Serving Manayunk, Roxborough, and Wissahickon since 1831
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church has been the Catholic anchor of the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia for nearly two centuries. Founded in 1831, it is the tenth oldest parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the first Catholic parish established outside Center City. Today the parish encompasses about 1,200 active families and roughly 3,500 registered members, plus an alumni community of more than 3,000, and extends its reach through three worship sites, two cemeteries, a wooded picnic ground, and a wide network of ministries for every age.
A Church Built for a Growing Mill Town
The story begins in the winter of 1829 and 1830, in the small mill town of Manayunk, when Jerome and Eulalia Keating invited a priest to celebrate Mass in their Cresson Street home. As neighboring families joined them (about 100 people in 20 households) and Eulalia Keating held Sunday school for the children, Jerome, a cotton mill owner, proposed a parish and donated the ground for a church and cemetery. The original church opened on April 4, 1831, where the upper school building now stands, and became the "mother church" of Catholic life in Manayunk. Eulalia later entered the Order of the Visitation in Georgetown as Sister Mary Joseph, and their daughter Amelia, who received her First Holy Communion at the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve 1832, joined the Carmelites in Baltimore.
The parish quickly seeded new communities. St. Patrick in Norristown (1835), St. Mary of the Assumption (1848), Holy Family (1885), St. Josaphat (1898), and St. Lucy (1907) all grew from St. John the Baptist. As Manayunk swelled with European immigrants, the original church grew too small, and the current church was designed by the prominent New York architect Patrick Charles Keely. A bequest of $100,000 in 1881 from Bernard McCane and his wife, in whose honor statues of Saints Bernard and Cecilia adorn the main altar, made the new building possible, along with the help of the local community. The total cost reached $250,000, and the new church was dedicated on April 1, 1894. Over the following decades, Monsignor John McKenna oversaw the addition of the interior work and the sculptures by the eminent New York sculptor Joseph Sibbel, completing the bell tower and installing the original organ in 1906.
In 2012 the Archdiocese of Philadelphia closed St. Josaphat and St. Mary of the Assumption parishes, and the three parishes were merged into St. John the Baptist. St. Josaphat Church at 124 Cotton Street remains a worship site of the parish, and the former St. Mary of the Assumption church on Conarroe Street was designated a historic place through the efforts of community members. The onetime Keating home, which had become the convent of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, was taken down in 2018 to make room for the current church parking lot.
Worship at the Main Church and All Saints' Chapel
The historic St. John the Baptist Church at 119 Rector Street is the parish's main worship site. Weekend Masses fill the church on Saturday evening and three times on Sunday: the Vigil Mass at 4:00 PM Saturday and Sunday Masses at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 6:00 PM. The 11:00 AM Mass is served by the parish choir. Confessions are heard in the church on Saturday from 3:00 to 3:45 PM and on Sunday from 8:00 to 8:45 AM and from 5:00 to 5:45 PM. Eucharistic Adoration follows the Sunday afternoon schedule from 5:00 to 5:45 PM. On Holy Days of Obligation and Ash Wednesday, Masses are offered at 7:00 AM, 12:05 PM, and 7:00 PM in the main church, with no vigil Mass the evening before.
Across the small street stands the Parish Center at 146 Rector Street, which houses All Saints' Chapel and the parish offices. The chapel hosts Weekday Mass at 7:00 AM Monday through Friday and is open for private prayer until 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday and until 3:00 PM on Fridays. Friday Adoration fills the chapel from after the 7:00 AM Mass through 4:00 PM, with the Divine Mercy Chaplet prayed at 3:00 PM and Benediction at 4:00 PM. Young Adults gather for a Holy Hour in the chapel every Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, often followed by a social. During the weeks following Christmas and Easter, the 7:00 AM weekday Mass moves into the main church.
St. Josaphat Church at 124 Cotton Street comes alive one Saturday each month for First Saturday Mass at 8:30 AM, preceded by Confessions at 8:00 AM. The Mass is offered for increased devotion to St. John Paul II and is followed by a meeting of the Polish American Heritage Association. Masses of Christian Burial and weddings can be scheduled at St. Josaphat with the approval of the pastor, and the church remains in the care of volunteer hands.
An Accessible and Friendly Place for Visitors
Both the main church and the Parish Center are wheelchair accessible. The main church has a ramped Rector Street entrance and a second ramp from the parking lot at the rear, with reserved accessible parking on Rector Street and van-accessible spaces near the ramp. A restroom is in the church vestibule, and additional restrooms can be opened by speaking with an usher. The church is not air conditioned. Visitors attending Masses and liturgies find ample parking in the Cresson Street lot behind the church and in the lot behind the Parish Center, which can be entered from Rector Street and exited onto Roxborough Avenue. On-street parking is also available.
