NKCC Parish Histories

Use the quick links below to navigate or scroll down to read about the history of the NKCC parishes.

History of St. Joseph Parish

History of St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish

History of Mount Saint Peter Parish

Saint Joseph Parish

Parish History

Before 1890, the areas now known as New Kensington and Arnold were part of Burrell Township, Westmoreland County. The terrain was farm land, along with a few homes scattered along the river. Two nearby communities included the village of Parnassus, and a small town at Arnold Park Station.

In these early days, Catholics were ministered by priests from Verona and Natrona. The first Mass in the town was said by Father Joseph Suehr, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Verona, at a private home in Parnassus. After that, a small frame church with a seating capacity of 24 served as the house of worship when priests came to town.

In 1891, Samuel E. Moore and a group of Pittsburgh businessmen formed the Burrell Improvement Company. This company purchased portions of farms around the Parnassus village. In the spring, engineers began to lay out and plot the town of Kensington. Four industrial companies were secured to locate, fund, and build the town: the Pittsburgh Reduction Company (later ALCOA), the Excelsior Glass Company, the Steel Wheel Company, and the Cold Rolled Steel Company. By the end of the project, only the Pittsburgh Reduction Company remained.

The sale of lots in the town began on June 10, with the Burrell Improvement Company offering free train rides to and from Pittsburgh to attract buyers. About 15,000 people came to look over the land, with plots priced from $30 to $300. During the first three days of sale, 500 lots were sold for a total of $135,000. Once construction began and people started moving to the area, the Company recognized the residents' needs to fulfill their religious obligations. Church trains were run on Sundays between Pittsburgh and Kensington so people could attend Mass. By fall 1891, the Company began deeding land to religious groups so that they could build houses of worship. On Oct. 24, 1891, Bishop Richard Phelan of Pittsburgh purchased four lots on the corner of Stanton Avenue and Locust Street for $1. Bishop Phelan also purchased three additional lots for the same price on the corner of Kenneth Avenue and Catalpa Street. Historical records show that a Mission Church was built on the three bonus lots, and it was believed that the area Catholics worshiped there until construction on St. Joseph Church was complete.

Ground was broken for the first St. Joseph Church on Nov. 26, 1891. Work was delayed until January 1892 due to poor weather conditions. Father Constantine Michael Hegerich became the first pastor of the new parish. He also said the first Mass in the new church, but the date of the ceremony was not recorded. Father Hegerich never took up residence at St. Joseph. He continued to reside in Verona and traveled to Kensington to work until he was transferred in 1893; despite the move, he continued to service the church until 1895.

Father Neil P. McNelis became the first resident pastor of St. Joseph on May 14, 1893. The first rectory was located in the 1100 block of Stanton Avenue. Father McNelis was succeeded by Father Thomas J. Kirner in 1897. Father Kirner was a German priest who preached exclusively in his native tongue. During his pastorate, Father Kirner remodeled the church to add an additional 40 feet of space to the original structure. He also purchased a tract of land known as the "Young Reserve," which included a large frame house that would be used as a rectory. In July 1903, with the acquisition of new land, the church was moved to a new location on the corner of Locust Street and Constitution Boulevard. Nine years later, the church was moved once again, this time to the corner of Kenneth Avenue and Locust Street.

Bishop Regis Canevin of Pittsburgh and Father Hertzog decided to sell five of the church's lots in July 1915. The sales were pursued in the hopes of gaining extra revenue for the church, and the venture paid off. The money from the sale was used to build a new rectory, which was completed in 1917.

With the population of Kensington growing at an alarming rate, the old church became too small for the size of the congregation. Plans to build a new church were formed in 1920, and ground was broken for the current church building in 1922. The contractor who was hired to complete the project went bankrupt in the middle of construction, so Father Hertzog had to subcontract the remaining work so the project would stay on schedule. The church was dedicated on Aug. 31, 1924, by Bishop Hugh C. Boyle of Pittsburgh, a former classmate of Father Hertzog. The new building was constructed in English Gothic style using red tapestry brick, stone, and solid oak timbers. The church had a seating capacity of 750 people.

The old church was used by the Slovak Catholics, the All Saints congregation, until they were able to build their own church. Once the All Saints Congregation moved out, Father Hertzog converted the building into a Lyceum, which served St. Joseph until 1963, when it was razed to make room for a new school and gym.

