Saint Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church
Pastor:
Rev. James Hess, O.Carm.
Pastoral Ministry:
Brother Thomas Somerfeld
Address:
90 Bethel Road
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
Phone:

724-863-6776
Fax:
724-864-9685
E-mail:
Web site:
n/a
DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE
Saturdays:
5:00 pm
Sundays:
10:30 am
Vigil of Holy Days:
7:00 pm
Confessions:
Saturdays: 4:00 - 4:45 pm
Sundays: 10:00 - 10:20 am
GREAT FAST (LENT) SERVICES
Wednesdays
7:00 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Eastern Christian Formation (ECF):
Sundays 11:30 am
MINISTRIES
Youth:
Sundays 11:30 am
SOCIAL/ANNUAL EVENTS
Ladies Club Pumpkin Festival :
October
St. Stephen's Day :
annual Liturgy followed by supper, December 27
Parish DinnerLadies Club Irwin Day Project:
Mid-June


In 1997, the parish family of St Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church festively celebrated 25 Years of Proclaiming the Lord. In attempting to meet the ever increasing spiritual and pastoral needs of Byzantine Catholics as they moved to the suburban areas of Pittsburgh, Archbishop Stephen Kocisko canonically established St. Stephen Church in North Huntingdon on June 28, 1972.

The property, which includes a church edifice, a parsonage and an educational building, was purchased on July 20, 1972 from the Bethel United Presbyterian Church of Irwin after that congregation was merged with Christ United Presbyterian Church of Irwin. A loan was made to St. Stephen for the purchase through the generosity of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church in McKeesport. an additional loan for necessary improvements was negotiated with a local bank.

The former Bethel United Presbyterian Church figured prominently in the early history of North Huntingdon. The land for the church was donated in the early 1880's by one of the earliest settlers of North Huntingdon Township, Humphrey Fullerton IV. After his death in 1885, Fullerton was buried on the church property, as were his two children. On June 30, 1972 the Christ United Presbyterian Church received permission from the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County to remove the bodies from the yard of Bethel Church and place them in the Long Run Cemetery.

Rev. Russell Duker was appointed on July 18, 1972 as the organizer and first pastor of the new parish. On August 23 approximately 25 people attended an organizational meeting for prospective St. Stephen parishioners. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated and with a large attendance the buildings were blessed on August 28. This marked the beginning of a complete schedule of liturgical services for the congregation.

Despite the times of trial and testing, the low periods of parish life have served to strengthen the resolve and determination of its loyal parishioners. St. Stephen's history is a testimonial to great strides of spiritual and material progress. Looking toward the future, the parish family is confident in their continued prosperity and in working for the coming of Christ's Kingdom.

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.