Parish Tour

Parish History

The Parish of St. John XXIII is a combination of the two remaining Catholic Parishes in Tamaqua: St. Jerome’s and SS. Peter and Paul’s.

The original St. Jerome’s Church was founded in 1834 and was located near the old St. Jerome’s Cemetery in the South Ward of Tamaqua. The church currently located on Broad St. was completed in 1861.  Father Baker was pastor during this time.

SS. Peter and Paul’s Lithuanian Catholic Church was a small church, founded 1913 on Pine St. A new church/school building was begun in 1927, but didn't open for some time. Rev. William Linkchorst was pastor of SS. Peter and Paul’s Parish for 30 years.  He retired in 2014. 

In 2012, Father John Frink became Pastor of St. Jerome’s Parish.   When Fr. Linkchorst retired, the two churches remained open, but were unified into one Parish that was named St. John XXIII, with Father Frink serving as Pastor for both churches.   Due to the operating expenses of maintaining both churches and the cost of repair for the “St. Jerome’s” Church building, the decision was made to close St. Jerome’s Church and unite the Parish into one building at SS. Peter & Paul Church. To commemorate the history of both Parishes and the merger, the church was remodeled, using some relics and furniture from each of the two churches as well as some new ones to begin a new united Parish.

The church’s remodel included woodworking for the altar and other furniture, repainting, and remodeling the old classrooms into a Parish center and Hall, under the guidance of Father John Frink. Wood from the pews from St. Jerome's church was used for the furniture, including the pieces that Father John made (candle stands, tables, offertory collection box, sanitizer dispensers).  Over this period, Father Frink expanded our ministries and brought in discussion groups, prayer ministries, and healing & worship opportunities. In 2020, the parish began construction of a Prayer Garden and Memorial for the Unborn in St. Jerome’s New cemetery.

In 2021, St. John XXIII parish was "twinned" with St. Richard's Parish in Barnesville, and Father Robert Finlan assumed the responsibilities of pastor for both parishes.  Through Father Finlan, the parish is continuing to structure and add programs.