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TIMESTAMPS

 Local Catholic Church History and Catholic Ancestors

of
Pennsylvania

      The geographic area of Pennsylvania is in the Roman Catholic ecclesiastical province of Philadelphia which includes the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Dioceses of Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Scranton  (all in the state of Pennsylvania).  Pennsylvania is also home to the Eastern Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia (Ukrainian Catholic) and the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Catholic) and has Catholic parishes for other Eastern/Byzantine Catholic communities.

The following map is a guide to the areas encompassed by the Roman Catholic dioceses.
Select the diocese of interest from the links to the right, left, and below the map, or choose by county name.

Please note:  Though the information on this web page is believed to be correct, the possibility of error remains.  Please notify the webmaster should an error be found.

 [ Roman Catholic Genealogical & Dioceses Research ]
[ Eastern Catholic Genealogy & Diocese ]
[ Local Catholic Church History ] [ Catholic Biographies ]
[ General Pennsylvania History, Genealogy and Directory Links ]
[ Catholic Documents, Texts, & Archives ]
[ General History & GENEALOGY Links to Maps & Aids]
Return to:

[ Local Catholic Church & Family History & Genealogy GUIDE and Directory ]
[ Local Catholic Church & Family History & Genealogy U.S. STATE Selection ]
[ USGenWeb ]
Contact:  Webweaver

Genealogical Research of Catholic Ancestors
Pennsylvania

For Eastern Catholic select from the list below:
[ Armenian ] [ Syrian ] [ Chaldean ] [ Ukrainian, Greek ]
[ Melchite/Melkite (ethnic Syro-Arabian)] [ Maronite ]
[  Ruthenian: Hungarian, Croatian, Czechoslovakian, Yugoslavian, Russian ]

For Pennsylvania Catholic Church see also  [ Pennsylvania Catholic Conference ]

• The Apostolic Exarchate Armenian-Rite for the U.S. & Canada  in New York  (Venerable Exarch.: Hovhannes Terzakian, 1995)
     Address: 110 East, 12th Street - New York, NY 10003 U.S.A.  Phone: (212) 477-2030

  ---

  Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance of Newark of the Syrians: Syriac Catholic Diocese for Syrians in the U. S. and Canada (Chorbishop Joseph Younan appointed as the first Bishop of this diocese in 1995)    P.O. Box 8366 - Union City, NJ 07087-8262

  ---

  Archeparchy of Philadelphia  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1924, Metropolitan, 1958¹]

   Office: 827 N. Franklin St. - Philadelphia PA  19123

  Jurisdiction extends to all Ukrainian Catholics in U.S.
     from the ecclesiastical province of Galicia in the Ukraine.

  • SS. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

                            135 River Street - Olyphant, PA  18447  (Lackawanna County, PA)

  • St. Vladimir Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church (Philadelphia)
         Pine Street - Alden Station, PA 18634-4425  Phone: (717) 736-6382.

  • Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church     224 N. 4th Street - Allentown, PA 18102   Phone: (215) 434-6598.

  • SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church     704 Warren Street - Berwick, PA 18603   Phone: (717) 752-3172.

  • St. Michael Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church
       S. Second & W. Oak Streets - Frackville, PA 17931 Phone: (717) 874-1101.

  • St. Nicholas Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church
       153 E. Main Street - Glen Lyon, PA 18617   Phone: (717) 736-6382.

  • St. Michael Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church
         74 N. Laurel Street - Hazleton, PA 18201   Phone: (717) 455-0643.

  • Presentation of Our Lord Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church      1564 Allentown Road - Lansdale, PA 19446   Phone: (215) 368-3993.

  • St. Nicholas Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church
         438 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City, PA 17948, Phone: (717) 874-1101.

  • Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church
         210 W. Blaine St., McAdoo, PA 18237, Phone: (717) 462-0809.

  • St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church      Main St., Maizeville, PA 17934, Phone: (717) 874- 1101.

  • Patronage of the Mother of God Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church
         260 North St., Marion Heights, PA 17832, Phone: (717) 373-3441.

  • Annunciation of the B.V.M. Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church
         1206 Valley Rd., Melrose Park, PA 19027-3035, Phone: (215) 635-1627.

  • Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church
         Kaska St., Middleport, PA, Phone: (717) 544-4581.

  • St. Nicholas Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Church
         415 N. Front St., Minersville, PA 17954, Phone: (717) 544-4581.

  • Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma (Ukrainian)
       P.O. Box 347180 - Parma OH 44134-7180  Phone: (216) 888-1522.

    • St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church - Ukrainian
           606 Maple Avenue - Johnstown, PA 15901   Phone: (814) 535-2634.

    • Assumption of the B.V.M. Byzantine Catholic Church - Ukrainian      S26 Hillview Avenue - Latrobe PA 15650    Phone: (412) 537-6450.

    • St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church - Ukrainian      26 Hansen Avenue - Lyndora, PA 16045   Phone: (412) 283-6230.

    • St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church - Ukrainian      204 Olivia Street - McKees Rocks, PA 15136  Phone: (412) 766-8801.

    • St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church - Ukrainian      1907 Eden Park Blvd. - McKeesport, PA 15132  Phone: (412) 672-0923.

    • Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Byzantine Catholic Church - Ukrainian
           Shersburg Road - New Alexandria, PA 15670   Phone: (412) 537-6450
           Served from The Assumption of the B.V.M. Church, in Latrobe, PA.

    • Saints Peter and Paul (Ukranian Rite), Wilmerding, PA

  Eastern Catholic Churches in the U. S. Directory (parishes by state) for Pennsylvania

• See also: The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in L'viv, Ukraine.
        Chancery:  Ukraine
                        79000 m. Lviv
                        Ploscha sv. Yura, 5
                        UGCC - Zvernenya

  • Ukrainian Catholic Parishes.
    Origin of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in America.

  ---

  Byzantine Catholic Archparchy of Pittsburgh  (Ruthenian) [est. 1924, Metropolitan, 1969¹]

• Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Ruthenian)

  Office:  66 Riverview Ave. - Pittsburgh, PA  15214

  • Saints Cyril & Methodius Byzantine Catholic Seminary
       3605 Perrysville Ave.  - Pittsburgh, PA 15214

  • St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         624 Park Road - Ambridge, PA, 15003   Phone: (412) 266-2030.

  • Ascension Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         Arcadia, PA, 15712   Phone: (814) 948-8242.

