Saint Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church
Pastor:
Rev. James Atkins
Address:
814 Fifth Street
Toronto, OH 43964
Phone:

740-537-1026
Fax:
740-537-9802
Alternate Contact:
Joseph Brem
604 N. River Avenue
Toronto, OH 43964
740-537-4578
E-mail:
Web site:
n/a
DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE
Sundays:
9:00 am
Vigil of Holy Days:
6:00 pm
Confessions:
Saturdays - 4:00 pm
Wednesdays - 6:00 pm
GREAT FAST (LENT) SERVICES
Wednesdays
7:00 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts


At its inception, St. Joseph's was composed primarily of Rusin immigrants. Their desire to have their own church in their adopted country was realized with plans initiated by St. Joseph's Lodge No. 194 of the Greek Catholic Union. Under the leadership of three men, John Demko, Joseph Feczko and Michael Tulencik, the new parish was officially organized on May 27, 1901. Property was purchased which is still its present site. Work on the building progressed rapidly and was concluded in January 1902. A new altar was installed a few months later. The installation of three new bells in the tower completed the edifice. Although the parish was administered by various priests from the tri-state area until 1905, a rectory and a small school building were already in the process of construction. Over the next twenty years, 14 priests served at St. Joseph's.

In 1935 Fr. John C. Muraida was appointed as pastor. Substantial repairs and renovations were made to the interior and exterior of the church. A solemn blessing of the redecorated church took place on July 12, 1942. A few days later, a service flag in honor of the more than 150 young men of the parish who served in World War II was dedicated. In 1952 the parish again honored their own who had served in the Armed Forces by erecting and dedicating an outdoor statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, as a memorial.

In the sixtieth anniversary year, a drive was initiated for a new church. The cornerstone was placed on July 2, 1961, and the dedication took place on June 3, 1962. The architecture is in the Byzantine style. The icon screen is designed in a more contemporary style. The interior decoration was delayed until the funds were available. A small parish social center was built on the church grounds in 1963.

In 1974 the long awaited interior decoration of the church was completed. The theme presented Byzantine styles of art as expressed by our people in America. The main altar is entirely of marble, white and white with green veining, nearly square in character. The tabernacle is satin-finished bronze, as are the other appointments. The baldacchino was designed with arching lines and depictions of the choirs of angels. Above that, the icon of Christ Pantocrator dominates the center of the sanctuary wall.

The main arch above the sanctuary shows the symbols of the twelve apostles and is dominated by the words, “GOD IS WITH US.” This sets the overall theme because St. Joseph is the patron of the church and is associated with the Nativity of Christ. God With Us is the feeling of this prayer community which has strived to uphold our Byzantine Catholic traditions and continues to offer this testimony of faith in God.

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.