About St. Vincent de Paul · Hanover, Pennsylvania
St. Vincent de Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Hanover, Pennsylvania, belonging to the Diocese of Harrisburg. Founded in 1905 through the extraordinary generosity of Vincent O'Bold — a local banker and farmer whose sister, Gabriella Smith, carried out his dream after his death — the parish built a Gothic brick church at 220 Third Street that was dedicated and consecrated debt-free by Bishop John Shanahan on December 5, 1905. Worshiping under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul, the parish today offers daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Penance, a parish Religious Education program, RCIA, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus Council #14865, a parish-run Thrift Shop whose proceeds fund Catholic education, and a wide range of fellowship and service ministries. The parish celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2025 with Bishop Timothy Senior presiding.
- Established
- 1905
- Patron
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Rector
- Rev. Michael P. Reid II
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
St. Vincent de Paul is a long-established Catholic family on Hanover's Third Street where the faithful can pray daily Mass, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays and the First Sunday, and gather for the Rosary before nearly every Mass — including public Rosary on the Square in Hanover and New Oxford. Vibrant service groups (the St. Vincent de Paul Society with its food pantry, Knights of Columbus Council #14865 with its annual Manna Bags, a parish-run Thrift Shop funding Catholic education, Provide-A-Lunch service, respect-life work, and a Health Equipment Loan Locker) give parishioners concrete ways to live the Gospel. Liturgical, musical, and faith-formation ministries — including a thriving choir, a youth-led altar server corps, RCIA, and a parish Religious Education program for grades 1–8 — welcome people of every age and stage.
Mass times at St. Vincent de Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (per official parish site) / 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (per Diocese of Harrisburg)
- First Sunday of the month 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM, with Benediction at 9:30 AM
- First Sunday of the month 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM, with Benediction following the 10:30 AM Mass
- First Saturday of the month 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
About St. Vincent de Paul Parish
St. Vincent de Paul Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Harrisburg. Founded in 1905 through the extraordinary generosity of Vincent O'Bold and his sister Gabriella Smith, the parish built a Gothic brick church at 220 Third Street that was dedicated and consecrated debt-free by Bishop John Shanahan on December 5, 1905. Today the parish offers daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays and the First Sunday, the Sacrament of Penance on Saturdays and First Sundays, a parish Religious Education program, RCIA, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus Council #14865, and a parish-run Thrift Shop that funds Catholic education. The parish celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2025 with Bishop Timothy Senior presiding.
Our History
The story of St. Vincent de Paul begins with Vincent O'Bold (1827–1902), a Hanover-area banker, farmer, and devout member of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Conewago. On his death in 1902, his sister Gabriella Smith carried out his dream by donating land and funds to the Diocese of Harrisburg. Bishop John Shanahan laid the cornerstone on June 12, 1904 before roughly 2,000 people; construction resumed in spring 1905 and the church was completed by year's end. The Dedication and Consecration were combined into a single ceremony on December 5, 1905 because the parish was debt-free upon completion — Bishop Shanahan publicly praised the Smith family's generosity. The Rectory followed in 1906–1907, again paid for by Gabriella Smith, who also left half her estate to the parish in trust.
Vincent O'Bold and the Founding
Vincent O'Bold was born March 11, 1827 and worked a farm with his three sisters before borrowing $1,000 from his uncle to start the first milk delivery route to Hanover and McSherrystown. He paid off his father's debts, eventually owned 600 acres of prime farmland, and served as director of the First National Bank from 1866 to 1902 and as its president for one year. His wife Louise and all four of their children died of tuberculosis by 1880; Vincent himself died on December 28, 1902, at 75. He and his family are buried in the Sacred Heart Basilica Cemetery in Edgegrove. His sister Gabriella Smith, his sole heir, approached Bishop Shanahan shortly after his death and conveyed five building lots to the Diocese for $1.00 on June 11, 1904.