  • St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         P.O. Box 565 - Avella, PA, 15312  Phone: (412) 587-5819.

  • St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         719 Chestnut Street - Barnesboro, PA 15714   Phone: (814) 948-8242.

  • St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         P.O. Box B - Beaverdale, PA 15921   Phone: (814) 487-7458.

  • SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian      431 George Street - Braddock, PA 15104  Phone: (412) 271-1297.

  • St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         R.D. I, Box 75 - Bradenville, PA 15620  Phone: (412) 537-5839.

  • St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         302 Third Avenue - Brownsville, PA 15417  Phone: (412) 785-7573.

  • St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         166 E. College Street - Canonsburg, PA 15317   Phone: (412) 745-7117.

  • Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         828 Meadow Avenue - Charleroi, PA 15022   Phone: (412) 483-8622.

  • Ascension Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         318 Park Avenue - Clairton, PA 15025   Phone: (412) 233-7422.

  • Dormition of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         Clarence, PA 16829   Phone: (814) 342-4315.

  • St. Anne Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         Clymer, PA 15728   Phone: (814) 674-5552.

  • Holy Cross Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         Coal Run, PA 15727   Phone: (412) 479-2206.

  • St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         413 Power Street - Johnstown, PA 15906   Phone: (814) 535-4132.

  • St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         R.D. 3 Box 373-C - Latrobe, PA 15650   Phone: (412) 423-3673.

  • St. Stephen Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         Leisenring, PA, 15455   Phone: (412) 628-6611.

  • St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         105 Kohler Avenue - Lyndora, PA 16045   Phone: (412) 287-5000.

  • Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         225 Olivia Street - McKees Rocks, PA 15136   Phone: (412) 771-3324.

  • St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian      410 Sixth Avenue - McKeesport, PA 15132   Phone: (412) 664-9131

  • Transfiguration Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian
         121 Sixth Avenue - McKeesport, PA 15132   Phone: (412) 672-0728

  • St. Macrina Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian      515 West Main Street - P.O. Box 516 - Monongahela, PA 15063
         Phone: (412) 258-6415.

  • Church of the Resurrection - Ruthenian
         455 Center Road, Monroeville, PA, 15146, Phone: (412) 372-8650

  Byzantine Catholic Church in America Directory of Parishes Pennsylvania
  Unofficial Site includes parish directory (AL, AR, KY, LA, MS, OH, OK, west PA, TX, WV)

  • Eparchy of Passaic (Byzantine)
       Address: 445 Lackawanna Ave. - W. Paterson, NJ  07424
    (CT, FL, GA, MA, MD, NJ, NY, NC, east PA, VA)

    •  Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel        96 First Street - Passaic, NJ  07055

      • Other Sites of Interest

    • St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church - Ruthenian    203 Jacob Street - Mont Clare, PA  19453   Phone: (610) 933-2819.
         - Parish History : In the early years: "...Spiritual needs were met the the local Latin Catholic Church of Saint Mary the Assumption...Couples would travel miles to Philadelphia or north to Shenandoah to be married in the Greek Catholic Church..."

    History of Byzantine-Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church)
    An Unofficial U.S.A. Parish directory

  • Holy Trinity Monastery (Byzantine Rite Benedictine), Butler

   Parishes in Western PA are in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
                             Parishes in Eastern PA are in the Eparchy of Passaic.

  ---

  Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn (Maronite) Parish Directory
  [ CT | DC | FL | GA | ME | MA | NC | NH | NJ | NY | PA | RI | VA | Institutions ]

  • Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church    54 South 4th Street - Easton, PA  18042-4536

    • History of Our Lady of Lebanon Parish - from ca. 1880...

    • History of Maronites - "...The Maronite Church is one of the largest Eastern-rite communities of the Roman Catholic Church, prominent especially in modern Lebanon..."

    • History of Easton Lebanese - "...On September 15, 1880, the first Kfarsghabians to come to the United States..."

    • History of Kfarsghab - "...The village of Kfarsghab, Lebanon overlooks the Kadisha valley, the refuge of St. Maron and his followers..."

  • Our Lady of Victory Maronite Church (Maronite)History      1000 Lindsay Rd. - Carnegie, PA 15106  Phone: (412) 278-0841

  • St. Ann Maronite Church
         1320 Price St. -  Scranton, PA 18504  Phone: (717) 344-2129

  • St. Anthony Maronite Church
         253 Dana St. - Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702  Phone: (717) 824-4448

  •   St. John the Baptist Maronite Church
         2 West Reynolds St. - New Castle, PA 16101  Phone: (412) 658-0787

  •   St. George Maronite Church
         Lebanon Terrace - Uniontown, PA 15401  Phone: (412) 437-5589

  •   St. George Maronite Church
         79 Loomis St. - Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702  Phone: (717) 824-3599

  •   St. Maron Maronite Church
         1010 Ellsworth St. - Philadelphia, PA 19147  Phone: (215) 389-1300

  •  St. Sharbel Maronite Mission
       201 S. Newtown Sq. Rd - Newtown Square, PA 19073 Phone: (610) 353-5952

    ---

    The Eparchy of Newton  (Melkite Greek) - Alternate site:The Eparchy of Newton  [Est. 1966]

    Diocesan Offices: 19 Dartmouth Street, West Newton, MA 02165
    Parishes and Geographic Locations
    News from across the Eparchy
    Some Questions Answered or  Educational and Reference materials to learn about the Melkite-Greek rite
    Primer for Melkite Worship and Ritual
    Introduction to the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church, by Fr. Hal Stockert.
    Hierarchy of the Melkite Catholic Church Eparchy of Newton

    • St. Joseph Church Byzantine Catholic Church - Melkite      130 N. Cabrini Avenue - Scranton, PA 18504  Phone: (717) 343-6092.

    • St. Basil Seminary & Salvatorian Center    30 East Street Methuen, MA 01844-4495
      The Melkite Greek Church in America

      What Eastern Christians believe

   For more information on the Byzantine Catholic Churches in the United States Click here to return to Main Local Catholic Byzantine Links
  Eastern Catholic Churches in the U. S. Directory (parishes by state) for Pennsylvania

  ---

  Select the Pennsylvania County of interest from the list below:

  Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Potts, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Vanango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland.

   

  ---

  
  The Archdiocese of Philadelphia serves the 5 southeastern PA COUNTIES of:

  Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia.