Five harmonically-tuned tubular chimes were installed in the St. Joseph bell tower in 1947. This type of unique chime was discontinued in 1957. Present-day signals are either a set of cast bronze bells, or an electronic reproduction of bells that is programmed onto a microchip. The chimes were dedicated to the veterans who served and died in World War II.

Father Hertzog, who served the parish for 48 years, died from a fall in the church vestibule on Jan. 24, 1959, at the age of 88. He was succeeded by Msgr. Henry F. Hanse in June 1959. During the Monsignor Hanse era, a grotto to Our Lady of Fatima was built on church grounds and dedicated by Bishop William G. Connare on May 20, 1962. Msgr. Hanse received many honors during his time as pastor. He was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Greensburg in August 1965, and he was appointed Prothronotary Apostolic by Pope Paul VI in 1966. Next to the appointment of bishop, this is the highest church honor a priest can obtain.

Msgr. Hanse was named pastor emeritus on June 18, 1974. At this time, Father Francis M. Ott took over as pastor. Under Father Ott, the parish became debt free in February 1979, and celebrated with a Mass of Thanksgiving and a mortgage burning ceremony. Three months later, Father Edward F. Higgins, a native son of the parish, took over the pastorate.

St. Joseph Parish celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 1, 1991, with a Mass. A dinner dance followed at the Days Inn, New Kensington.

The historic chimes at St. Joseph Church had become severely deteriorated by 1996. They were only used for special occasions, but in moderation. The chimes were inoperable by 1998. A bell fund was established, and donations were accepted during a second collection at Masses. It took one year to raise enough money to restore the chimes. An electrician in the parish helped to reduce costs by donating 80 hours of time to rewire the chime system prior to restoration. The chimes were repaired, rather than replaced with an electronic set, to preserve a piece of church history. On August 13, 2000, the chimes were rededicated by Father George W. Swast, pastor, when he was lifted 35 feet into the air in a cherry picker to bless the chimes in the tower. The chimes are now used regularly for the Mass peal, Angelus, weddings, the quarter-hour strike, and funerals.

In 2016, St. Joseph Parish celebrated its 125th anniversary.

History of the former St. Joseph School

Under the direction of Father Francis J. Hertzog, the first St. Joseph School building was constructed in 1914, on Leishman Avenue. The school opened for first through sixth grade in 1916. However, records show that some children attended the school in 1915, while it was still under construction.

The Sisters of St. Joseph from Baden came to staff the new school. They lived on the top floor of the building for about two years until they were able to move to a convent, or rather until the convent was able to move to them. The convent was the old rectory building that had been converted and moved on rollers to a lot near the school. An old tool house was moved beside the rectory-turned-convent, and it was converted into a small chapel. A door was added so that those attending daily Mass at the chapel could enter without disturbing the convent.

In 1919, Father Hertzog started a high school program at St. Joseph School. The program began with a two year commercial course, with the hopes of expanding to a four year curriculum in the future. The high school program opened to 10 students — 7 girls and 3 boys—who had all graduated from the eighth grade at St. Joseph School.

One of the Sisters was chosen to teach the high school program. However, due to a teacher shortage, the same Sister also had to teach fourth grade. In order to have enough time to instruct both age groups, the Sister taught fourth grade during the day, while the high school class attended a full day of school that included working on assignments. Then, in the evenings the Sister would instruct the high school students, check their assignments, and teach new material.

Unfortunately, the high school program did not last. It was closed after the first year. The ten students were left in a bind, especially after the superintendent of public schools refused to admit the St. Joseph students, citing a lack of proper supervision. These students had to go out and find work rather than continuing their education.

In 1939, a new convent was constructed and was made an addition of the school building. The new structure connected both floors of the convent to the school, and consisted of two classrooms, a meeting room, 14 sisters' rooms, a community room, a chapel, a dining room, a kitchen, parlors, an office, two practice rooms, and a laundry room.

When the old Lyceum was razed in 1963, more construction projects were able to move forward. Plans were made for a new school and gym. The project was completed in 1964, and the school was dedicated on Aug. 26, 1965, in time for classes to begin in September. Bishop William G. Connare presided over the dedication ceremony, which started with a procession into the church, followed by a homily and benediction from the bishop. Then another procession took place from the church to the new school, where the structure was blessed. An open house for parishioners and friends followed.

