish school — now preserved as the 'Foin School House.'