About Us
Mission |
Lead parishioners and neighbors to encounter Jesus Christ in the SCRIPTURES, the SACRAMENTS, and the CHARITABLE WORKS of the Catholic Church.
History of Pastorate Churches

St. Clement I Lansdowne was founded in 1891, though the origins of the parish are actually much older. From colonial times, when this area was a farming community, the seeds of faith were already being planted. With the discovery of iron ore and later with the building of railroads and still later with the post-World War II expansion, Lansdowne began to change and grow.
Meanwhile, Catholics in the late 19th century were traveling by horse and buggy to St. Jerome Parish in Baltimore for Mass and for the sacraments. After a time, they asked the Pastor of St. Jerome, Father Holden, to send priests to Lansdowne to minister to their spiritual needs. By 1891, St. Clement was established as a mission of St. Jerome’s and by 1895 it had its first buildings and its first pastor, Fr. Michael Sullivan.
It was not all smooth sailing. There were fires, loss of records, unwelcome visits by the KKK, the untimely deaths of several pastors, and unsettling periods in which pastors did not long remain at St. Clement Parish. Yet in God’s grace the parish community persevered, and working with several extraordinary pastors, built up the parish and opened a parochial school. Among those outstanding pastors the name of Fr. Cornelius Byrnes comes to mind. He served as pastor for 18 years and was a tremendous builder. We think too of the religious Sisters; they played a vital role in the life of the parish, including the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of Providence.
Today that legacy continues through the Sisters’ Academy under the leadership of Sr. Delia Dowling, a School Sister of Notre Dame, Patricia Ruppert, the Principal, and its dedicated staff and teachers. Let us express our warmest thanks to them!
Most of all, we thank the thousands of families and individuals who have been parishioners here at St. Clement over the years. Here, they received the sacraments, listened to God’s Word, received instruction in the faith, found their vocation in life, and raised their families, all while serving the poor and vulnerable. We prayerfully remember those parishioners who have gone before us in faith.
We also gratefully remember two special vocations from the parish of St. Clement, Father Walter McGovern, a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and Sister Ann Phelan of the Sisters of Providence. They have served the Church most generously and effectively.
In recent years St. Clement Parish has entered a new phase of its life as it continues to serve families who have lived for years in this neighborhood and happily welcomes those who have arrived here more recently, including a growing number of Hispanic parishioners. In a diversity of language, culture, and gifts, St. Clement comes together still as a family of faith, worship, and service.
Meanwhile, Catholics in the late 19th century were traveling by horse and buggy to St. Jerome Parish in Baltimore for Mass and for the sacraments. After a time, they asked the Pastor of St. Jerome, Father Holden, to send priests to Lansdowne to minister to their spiritual needs. By 1891, St. Clement was established as a mission of St. Jerome’s and by 1895 it had its first buildings and its first pastor, Fr. Michael Sullivan.
It was not all smooth sailing. There were fires, loss of records, unwelcome visits by the KKK, the untimely deaths of several pastors, and unsettling periods in which pastors did not long remain at St. Clement Parish. Yet in God’s grace the parish community persevered, and working with several extraordinary pastors, built up the parish and opened a parochial school. Among those outstanding pastors the name of Fr. Cornelius Byrnes comes to mind. He served as pastor for 18 years and was a tremendous builder. We think too of the religious Sisters; they played a vital role in the life of the parish, including the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of Providence.
Today that legacy continues through the Sisters’ Academy under the leadership of Sr. Delia Dowling, a School Sister of Notre Dame, Patricia Ruppert, the Principal, and its dedicated staff and teachers. Let us express our warmest thanks to them!
Most of all, we thank the thousands of families and individuals who have been parishioners here at St. Clement over the years. Here, they received the sacraments, listened to God’s Word, received instruction in the faith, found their vocation in life, and raised their families, all while serving the poor and vulnerable. We prayerfully remember those parishioners who have gone before us in faith.
We also gratefully remember two special vocations from the parish of St. Clement, Father Walter McGovern, a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and Sister Ann Phelan of the Sisters of Providence. They have served the Church most generously and effectively.
In recent years St. Clement Parish has entered a new phase of its life as it continues to serve families who have lived for years in this neighborhood and happily welcomes those who have arrived here more recently, including a growing number of Hispanic parishioners. In a diversity of language, culture, and gifts, St. Clement comes together still as a family of faith, worship, and service.

St. Philip Neri parish was created in Linthicum Heights in 1964. A church, school, and rectory were built to serve a growing Catholic population in the north county area. The first pastor was Fr. Healy, from 1964-1971.
Then Fr. Zorbach was pastor from 1971 until Fr. Dale arrived on Jan. 1, 2004. Fr. DeAscanis arrived in 2015, and then Fr. Andy in 2021.
The parish was built during a time of rapid suburban expansion in the area, and northern Anne Arundel County transitioned from a rural farming area to a populated center for many commuters to both Baltimore and Washington.
In recent years, there has been a parish center built (2010) and then the renovation of the church (2020).
There also has been growth in many groups and ministries in the parish, especially growth in service and growth in the faith, providing friendship and mutual support among the parishioners.
Then Fr. Zorbach was pastor from 1971 until Fr. Dale arrived on Jan. 1, 2004. Fr. DeAscanis arrived in 2015, and then Fr. Andy in 2021.
The parish was built during a time of rapid suburban expansion in the area, and northern Anne Arundel County transitioned from a rural farming area to a populated center for many commuters to both Baltimore and Washington.
In recent years, there has been a parish center built (2010) and then the renovation of the church (2020).
There also has been growth in many groups and ministries in the parish, especially growth in service and growth in the faith, providing friendship and mutual support among the parishioners.
Offices
St Philip Neri
- St. Philip Neri offices (6405 S. Orchard Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD) are open Monday thru Friday from 9 am-3 pm. The phone number to reach the office is 410-859-0571. A list of staff phone extensions is available when you call that number.
St. Clement I
- St. Clement Offices (2700 Washington Ave, Lansdowne, MD) are open 2 pm – 6 pm on Tues, Thurs, and Fri, and Sat. Offices are closed there on Wednesdays. The phone number to reach the office at St. Clement is 410-242-1025.
- Administrative Assistant: Jeanette Estrada-Cardona
For additional contact information, please follow this link to our Staff Directory.
If you have a question and would like for someone to get back to you, please feel free to contact us.
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About Our Pastorate
In 2021, we combined our efforts to form the new St. Clement and St. Philip Neri Pastorate. Our pastorate serves the communities in Linthicum Heights and Lansdowne, Maryland, and all are welcome! |
Para Nuestra Comunidad Hispana
Si quiere información en español, favor de llamar a la parroquia de San Clemente de a las 8am – 12pm lunes, martes, jueves y viernes. El telefono de la oficina en San Clemente es 410-242-1025 si quiere información sobre sacramentos o estar involucrado en la parroquia. |
Virtual Tours
You may take a virtual tour of St Philip Neri Church by clicking on the button below. |
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”