- Gothic design by architect H.E. Yessler of York
- Built by F.X. Kuhn in pressed brick with brownstone trim
- $50,000 total cost; 50 x 125 feet
- Stained-glass windows by Meyer and Company of New York, made in Munich, Bavaria
- Moeller organ from Hagerstown, MD; bell from Shane Foundry Company of Baltimore
The Rectory / Parish House
The Rectory was built in 1906 and completed in 1907 at the cost of Gabriella Smith. It has a basement and three floors of living space: the first floor contains the Pastor's Office, kitchen, dining room, and a bathroom; the second floor has two suites (private sitting room, bedroom, and bath each) — Fr. Reid and Fr. Gotwalt live here; the third floor has another suite plus an office, occupied by Fr. Ignacio. Father Bernard Quinn renamed it the Parish House in 1993 to signal welcome to laypeople and to host council meetings; current Pastor Father Reid has restored the use of 'Rectory.' Two Eagle Scout projects adorn the grounds: a Pietà by Curtis Billig and a Holy Family statue by Michael Monaghan. The trees in the back courtyard were planted in 1927 by second-grade students of the parish school.
Clergy, Staff & Parish Office
St. Vincent de Paul is currently led by Rev. Michael P. Reid II as pastor, with two retired priests — Rev. Joseph F. Gotwalt and Rev. Ignacio Palomino — in residence at the rectory. The parish is supported by a Director of Religious Education, Parish Secretary, Sacristan and Bereavement Support coordinator, Maintenance Supervisor, IT Administrator, Music Director, and Choir Director. The Parish Office is open through the week; the main phone line is 717-637-4625, and fax is 717-637-6650.
- Rev. Michael P. Reid II — Pastor ([email protected])
- Rev. Joseph F. Gotwalt — In Residence
- Rev. Ignacio Palomino — In Residence
- Ms. Sandra (Sandy) Clark — Director of Religious Education ([email protected], 717.632.1467)
- Mrs. Bonnie Miller — Parish Secretary ([email protected])
- Mrs. Krista Lookenbill — Sacristan / Bereavement Support
- Mr. Jeb Mahone — Maintenance Supervisor
- Mr. Chris Lenick — IT Administrator ([email protected])
- Ms. Deb Herr — Music Director
- Mrs. Anje Lybarger — Choir Director (717.637.7505)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish Religious Education program assists parents in educating their elementary and middle-school children in the Catholic faith. Age-specific groups meet Sunday mornings during the school year, 8:45 AM – 10:15 AM (September through May), for children and youth in grades 1–8, with accommodations for unique learning and dietary needs. Sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation (2nd grade), First Eucharist (2nd grade), and Confirmation (8th grade with two years of prior religious education) all flow through the Director of Religious Education, Ms. Sandy Clark (717.632.1467). The parish also offers the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), meeting Thursday evenings from September through May, and an OCIA Adapted for Children/Youth program for ages 7+ seeking baptism.
- Parish Religious Education Program (grades 1–8) — Sundays 8:45–10:15 AM
- RCIA (adults) — Thursday evenings, September–May
- OCIA Adapted for Children/Youth (ages 7+) — Sundays during Faith Formation year
- Sacramental preparation: Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation
Parochial Schools
While St. Vincent de Paul itself does not operate a K–8 school on its campus today, the parish partners with regional Catholic schools for elementary, middle, and secondary education. Parishes refer families to Saint Joseph Catholic School (Hanover), Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School (Conewago and McSherrystown campuses), Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School (Gettysburg), and Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown. All proceeds from the parish Thrift Shop are restricted to funding the Catholic education of parish children.
- Saint Joseph Catholic School, Hanover — Mrs. Melissa Connahey, Principal — 717.632.0118
- Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School (Conewago & McSherrystown campuses) — Mrs. Melissa Guy — 717.637.3135
- Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School, Gettysburg — Becky Sieg, Principal — 717.334.4221
- Delone Catholic High School, McSherrystown — William J. Lippe, Principal; Mrs. Amy Miller, Director of Enrollment — 717.637.5969
Liturgical Ministries
St. Vincent de Paul's weekend and daily liturgies are supported by a wide range of lay liturgical ministers. The Parish Choir sings primarily at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass, seasonal celebrations, and Holy Days, performing sacred music from across the Church's musical heritage — rehearsals are Thursdays 6:30–8:30 PM in the Choir Loft and Sundays 9:00 AM in the Rectory, with no audition required. The parish welcomes new Altar Servers (training begins the second semester of second grade), Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (must be at least 16, fully initiated, and Diocesan-trained), and Adult and Youth Ushers (8th grade and older).
