About St. Philip the Apostle · Lancaster, Pennsylvania
St. Philip the Apostle is a Catholic parish in the Millersville Pike area of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Diocese of Harrisburg. Founded on May 11, 1965 by Bishop George L. Leech to relieve the overcrowded St. Joseph's Parish in Lancaster, the community grew from humble origins — its first Masses were celebrated in a local shopping center auditorium for more than 1,000 people — into a thriving parish served today by a pastor, deacon, and a large lay staff. The parish offers daily and weekend Masses, a religious education program for grades 1–8, an OCIA (formerly RCIA) process, a preschool, and many parish organizations including the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and a long-running community Thanksgiving Dinner.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. Philip the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Lawrence W. Sherdel (current pastor through June 14, 2026; transitioning to retirement; Rev. Benjamin J. Dunkelberger appointed incoming pastor effective June 15, 2026)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
St. Philip the Apostle offers a warm, mid-sized Catholic community with the full rhythm of parish life — two Sunday Masses (plus a Saturday Vigil and daily Mass Tuesday–Friday), a strong religious education program for grades 1–8, a long-running preschool, OCIA for adults seeking initiation, a deacon-led finance and pastoral team, and active lay organizations including the Knights of Columbus Council #17028, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Friends of Divine Mercy, Rosary Guild, Bible Study, Lectio Divina, Women's Auxiliary, and a vibrant music ministry. Founded to serve the Lancaster–Millersville area since 1965, the parish is rooted in the Eucharist, faith formation, family life, and outreach — including the beloved annual community Thanksgiving Dinner that has served more than 700 neighbors each year since its start in 1985.
Mass times at St. Philip the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday — 5:00 PM
- Saturday — 8:00 AM
- Saturday — 3:30 PM (Diocese listing shows 3:00–4:00 PM)
Adoration times
- Thursday — 5:00 PM
Parish History
St. Philip the Apostle Parish was founded on May 11, 1965 by Most Reverend George L. Leech, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, to relieve overcrowding at St. Joseph's Parish in Lancaster. Even before its official founding, beginning February 16, 1964, weekly Sunday Masses were being celebrated in the Manor Shopping Center Auditorium for more than 1,000 Catholics. The first parish Mass was offered by Fr. William Eline on Sunday, May 30, 1965. The Diocese purchased 18 acres at the corner of Millersville Pike and Millersville Road on October 18, 1965; Bishop Leech broke ground in June 1967; and the church was completed on June 9, 1968.
- Founded May 11, 1965 by Bishop George L. Leech
- Named for St. Philip the Apostle and Bishop Philip R. McDevitt
- First Mass: Sunday, May 30, 1965, by founding pastor Fr. William Eline
- Church completed June 9, 1968
- Classroom wing blessed by Bishop Joseph T. Daley, December 4, 1979
- Stained-glass windows installed and blessed by Bishop William Keeler, February 1984
- Pavilion on the hill completed 1985
- Interior refurbished 1993 (25th anniversary)
- Parish office / activity center dedicated by Bishop Datillo, 2003
- St. Philip's Preschool opened September 2003
- Father 'Inky' Gross 50th Anniversary Mass, 2004
Pastorate & Succession
The parish has been served by four pastors across its history. Father William Eline was founding pastor (1965–1971). Father Michael Homola became the second pastor in May 1971 and served for 27 years, retiring in 1998 at the diocese's mandatory age of 75; he became pastor emeritus. Father Brian Conrad, a former parochial vicar at St. Philip's (1991–92), was installed as the third pastor in June 1998 by Bishop Datillo. Father Lawrence W. Sherdel is the current pastor; Bishop Timothy C. Senior has announced that Father Sherdel will retire effective June 15, 2026, and that Father Benjamin J. Dunkelberger — currently pastor of Our Lady of the Visitation, Shippensburg — will become the next pastor of St. Philip's and also serve as Chaplain to Millersville University.
- Fr. William Eline — founding pastor (1965–1971)
- Fr. Michael Homola — second pastor (1971–1998), pastor emeritus
- Fr. Brian Conrad — third pastor (1998 onward)
- Fr. Lawrence W. Sherdel — current pastor (through June 14, 2026)
- Fr. Benjamin J. Dunkelberger — incoming pastor, effective June 15, 2026
Parish Staff
St. Philip's is served by a priest, deacon, and a dedicated lay staff who run the parish office, faith formation, music, and maintenance.
- Pastor — Fr. Lawrence W. Sherdel ([email protected])
- Deacon & Finance Manager — Deacon Fran Phillips ([email protected])
- Pastoral Associate / Secretary — Linda Neff ([email protected])
- Administrative Assistant / Bulletin Editor — Danielle Scheuchenzuber ([email protected])
- Director of Music — Steve Sauer ([email protected])
- Co-Coordinators of Religious Education — Monica Beazley & Laura Potocki
- Maintenance — Chris Sauer & Sheryl Brinkman
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Philip's has a robust faith formation program for both children and adults. Because the parish does not operate a parish school, Religious Education classes are required for parish children in Grades 1–8 who do not attend a Catholic school. Classes meet Sunday mornings from 9:40–10:50 AM, September through May, and parental participation is welcomed. For adults seeking to become Catholic or complete their Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and/or Confirmation), the parish runs the OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — meeting weekly for prayer, reflection on the Sunday Scriptures, and catechesis, with full incorporation at the Easter Vigil.
