AREA HISTORY:  St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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ST. PATRICK’S CATHOLIC CHURCH – Page 542

In attempting to write the history of this church it is difficult to get accurate information.  As early as April, 1750, John Moore secured Lot No. 
295 (the present site of St. Patrick’s Church).  On the 20th of June, of the same year, John Moore assigned his right and title to Casper 
Stillinger, who shortly after erected thereon a stone dwelling house.  In 1776 it was purchased from the heirs of Casper Stillinger by Joseph 
Smith, who presented it to the then small Catholic Congregation to be used as a place of public worship.

York congregation was presented with a place for the freedom of worship in the same year that our forefathers were presented with that 
inestimable boon for which they laborer so long, viz.:  Liberty and Independence.  After considerable remodeling, this old stone dwelling was 
converted into a place of worship, and dedicated and consecrated.  The parish was attended at intervals by priests from Conewago Chapel, near 
Hanover.  In the year 1809, Rev. Thomas Neal, of Georgetown, D. C., visited York, and not being satisfied as to the legality of the title to the 
church property, made application and received a deed, “in trust for his heirs and assigns, to and for the only and proper use and behoof of the 
Catholic Congregation of the borough of York, Penn., their successors and assigns, forever.”  This deed remained in the custody of some 
unknown person for a number of years, unrecorded.  The old stone building was continued as a place of worship until the year 1810, when the 
rapid and large increase of the congregation made it necessary to replace it with one of larger dimensions – the present church on the same site.  
The corner-stone was laid by Rev. Father Debrath.  From 1810 to 1819 the congregation was supplied with spiritual aid from Baltimore, 
Conewago, Paradise and other places.

The first regularly stationed pastor in this parish was Rev. Lawrence Huber, who came to York in 1819, and remained six months; was 
succeeded by Rev. George L. Hogan, for two years.  Rev. P. J. Divin came in 1822.  During his administration the missing deed to the church 
property was secured and recorded.

Father Divin remained sixteen years.  In 1832 the church building was too small to accommodate the congregation, which was composed of 
Irish, Germans and Americans.  It was enlarged by an addition of fifteen feet.  Father Divin died February 2, 1838, and his remains were 
interred beneath the floor in the central aisle of the church.

The venerable Father Rafferty was assigned to the pastorate in 1838.  Pews were placed in the church, an organ purchased, and, in 1840, a 
steeple and bell were added.  Father Rafferty was succeeded, in 1842, by Rev. Father Kelly, for eight months.  In 1844 Rev. Father McKin was 
sent, remained but seven months, and was succeeded by Rev. B. A. Shorb, who was a native of York County, and understanding the English 
and German languages, was a great favorite.  Rev. M. F. Martin came in 1846.  He had built the first parochial residence, also established a 
parochial school.  In 1854 he was succeeded by Rev. Patrick Reily, and he by Rev. Father McLaughlin.  Rev. Sylvester Eagle was stationed 
here from 1855 to 1866, when he died, and his remains were interred at the northeast corner of the church, where a tablet, designed by himself, 
marks his resting place.

Rev. Father McGinnis came next, and then Rev. Father Murray in 1867.  He remodeled the church.  Rev. Thomas McGovern served from 1870 
to 1873; his retirement was regretted by all his parishioners.  Fathers McIlvaine, Kenny and McKenna, succeeded in order named.  Father 
Shanahan, the present pastor (1885), has made some valuable improvements to the church property, having erected an additional building for 
the use of the sisters in charge of the parochial school.  He also secured for the congregation a cemetery on the suburbs of the town, the old 
cemetery attached to the church being filled.