Parish History

We're looking for parish historical information, especially from 1981 to present. If you have information to share, please e-mail information to: info@peterandpaulchurch.com.

Catholicism in Lehighton dates back to the year 1850, when there were seven Catholic families in the area. Also during this time, German Catholic immigrants came from their fatherland and located here. They were later followed by the Irish, the Poles, the Italians, and the Slavs.

During the latter part of the nineteenth century, these Catholic families were instructed in their faith by Father Freude. Traveling by horse and buggy, Father Freude covered in his missionary work the territory from Mauch Chunk to Berlinsville. He visited the Lehighton territory only once a month, celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Schwartz home on First Street. This later became Smith’s Home Appliance Store, now the site of a mini-mall.

Father William Heinen, later Monsignor, built a small church to accommodate the Catholics of the town and gave them their own place of worship. This church was dedicated by Bishop Wood. The exact date of the founding of the church is unknown.

Seeing a need for missionary work in East Mauch Chunk, Father Heinen selected a few Catholic families from Lehighton and with them, founded the parish of St. Joseph’s. Once again, the Catholics of Lehighton had no pastor of their own, but were attended by a priest from St. Joseph’s in East Mauch Chunk. During this period, the elder girls of the parish traveled to East Mauch Chunk–sometimes on foot–for their religious instruction. They, in turn, would instruct the younger generation of the parish.

According to the official records of the parish, Father Hubert H. Hammeke was the first resident pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish. His residency encompassed the years from 1885 to 1890. During his tenure as pastor, Father Hammeke brought the Sisters of Charity to the parish from St. Joseph’s in East Mauch Chunk to instruct the Catholic youth of the Lehighton area. Sensing the need for both secular and religious training, he opened the parish school of Ss Peter and Paul in 1886 with an enrollment of 60 pupils. The school was staffed by three sisters from the order of Saint Francis from Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania. The old church was remodeled at this time to serve both as a school and as a place of worship. During this time, the sisters lived in the basement of the old church.

From the years 1890 to 1892, Father Aegidus Mersch succeeded as pastor of Sts Peter & Paul. His successor as the Rev. Charles Sauers, who guided the parish from 1892 to 1894.

Father William Hammeke, brother of the Rev. Hubert Hammeke, was then appointed pastor. Among his accomplishments while stationed in Lehighton for ten years (1894 to 1903), a residence for the priest was constructed in back of the old church. Later, this dwelling was turned over to the sisters and a new rectory was built on the south side of the church. During Father Hammeke’s pastorship, four mission parishes were established, these being Bowmanstown, Palmerton, Slatington, and Berlinsville.

In 1903, Father Francis Regnery took over as pastor. He saw the immediate need of a new church. However, it was not until August 21, 1906, that ground was broken. The cornerstone of the present church was laid on October 7, 1906. When fully completed, the construction of the church cost approximately $25,000. This modest yet adequate brick structure with stone trimming of gothic style architecture was dedicated by His Excellency, Archbishop Edmund Pendergast on Monday, September 1, 1907. The first solemn Mass in the new church was celebrated by the Rev. Father Longinus of St. John’s church in Pottsville at 10 am. Two new bells were installed in 1907. The large bell weighs 1230 pounds and the smaller one weighs 630 pounds. They are dedicated to the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Mother, respectively. The old church was then remodeled for use as a full-time parochial school.

An early morning fire in 1910 was discovered by the sexton who arrived at the church to ring the morning Angelus. Destroyed in the fire were the altar, the candlesticks, the statuary and similar fixtures. The fire originated in the boys’ sacristy adjoining the altar. The damage exceeded $1,000. Due to the fire, the new church was renovated, including being frescoed and beautifully decorated. Having been closed during the alterations, the church was reopened on Christmas Day of that year. It was also during this time that the Silver Jubilee of the parish was celebrated. Father Regnery’s pastorate of Ss Peter & Paul lasted until 1923, a stewardship of twenty years.

During the years 1923 to 1940, Father Charles Saas guided the parish with his zeal and well-known charity. It was during his administration and under his personal supervision that the present school building was erected. Digging for the new building began on April 28, 1924. The cornerstone was laid on August 17, 1924. Classes in the new building were held for the first time on February 9, 1925. It was also during that time that Father Saas turned over his residence on the south side of the church to ths sisters as their convent. This sisters of St. Francis lived at this convent until 1984. He then planned and built the present rectory as it stands today. In both construction jobs, Father Saas donned working clothes and helped in the manual labor.

On Saturday, June 3, 1929, the first Lehighton native to enter the priesthood was ordained by Cardinal Dennis Doughtery. Rev. James A. Murphy celebrated his first solemn Mass at 10 am on the following day in the church before an overflowing crowd of friends, both Catholic and non-Catholic. Father Murphy was paid tribute during a testimonial dinner and reception at St. Joseph’s auditorium in East Mauch Chunk. The dinner, held June 7, 1939, was given by the Damien Council No. 598 of the Knights of Columbus.

Due to his failing health, Father Saas resigned in May of 1940. The Reverend John P. Ludwig was appointed his successor by Cardinal Dennis Dougherty. Under his administration, the excellent work of his predecessors was continued. In 1947, an impressive statue of Christ was erected between the church and the convent. In 1949, Father Ludwig supervised the redecorating of the church, installing new statues, new Stations of the Cross, new lighting, and a new heating system.