  The Diocese of Allentown serves the east central PA Counties of:

  Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill.

  The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown serves the south-central PA COUNTIES of:

  Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clinton, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset.

  The Diocese of Erie serves the northwestern PA COUNTIES of:

  Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Vanango and Warren.

  The Diocese of Greensburg serves the 4 south central PA COUNTIES of:

  Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland.

  The Diocese of Harrisburg serves the central and southcentral PA COUNTIES of:

  Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union, and York.

  The Diocese of Pittsburg serves the 6 southwestern PA COUNTIES of:

  Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington.

  The Diocese of Scranton serves the northeastern PA COUNTIES of:

  Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming.

  ---

    Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) [est. 1808, Archdiocese, 1875¹]
     Chancery:  222 N. 17th St. - Philadelphia, PA  19103
        Phone: (215) 587-4538   E-mail: chancery@adphila.org
    Though it originally included all of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the southern half of New Jersey, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) now consists of the 5 southeastern PA Counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia.  Visit ALSO Local Catholic New Jersey* or Delaware
     History of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 1808
     See also: History of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia - from the ca. 1913 Catholic Encylopedia Online.
     Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center Archives (PAHRC) -
     100 E. Wynnewood Rd., Wynnewood, PA 19096-3001 Phone: (610) 667-2125
     Archdiocesan Archivist: Joseph J. Casino, M.A., M.S.L.S. Phone: (610) 667-2125.

  • Chronology of Foundation Dates for Parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (scroll down the page a bit)

  • Timeline of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

  Help in researching your genealogy: There is an online order form for historical records research, and information concerning the types and years of records held.  The research is offered for a small fee, and the identity of the parish will be most likely required to locate records.  For records from 1900, requests should be made to the individual parish.  "...Registers for other counties formerly within the Archdiocesan boundaries are located in their respective dioceses..."
   Archdiocesan Catholic Cemeteries Office:
       111 S. 38th St. Philadelphia, PA 19104   Phone: (215) 895-3450
  Catholic Social Services: Catholic Charities (including adoption services)
     222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia,PA 19103-1299 Phone: (215) 587-3900
     This site includes addresses and contacts for the many children's and maternity homes.
  Catholic Standard & Times (Archdiocesan News)
     222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1299 Phone: (215) 587-3660
     Cover Stories Online include:
     "There's a Mexican Empress Buried at St. John's" by Christine McCullough-Friend
     and a information about  Holy Cow! a teen magazine.

  • Cathedral Basilica of SS Peter&Paul, [est. 1846]
       18th St. and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway - Philadelphia, PA
       PH: (215) 561-1313

  • Archdiocese of Philadelphia Parish Directory - Alphabetical by Parish Name Philadelphia Parishes: -North Vicariate
    Philadelphia Parishes: - South Vicariate
    Bucks County Vicariate: Alphabetical by Parish - Alphabetical by Township
    Chester County Vicariate: Alphabetical by Parish - Alphabetical by Township
    Delaware County Vicariate: Alphabetical by Parish - Alphabetical by Township
    Montgomery County Vicariate: Alphabetical by Parish - By Township

  ---

   Diocese of Allentown  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1961¹] (site under construction)
        Chancery:  202 N. 17th St. - P.O. Box F - Allentown, PA  18105-1538
  The Diocese of Allentown encompasses the east central Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Schuylkill.
  Diocese of Allentown History
  The Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen: Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown
   Diocese of Allentown News - The AD Times
     2141 Downyflake Lane, Allentown PA 18103-4724  Phone: (610) 797-3330

  • Diocese of Allentown Parish Directory

   Below is a partial list of parishes encompassed within the Diocese of Allentown:

• Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena [est. 1919] (Lehigh County)    1825 Turner Street - Allentown, PA 18104-5617   Phone: (610) 433-6461

  • A Brief History of the Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena

• Immaculate Conception B. V. M. Parish (Lehigh County)    Liberty Street and Ridge Avenue - Allentown, PA 18102
     Phone: (610) 433-4404

• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (Lehigh County)    4th and Pine Streets - Allentown, PA 18102   Phone: (610) 434-5171

• St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Lehigh County)    801 N. 11th Street - Allentown, PA 18102-1304   Phone: (610) 433-6102

• Our Lady Help of Christians Parish (Lehigh County)    Hanover Avenue & Jasper Street - Allentown, PA 18103
     Phone: (610) 432-9384    E-mail: olhcall@aol.com

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (Lehigh County)    179 Chew Street - Allentown, PA 18102   Phone: (610) 434-5171

• SS. Peter and Paul Parish [Polish] (Lehigh County)
     1061 Fullerton Avenue - Allentown, PA 18102-5025
     Phone: (610) 432-2252

• St. John the Baptist Parish [Slovak] (Lehigh County)    916 North Front Street - Allentown, PA 18102-1912
     Phone: (610) 432-0034

• St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church (Lehigh County)    156 Green Street - Allentown, PA 18102
     Phone: (610) 432-6773
     Within the jurisdiction of the Eparchy of Passaic in New Jersey.

• St. Paul Parish (Lehigh County)     2nd and Susquehanna Streets - Allentown, PA 18103
     Phone: (610) 797-9733

• St. Stephen of Hungary Parish [Hungarian] (Lehigh County)    510 Union Street - Allentown, PA 18101-2307   Phone: (610) 439-0111

• St. Thomas More Parish  (Lehigh County)    1040 Flexer Avenue - Allentown, PA 18103   Phone: (610) 433-7413

• Notre Dame Parish (Lehigh County)    1861 Catasauqua Road - Bethlehem, PA  18018

• Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Bethlehem, PA "Located in the center of the Lehigh Valley on the boundry line of the City of Bethlehem & Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, PA"

• St. Columbkill Parish
     200 Indian Spring Road - Boyertown, PA 19512  Phone: (610) 367-2371.

• Ss. Cyril and Methodius, [est. 1920] - (Schuylkill County)    41 E. Ruddle Street - Coaldale, PA 18218   Phone: (717) 645-4647.