The new school was made of red brick, and provided four new classrooms, administrative and nursing offices, a library, a music room, and a gym and shower rooms. The cafeteria and kitchen in the old school were also renovated. The seventh and eighth Grade students were going to be moved to the new building, while younger students would remain in the old one. A kindergarten program was added in 1981.

In 1998, St. Joseph School assembled a technology committee. The groups' main focus was to research and enact changes in the school's technology systems and programs. The committee came up with the NetDay plan, a three phase project that updated all facets of technology in the school. The first phase of the project had parishioners, parents, students and other volunteers wiring the new building. The second phase called for the wiring of the old building, which required more planning, and presented more problems thanks to the old building's construction. The final phase of the project included providing internet access for all students, teachers, and administration. The Internet and educational resources could be accessed from all classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices. The number of computers in the building was upgraded from 23 to 128.

The project was completed in December, when the school unveiled its new website and computer network at a meeting for parents and alumni. The website was developed by students with the help of young-adult mentors from the parish. The site was to be maintained by students, and included a school schedule, a sports page, cafeteria menus, a parent handbook, Parent-Teacher group pages, and other information about the school.

The NetDay project received support from many community businesses. MicroPower Systems Inc., a New Kensington-based computer systems integration company became the school's service provider, and also donated software instruction for the teachers. Other businesses, such as BuildPen, Bell Atlantic, Storm Technologies, and ALCOA, donated equipment.

In April 2000, members of St. Joseph, St. Margaret Mary, and Mount St. Peter schools met to listen to a proposal that outlined a plan to establish a middle school program, sixth to eighth grade, for students of all three schools. The program would be housed in one of the two buildings at St. Joseph School, and would be established to enhance the educational needs, and provide more youth ministry, athletic, and other extracurricular opportunities for students. The subject of a middle school was broached in 1991, but was not pushed forward. The 2000 proposal never came to fruition either.

In fall 2002, Mary Queen of Apostles School, a regional school, opened to serve students in preschool through eighth grade. The school was formed from the merger of St. Joseph, St. Margaret Mary, and Mount St. Peter schools, and catered to students in the New Kensington, Lower Burrell, and Arnold areas. The school used two of the former school locations for classes: the former Mount St. Peter School on Freeport Road housed preschool through third graders, and the former St. Joseph School on Leishman Avenue housed the fourth through eighth graders, as well as the main office. Site selection was based on projected enrollment, the space availability, and proximity of the sites. Cathy Collett, the former principal of Mount St. Peter School, was named the first principal of Mary Queen of Apostles Catholic School.

Today, Mary, Queen of Apostles Catholic School still instructs students at the Freeport Road site, but opened a new site for fourth through eighth grade students during the 2016-17 school year. With the permission of Bishop Edward C. Malesic and the MQA Board of Pastors, Greenwald Memorial School, a former elementary school of the New Kensington Arnold School District was purchased for $525,000. The former building closed due to a school consolidation in the summer of 2014. Once purchased, MQA volunteers spent the summer of 2016 sprucing up their new home to create an inviting space for students.

St. Joseph | Our Patron

Return to top of page

St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish

Parish History

In 1892, a small group of Polish immigrant families desiring to worship God in their own language approached Father Ladislaus Miskiewicz, Pastor of St. Adalbert Church, South Side, Pittsburgh, begging him to intercede with Bishop Phelan (of the Diocese of Pittsburgh) on their behalf. It was through Father Miskiewicz's guidance that the Society of Our Lady of Czestochowa was formed. 

In 1893, men of the society sought help from the Burrell Improvement Company, and two lots located on Kenneth Avenue were donated. A small frame church was constructed, facing the alley in order to face Eastward, and St. Adalbert's clergy continued to minister to the needs of the newly formed parish. In November of 1893, the Diocese of Pittsburgh assigned the first resident pastor, Father Henry Cichocki. The parish’s first annual report noted 63 families, 259 parishioners, 29 baptisms, 8 marriages, 3 deaths, and 30 children receiving faith instruction.

