Saint Michael Byzantine Catholic Church
Pastor:
Very Rev. Richard I. Lambert
Address:
737 Ridge Road
Newton Falls, OH 44444
Phone:

330-872-5216
Fax:
330-872-0200
E-mail:
n/a
Web site:
n/a
DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE
Sundays:
11:00 am
Holy Days:
11:00 am
Confessions:
before liturgies
GREAT FAST (LENT) SERVICES
Sundays:
Wednesdays
7:00 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
Fridays:
7:00 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts


On August 6, 1922, eighteen families of Carpatho-Rusin origin, under the leadership of Rev. Alexander Papp, met for the purpose of organizing the first Byzantine Catholic Church in Newton Falls, Ohio. A parcel of land was purchased on Arlington Road, and the parish was placed under the patronage of Michael the Archangel.

In June 1924 they applied for and received a charter. On December 3, 1929 Rev. Peter Molchany purchased 4.6 acres of land on Duck Creek Road for use as a cemetery.

Due to the movement of more families the church was soon outgrown. On September 23, 1927 the former church on Quarry Street was purchased from the Lutherans. Twelve years passed before the rectory at 33 Quarry Street was purchased from R. F. Comstock on September 29, 1949. Father Eugene Hornyak was the first resident pastor.

As the parish continued to grow, the need for a larger building with ample space for ECF classrooms, a bigger social hall and a greater parking area became evident. In 1968 the parish purchased twelve acres of land. The blessing of the new ground followed on October 13, 1968, with Rev. John Pohorilak officiating. The actual construction of the new church began in November of 1968, and the First Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Christmas Eve of 1969.

On Sunday, October 8, 1972 Archbishop Stephen J. Kocisko celebrated a Liturgy of Thanksgiving for the first 50 years of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church. In 1973 Angelica Park was completed giving the parishioners an outdoor pavilion for picnics and parties and providing many hours of fun and enjoyment. The pavilion was destroyed by fire and rebuilt with the same enthusiasm as the original pavilion. The handicraft of Larry Shifra also provided beautiful vestment cabinets that still remain in the sacristy of the church.

The mortgage burning celebration took place on February 13, 1977, only nine years from the original land purchase.

In 1984 the Christ of the Clock Tower, a 500 pound statue of Christ with outreached arms, was raised 50 feet to the top of a specially constructed clock tower. The statue, made in Petra Sante, Italy, was a memorial project of the Holy Name Society. The 50 foot tower and Christ withstood the May 1986 tornado that passed through Newton Falls less than 1/4 mile away.

When Pope John Paul II made his visit to the United States, the youth and adults of the parish traveled to Denver, Colorado, to take part in the activities associated with the visitation. With the help of the younger members of the parish, the cemetery chapel was planned, and construction was completed during 1996.

The Official Website of the
Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
66 Riverview Avenue • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214
Telephone: 412-231-4000 | Fax: 412-231-1697

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.