• St. Mary of the Assumption - (Schuylkill County)
     227 Second Street - Coaldale, PA 18218-1502   Phone: (570) 645-4647

• St. John the Baptist [Lithuanian] - (Schuylkill County)    229 West Phillips Street - Coaldale, PA 18218-1442   Phone: (570) 645-4647

• St. Patrick Parish - (Schuylkill County)
     Miner Street - Coaldale, PA 18218   Phone: (570) 668-2301

• St. Bernard Church [est. 1829] - (Northampton County)    132 S. 5th Street - Easton, PA  18042
     (the mother church of the Lehigh Valley)

• St. Michael Church [est. 1916] - (Northampton County)    209 Spring Garden Street - Easton, PA   18042
     (of Lithuanian Heritage)

• Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church - (Northampton County)    54 South 4th Street - Easton, PA  18042-4536
     E-mail:  mailto:info@mountlebanon.org

  • History of Our Lady of Lebanon Parish - from ca. 1880...

  • History of Maronites - "...The Maronite Church is one of the largest Eastern-rite communities of the Roman Catholic Church, prominent especially in modern Lebanon..."

  • History of Easton Lebanese - "...On September 15, 1880, the first Kfarsghabians to come to the United States..."

  • History of Kfarsghab - "...The village of Kfarsghab, Lebanon overlooks the Kadisha valley, the refuge of St. Maron and his followers..."

• St. Michael the Archangel - Over a Century of Faith and Slovak Heritage
    124 East Abbott Street - Lansford, PA 18232-2012  Phone: (717) 645-2282.

• St. Vincent de Paul Parish    539 Sunbury Street - Minersville, PA  17954  Phone: (570) 544-4741.

• St. Kieran Parish - (Heckscherville, Schuylkill County) [est. ca. 1858] Parish History

  • St. John Neumann Lane - Pottsville, PA  17901-9171,  Phone: (570) 544-4857

  • See History of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, New York : Munsell & Co., 1881.

• St. Patrick Parish - (Schuylkill County) [est. ca. 1827] 

  • 319 Mahantongo Street - Pottsville, PA  17901, Phone: (570) 622-1802

• St. John the Baptist Parish [German] - (Schuylkill County)

  • 913 Mahantongo Street - Pottsville, PA  17901-3024,  Phone: (570) 622-5470

  • Some Marriage, Baptism and Death Records from St. John the Bapist
    Catholic Church between 1845-1860, Schuylkill County (USGenWeb Archives)

• St. John Neuman Chapel - (Schuylkill County)

  • 2051 W. Norwegian Street - Pottsville, PA  17901,  Phone: (570) 622-1802

• St. Joseph Parish [Italian] - (Schuylkill County)

  • 321 Howard Avenue (at 4th Street) - Pottsville, PA  17901-3413,  Phone: (570) 622-3081

• Mary Queen of Peace Parish - (Schuylkill County)

  • 732 North Centre Street - Pottsville, PA  17901-1112,  Phone: (570) 622-7004

• Holy Rosary Parish  - (Berks County)
     Schuylkill Ave. and Green Street - Reading, PA   Phone: (610) 376-4383

• Holy Rosary Parish [Italian] - (Berks County)
     3rd and Franklin Street - Reading, PA 19602   Phone: (610) 374-2930

• St. Anthony of Padua Parish [Polish] - (Berks County)    506 Summit Avenue - Reading, PA 19611   Phone: (610) 374-1539

• St. Anthony of Padua Parish [Lithuanian] - (Berks County)    243 South 8th Street - Reading, PA 19602-2774   Phone: (610) 372-9652

• St. Catherine of Siena Parish - (Berks County)     2427 Perkiomen Avenue - Reading, PA 19606   Phone: (610) 779-4005

• SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish [Slovak] - (Berks County)    451 South 6th Street - Reading, PA 19602-2410   Phone: (610) 373-0627

• Holy Guardian Angels Parish - (Berks County)
     3121 Kutztown Road - Reading, PA 19605    Phone: (610) 921-2729.

• Saint Ignatius Loyola Parish - (Berks County)    St. Albans Dr. & Whitfield Blvd. - Reading, PA 19608-1028
     Phone: (610) 678-3767

• St. Joseph Parish   - (Berks County)     1022 North 8th Street - Reading, PA 19604-2210   Phone: (610) 376-2976

• St. Margaret Parish - (Berks County)    Centre Avenue and Spring Street - Reading, PA 19601
     Phone: (610) 376-2919

• St. Mary Parish [Polish] - (Berks County)    Centre Avenue and Spring Street - Reading, PA 19601
     Phone: (610) 376-2919

• Nativity of the B. V. M. Parish [Ukrainian] - (Berks County)     1814 Philadelphia Avenue - Reading, PA 19607   Phone: (610) 376-0586

• St. Paul Parish [German] - (Berks County)     9th and Walnut Streets - Reading, PA 19601   Phone: (610) 372-1531

• St. Peter the Apostle Parish [Spanish] - (Berks County)     326 South 5th Street - Reading, PA 19602-2311   Phone: (610) 372-9652

• St. Joseph and St. Stanislaus Parishes   Parish Office: 120 N. Market Street - Summit Hill, PA 18250

• The National Centre for Padre Pio (NCFPP) - (Berks County)    in Barto, Pennsylvania

---

 Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown  (Pennsylvania)  [est. 1901¹]

Chancery:  126 Logan Blvd. - Hollidaysburg, PA  16648
Phone:  814-695-5579  Fax:  814-695-8894
Chancery E-mail: msgrbogg@naccess.net
Diocese Administration
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown encompasses the south-central PA Counties of Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clinton, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset.  Prior to 1901, when the diocese was established, the counties of Cambria, Blair, Bedford, Huntingdon, and Somerset, had been within the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and the counties of Centre, Clinton, and Fulton were taken from the Diocese of Harrisburg.
The Catholic Register (Diocesan News)
   126 C Logan Blvd - PO Box 413, Hollidaysburg PA 16648
   Phone: (814) 695-7563
Social Ministries Family Life Offices
   5379 Portage Street - Lilly, PA 15938  Phone: 814-886-5551
Missions and Sister Diocese: Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica.
History of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, by Morgan M. Sheedy, from The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume I, 1907, by Robert Appleton Company, Online Edition, by Kevin Knight, 1999.

• Parish Directory   - City of Altoona - City of Johnstown -

• Directory of Parishes Outside these cities.

• Alternate Parish Directory

• Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament - Altoona, PA (prior St. John's)    1331  13th Avenue;  P.O. Box 33 - Altoona, PA 16603.

