About St. Stephen · Mcconnellsburg, Pennsylvania
St. Stephen Catholic Church is the only Catholic parish in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, serving Catholics in and around the McConnellsburg area as a small, country-style community of faith. Established on October 1, 1962 by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick, it belongs to the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and is currently pastored by Father Derek Fairman, who also serves St. John the Evangelist Parish in Everett. The parish shares its campus with the Fulton County Catholic Mission, the social-services arm of the diocese that has been based at St. Stephen since 1988 and was long run by sisters of the Carmelite Community of the Word.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. Stephen
- Rector
- Rev. Derek Fairman
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
St. Stephen is the only Catholic parish in Fulton County, so it is the spiritual home for Catholics across a wide rural area of south-central Pennsylvania. Worship is centered on a Saturday-evening Vigil Mass and a Sunday Noon Mass, with Reconciliation available before Mass and by appointment. The parish family shares a campus with the Fulton County Catholic Mission — a long-running outreach that helps local children and families at Christmas and throughout the year — and welcomes families seeking baptism, marriage preparation, and Christian Initiation.
Mass times at St. Stephen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 3:45 PM
- Sunday after Noon Mass
- Anytime by appointment
About St. Stephen Parish
St. Stephen Catholic Church is a small, country parish serving as the only Catholic church in Fulton County, Pennsylvania. From its home on Lincoln Way East in the county seat of McConnellsburg, the parish family works to bring the Catholic faith to the people of this rural stretch of south-central Pennsylvania. As the parish website puts it, St. Stephen has been 'a little country church from its earliest days.' The parish is part of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, one of the eight counties of which is Fulton County itself.
History of St. Stephen Parish
Bishop J. Carroll McCormick established Saint Stephen Parish on October 1, 1962, and two weeks later — on Sunday, October 14, 1962 — the first Mass in Fulton County history was offered in the parish rectory on Lincoln Way and South Third Street, celebrated by a Glenmary Father from Glendale, Ohio, before 27 people. The current church building was begun on September 15, 1970 and first used on Palm Sunday, March 26, 1972. A Catholic school operated at the parish beginning in 1974 for several years, enrolling children from Kindergarten through grade 9.
- October 1, 1962 — Parish established by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick
- October 14, 1962 — First Mass in Fulton County history, in the rectory; 27 people present; celebrant was a Glenmary Father of Glendale, Ohio
- 1967 — Convent purchased (originally on Main Street, later moved to its current South Third Street location)
- September 15, 1970 — Ground broken for the new church building
- March 26, 1972 (Palm Sunday) — First Mass in the new church
- 1974 — Parish Catholic school opens (K–9); operated for several years
- 1988 — Fulton County Catholic Mission founded at St. Stephen
- 2018 — Sister Martha Burbulla, CCW, becomes Director of the Mission, succeeding the late Sister Margie Monahan, CCW
- 2022 — Parish celebrates its 60th anniversary
- December 31, 2024 — CCW sisters retire; Mission transferred to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Mission Statement
The parish's published Mission Statement centers on Christ's example at the Last Supper, where He washed the disciples' feet and made compassionate service a hallmark of Christian life. The parish family of Saint Stephen commits itself to growing in appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, stressing the importance of liturgy and religious education in living the faith day by day, working together to see Jesus in all people, and committing to hospitality and service to those in need while encouraging one another to become responsible children of God.
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Stephen has traditionally taken the form of face-to-face CCD classes on Sunday mornings during the school year, alongside the Christian Initiation process for adults and adult faith-formation programs. At present, face-to-face CCD classes are canceled until further notice; parishioners are encouraged to consult the parish bulletin for current offerings.
- CCD / Religious Education — Sunday mornings during the school year (currently on hold)
- Christian Initiation (RCIA) for adults
- Adult faith-formation programs
Family Life and Parish Community
Family Life is one of the named ministries of St. Stephen, reflecting the parish's commitment to supporting households in living the faith at home and in the wider community. As a small country parish, St. Stephen leans heavily on the involvement of its lay faithful, and ministries such as the Christmas Wrapping Project draw together parishioners of all ages.
- Family Life ministry
- Christmas Wrapping Project (parish-wide charitable outreach)
- Hospitality and service to those in need (per parish Mission Statement)
Fulton County Catholic Mission
Housed at St. Stephen Parish and at 110 South Third Street in McConnellsburg, the Fulton County Catholic Mission is the social-services arm of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown for all of Fulton County. Founded in 1988, it has long served residents regardless of faith tradition — from school-supply assistance and rental help to its best-known outreach, the annual Christmas program that ensures every child in the county from newborn through age 14 receives a gift. The Mission was led by the Carmelite Community of the Word (CCW) for 36 years; with the December 31, 2024 retirement of Sister Martha Burbulla, CCW (Director) and Sister Judith Karlak, CCW (Assistant Director), stewardship passed to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
- Founded 1988 and based at St. Stephen Parish / 110 S 3rd St, McConnellsburg
- Phone: (717) 485-5917 — Hours: Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM
- Formerly led by CCW sisters (Sister Margie Monahan, then Sister Martha Burbulla and Sister Judith Karlak)
- Since January 2025 operated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
- Annual Christmas program serving children newborn to age 14 in Fulton County (30+ year tradition)
- School-supplies and rental-assistance assistance for local families
Clergy and Staff
St. Stephen is currently served by Rev. Derek Fairman, Pastor, who also serves as Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Everett (Bedford County). Because he divides his time between the two parishes, in an emergency when he cannot be reached at the McConnellsburg rectory, parishioners may contact the Everett Parish Office at 814-652-5854. The parish email is [email protected] and the phone line is (717) 485-3723. The Fulton County Catholic Mission has historically been led by the Carmelite Community of the Word and now by Catholic Charities of the diocese.
- Rev. Derek Fairman — Pastor (also Pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Everett)
- Emergency contact: Everett Parish Office — 814-652-5854
- Parish phone: (717) 485-3723
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Fulton County Catholic Mission — formerly staffed by the Carmelite Community of the Word (CCW); now under Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown