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Saint
Mary
| Address:
4480 Route 981
Latrobe, PA 15650
Contact Information:
Telephone:
724-423-3673
FAX: 724-423-1808
Email: n/a
Website Address: N/A
Pastor: Father
Julian Anthony
Liturgy
Schedule:
N/A
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St.
Mary Church was founded in January 1894 under the leadership of
Rev. Stephen Dzubay. The church was to serve the Byzantine
Catholic immigrants who lived and worked in the coal and coke
regions around the Trauger area of Western Pennsylvania.
A hall in the nearby community of Calumet served as a place of
worship prior to the construction of the church.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania granted a charter to the Greek
Catholic Church in Trauger on April 8, 1896. On May 4 of
that year the group purchased one-half acre of land to build the
first church. The actual construction was begun in May 1897.
In a few months, the new church was completed. It
was a neat wooden building housing the church and a small social
hall. In the hall, the priest and cantor taught the traditions
of the faith and the chants to the young parishioners. During
the early 1900’s, St. Mary’s even had a full time
school. Once the church and hall were completed, land at
the top of the hill above the church was purchased for a cemetery.
As the number of faithful parishioners increased, it became evident
that they needed a larger church. In October 1912 another
half acre of land was purchased. Construction of a larger,
brick church was begun shortly and the cornerstone for the present
church was blessed August 16, 1914.
Years of harsh weather took its toll on the numerous high steps
which led to the entrance of the church. As the deterioration
continued, the exterior of the church had to be renovated in 1960.
A new retaining wall was constructed and steps were installed
on each side. A tunnel was built as an entrance to the basement
of the church. Renovations were also completed to the interior
of the church.
On August 5, 1962 ground was broken on the property across the
road from the church for an educational and recreational center.
The Center, which was completed in September 1963, serves
as the hub of parish and community activities. Classrooms
in the Center are used for the religious education of the children.
In 1965 numerous fund raising activities were held in the Center
-- bingos, dinners, hall rentals and catering. With the
funds the parishioners were able to put a new roof on the church,
repaint the interior of the church, place a large granite cross
in the cemetery and pay the mortgage of the Center in full.
Major renovation to the church was undertaken in 1998-99.
The interior of the church was painted, icons were painted in
the apse, in the sanctuary, and on the side walls. New side
altars and an icon screen have been installed in the church.
The youth of St. Mary parish are involved. In addition to
the ECF classes, they participate in liturgical processions on
the feasts of Easter, Christmas, Dormition, and during the Sacraments
of Initiation. The resident pastor and several local clergy
organized the young people of local parishes for an ecumenical
youth rally which provided time for recreation and learning.
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The
Official Website of the
Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
66 Riverview Avenue • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214
Telephone: 412-231-4000 | Fax: 412-231-1697
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The
Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Website is an Official Publication
of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. ©
2003, Office of Communications. Neither any part of this site
nor its content may be reproduced, transmitted, copied, or
used in any way without the expressed permission of the Archeparchy
of Pittsburgh Office of Communications. This site may be linked
freely.
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