• St. John Gaulbert Cathedral - Johnstown, PA    117 Clinton Street - P.O. Box 807- Johnstown, PA 15907-0807
      Phone: (814) 539-2611

• St. Benedict Catholic Church - Geistown section - Johnstown, PA History from late 1800s    2310 Bedford Street -  Johnstown, PA 15904

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 Diocese of Erie  (Pennsylvania)   [est. 1853¹] - Diocese Map

Chancery:  P.O. Box 10397 - Erie, PA  16514
The Diocese of Erie encompasses the northwestern Pennsylvania counties of Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Vanango and Warren.
"...Archivies Office collects and preserves official records of the actions of the diocesan chancery; preserves sacred vessels, vestments and memorabilia; and researches the history of the diocese and its entities..."
Diocese of Erie Social Services Agencies & Institutions: Catholic Charities
   This office oversees Diocesan Social Services Agencies and Institutions including: Adoption services;Emergency Assistance services; Nursing Homes; Prison Chaplincies; Hospital Chaplaincies; Justice and Peace/Respect Life Ministries; Ministries for Persons with Disabilities; Family Ministries; Campaign for Human Development and Operation Rice Bowl.
Diocese of Erie News Publication: Lake Shore Visitor
    429 E Grandview Blvd - PO Box 10668, Erie PA 16514-0668
History of the Diocese of Erie from 1853
History of the Diocese of Erie, by James J. Dunn, from The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume V, 1909, by Robert Appleton Company, Online Edition, by Kevin Knight, 1999.

• Parish Directory for the Diocese of Erie with Map

• Parish Directory by Church Name

• Our Lady of Peace Church -    2401 West 38th St. - Erie, PA 16506

• Bread Of Life Community    St. Mark's Center - 429 E. Grandview Blvd. - Erie, PA 16504
     Phone: (814) 825-9250

• St. Patrick's Parish - with History from 1837    130 East Fourth St. - Erie, PA 16507  Phone: (814) 454-8085

• Immaculate Conception Parish (Clearfield County, PA)    408 Stone Street - Osceola Mills, PA 16666-1234
     Phone: (814) 339-7321    E-mail: icc@vicon.net

• St. Catherine of Sienna Parish -
      166 South State St. - DuBois, PA  Phone: (814) 371-8556

• Saint Hippolyte Parish   (Frenchtown, Crawford County, PA) Mailing: 25997 State Highway 27 - Guys Mills, PA 16327
  Phone: (814) 789-2022

  • Our Lady of Lourdes Mission  - Cochranton, PA

  • Saints Peter and Paul Devotional Chapel - Pettis, PA (Built in 1893, Sts. Peter & Paul was closed in 1992, & is used presently as a devotional chapel.)

• St. Joseph's Parish - Sharon, PA

• Our Lady Of The Lake - Edinboro, PA

  • Our Lady of the Lake .... The story of a church - History

  Our Lady of the Lake celebrates the 50th anniversary in 2000

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 Diocese of Greensburg  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1951¹]

Chancery:  723 E. Pittsburgh St. - Greensburg, PA  15601
  Phone: (724) 837-0901
The Diocese of Greensburg encompasses the 4 Pennsylvania counties of Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland.
Diocese of Greensburg: Parish Social Ministry at Catholic Charities.
Diocese of Greensburg News Publication: The Catholic Accent
   723 E Pittsburgh St. - PO Box 850, Greensburg PA 15601
Diocese of Greensburg: Parish Directory - Includes information concerning Discontinued Parishes or Missions (scroll down to see this section).
History of the Diocese of Greensburg

• Blessed Sacrament Cathedral:
     300 North Main St. - Greensburg, PA 15601  Phone: (412) 834-3710

•   St. Barbara Catholic Church-
     34 Raymaley Rd. - Harrison City,  PA 15636  Phone: (412) 744-7474

• Church of the Immaculate Conception -    305 Second St. - Irwin, PA 15642  Phone:  (412) 863-9550

• St. Vincent Basilica (Archabbey established in 1846)     300 Fraser Purchase Rd. - Latrobe, PA  15650 Phone: (412) 539-8629

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 Diocese of Harrisburg  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1868¹](Unofficial) Map

Chancery: 4800 Union Deposit Rd. - P.O. Box 2153 - Harrisburg, PA  17105  Phone: (717) 657-4804.
Archives / History includes a History of the Harrisburg Diocese

Searching for Your Catholic Roots? "...Genealogy research is done the "old fashioned way", by searching rolls of microfilm indexed chronologically by parish..." A fee is charged for research.

History of the Diocese of Harrisburg, by Thomas F. Meehan, from The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume VII, 1910, by Robert Appleton Company, Online Edition, by Kevin Knight, 1999.
The Diocese of Harrisburg encompasses the central and southcentral PA Counties of Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union, and York.
It originally included the counties of counties of Clinton, Centre, Mifflin, Franklin, Cumberland, Adams, York, Dauphin, Cumberland, Northumberland, Columbia, Lebanon, Lancaster, Montour, Union, Snyder, Juniata, Perry and Fulton.  The counties of Lycoming and Centre Counties were also included within its original boundaries, but the they became part of the Diocese of Altoona when it was formed in 1901.

• Parish Directory

• St. Patrick Cathedral     212 State Street - Harrisburg, PA 17101  Phone: (717) 232-2169.

• Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Adams County)     30 Basilica Drive - Conewago, PA 17331-8924
      Phone: (717) 637-2721    E-mail: P017Basilica@hbgdiocese.org
     See the Harrisburg Diocese History:  Built in 1730, and enlarged in 1768, "...Conewago chapel became the headquarters of the Saint Francis Regis mission circuit extending from Pennsylvania west of the Susquehanna River, all of western Maryland and the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. In this way, Conewago became the gateway to our Catholic heritage.

• Our Lady Of The Blessed Sacrament Church
    Rectory: 2121 N 3rd St., Harrisburg, PA 17110  Phone: (717) 233-1014.

• Saint Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church    Office: 1439 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17103  Phone: (717) 232-1003.

• Saint Theresas Church    Rectory: 1300 Bridge St., New Cumberland, PA 17070
     Phone: 717-774-5918.

• Saint Catherine Laboure'
     4000 Derry Street - Harrisburg, PA 17111-2242 Phone: (717) 564-1321.

• Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
     2848 Herr Street - Harrisburg, PA 17103-1817  Phone: (717) 233-3062.