The parish continued to grow, and in three years, an addition to the church structure was built with basement classrooms for a school. Over the years, additional lots were purchased under the guidance of the various clergy. Construction of the present church building began in 1911 under the pastorship of Father Francis Pikulski and was completed in 1912 under the pastorship of Father Francis Poszukanis. Once again, four classrooms were furnished in the church basement. The bell from the old church was placed into the South tower of the new church, and a second bell, although from a different foundry, was purchased and mounted in the North tower.

The school was originally staffed by lay teachers, but in 1913 Father Poszukanis petitioned the Felician Sisters of Coraopolis for help to staff the school. A convent was built and a year later, the sisters had full charge of the school. In February of 1914, a fire slightly damaged the new church, but the old church (which had been used as a parish social hall) and the rectory were completely destroyed. As a result of the fire, a new rectory (present-day convent) and a new eight classroom school (the present structure) were built. The school was dedicated in 1922.

In 1927 the parish acquired land for the present cemetery under the leadership of Father Anthony Baron. Father Casimir Orlemanski began the grand task of liquidating the parish debt in 1942 and added an addition to the convent. In 1957 Father Edward Sierocki oversaw the building of the present rectory. In the 1970's, Father Anthony Wozniak undertook the church renovation. In 1986, Father Thaddeus J. Kaczmarek was named pastor as saw the parish through its centennial year, 1993, during which the organ was expanded, a new sound system purchased, and the interior renovated with new carpeting, pew padding, and paint, while the exterior brick work of the entire campus was repointed. Father Richard P. Karenbauer next served as pastor of St. Mary from 1997 until 2008, and as administrator of St. Mary Church from 2008 - 2010. Under Father Karenbauer's pastorate, the church interior was again repainted and recarpeted, the statues refurbished, the organ facade pipes repainted, and the altars professionally cleaned and regilded. In 2008, diocesan restructuring partnered St. Mary Church with St. Joseph Church (New Kensington), although with the assistance of a parochial vicar shared among other parishes in the region. In October, 2008, Father Alan W. Grote was named part-time parochial vicar. In 2010, a parish son, Father John S. Szczesny, was named administrator. In 2013, Father Daniel Ulishney was appointed Parochial Vicar, and, from 2016 until 2018, Father Gregorio de la Cruz Soldevilla served in this capacity. Beginning in 2018, Father Rodel Molina became Parochial Vicar. In July 2019, Msgr. Michael J. Begolly, D.Min., became pastor. In 2021, Father Segundino Laude joined Father Molina as Parochial Vicar. In July 2021, Father Kenneth Zaccagnini was installed as the pastor of the three New Kensington parishes of St. Mary of Czestochowa, St. Joseph, and Mt. St. Peter.

The parish has seen many changes and challenges. St. Mary’s survived a dissent which formed St. Peter and Paul Polish National Catholic Church. The parish ministered to mission parishes in Harwick (Our Lady of Victory) and West Natrona (Our Lady of Perpetual Help). The parish opened its doors to house the Hungarian Community, St. Elizabeth Parish, who sought to worship in their own native tongue. (The wood-paneled former "school library" was their "church.") St. Mary’s sent their Felician sisters to provide religious instruction for students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Natrona Heights and the former All Saints Church, East Vandergrift. The last priest to serve as full-time parochial vicar under a parish pastor, Fr. Andrew Kawecki, was transferred in 1990 and not replaced. The parish school closed in 1994, due to insufficient enrollment.

History of Our Lady of Czestochowa

It is doubtful whether any other representation of Our Blessed Mother with Her Divine Child, possesses a more ancient and glorious history than the painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Tradition states that St. Luke painted it on the top of a cypress wood table which came from the home of the Holy Family. At the request of the faithful, Mary sat for the portrait. Mary was pleased with the finished portrait, "My grace shall accompany it," and so began the miraculous history of the painting.

The dark coloring is related to the type of oils used in the painting. Medieval restorers were unfamiliar with the encaustic method and found that the paints they applied to the damaged areas simply sloughed off the image (according to the Medieval chronicler Risinius.) The painting displays a traditional composition well-known in the icons of Eastern Orthodoxy. The Virgin Mary is shown as the hodegetria - "one who shows the way."

