Clergy of Saint Elizabeth

The Pastors of St. Elizabeth

Rev. John G. Engler

Founding Pastor, St. Elizabeth's

1941 - 1967

Reverend Engler was born in East Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania and ordained in Philadelphia. Rev. Engler was the founding pastor at St Elizabeth and was known for fostering cooperation among all faiths. He received several community awards and honors, including a Brotherhood award from the Allentown B'nai B'rith and Charles Kline Lodge 916 and a Medical Society Certificate of Merit for extraordinary service to community in the fields of health and welfare. Rev. Engler was active in the boy scout movement, Knights of Columbus, and Catholic War Vets. He received awards for his dedication to the Whitehall Community and served as chairman of the Lehigh County March of Dimes. Rev. Engler was known and loved by the parishioners of St. Elizabeth whom he served for over a quarter of a century.

Rev. Frederick A. Winkler

Pastor 1967 - 1976

The Rev. Frederick Aloysius Winkler was born in New Jersey and was ordained to the priesthood in Philadelphia in 1942.

He served 20 years as a U.S. Navy chaplain in both active and inactive reserve duty. During world War II he served at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Hutchinson, Kan., and aboard the USS Maui in the Pacific fleet. During the Korean conflict, he served with the U.S. Military Transport Service in Korea, Japan, Greece and Turkey. When he retired from the military service, he taught in local high schools before becoming principal of Marian Catholic High School in Panther Valley. He later became pastor of St. Elizabeth. He served the congregation faithfully for nine years before his retirement in 1976.

Rev. Thomas J. Birch

Pastor 1976 - 1987

Monsignor Thomas Birch was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and ordained to the Priesthood in May 1959 in Philadelphia. He served as Pastor of St. Elizabeth for eleven years. He was named a prelate to his holiness Pope John Paul II in 1993. Monsignor Birch taught at area high schools and was the vice principal and later principal at local Catholic high schools.

Msgr. Anthony D. Muntone

Pastor 1987 - 2012

Msgr. Muntone was born in Shanandoah, Pennsylvania and ordained to the Priesthood in July 1964 in Rome, Italy. He served as Pastor of St. Elizabeth for 25 years and was loved by many. While serving as Pastor of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary he over saw the expansion of the Church offices, as well as serving in a multitude of offices including Diocesan Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. He was named Prelate of Honor to His Holiness by Pope Paul VI, and Prothonotary Apostolic by Pope John Paul II. Of special interest to Msgr. Muntone was the canonization of Father Walter Ciszek.

Rev. Edward Essig

Pastor 2012 - 2016

Born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania, Rev. Essig served the community of St. Elizabeth for four years. He oversaw the 75 year jubilee celebration, before turning over the reins to Rev. John S. Pendzick.

Rev. John S. Pendzick

Pastor 2016 - 2021

Rev. John S. Pendzick was born in Long Island, New York and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School, he entered St. Charles Seminary and was ordained a priest in 1997. Rev. Pendzick came to St. Elizabeth in 2016 after serving as pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians for eight years. His Yellow Labrador mix, Dusty welcomed the parishioners at the front door of the rectory with her smile. Rev. Pendzick has always been active in Catholic education and is the chaplain for the local Knights of Columbus. Following his tenure at St. Elizabeth, Rev. Pendzick was assigned to as pastor of St. Thomas More, Allentown.

Rev. Stanley M. Moczydlowski

Pastor 2021 - 2024

Rev. Stanley Moczydlowski was ordained in 2002. St. Elizabeth was his second assignment as a young priest, before he was assigned as pastor to other Diocesan parishes. The parishioners were delighted to welcome him back when he took over the reins from Rev. Pendzick. Rev. Moczydlowski was then assigned as Pastor of St. Benedict's, Mohnton, PA.

Rev. Joseph J. Kweder

Pastor 2024 - Present

Rev. Joseph J. Kweder was ordained in 1985. St. Elizabeth was one of his assignments as a young priest, as well as many other parishes around the diocese. The parishioners are delighted to welcome him back.

Rev. Jojappa Adagatla

Rev. Eric J. Arnout

Rev. Edward C. Bolez

Rev. Thomas R. Buckley

Rev. Thomas M. Courtney

Rev. John Denberger

Rev. Stanley J. Dombrowski

Rev. Bernie Ezaki

Rev. Msgr. Victor Finelli

Rev. Francis J. Fox

Rev. Eric J. Gruber

Rev. Patrick Hanley

Rev. Dennis G. Hartgen

Rev. John G. Hilferty

Rev. Francis J. Hornberger

Rev. Thomas J. King

Rev. Joseph J. Kweder

Rev. Patrick H. Lamb

Rev. Msgr. John J. Martin

Rev. Msgr. John B. McCann

Rev. James J. Mihalak

Rev. Stanley Moczydlowski

Rev. Michael E. Mullins

Rev. Msgr. Francis A. Nave

Rev. Robert J. Potts

Rev. Henry M. Pruski

Rev. Joseph A. Sheehan

Rev. Msgr. Joseph R. Sobiesiak

Rev. Msgr. Stanley T. Sosnowski

Rev. James P. Thomas

Rev. James M. Torpey

Rev. Gregory Uhrig

Rev. Joseph T. Whale

Deacon Alexander Maggitti

Deacon Michael Meder