Newcomers are warmly encouraged to register as parishioners, and regular bulletins, the weekly email newsletter, Flocknote updates, and the parish podcast keep the wider community informed. The parish is also active on Facebook and Instagram, and Sunday and weekday Masses are livestreamed on Facebook for those at home.
Sacraments at Every Stage of Catholic Life
The seven sacraments are central to parish life. Baptisms for infants and children under the age of seven are celebrated on the second Sunday of each month, immediately after the 11:00 AM Mass, with most families preparing through six to eight weeks of pre-Jordan sessions. Parents who are expecting are welcome to begin the process early. Older children and adults seeking Baptism are welcomed through the parish's OCIA program, and Confirmation for Adults is offered as a four-evening preparation course each spring, with the Confirmation itself celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on Pentecost Sunday.
Penance and Reconciliation is offered in the main church during the times listed above, with the parish providing a thorough Examination of Conscience and a guide for those who have been away from the sacrament for a while. First Reconciliation is part of the children's sacramental track. The Anointing of the Sick can be requested at any time by calling the parish office, and priests from the local parishes visit Roxborough Memorial Hospital on a rotating schedule. The parish also coordinates Communion visits for the homebound and runs the Nourish for Caregivers program for those caring for seriously ill loved ones.
For First Communion, the parish works with Catholic schools and with PREP classes on Sunday mornings. Engaged couples planning to marry at St. John the Baptist meet with a priest at the Parish Center, with weddings scheduled on Friday afternoons up to 5:00 PM and on Saturdays no later than 1:00 PM. The parish hosts an annual Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Day jointly with the other Catholic parishes of East Falls, Manayunk, Roxborough, and Andorra, typically held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Funerals can be planned with detailed liturgy guides, music selections, and family participation, and cremated remains can be inurned at the columbarium on the parish grounds.
From Pre-K through High School: PREP, Altar Servers, and the Youth Group
Parish Religious Education (PREP) meets on Sunday mornings during the school year, beginning with the 9:00 AM Mass that the whole family attends. After Mass, students gather and head to their classrooms, with dismissal at 11:30 AM from the Rectory parking lot. The program now welcomes Kindergarten students in addition to elementary and middle school ages. Students in second grade typically prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion, while seventh and eighth graders receive Confirmation preparation under the direction of the bishop. A two-year sacramental preparation is the norm. The PREP office, with Director of Religious Education Claudia Barriga, also coordinates the Tuesday Sacramental PREP for older children who have not yet received the sacraments.
Catechists and aides are drawn from the parish community, and the parish encourages parents, grandparents, and young adults to volunteer in the classrooms, working through the Safe Environment Program and Pennsylvania clearances required by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Children in fourth grade and up who have been initiated Catholics can join the ranks of the altar servers, and older seventh and eighth grade students who have received the sacraments of initiation are invited to the parish youth group, which focuses on Christian service and community.
Becoming Catholic: OCIA for Adults
Adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church, including those already baptized in another Christian tradition, those baptized Catholic who never received the other sacraments of initiation, and those simply curious to learn more, gather each Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Parish Center for OCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. The journey begins each September and culminates at the Easter Vigil the following spring, when catechumens and candidates are fully received into the Church. Catholic adults who have received Baptism and the Eucharist are invited to complete their initiation through the adult Confirmation course in the Easter season. Adult Faith Formation Director Kristi Bushner welcomes inquiries from anyone exploring the Catholic faith, and the parish team is also looking for additional parishioners to accompany seekers on this journey.
Young Adults, Women, Men, and a Vibrant Calendar of Groups
Young adults find a regular home at St. John the Baptist through Wednesday evening Adoration and bi-monthly socials in the Chapel and on the grounds. A Young Adult Women's Bible Study meets on Thursday nights, and Saturday mornings bring the That Man Is You men's group. The Mom's Group gathers monthly during the academic year. A Patriotic Rosary is prayed throughout the year on Sundays, and the parish also hosts a Gospel Reflections Discussion Group in person and over Zoom on Wednesdays and a Tuesday night book study in the Social Hall. Volunteers and staff support a nightly Call-in Rosary each evening at 7:00 PM, a Pastoral Council, a Finance Council, a Parish Pastoral Planning Team, a Bereavement Ministry, the Marthas who clean and care for the church and shrines, and the cemeteries team that tends graves on Memorial Day and throughout the year.
The parish calendar runs year-round with events such as the St. Patrick's Day gathering, the 4th of July Parish Picnic at St. Mary's Woods, the Pet Blessing in October, the Christmas Bazaar in November, the St. Nicholas Brunch, and the Wigilia in December. The Annual Memorial Mass in November is offered for those who have died, and the parish supports Neighbor to Neighbor activities and other community-building events. The Young Adult Bonfires and Movie Nights at St. Mary's Woods are recurring favorites. Communication, photography, graphic design, and writing talents are valued as much as hands-on service.
