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Transfiguration
of Our Lord
| Address:
121
Sixth Avenue
McKeesport, PA 15132
Contact Information:
Telephone:
412-672-0728
FAX: N/A
Email: N/A
Website Address: N/A
Pastor: Father
Donald J. Voss
Liturgy
Schedule:
N/A
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“In
the year 1913 the Star of our Faith shone brightly in the heavens.
It was on May 15, 1913, that we decided to assemble for the purpose
of establishing Transfiguration of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic
Church,” said the founders. These individuals were
Hungarian immigrants who had settled in McKeesport. On August
18, 1913, property was purchased at 121 Sixth Avenue, the present
site of the church.
The founders were zealous in their commitment to have a Byzantine
Rite Hungarian priest. On May 9, 1915 Rev. Alexander Papp
became the first resident pastor. Plans to build a church
and rectory were begun. On September 10, 1916 the solemn
dedication took place. Before World War I, the church went into
serious debt and was temporarily in danger of foreclosure.
The parishioners saved the parish by working untiringly to raise
sufficient funds to pay off the mortgage by June 8, 1947.
Many organizations were initiated over the years - altar society,
church choir, amateur theatrical group, Christian Mothers, youth
group, activities club, travel league and ladies guild.
The Ladies Guild, a group of determined women, have given willingly
of their talents and labors for the betterment and growth of the
church. Also, 28 refugee families were sponsored in 1956
to come to the United States after the world witnessed the uprising
of the Hungarians against communism.
Stability in the financial affairs of the parish has always been
maintained by the pastors, parishioners and Board of Trustees.
The installation of a baldacchino which represents the
crown of St. Stephen and an icon screen have been major additions
to the interior of the church.
The faithful are reminded of the message of Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty
who visited the church in June 1974: “Your heritage is a
sacred one. It comes from our forefathers as Hungarians...Keep
the faith and be strengthened by the Light which sustains us all
on these often dark roads of our lives.” The current
parishioners have a Catholic faith, Christlike fortitude and tenacious
love of their church as did the founding fathers who served as
the pillars of Transfiguration of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic
Church. It is in this spirit that the church exists as a
monument to them and to us all who worship in the Byzantine Hungarian
tradition. |
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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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