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Saint
Stephen
| Address:
3120
West Crawford Avenue
P.O. Box 128
Leisenring, PA 15425
Contact Information:
Telephone:
724-628-6611
FAX: 724-628-5009
Email: N/A
Website Address: N/A
Pastor: Father
Joseph Kapusnak
Liturgy
Schedule:
N/A
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In
1892 Rev. Alexander Dzubay came to the Leisenring area from Wilkes-Barre
to assist the people in forming a church where they could worship
in their Byzantine Catholic tradition. A committee of twelve
was selected to investigate plans and solicit funds for building
a church. The committee contacted various businesses, including
the H.C. Frick Coke Co. in Scottdale, and made a house-to-house
campaign to solicit funds. During this time, liturgical
services were held in the home of one of the members.
After much hard and diligent work, they obtained sufficient funds
to begin construction of the church. The Frick Coke Co.
donated 12 acres of land and made a monthly donation of $25.
The church was completed in 1892 and served the faithful in all
the communities of Fayette and Westmoreland Counties. Since
there was no public transportation at this time, the faithful
walked miles to church from these areas. In 1896, the church
rectory was built with the active participation of the congregation.
In the following years, the people prospered and built their own
Byzantine Catholic churches in surrounding communities —
Charleroi, Monessen, Uniontown, Perryopolis, New Salem, Brownsville,
Scottdale, and Latrobe. St. Stephen is proud to be the forerunner
of these parishes.
The social hall was built in 1916 to house the cantor, provide
a location for social activities, and classroom space for religious
education. Organizations were formed such as the Holy Name
Society and Junior and Young Ladies Sodalities. A number
of Greek Catholic Union lodges with their fraternal activities
were also formed.
In 1962 the church was renovated for the 70th Anniversary.
Interior remodeling included a new marble altar, new sacristy,
and a completely new interior design and furnishings. Exterior
remodeling included eliminating the peaked towers and facing the
brick in stone.
A new rectory was built in 1967 for the 75th Anniversary.
With the Sodalities no longer active, a Ladies Guild was formed
for social activity and to help with the upkeep of the church
property. In 1981 the hall, in a state of disrepair, was
torn down because of high insurance cost and maintenance.
Once again, the church was renovated for the 100th Anniversary
in 1990. Three onion domes were placed on the roof, a side
entrance for wheelchairs was added, and a large vestibule was
added to the front of the church. A large outdoor deck was
built for festivals and entertainment. The interior of the
church was completely remodeled with a new icon screen, icons,
new lights and carpeting.
With the grace of God, St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church will
continue to prosper for another 100 years. |
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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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