Tucked away, standing tall amid cozy country roads, you will find Haycock Mountain and its many hidden treasures.  One very special treasure is St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.   In its rustic and tranquil Upper Bucks County setting, it is the oldest Catholic Church in Bucks County.  With the steeple standing majestic in these wild woodland surroundings, one is reminded of those brave Irish and German immigrants who proudly began the Catholic faith community in this area of Pennsylvania.

     In 1737, five hundred acres of property at the eastern base of Haycock Mountain had been deeded off to Nicholas, Thomas and Edward McCarty. They purchased this property from Thomas and Richard Penn, sons of William Penn, the founder of “Penn’s Woods”.  Land was cleared and used for farming.  These early Catholics took turns offering their private homes to celebrate Mass and to receive the sacraments.  The local parishioners lit bonfires along the Haycock Mountain ridge to announce the arrival of the Jesuit Missionaries.  These missionaries were circuit riding priests who ministered to those in the Haycock Run area.

      Albertina Kohl was baptized in 1741 by Rev. Theodore Schneider, S.J., one of the missionary priests. This Baptism is listed on the oldest Catholic Church Register in the English colonies.  Albertina was buried in the Haycock Church Cemetery on July 3, 1779 where her tombstone still exists today. From the year 1743, St. John the Baptist at Haycock Run, became one of two Missionary bases for the founding of other parishes in Bucks and nearby counties.  

     On May 16^th, 1796, an acre of land was given to Bishop John Carroll, by John and Elizabeth McCarty. This land was to be used as a site for a church building.   A stone church was completed in 1798. Parishioners happily claimed that their new church included an organ.  Upon his death in 1826, John McCarty willed another acre of ground to be used for the church and cemetery. 

     The first stone church was partially destroyed by fire and was torn down.  People again attended Mass in private homes until another larger stone church with steeple was built in 1854.  St. John Neumann dedicated the church on May 14^th of that year. The Rev. F.X. George was the resident Pastor at the time. Cost for the church has been claimed to be approximately four thousand dollars during that time.  The church still stands today and is on the Bucks County Historic Registry.  

     Although the area surrounding Haycock Mountain has grown over the years, it still maintains its rustic, rural charm.  Within the last fifteen years, the parish has seen continued growth.  Just as the parish predecessors realized the importance of building the faith community, so did the members of the current church body. A new Church building was erected under the direction of Rev. Joseph Tobias M.S.C. It was dedicated by Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, at a site approximately three miles from the original church building. You will find the new St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, dedicated on May 18^th 2003, located at 4050 Durham Road in Ottsville, Pennsylvania.

     Education has always been an important part of life for our Haycock ancestors.  The Catholic School was erected in 1784 by the “Pastor and his flock.”  Records claim that Ferdinand Wagner was the head schoolmaster of that time.  Religion, Mathematics, Reading and Writing were the subjects taught.  When the stone church was built in 1798, Father Paul Erntzen directed a schoolroom be added to the main building.  This school remained in use until a fire destroyed the building.  The parish rectory was then used for purposes of education.

     In 1861, a three story building was erected across from the church at Haycock Run.  St. Theresa’s Academy was built with the idea that the railroad would be coming.  Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary taught girls who attended this private school. The Sisters also taught the local parish children.  The railroad did not come to the Haycock area and St. Theresa’s Academy closed by 1868.  The IHM Sisters left in 1871.  Members of the parish understood the importance of providing a Catholic education for their children.  Two years later, Father Stommel reopened the school.  The Franciscan Sisters administered the education of the parish children until 1908. The school again closed for a short period of time for lack of pupils.  Then on August 30^th in 1925 a new school building was dedicated.  It was built next to the old Academy.  Rev. John P. Schillo, M.S.C., also purchased a bus to transport the local pupils. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart were placed in charge of this new school.  Sister Mary Antonia and Sister Mary Hermenegild taught eight grades in the two classrooms. Sisters Daminana and Mary Laetitia assisted.  By the late 1940’s two more classrooms were in use.  The parish also owned two station wagons to help transport its 105 students.

     In 1959, a new eight room school building complete with a multi-purpose room, was built at 4040 Durham Road in Ottsville.  Two additional rooms were added in 1980. A new convent and rectory were also built at this site. The school currently remains at this location along with the new church.

     The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart retired from St. John the Baptist School in 1985.  Beginning in September of 1985, an all lay faculty taught in the school. Mrs. Regina Finlayson was acting Principal from September 1985 through June of 1988. From September 1988 through June of 2005, Mrs. Patricia Orlic was the school administrator. After Mrs. Orlic retired, Mrs. Christine Weiseman took over the role of Principal for the school year 2005-2006.  

       As of this school year 2007-2008, there are one hundred and eighty four students attending St. John the Baptist Catholic School. The school staff has grown to include twelve full time and nine part time positions.  Mrs. Vivian Zimmerman is the current Principal of the school that offers a Pre-K three and four year old program along with grades Kindergarten through eight. Catholic faith development is woven into every aspect of the school day.  Subjects of Religion, Integrated Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies are taught on a daily basis.  Students are also instructed by special teachers in Technology, Art, Music, Physical Education, Library Science and Spanish.  Modern technology is incorporated in all subject areas. A variety of after school programs are offered to the students.  The students begin to understand the importance of helping the local and world communities as they participate in a variety of service projects. 

      With the support of our  current Pastor,  Rev. Raymond Diesbourg, M.S.C, the Parochial Vicar, Rev. Tony Ripp, M.S.C. a dedicated school staff and the many school volunteers, St. John the Baptist Catholic School is continuing the mission of our forefathers.  That is to educate, evangelize and prepare young people to be the future leaders of the church and world community.