Assumption of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church
Pastor:
Rev. Edward M. Lucas
Address:
3116 Elm Street
Weirton, WV 26062
Phone:

304-748-2087
Fax:
304-748-7550
E-mail:
n/a
Web site:
n/a
DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE
Saturdays:
6:00 pm
Sundays:
10:30 am - April thru November
8:30 am - December thru March
Holy Days:

9:00 am & 7:00 pm on Holy Days of Obligation

7:00 pm on Solemn & Simple Holy Days

Confessions:
Saturdays 5:30 pm
Sundays 8:00 am Dec. thru Mar.
GREAT FAST (LENT) SERVICES
Wednesdays
7:00 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
HOLY MYSTERIES (SACRAMENTS)
Baptism/Chrismation/Eucharist:
by appointment
Reconciliation:
by appointment
Marriage:
by appointment
Anointing:
by appointment
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Eastern Christian Formation (ECF):
Sundays
9:15 am Oct. - Nov.
9:30 am Dec. - May
MINISTRIES
Youth:
yes
SOCIAL/ANNUAL EVENTS
Patronal Feastday Celebration:
August 15
Annual Parish Picnic:
August
Annual Parish Lamb Dinner:
Sunday after Easter
Mothers' Day / Fathers' Day:
Breakfasts held annually
Pirohy, Paska, Easter Bake Sale Days:
held annually; call for details


The congregation of Assumption of the Mother of God began to form in 1920. Many of the faithful were attracted to Weirton by the prospect of better paying jobs in the steel plant. The people first attended religious services at the Byzantine Catholic churches in Mingo Junction and Toronto, OH. With the hardship of traveling in those days, this proved to be an inadequate solution for meeting their spiritual needs. To keep their faith and worship more centered, they formed a fraternal society under the patronage of St. Nicholas of Myra. The Liturgy was offered once a month in the Finnish Hall in North Weirton, and the first priest to offer the Liturgy was Rev. George Simchak from Avella, PA.

From this fraternal society of 75 members, the parish was officially founded in November 1924. The church was erected and dedicated a year later by Most Reverend Basil Takach. Soon they purchased a parish house. Fr. Michael Warady was appointed the first resident pastor to the church dedicated under the special patronage of the Mother of God's Assumption.

Major upgrades were made in the late 1940's in time for the parish's Silver Jubilee. A new roof, furnace, altar and stained glass windows were added. In 1951 a fire significantly damaged the interior. However, the Liturgy continued to be celebrated while repairs were made.

By 1952 the parish had grown to 500 members. Over the next 25 years, many of the parish members performed a Passion Play on every Palm Sunday. The play was originally organized by St. Mary's pastor, Fr. George Billy, who collaborated with one of the Latin Rite priests in Weirton. Members of other Catholic churches also contributed. All scenery, props and costumes were hand made by members of St. Mary's parish.

Another major remodeling of the interior of the church was completed for the Golden Anniversary celebration in 1974. In 1978 a fire nearly destroyed the rectory, but it was repaired and remodeled. The last major renovation to the church was completed in 1989 with a new icon screen as a focal point, new carpeting and a newly painted interior.

The congregation continues to be active and dedicated to the church with its Men's Club, choir and ECF Program. The Altar and Rosary Societies have been in existence almost as long as the church and remain a vital part of the parish community.

The Official Website of the
Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
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Telephone: 412-231-4000 | Fax: 412-231-1697

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