- Religious Education for Grades 1–8, Sundays 9:40–10:50 AM (September–May)
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, formerly RCIA)
- Baptism class required for parents
- Confirmation preparation for youth
- St. Philip's Preschool (ages 3–4) — opened September 2003
Parish Organizations
St. Philip's has a wide variety of social, liturgical, and educational organizations that serve the parish, the Diocese, and the local community. They reflect a strong lay culture of stewardship, prayer, and fellowship.
- Knights of Columbus Council #17028 (chartered May 2018; Grand Knight Joseph A. Cardella)
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas
- Women's Auxiliary
- Friends of Divine Mercy
- Rosary Guild
- Bible Study
- Lectio Divina
- Ushers
- Parish Council (established 1976)
- Finance Committee
- Buildings & Grounds Committee
- Music Ministry (Director: Steve Sauer)
- CYAA Basketball
Sacraments
St. Philip the Apostle celebrates the seven sacraments with the preparation and formation required by the Diocese of Harrisburg. Couples preparing for marriage are asked to contact the parish office at least a year in advance. Baptisms are normally held on the third Sunday of the month and require a baptism class plus letters of eligibility for godparents. OCIA is the gateway for unbaptized adults, Christians seeking full communion, or baptized Catholics seeking Eucharist and/or Confirmation.
- Baptism — third Sunday of the month (class required)
- Marriage — at least one year notice to the parish office
- Reconciliation — Thursday 5 PM; Saturday 8 AM & 3 PM
- OCIA (RCIA) — adult initiation
- Communion to the Homebound — by request
- Sponsor Certificates — for practicing registered parishioners
Outreach & Community Life
Beyond its walls, St. Philip's is known for its annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, started by Fr. Michael Homola in 1985 when he urged parishioners to serve the broader community, no matter their creed. The dinner has grown from about 100 meals the first year to more than 700 meals served today across the eastern Lancaster region — with Charlie Sauer and three generations of his family involved. The parish also maintains a food drive, participates in Toys for Tots, and supports local pro-life efforts (the Knights have raised funds for an ultrasound machine for A Woman's Concern in Lancaster).
- Community Thanksgiving Dinner (annual, since 1985) — 700+ meals served
- Food drives
- Toys for Tots (Knights of Columbus)
- Support for A Woman's Concern (Lancaster) — ultrasound machine fundraising
- Lenten Meals in support of Friday Stations of the Cross
Facilities & Campus
The 18-acre campus at 2111 Millersville Pike includes the church, classroom wing, rectory, social hall, pavilion, preschool, parish office and activity center, three parish garages, and a lower parking lot with reserved spaces for elderly, handicapped, and wheelchair-accessible parking. A hand-quilted tapestry above the stairwell depicts Catholic symbols — the chalice, host, wheat, and grapes — to welcome all who enter.
- Church (completed 1968; interior refurbished 1993)
- Two-story classroom wing (1979)
- Rectory (farmhouse style, remodeled 2004)
- Parish Office & Activity Center (dedicated 2003)
- Pavilion on the hill (1985) — picnics, parish festival
- St. Philip's Preschool (opened 2003)
- Lower parking lot (elderly / handicapped / wheelchair accessible)
- Hand-quilted tapestry — chalice, host, wheat, and grapes
Getting Involved & Online Resources
St. Philip's invites new parishioners to register through the parish office, and offers online giving through its website. The parish also subscribes to FORMED, a free Catholic streaming platform with more than 4,000 studies, movies, audio dramas, talks, e-books, and cartoons — accessible on computer, Roku, Apple TV, or smartphone.
- Parish registration — call the parish office
- Online Giving — via the parish website
- FORMED Catholic streaming platform — free for parishioners
- Bulletin submissions — [email protected]
- Youth Protection — diocesan resources linked on parish site
- 2025 Diocesan Annual Campaign — supported by the parish
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Eline1965–1971
Founding pastor. Offered the first parish Mass on May 30, 1965 and oversaw construction of the church (completed June 9, 1968).
- Rev. Michael Homola1971–1998 (27 years)
Second pastor and later pastor emeritus. Oversaw growth of organizations, religious education, the 1979 classroom wing, 1984 stained-glass windows, 1985 pavilion, 1993 church interior refurbishment, and the parish's 25th anniversary celebration. Began the annual community Thanksgiving Dinner in 1985. Retired at the diocese's mandatory age of 75.
- Rev. Brian Conrad1998–c. mid-2010s
Third pastor; had previously served St. Philip's as a parochial vicar in 1991–1992. Oversaw the new parish office/activity center dedicated by Bishop Datillo in 2003, opening of St. Philip's Preschool in 2003, Alpha Program (2004), and a 50th anniversary Mass for Father 'Inky' Gross in 2004.
- Rev. Lawrence W. Sherdelthrough June 14, 2026
Current pastor; will transition to retirement as a priest in private residence effective June 15, 2026.
- Rev. Benjamin J. Dunkelbergereffective June 15, 2026
Incoming pastor; arriving from Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Shippensburg. Will also serve as Chaplain to Millersville University.