• Holy Family Parish
  555 S. 25th Street - Harrisburg, PA 17104-2100 Phone: (717) 232-4237.

• Holy Name of Jesus Parish
     6150 Allentown Blvd. - Harrisburg, PA 17112-2926
     Phone: (717) 652-4211.

• Prince of Peace Parish
  815 S. Second Street - Steelton, PA 17113 Phone: (717) 985-1330.

• Seven Sorrows of The B.V.M.
     401 Coneqago Street - Middletown, PA 17057 Phone: (717) 944-3133.

• Saint Matthew the Apostle    P.O. Box 459 - Dauphin, PA 17018-0421 Phone: (717) 921-2363.

• Saint Ann Byzantine Parish
     5408 Locust Lane - Harrisburg, PA 17109-5598  Phone: (717) 652-1415

• Saint Joan of Arc Parish
     359 W. Areba Avenue - Hershey, PA 17033 Phone: (717) 533-7168.

• Mother Cabrini - Shamokin, PA

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 Diocese of Pittsburgh  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1843¹] (Official)      Chancery: 111 Blvd. of the Allies - Pittsburgh, PA  15222
                       Phone: (412) 456-3000
     Organizational Chart
(Encompasses the 6 southwestern PA Counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington.  Map & About Diocese)
     Chancellor's Office -
       Phone: (412) 456-3129  Fax: (412) 456-3197  Email: chancelr@diopitt.org
     Archives and Records -
        Synod Hall - 125 N. Craig Street - Pittsburgh, PA 15213
         Phone: (412) 621-6217 Fax: (412) 621-6237 Email: archives@diopitt.org
Guide to the Records Holdings of the Archives includes the following and much more:  Parish Records held at the archives (Record Group 13)
Parish Foundation Dates and Photo Gallery
Searching for your Catholic ancestors? and Request for Research Form
   This site explains the type of sacramental records that are maintained by the Archives, the information which may be found in those records, the rules for their use and the Fees for Genealogical Research by the Archives.
The Archives contains all sacramental records older than 70 years beginning in 1808 for parishes in the following counties of Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington.  Researchers seeking information in those counties prior to 1808 should contact The Diocese of Greensburg:
Rules for Access to the Sacramental Records - "...Only sacramental records
older than 70 years are open for genealogical research..." unless specific requirements are met.
Social Programs and Offices: Catholic Charities:
(Encompasses the 6 southwestern PA Counties of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington.  Map & About Diocese)
Pittsburgh Catholic - diocesan news

• Research Begun for Book Detailing History of the Diocese, by John Franko.

Diocese of Pittsburg:+ Parish Directory + List of Deaneries + Communities +

Parishes of Pittsburg (Unofficial)

• St. Paul's Cathedral - Pittsburgh, PA - with Parish History requested.    Fifth Avenue at Craig Street (Oakland)
     Mail Address: 108 North Dithridge St. - Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2694

• Saint Pamphilus (Korean Catholic Community)    1000 Tropical Ave. - Pittsburgh, PA 15216-3099 Ph: (412) 341-1000.

• Holy Wisdom (St. Boniface Site) (Vietnamese Catholic Community)
      2208 East Street - Pittsburgh, PA 15212-3002 Ph: (412) 231-1116.

• Saint Justin - (Deaf Catholic Community)    539 Boggs Avenue - Pittsburgh, PA 15211-2359 - Ph: (412) 381-9878.

• St. Nicholas Parish - Pittsburgh, PA with History & Tours

• Saint Valentine Parish - Bethel Park, PA

• Saint Philip Parish - [est. 1839] Crafton, PA (Allegany County, PA)    Office: 50 W. Crafton Avenue - Pittsburgh, PA 15205-2898
     Phone: (412) 922-6300   E-mail: stphil@fyi.net
     Printed reference materials include:
         "Sesquicentennial, 1839-1989, St. Philip Church, Crafton, Pa."
       Matthews, N.C. : PCA International, Inc., [1989?]
       The Story of Crafton, Written by Betsy Martin, 1992.

• St. Bonaventure Parish - Glenshaw, PA

• St. Columbkille Parish - [est. 1908] Imperial, PA    Administrative Center: 103 Church Road - Imperial, PA 15126-1299
     Phones: (724) 695-7325; (724) 695-0425

• Holy Trinity Church, Robinson Township [est. 1908]    5718 Steubenville Pike - Pittsburgh, PA 15244
     Administrative Center: P.O. Box 15567 - Pittsburgh, PA 15244-0567
     Phones: (412) 787-2140; (412) 787-2143   E-mail: htrobins@stargate.net

  • Holy Trinity Parish History - was a mission of St. Columnkille in Imperial, PA.

• St. James Catholic Church - Sewickley, PA

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•  Diocese of Scranton  (Pennsylvania)  [est. 1868¹]
     Chancery - 300 Wyoming Avenue -  Scranton, PA 18503-1279

  Phone:  (570) 207-2216.

  Encompassing the northeastern PA counties of Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming.  (The highlighted county names link to parish directories for each county.)
   Diocese Map & Parish Directory
   Cemeteries Office
     1708 Oram Street - Scranton, PA 18504
  The History of  The Diocese of Scranton, 1868 - 1998 with brief biographies of diocese's bishops.
  Historian of the Diocese of Scranton

  • St. Peter Cathedral (Lackawanna County, PA)    315 Wyoming Avenue - Scranton, PA 18503-1237   Phone: (570) 344-7231

  • Saint Mary's Church - 715 Hawthorne Street - Avoca, PA 18641

  • Church of Saint Bernadette & St. Bernadette's HISTORY from "...its beginning when the first Mass was celebrated in 1912.   As a mission church of St. Mary of the Mount, originally called St. Ann's..."    P.O. Box 14, Route 390, Canadensis, PA 18325  Ph:  (570) 595-2139

  • Gate of Heaven Parish (Luzerne County, PA)    10 Machell Avenue - Dallas, PA 18612-1611
       Phone 570-675-2121    E-Mail goh@epix.net

  • Blessed Sacrament Church - 65 Rock St. - Hughestown, PA 18640

  • St. Patrick and Holy Ghost Parish
       St. Patrick's : 200 Delaware Avenue - Olyphant, PA   Phone: (570) 489-0752.
       Holy Ghost :  Willow Avenue - Olyphant, PA

  • Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - 237 William St. - Pittston, PA 18640

  • St. Rocco Church - 68 West Oak St. - Pittston, PA 18640

  • Our Lady of the Lake - Pocono Pines, PA - HISTORY from 1920.