- Parish Choir — open to high school and adult parishioners; contact Anje Lybarger 717.637.7505
- Organist/Pianist
- Altar Servers
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers (Adults and Youth grades 8–12)
Fellowship & Service Ministries
The parish's fellowship and service arm is broad and deeply rooted in the local community. It includes the Parish Council of Catholic Women (meets 2nd Tuesdays 6:30–8:30 PM), the St. Vincent de Paul Society (which maintains the parish Food Pantry in the tradition of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam), Knights of Columbus Council #14865 (with its annual Manna Bags in November), the parish Thrift (and Gift) Shop, a Parish Gardening Group, a Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, Volunteers to the Sick and Homebound, Bereavement Ministry, Health Equipment Loan Locker, Sacred Sewing and Holy Laundry, Sanctuary Decoration, Hanover Hall Mass Team, and Cub Scout Pack #108 (which hosts the Parish Easter Egg Hunt and October Trunk or Treat). The parish is also one of 32 member churches of the Hanover Area Council of Churches.
- Parish Council of Catholic Women
- St. Vincent de Paul Society & Food Pantry
- Knights of Columbus Council #14865
- Thrift (and Gift) Shop (Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
- Parish Gardening Group
- Ministry with Persons with Disabilities
- Volunteers to the Sick and the Homebound
- Bereavement Ministry
- Health Equipment Loan Locker
- Hanover Hall Mass Team
- Sacred Sewing & Holy Laundry
- Sanctuary Decoration
- Cub Scout Pack #108
- Hanover Area Council of Churches (HACC) — Ecumenical Outreach
Outreach & Charity
The parish reaches well beyond its walls through targeted works of mercy. Its Provide-A-Lunch (PAL) team serves a free Noonday meal at PAL's site on the second Sunday of every month — PAL provides a hot and cold, nutritious lunch seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Ecumenical Outreach connects the parish to the wider Hanover faith community through the Hanover Area Council of Churches. The Respect Life Committee organizes the March for Life, a monthly Pro-Life Rosary in October, the January 'Change For Life' baby bottle campaign, and the May 'Mary Gold' program.
- Provide-A-Lunch (PAL) — second Sunday each month
- Food Pantry (Joyce Smith 717.637.0366)
- Respect Life Committee
- Knights of Columbus Manna Bags (each November)
- HANAC / Ecumenical Outreach
Parish Councils & Governance
Two councils assist the Pastor in shepherding the parish. The Finance Council meets five times a year on Mondays 6:30–8:00 PM in the Library, providing analysis and recommendations on stewardship of treasure. The Pastoral Council acts in an advisory capacity to the Pastor, meets six times a year on Mondays 6:30–8:30 PM, and serves a three-year term per member — its work is consistent with the norms of the Diocese of Harrisburg and is committed to the spiritual growth of its members and the wider parish community.
- Finance Council — meets 5x/year
- Pastoral Council — meets 6x/year, 3-year terms
Visit, Register & Get Involved
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed. The parish encourages anyone interested in joining to download the registration form from the parish website, complete it on a computer, print it, and return it to the Parish Office. Each week the parish staff updates the website with current news and event information, and the parish publishes a weekly bulletin online. Mass, Confession, Adoration, Rosary, and devotions are open to everyone; ministries welcome new participants throughout the year.
- Parish Office: 717.637.4625 / [email protected]
- Mass times posted weekly in the bulletin and online
- Parish registration form available on the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. James Lyons2014–2015
Assigned concurrently as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Hanover, where he resided; the 18th pastor of the parish but did not live in the rectory.
- Rev. Bernard Quinn
Renamed the Rectory the 'Parish House' in 1993 to signal hospitality, and held parish and finance council meetings in the dining room.