Heart 2 Heart Outreach and Community Service
St. John the Baptist takes seriously the call to love neighbor through Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The Heart 2 Heart Ministry coordinates the parish's outreach throughout the year, including the parish Food Collections, the Backpack Drive for Philadelphia students, the Giving Tree gift drive at Christmastide for parish families, eyeglass donations, and Hot Meal Delivery through Manayunk Meals and More. Throughout the year the parish takes up collections for St. John's Hospice, including the annual Boot Up Philly drive, and supports the St. Francis Inn, Blessed Sarnelli House, the St. Charles Seminary Appeal, the Catholic Charities Appeal, and World Mission Sunday. A Pro-Life Rose for Life program directs funds to local pro-life organizations.
Bereavement Ministers write and mail cards to homebound parishioners and host hospitality at the Annual Memorial Mass. Senior Care Program coordinator Christopher Minnick walks with older parishioners and their families through the maze of Medicare options, prescription drug plans, VA benefits, Pennsylvania assistance programs, and the legal and practical tools of a well-organized household. The program helps seniors remain safely in their homes and transitions them to and from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term care when needed. The Senior Care Program operates with Catholic Housing and Community Services and a parish endowment, and is offered in partnership with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Cemeteries, Columbarium, and the Care of Memory
St. John the Baptist Cemetery on Cresson Street was dedicated in 1831 along with the parish itself. It contains more than 5,000 recorded burials, beginning with members of the parish's founding family, and is believed by many to hold more Civil War veterans than any other small cemetery in America. Inurnment niches are available in the adjoining columbarium, and families are encouraged to plan ahead. The cemetery is private property under continuous video surveillance, with regulations covering flowers, plantings, headstone care, and visitor conduct. The St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery, located on Lemonte Street in Roxborough, is accessible by appointment during business hours. The Social Hall at the Parish Center, before it became a gathering place, served for a time as a chapel and lower church, a reminder that the buildings of the parish have worn many faithful hats over the decades.
Pastoral Planning, Faith Formation, and a Bold Voice in the Wilderness
The parish purpose statement, set out in the Fall 2023 Pastoral Plan, calls St. John the Baptist to be "a bold voice ringing out in the wilderness, proclaiming 'Behold the Lamb of God,' pointing the way to Christ for the faithful and the seekers, challenging all to live joyfully as disciples of Christ." Two top priorities shape parish life: Discipleship, focused on deepening personal relationships with Jesus through prayer, the sacraments, scripture, witness, the Works of Mercy, stewardship of creation, and a life of holiness, and Community Building, which works to create a culture of welcome within the parish and to take a prophetic and collaborative place in the wider community. The parish maintains a rich library of formation resources, including a FORMED subscription for parishioners, the Catholic Bible, the Catechism, the prayers of basic devotions, links to EWTN programming, Relevant Radio, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's faith events.
Pastors and Pastoral Team
Reverend Andrew J. Auletta serves as Parochial Administrator of the parish, with Monsignor Kevin Lawrence named as the pastor on the volunteer contact form. Reverend Hugh Joseph Shields is Permanent Resident, Emeritus, and Deacons John Farrell and Casper Baratta (Emeritus) assist with parish life. Two additional priest celebrants assist with Masses: Reverend Charles Strollo of the Vincentian Theologiate and Reverend Dan Joyce, Director of the ACE Program at Saint Joseph's University. Lay leadership keeps the parish running: Lex Nugent as Business Manager, Roseanne Westerfer as Parish Operations Director, Theresa Grato as Parish Secretary and Baptism Arrangements, Bob Leso as Liturgical Music Director, Kristi Bushner as Adult Faith Formation Director, Claudia Barriga as Director of Religious Education, and Christopher Minnick for Senior Care. Eileen Stolzer supports the Capital Campaign, and a dedicated team of maintenance staff keeps the buildings beautiful.
Giving, Time, and Talent
Parishioners sustain St. John the Baptist through online giving at OSV Hub, Venmo, planned giving, and the parish poor boxes, which provide funding each month to ministries such as Blessed Sarnelli House, St. John's Hospice, and St. Francis Inn. The parish maintains a Time and Talent stewardship program, encourages registration, and welcomes volunteers in parish communications, hospitality, faith formation, liturgical ministries, maintenance, the food bank, the Backpack Drive, Christmas Bazaar, and many other programs. Safe Environment training and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia clearances are required for anyone working with children.
Visiting St. John the Baptist
Those who want to attend Mass in person can simply arrive at 119 Rector Street on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning, or at 146 Rector Street for a 7:00 AM weekday Mass. The parish offices are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and can be reached at 215-482-4600. Masses are livestreamed on the parish's Facebook page. The parish welcomes new faces, new families, and returning alumni; a phone call to the Parish Center, an email to the parish office, or a request to register is the easiest first step for anyone wishing to take part in the life of this Manayunk Catholic community.