  • St. Anne Parish (Monroe County, PA)       Main Street - Tobyhanna, PA 18466-0188   Phone: (570) 894-8018.

  •  St. Mary of the Mount Parish (Monroe County, PA)     27 Fairview Avenue - Mount Pocono, PA 18344-1611
       Phone: (570) 839-7138.

  • St. Bernadette Parish (Monroe County, PA)     Route 390; Canadensis PA 18325-0014
        Phone: (570) 595-2139   Email: stbernch@sunlink.net
        "Serving Barrett Township Since 1912" - See History of St. Bernadette's!

  • Our Lady of Fatima Mission Church (Monroe County, PA)     Route 390 - Canadensis, PA 18325
        Phone: (570) 595-2139    E-mail: stbernch@sunlink.net.
        "Our Lady of Fatima Mission Church is located in the village of Promised Land in Promised Land State Park..."

  • Immaculate Conception Church -    605 Luzerne Ave. - West Pittston, PA 18643

  • Sacred Heart (Weston) & St. Joseph's (Nuremberg) Parish
        P.O. Box A Weston, PA 18256   Phone: (717) 384-4121
     with HISTORY of Sacred Heart and St. Joseph's Parishes  from 1887
     and links to Diocese of Scranton parishes.

  • Church of St. Nicholas [est. 1855] -    226 South Washington St. - Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 Ph: (570) 823-7736

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  Byzantine Rite - Ukrainians
     Archeparchy of Philadelphia  (Pennsylvania)
   Jurisdiction extends to all Ukrainian Catholics in U.S.
   from the ecclesiastical province of Galicia in the Ukraine

 

• Byzantine Catholic Church in America Directory of Parishes Pennsylvania

  • Ss. Cyril & Methodius Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

                          135 River Street - Olyphant, PA  18447  (Lackawanna County)
Eastern Catholic Churches in the U. S. Directory (parishes by state)
Byzantine Catholic Parishes in Pennsylvania
 

• The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in L'viv, Ukraine (in English)
        Chancery:  Ukraine
                        79000 m. Lviv
                        Ploscha sv. Yura, 5
                        UGCC - Zvernenya

  • History of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

  • Structure and Territory

  • Religious Information Service of Ukraine

    • The Greek Catholic Church in the Ukraine

    • The Roman Catholic Church in the Ukraine

    • The Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic Churches of Ukraine

    • Greek Catholics, Latin Catholics and Orthodox in Ukraine: Who’s who?

  
  For more information on the Byzantine Catholic Churches in the United States Click here to return to Main Local Catholic Byzantine Links

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  Return to MENU

Historical Research of Catholic Churches & Ancestors
Pennsylvania

See also Catholic Biographies
Pennsylvania Catholic Conference

A Brief Timeline for Catholic Pennsylvania

Prior to the Revolution, and for some years after it, St. Mary's, in Philadelphia, was the largest Catholic parish in the United States.

1682 :  Penn's colony was founded in 1682, as a "holy experiment", allowing men to worship God, each according to the dictates of his own conscience.  The colony became a welcome haven to Catholics of other colonies which were less tolerant.  The Catholics of the area were watched over by visiting missionary priests, from Maryland and New York, who were primarily Jesuit priests.

ca. 1720 :  Father Joseph Greaton, a Jesuit, was given charge of the entire Pennsylvania mission, with Philadelphia as his home from which he traveled.

1730 :  A Catholic parish was established at Conewago, in present-day Adams County, Pennsylvania.  After a new stone church was built in 1787, it was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and is now Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Note:  See the History of the Diocese of Harrisburg: "...While many early Jesuit missionary records have been lost, the sacramental registers for Conewago are the oldest sources of Catholic genealogy in the diocese..."

1734 :  Jesuit Priest, Father Joseph Greaton, established St. Joseph Church.  It was the first Catholic church in Philadelphia.

1741 :  St. Mary's, in Lancaster city was founded as the mission of Saint John Nepomucene.  See the History of the Diocese of Harrisburg

1782 : A parochial school was established in connection with St. Mary's Parish, in Philadelphia.  This was an English school.  Subsequently German schools were established at Goshenhoppen, Berks County, at Lancaster, Hanover, and other places under the auspices of the German Jesuits.

Oct 1785 :  The Very Rev. John Carroll, prefect Apostolic, administered the sacrament of Confirmation for the first time in Philadelphia.

After ca. 1787 : The first Catholic school was established at Sportsman's Hall, Westmoreland County, in Western Pennsylvania.  Later, the Benedictines built St. Vincent's Abbey and College.

ca. 1799 : Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin established a Catholic colony in Cambria County, and the following year opened a school at Loretto.

1808 :  The Archdiocese of Philadelphia was established.

1811 :  The first Catholic church was built in Pittsburg.

1828 :  The Order of St. Clare established a convent and academy in Pittsburgh.   The same year they opened a school at Harrisburg in 1828.

1830 :  The Order of St. Clare opened a school in McSherrytown.

1836 :  The Order of St. Clare opened a school at Pottsville.

1843 :  The Diocese of Pittsburgh  (Pennsylvania) was established.

1853 :  The Diocese of Erie was established.

1868 :  The Diocese of Scranton, and Diocese of Harrisburg were established.

1875 :  Philadelphia made an Archdiocese, encompassing all the city and county of Philadelphia, and the counties of Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, and Schuylkill.

1901 :  The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown was established.

1951 :  The Diocese of Greensburg was established.

1961 :  The Diocese of Allentown was established.

Explorers and Missionaries

• Spanish Conquistadors in North America (De Soto from 1539)

• The Irish in Philadelphia by Lou Baldwin on The Catholic Standard & Times (Philadelphia Catholic Newspaper site)

Dioceses and Churches

• British Colonial Penal Laws against public Catholic Church (1704-American Revolution): St. Joseph's Church in Philadelphia, PA and St. Francis Xavier in Newtown, MD - unique exceptions

• History of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia - from the ca. 1913 Catholic Encylopedia Online.

• St. Luke's Virtual Tour (Shroudsburg, PA)  St. Luke's Home Page with History

• Roman Catholic Building Resources at The Athenaeum of Philadelphia. "...an on-line database that documents some of the many Roman Catholic buildings in and around the Philadelphia region for which the Athenaeum holds materials.

