About St. Therese of the Child Jesus · Johnstown, Pennsylvania
St. Therese of the Child Jesus is a Roman Catholic parish in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, served by Franciscan (OFM) friars and part of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The parish shares its pastor with neighboring St. Anne Parish and is affectionately known as 'The Church of the Franciscans.' Located at 536 Decker Avenue on the city's south side, St. Therese offers daily Mass, weekend Masses, Saturday confessions, and a vibrant calendar of parish societies, devotions, and charitable ministries. As of 2026 the parish is preparing for its centennial in 2029, with Fr. Bernard Karmanocky, OFM, gathering volunteers to compile a written timeline of the church's history.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- St. Therese of the Child Jesus (St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the 'Little Flower')
- Rector
- Rev. Bernard Karmanocky, O.F.M.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
St. Therese is a tight-knit Franciscan parish in Johnstown where the daily Mass schedule, Saturday confessions, and a calendar of long-standing parish societies make it easy to plug in. Active groups include the Christian Mothers (with monthly Rosary, Mass, and meetings), the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus Council #10409, the Senior Choir (Monday 7 PM rehearsals), a Divine Mercy Prayer Group, and a Prayer Shawl Ministry that distributes hand-knitted shawls to the sick, homebound, and bereaved. With Father Bernard also offering to bless the homes of parishioners in the New Year and a centennial celebration being planned for 2029, this is a parish with both deep roots and a forward-looking pastor.
Mass times at St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM (typically heard until 3:45 PM)
About St. Therese of the Child Jesus
St. Therese of the Child Jesus is a Franciscan Catholic parish in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, part of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. The parish is pastored by Rev. Bernard Karmanocky, O.F.M., with Fr. Francis Balestino, O.F.M., in residence, and it shares its administration with neighboring St. Anne Parish. The community worships daily and gathers around a robust calendar of parish societies and devotions rooted in the Franciscan tradition.
- Patron: St. Thérèse of Lisieux (feast day October 1)
- Diocese: Altoona-Johnstown
- Style: 'The Church of the Franciscans'
History & Centennial
St. Therese traces its roots to the late 1920s in Johnstown and is approaching its 100th anniversary. In 2026 Pastor Fr. Bernard Karmanocky announced the upcoming centennial (2029) and invited parishioners to volunteer for the planning committee and to help compile a written timeline of the parish's history, with the additional pastoral practice of visiting parishioners' homes in the lead-up to the celebration.
- Centennial to be celebrated in 2029
- Fr. Bernard is organizing a centennial volunteer committee
- Parishioners are helping compile a written parish timeline
Clergy & Staff
St. Therese is served by Franciscan friars of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM). The pastor is Rev. Bernard Karmanocky, O.F.M., who also pastors St. Anne Parish in Johnstown. Rev. Francis Balestino, O.F.M., lives in residence. The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Bernard Karmanocky, O.F.M.
- In Residence: Rev. Francis Balestino, O.F.M.
- Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Rectory Phone: (814) 539-7633
Parish Societies & Ministries
St. Therese is home to a rich network of traditional Catholic societies and lay ministries that meet regularly in the Church Hall and Social Hall. Long-standing groups include the Christian Mothers, Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus Council #10409, and the Senior Choir (Monday 7 PM rehearsals).
- Christian Mothers — monthly Rosary, Mass, and meeting; RADA fundraiser
- Holy Name Society — monthly meeting in the Church Hall
- Knights of Columbus Council #10409 — monthly meeting in the Church Hall
- Senior Choir — rehearsals Mondays at 7 PM (contact Barb at 255-6563)
- Eucharistic Ministers — new members welcome
- Lectors — new members welcome
Prayer & Outreach
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish offers several prayer and outreach opportunities. The Divine Mercy Prayer Group meets periodically (with service projects), the Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and distributes shawls to those in need of comfort, and the pastor visits and blesses parishioners' homes by request in the New Year.
- Divine Mercy Prayer Group (contact Cathy 814-288-1126 or Lolly 814-659-8717)
- Prayer Shawl Ministry (contact Debi Hubbard 814-421-2416, [email protected])
- Blessing of Homes — call the Rectory (814-539-7633) to schedule
Faith Formation & Sacraments
St. Therese prepares parishioners for the sacraments through regular parish programs. Bulletin announcements regularly include Confirmation preparation, the Rite of Sending for Confirmation candidates, and First Holy Communion. The parish also runs an annual Vacation Bible School, typically in the summer.
- First Holy Communion (annual)
- Confirmation preparation (annual)
- Rite of Sending for Confirmation candidates
- Vacation Bible School (summer)
Annual Fundraisers & Community Events
The parish sustains its mission through traditional fundraisers, most notably the Outside Kitchen festival that draws volunteers for set-up, kitchen work, and cashiering. The Christian Mothers run periodic RADA cutlery sales to support parish projects. Bulletins also publish weekly collection totals and annual stewardship pledge progress.
- Outside Kitchen festival (Friday-evening volunteer setup)
- Christian Mothers RADA fundraiser
- Weekly offertory and yearly contribution statements
Facilities & Contact
St. Therese operates out of three parish properties in Johnstown: the Church/Rectory at 536 Decker Avenue, the Convent at 702 Saybrook Place, and ancillary halls (Church Hall and weekly Social Hall). The parish shares administration and phone lines with St. Anne Parish.
- Church/Rectory: 536 Decker Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15906 — (814) 539-7633
- Convent: 702 Saybrook Place, Johnstown, PA 15906
- Weekly Social Hall: (814) 535-8805
- Church Hall: (814) 536-2287
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: sttheresejohnstown.com
Visiting & Getting Involved
Visitors and returning Catholics are warmly welcomed. Weekend Masses are Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM, with confession at 3:00 PM Saturday. Anyone interested in joining a ministry — choir, prayer group, society, or liturgical ministry — is encouraged to contact the rectory office at (814) 539-7633 during weekday office hours (9 AM – 2 PM).
- Call the Rectory: (814) 539-7633 (Mon–Fri, 9 AM – 2 PM)
- Email: [email protected]
- Pick up a bulletin online: sttheresejohnstown.com/bulletins/