Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church
Pastor:
Rev. Edward M. Lucas
Address:
176 Cross Creek Road
P.O. Box 565
Avella, PA 15312
Phone:

724-587-5819
or
304-748-2087

Fax:
n/a
E-mail:
n/a
Web site:
n/a
DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE
Sundays:
April thru November - 8:30 am
December thru March - 10:30 am
Vigil of Holy Days:
7:00 pm
Holy Days:
9:00 am
(simple and solemn holy days)
Confessions:
before liturgies
GREAT FAST (LENT) SERVICES
Fridays:
7:00 pm
HOLY MYSTERIES (SACRAMENTS)
Baptism/Chrismation/Eucharist:
by appointment
Reconciliation:
by appointment
Marriage:
by appointment
Anointing:
by appointment
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Eastern Christian Formation (ECF):
Sundays
after liturgy, October thru May
SOCIAL/ANNUAL EVENTS
Pirohy:
sold on 2nd Friday of every month
Parish Picnic:
On Feast of St. John the Baptist
Pancake & Sausage Breakfast :
Sunday before Great Fast (Lent)
Mothers' Day / Fathers' Day:
Breakfasts held annually
Pastor's ordination and birthday celebrations:
Annually


St. John the Baptist, Avella
The founders of St. John’s Church came to America in the early 1900’s and settled in the rolling, scenic countryside of the Avella area.   In a setting which was very reminiscent of the Carpathian Mountain foothills, they found work in the coal mines.  In 1916, a dozen men who represented approximately 31 families met to discuss the formation and building of a church of their own.  They made arrangements for a priest to visit them during Easter time, and the first Liturgy was offered at Wiegmann’s Hall on Main Street. When a new worship site had to be found, the Cross Creek Township School District offered the use of Buckeye School which was located near the site of the first St. John’s Church.

Already chartered as a corporation in Pennsylvania, the “Russian Greek Catholic Church of Avella” purchased a parcel of land from the Pittsburgh and Southwestern Coal Company.  This property, located in Cross Creek Township on the Avella-Atlasburg Road, was conveyed to the Church on November 1, 1919.  With the acquisition of a loan and other personal funds contributed by the founders, the church was built.  Fr. Valentine Staurosky became the first resident pastor.

The parish struggled through a coal strike in 1927 that crippled the financial ability of the community.  Because they were unable to support a resident pastor, Fr. Andrew Dzmura traveled from Canonsburg to assume the spiritual needs of the community from 1927 to 1932.  The Great Depression followed.  It was often impossible for a priest to travel for Sunday Liturgy, so the faithful would assemble in church to worship God by praying the Sunday Matins.

Despite some trying economical times, through the years the congregation experienced tremendous growth.  People from nearby Burgettstown and other areas came to worship at St. John’s.  By 1957, the church had purchased land for a cemetery, and with 10 acres designated as the site of the church.  This new church was dedicated on May 13, 1962 by Bishop Nicholas Elko.

Fr. George Evancho was assigned to the parish in 1968, and during his tenure a mortgage burning banquet was celebrated in the church social hall. Interior renovations and various upgrades have been made.

In recent years, a Lector Program has been instituted in the parish. Many parishioners now have an opportunity to read the Scriptures during services.  In addition, the parish has ECF classes, an Altar-Rosary Society and Men’s Clubs.  St. John’s also takes great pride in having two cantors to lead the liturgical congregational singing.

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Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
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