Venerated for nearly 300 years while hidden in Jerusalem, the painting was discovered by St. Helen while she was searching for the True Cross. She brought it back to Constantinople and presented it to her son, Constantine the Great, first Christian Emperor of Rome. Constantine built a chapel for the portrait and where it remained in for five centuries. 

Miracle upon miracle was attributed to the intercession of Mary by persons praying before the portrait. Over the years, many enemies laid siege to Constantinople. The chapel became a center of hope for the people of the city. During one attack the city seemed ready to fall but the people rallied to the painting and the city was saved. Another time the city was under attack and the chapel caught fire. Everything was destroyed except a small section of wall upon which hung the painting of Mary and Jesus. The intense heat and soot from the fire had darkened the already dark olive features of Mary and Jesus. 

Eventually it was given as a gift by the Byzantine Emperor to a Ruthenian nobleman. The portrait was brought to Kiev and installed in the Royal Palace of Belz. It remained there for 579 years. 

In 1382 the painting received an injury from invading Tartars. An arrow pierced it, leaving a scar which is still visible on the neck. Concerned with the safety of the painting, Prince Ladislaus Opolski decided to move it to one of his castles in Upper Silesia. 

On the brow of a hill called Jasna Gora (literally "bright hill") within a few paces of the town of Czestochowa, the horses drawing the wagon with the painting stopped. No amount of coaxing could make them go on. Mary appeared to Ladislaus and told him this was to be her new home. The Miraculous Image was placed in a chapel and given to the care of the Basilian monks of the Greek Rite. A few years later, Prince Ladislaus gave it over to the Latin Rite Hermits of Saint Paul who are still there to this day. 

The year 1382 begins the remarkable record history of this miraculous painting. If figured in the heroic successful defense of Poland against invaders who were enemies of the Catholic Church. Over time, the monastery as Jasna Gora became a monastic fortress and focal point of Polish nationalism. 

In 1655 the monastery held out against a mighty Swedish army. In 1683 it was the Turks, and in 1920 the Bolsheviks. As a result, Our Lady of Czestochowa was crowned as Queen of Poland (whose feast is May 3). 

During all these stirring historical events the painting did not escape desecration and mutilation. In 1430, Hussites sacked the monastery. Pillaging, they loaded all the treasures of Jasna Gora into wagons. The horses pulling the wagon with the painting would not move. The Hussites, threw the painting off the wagon and the horses moved. One of the raiders seeing the jewels and gold covering the painting slashed at it with sabers, cutting twice into the right cheek of Mary. When he went to strike it a third time, he fell dead. The other raiders fled for fear of Divine Retribution. 

Repeated efforts by skilled artists to patch the scars failed. Each time, the facial cuts reappeared. It is believed to be Mary's will that the scars should remain, as a sign to any who would desecrate her shrine. 

In 1909, vandals tore off the gold crown and 'overdress' of pearls. This sacrilege was repaired with the help of Pope St. Pius X, who furnished a new crown. Pope after pope has granted spiritual favors to pilgrims visiting the shrine, enriching it with many privileges. At present, a painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa adorns the altar of the Pope's private chapel at Castel Gondolfo.

Return to top of page

Mount Saint Peter Parish

Parish History

St. Peter´s Congregation was organized in 1902 for the Pittsburgh Diocese. The Bishop of Pittsburgh, Rev. Richard Phelan, was very interested in the Italian Catholics and was responsible for no less than seventeen parishes to be organized. The first of these was the one erected in New Kensington.

This new parish was named St. Peter because until that time, the Italian people of the area were under the spiritual guidance of the Italian Friars Minor who were in charge of St. Peter´s Church in Pittsburgh. The people adopted St. Peter, the first Pope, as their patron saint.

By 1903 the new parish had its first resident pastor and a place to worship - the corner of Second Avenue and Tenth Street. Later in the year the congregation moved to the basement of St. Mary´s Church on Kenneth Avenue. Then a piece of land on the corner of Ridge Avenue and Constitution Boulevard (across from the YMCA) was donated to the church by the Burrell Improvement Company. On July 4, 1904, the cornerstone for the first St. Peter´s Church was blessed. Bishop Regis Canevin formally dedicated the new church on September 25, 1904.

It is interesting to note that in 1903 the monthly salary of the Pastor was $35, which was cut to $30 in 1904. The kitchen furniture and equipment cost $7.23. Furniture for a bedroom, office and dining room cost $74.89. The altar stone, sacred vessels and vestments were donated by another priest.