• The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

• Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church    54 South 4th Street - Easton, PA  18042-4536

  • History of Our Lady of Lebanon Parish - from ca. 1880...

  • History of Maronites - "...The Maronite Church is one of the largest Eastern-rite communities of the Roman Catholic Church, prominent especially in modern Lebanon..."

  • History of Easton Lebanese - "...On September 15, 1880, the first Kfarsghabians to come to the United States..."

  • History of Kfarsghab - "...The village of Kfarsghab, Lebanon overlooks the Kadisha valley, the refuge of St. Maron and his followers..."

• Our Lady of the Lake .... The story of a church - History Our Lady of the Lake celebrates the 50th anniversary in 2000

• The National Centre for Padre Pio (NCFPP) - (Berks County)    in Barto, Pennsylvania

Schools
Convents & Monasteries

• The Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA

Catholic History General

• British Colonial Penal Laws against public Catholic Church (1704-American Revolution): St. Joseph's Church in Philadelphia, PA and St. Francis Xavier in Newtown, MD - unique exceptions

• News Publications for Pennsylvania Dioceses

• Profile of Pennsylvania - from the ca. 1913 Catholic Encylopedia Online.

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Catholic Biographies
If you know of a web site for a biography of a Catholic with a Washington, D. C. connection, please let me know.

• Locate Catholic Churches and Mass Times in the United States for Pennsylvania

Explorerers and Missionaries

• Spanish Conquistadors in North America (De Soto from 1539)

• Archbishop Leonard Neale (1746-1815) linked to MD, buried beneath Georgtown Visitation Convent Chapel

Religious

• John Carroll (1735-1815) - "...First bishop of the hierarchy of the United States of America, first Bishop and Archbishop of Baltimore, b. at Upper Marlboro, Md., 8 Jan., 1735; died in Baltimore, 3 Dec., 1815. His father, Daniel, born in Ireland..."

• Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin (1770-1840) - "...Prince, priest, and missionary, b. at The Hague, Holland, 22 December, 1770; d. at Loretto, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., 6 May, 1840..."

• Saint Katharine Drexel (1858-1955) - Born to Francis Anthony and Hanna Langstroth Drexel, Katharine's mother died shortly after her birth, her father remarried Emma Bouvier and in 1863.  Katharine, her older sister, Elizabeth and Louise.  Katherine became the Foundress of the  Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament : "...On February 12, 1891, Katharine Drexel pronounced her vows as the first Sister of the Blessed Sacrament...In 1892 they moved to St. Elizabeth's Convent in Cornwell Heights, Pennsylvania...She led a life devoted to uplifting the minds and spirits of Native and African American women, men, and children. Founding and staffing schools for both Native and African Americans throughout the country became a priority for Saint Katharine and her congregation..."

• The Canonization Process :
  Pope John Paul II approved the canonization of Bl. Katharine Drexel of Philadelphia, and Saint Katharine Drexel was named a saint, on Sunday, October 1, 2000, at Saint Peter's Square in Rome.

Saints

• St. Patrick's Index to the Saints

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General Pennsylvania History, Genealogy & Directory Links

• Pennsylvania - in the ca. 1913 Catholic Encylopedia Online.

• Official Cities for Pennsylvania by Kevin & Tamie Hyde.

• State of Pennsylvania (Official State Page)

  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: Department of Health.
      Birth & Death Certificates  Phone: (724) 656-3100.

  • Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission:  Pennsylvania History.

  • Bureau of Archives and History: Pennsylvania State Archives.

    • Genealogical Records at the Archives.

• Allegeny County Register of Wills:  Location of Genealogy Resources  in Allegheny County.

• Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (including Pittsburgh) - with County Map

• Carnegie Library of Pittsburg: (Allegeny County)

  • Pennsylvania Department.

    • Government, Local PA History and Genealogy.

• Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society
     4400 Forbes Avenue - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-4080
  offers publications for sale including: St. Phillip's Roman Catholic Church Cemetery, Crafton, Allegheny County, Compiled by Nancy Long and Eden Harriss. 1991.

Contact:  Webmaster

I am voluntarily creating this site as a helpful guide to researching the history of the local Catholic Churches and to help genealogists who are researching Catholic ancestors in this geographic area.
Though links to this page for Catholic Church, genealogical, historical research and non-profit use are encouraged, please do not download the page without requesting permission since it contains copyright protected material.
If you have a suggestion, find an error or have a site that you believe will be helpful, please let me know.  --Ann Mensch

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Copyright 1998, 1999, 2000-2005 by Ann Mensch.  All Rights Reserved.

References used include:

• ¹1990 Catholic Almanac.  Felician A. Foy, O.F. M. (Editor), Rose M. Avato (Associate Editor).  Huntington: Our Sunday Visitory Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.
  and

• 1998 Catholic Almanac.  Felician A. Foy, O.F. M. and Rose M. Avato (Editors and Compilers).  Huntington: Our Sunday Visitory Publishing Division,Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.

• ²New Advent, Inc.  From the Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright © 1913 by the Encyclopedia Press, Inc. Electronic version copyright © 1997 by New Advent, Inc.  (A Catholic Web Site transcribing The Catholic Encyclopedia: an International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline and History of the Catholic Church.  Herbermann, Pace, et al. (Editors). Imprint:  Appleton (New York) 1907-1912.) Volunteer to help?

• Information learned from the web sites for the Archdioceses, Dioceses, and Catholic Church.

List:

• Archdiocese of Philadelphia  (Pennsylvania) [Diocese est. 1808, Archdiocese, 1875¹]
     Diocese of Allentown  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1961¹]
     Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1901¹]
     Diocese of Erie  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1853¹]
     Diocese of Greensburg  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1951¹]
     Diocese of Harrisburg  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1868¹]
     Diocese of Pittsburgh  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1843¹]
     Diocese of Scranton  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1868¹]

  Byzantine Rite - Ukrainians
     Archeparchy of Philadelphia  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1924, Metropolitan, 1958¹]   Jurisdiction extends to all Ukrainian Catholics in U.S.
   from the ecclesiastical province of Galicia in the Ukraine
Byzantine Rite - Ruthenians
  Archeparchy of Pittsburgh  (Pennsylvania) [est. 1924, Metropolitan, 1969¹]