After eleven years of service, Father Ludwig resigned his charge due to failing health. The Rev. George J. Fenzil assumed his duties as pastor on March 27, 1953.

In 1954, Father Fenzil built an addition onto the school in order to meet the ever-growing needs of the enrollment due to the increasing Catholic population in the area. He also remodeled the school hall, the kitchen in the school, and part of the convent. In 1975, Father Fenzil began renovating the exterior of the church when the church steeple was lowered and the roof, doors, and brick exterior were replaced. Rev. Fenzil retired in 1976 due to his failing health and served as pastor emeritus until his death in ____.

Father Fenzil’s successor was Rev. William E. Handges. Earlier, Father Handges, now a Monsignor, lived in residence at Sts. Peter & Paul while teaching at Marian High School. Fulfilling the dreams of his predecessor, Father Handges continued the renovation of the church. On July 9, 1979, Father Handges undertook the interior beautification of the church. During the remodeling, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was held in the school hall. Complete exterior and interior renovations were finished on Friday, September 21, 1979. At a special 7 pm Mass that evening, Father Fenzil and Father Handges concelebrated the first Mass held in the newly renovated church.

Interior renovations included painting the walls ivory and beige tones, gold leafing, and rust-colored mosaics. Six new chandeliers and wall-to-wall carpeting were installed. Other new additions included oak pews, a new sound system, sanctuary furniture, organ screen, and several unique wood carvings. One depicts the Holy Family and is located just above the baptismal font. The five-foot figures were made in Italy of linden wood. In the center of the sanctuary is the altar and directly behind it is a 12-foot high reredos adorned with hand carvings to form a cross. The altar of repose, complete with a golden tabernacle, is located on the right side of the sanctuary. Above the tabernacle is a six-foot wood carving of the Eucharistic Lamb, also crafted in Italy. The Lamb, which symbolizes the Risen Eucharistic Lord, is mounted on a golden circle superimposed on a six-foot cross and stands on a book with seven markers, symbolizing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. A dual-purpose room was built at the back of the church to be used for confessions and a quiet room for parents with small children. The old Stations of the Cross were preserved and finished in gold leaf. Also preserved were the beautiful stained-glass windows.

On April 22, 1980, Father Handges was assigned to St. Paul’s Church in Reading. Rev. Monsignor Joseph M. Whalen was named pastor of Sts Peter & Paul until January of 1983. At this time, he was appointed to Secretary of the Apostolic Delegation in Washington DC. During his pastorship, Monsignor ordered stained-glass doors to further beautify the church.

Rev. Joseph H. Kean was appointed pastor of Sts Peter & Paul by Bishop Joseph McShea in January 18, 1983. Under Father Kean’s administration, the parish saw many changes. Father Kean undertook the renovation of the rectory. Due to the ever-growing enrollment of the school, Father Kean also undertook some necessary changes in the school, converting several storage rooms into offices. A new principal’s office was built. Father Kean also saw to new landscaping for the parish grounds.

In the church, the balcony was renovated, opening up the former pipe organ bay to create seating for the choir. Storage closets were also built.

During the 1984-1985 school year, a Kindergarten program was started to enhance an already well-established curriculum. Due to the decreasing number of sisters in the Franciscan order, the sisters were forced to leave their Lehighton home after 99 years of service to the parish. A traveling principal remained in service for one school term to run the parish.

At that time, a new order of sisters–the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart–agreed to live in Lehighton and teach at the school. The convent was renovated and additions to the lay faculty of the school were made. Also a pre-school program for three and four year olds was started.

In 1985 Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church celebrated its centennial year. A year filled with celebrations and honors was held, including a parish-wide Mass celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh and various former pastors of the parish. A special parish directory was published, which included photographs of almost every family in the parish as well as the various ministries of Sts. Peter & Paul.

In 2003, Rev. James Bechtel was assigned to our parish. Fr. Bechtel was instrumental in keeping the school going amidst declining enrollment. Concentrating on a fine arts education, Rev. Bechtel started a school board and has worked hard to refine the school and the education process.

Some renovations to the school saw the principal's office (located off the cafeteria) divided in two, making a smaller principal's office and the business manager's office. The heating system in the parish center (the former convent) broke down and had to be replaced.

Also in 2005 a major renovation to the parish center saw the entire second floor gutted and a new computer lab built along with new restrooms. Computer education for children and adults was begun in the new lab, dedicated on March 20, 2005. Other renovation work included the replacing of the church's sound system and replacing the electrical system in the rectory.

After only 1-1/2 years with us, Fr. Jim was asked by Bishop Edward Cullen to take over 4 parishes in the Shamokin area. Rev. Edward Essig was assigned as our new pastor, this being his first assignment as a pastor. Fr. Essig took over during Holy Week of 2005.

In 2006 a votive candle holder was added to the side shrine, with money used from the 2005 Christmas Flower Memorials. A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was donated by an anonymous donor in honor of the Parishioners of Sts. Peter & Paul Church. A statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was donated by Atty. Paul T. & Mrs. Anne M. Essig in loving memory of Rose Essig.

In 2007, a major renovation project was begun to replace the front steps and in front of the church, the parish center, and the rectory.

Our Pastors through the Years