Many priests came and went during those early days. They did their own cooking and washing. They traveled on horseback to say Mass at another church. They were threatened and shot at. They did not know the English language, but in spite of that handicap, they were able to achieve what they did for the Church . These men of God saved the faith of many Italian immigrants and sent it down through the generations.

On September 7, 1923, Rev. Nicola Fusco was appointed Pastor. He was born in Italy and was brought to the East End of Pittsburgh early in his life. He was always devoted to the arts and architecture of Italy and the Church. He was educated at the College of the Archabbey of St. Vincent at Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Who could have foreseen that his love of art and architecture would be so invaluable in building of the beautiful Mt. St. Peter Church.

The new Pastor and his assistants took the church to the people. They went to Logans Ferry, Barking, Glassmere, and then to Braeburn.

St. Peter´s continued to grow and by 1937 Confirmation had to be administered twice because the Church could not hold the class at one time. It was apparent that a larger church was necessary.

Reference: Mt. St. Peter, 1944, 1970 Nicola Fusco, Guideline Printing Co., Springdale, Pennsylvania.
Greensburgh Tribune-Review, James D. Van Trump, May 19, 1985.

The Mount

Until 1902, the property where Mount St. Peter's currently stands was owned by Stephen Young. He was a General during the Civil War and friend to Abraham Lincoln. The next owner was Frank M. Curtis who purchased the property for $7,000. He sold it in September, 1914, to Davis A. Leslie, a pharmacist, for $17,000. This four acre tract of land was known as the Young Estate and the large mansion on it was called "The Knoll." What a perfect site for a church! Early in 1938, Mr. Leslie was approached about the parish’s interest in the property. He said, "When you have $35,000 come here and we will close the deal." This seemed an impossible dream . . . the parish community did not understand the "will of God." Mr. Leslie died on August 25, 1938, and the dream seemed to be shattered.

The early parish’s need for a larger church was great. The congregation numbered about one thousand (1,000) families and the church could only seat about 200 people. Already the original church, which was at ground level, had been raised to add a hall underneath.

In September, 1938, a campaign for a building fund was opened though the parishioners did not know where a new church would be built. Their prayers were answered in November when Mrs. Leslie sent for representatives of the church and offered to sell the property for $25,000. They offered her $20,000 and she told them that was an insult. Mrs. Leslie met with them again and on December 1, 1938, they paid her $500 hand money and took an option on the property.

The Building Fund Campaign was re-opened and canvassing of the Parish was begun.

On April 1, 1939, Mrs. Leslie vacated the Mansion and St. Peter's Congregation took possession of the estate which was at once called and still is called "Mount Saint Peter." Weekly card parties were held in the Mansion to raise money for the new church. A donation of 50 cents included coffee, donuts, and cards.

References: Mt. St. Peter, Story of St. Peter's Church, 1944, 1970
Mt. St. Peter, A Family Tradition, 1903-1981, 1981.

The New Church

The shell of the new church, when completed, appeared to be a Norman structure with massive walls, round arches over recessed doors and windows. This is blended with the Modernistic. The windows are 22 feet long and 2 feet wide - a decidedly modernistic treatment. Many famous churches of Europe often waited several generations before they were completed. It happened that they were begun in one style of architecture and finished in another. Several of them were started in the Gothic style and ended in the Romanesque style.

The Red Michigan sandstone of the outside walls is rock faced. This is the same stone used in the Smithsonian Institute building known as the "Castle" in Washington, D.C. Some years ago this building suffered some damage and Mt. St. Peter's was able to supply some replacement stone.

The main part of the church is 157 feet long, 55 feet wide, and 35 feet from floor to ceiling. Here also there is another blending. This was intended to have a medieval look. The granite wanescoat, the arches over the rear of the main altar and over the altar show this tendency. Then the flat panelled ceiling was adopted. The ceiling panels, which were on the second floor of the mansion, were placed above the Sanctuary. It was not expected to go any further, but the people insisted that the same ceiling be all over the church. A mold of the original panel was made. From this mold, over 300 plaster panels were made, painted by men of the parish, and put in place.

The arch in back of the main altar was originally meant to be the frame of a huge stained glass window. It served that purpose in the mansion. When the window was half done, it was evident that it would be the whole show in the church so it was walled up.

With the window now eliminated, there was an opening above the main altar, 29 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 15 feet high. In the main lobby of the mansion, there was a sumptuous mantle carved in statuary marble. The quality of marble was the same as that in the segmental arch and both carried the same decorative motif. The mantle was turned into an altar and it was erected within the arch. Three statues representing the Crucifixion were placed on the altar.

The main altar is built on the same order as the altar in St. Peter's in Rome. The mensa, or top of the altar, stands in the middle of a square platform accessible from all four sides. The mensa has the form and appearance of a sarchphagus in which the martyrs were buried and upon which Mass was offered by the early Christians. The panels in the altar represent the vine and grape, the wheat and snake - symbols of Christ.

The four columns of Riviera marble which support the baldachin came from the lobby of the mansion and the bronze panels in the baldachin were part of the grand staircase. A huge bronze chandelier in the recreation room is now the crown over the baldachin of the altar. The beautiful pilasters of French Rose marble and the large panels of Vermont marble in the Sanctuary were in the Mellon's vast lobby.

What was the railing around a swimming pool is now the parapet on the rear balcony. The two marble angels at the bottom of the stairway have become holy water fonts. The beautiful sculptured alabaster bowl once filled with electric light is the Baptismal font. The massive granite balustrade around the terrace is the Communion rail. The large swinging doors of the dining room in the mansion were placed as panels in the entrance to the Chapel of the Seven Sacraments. The carved wood of the library went into making of the Confessionals. The letter "M" that was carved into the wood can be seen around the framework of the doors. The many cabinets of the vast kitchen are now in the church sacristy.

There was a wealth of material which had come from the Mellon mansion. How some of the items were used in the construction of the new Mt. St. Peter's Church has been described here. Further editions of the Barque will contain additional information.

Reference: Mt. St. Peter, Nicola Fusco, 1944, 1970.

The Building Continues

The building of the Rectory was begun in late 1944 and continued until early 1948. During the winter months though, when the weather did not permit outdoor work on the Rectory, the men worked in the basement of the church. This area is now known as the Marble Hall. The Marble Hall measured 125 feet by 55 feet. Originally at the kitchen end of the hall, a platform was constructed on which was erected a magnificent marble altar. The Marble Hall was used as a lower church with Mass celebrated there on Sundays and other occasions to take care of the overflow from the upper church. It was said when the Marble Hall was finally completed, the result was comparable to an ancient Roman Basilica and the workers said that it was lucky that this was not completed before the church or the beautiful upper church would never have been built.

As noted, the Marble Hall project and the Rectory were being worked on at the same time. For a few years Mt. St. Peter retained as a Parish House, the Leslie Mansion, which stood on what is now the Oval. It was a frame building, over 100 years old, with few rooms, poor living accommodations and a water pump at its main entrance. It was most uncomfortable for three priests and a housekeeper.

When construction of the new Rectory began, there was no architect and no contractor. The people borrowed a bulldozer from the John F. Casey Company of Aspinwall, and a steamshovel from the Burrell Construction and Supply Company of New Kensington. They proceeded to dig the foundation for a two-level building. The only technical advice they had was from an Engineer, Frank Recco. The cinder blocks were bought for eight cents ($0.08) each. The flexicore slabs, used for the floors and roof, were made by the young people of the congregation at the Burrell Construction Company, and on the grounds of Mt. St. Peter´s. Free flexicore forms were gathered from Dayton, Ohio, free cement from Burrell Construction, and free bricks from an abandoned brick yard at Valley Camp. After three years of hard work, a three-story building was blessed, which is now Mt. St. Peter´s Rectory.

The lower level houses the kitchen, dining room, laundry facilities, some work area for the office, and storage areas. The garages and maintenance workroom are behind the Marble Hall. The church offices and a large living room/dining room combination are on the first floor. The priests´ quarters and guest rooms are on the second floor.

During the 1970´s, a renovation and updating of electrical, plumbing, heating and the addition of air conditioning was done. A few changes were necessary but with the commitment and the hard work of the parish community, the beauty of the Marble Hall and Rectory was enhanced.

Reference: Mt. St. Peter, Nicola Fusco - 1944-1970.

Return to top of page