About Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Regina Coeli Parish · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Regina Coeli Parish is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Pittsburgh serving the Bellevue, Emsworth and Franklin Park communities north of Pittsburgh. Formally established on July 1, 2022, it is a 'parish of three churches' — the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bellevue, Sacred Heart in Emsworth, and St. John Neumann in Franklin Park — each of which remains open for worship under a single pastoral team. The parish's name, Regina Coeli ('Queen of Heaven'), reflects the devotion to Mary that has shaped its oldest church since its founding in 1903.
- Established
- 1903 (Assumption); 2022 (Regina Coeli Parish merger)
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary); the Regina Coeli name honors Mary as 'Queen of Heaven'
- Rector
- Rev. Timothy Deely
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Regina Coeli offers the rare gift of three historic worship sites under one Catholic family — the 1903-vintage Church of the Assumption in Bellevue, Sacred Heart in Emsworth, and St. John Neumann in Franklin Park — so parishioners can find a Mass time and devotional home that fit their week. Daily and Sunday Masses, weekly Confession, all-night First Friday Adoration, faith formation for children and adults, and an active community of ministries welcome both lifelong Catholics and newcomers, including those with special needs. The parish invites everyone to be 'open to the Holy Spirit, good stewards of time, talent and treasure,' and to grow in their relationship with God as active participants in worship and parish life.
Mass times at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Regina Coeli Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Assumption)
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Assumption)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Assumption)
- 1st Friday All-Night Adoration: 8:00 PM Friday through 10:00 AM Saturday
Parish History — From 1903 to Regina Coeli (2022)
Regina Coeli Parish traces its origins to the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, founded in 1903 by the Diocese of Pittsburgh as one of 13 new parishes that year — only three of which survive as originally founded. Catholic families had been migrating from Old Allegheny (today's North Side) and Pittsburgh proper into Bellevue, then returning to St. Francis Xavier on California Avenue or Sacred Heart in Emsworth for Sunday Mass. Bishop Richard Phelan answered their petition and dispatched Father Israel J. McGovern, an assistant at St. Mary's in Lawrenceville, to plant the new parish. On Sunday, September 13, 1903, at 8:00 AM, the first Mass was celebrated in Greenough Hall, a dance hall above a livery stable on Rogers Avenue (now Balph Avenue), with chairs borrowed from the United Presbyterian Church and a borrowed altar; 75 people attended — including feisty Avalon residents who detoured around a smallpox quarantine to be present. Over the next century Sacred Heart (Emsworth) and St. John Neumann (Franklin Park) grew as companion parishes around Assumption. In April 2015 Bishop David Zubik launched 'On Mission for The Church Alive!', a diocesan strategic-planning process in response to falling Mass attendance and fewer priests. On April 28, 2018 the bishop grouped Assumption, Sacred Heart and St. John Neumann together; on July 1, 2022 the three were formally merged into Regina Coeli Parish, with all three church buildings preserved for worship. Father Timothy Deely was appointed first pastor on August 14, 2022.
- 1903 — Church of the Assumption founded by Father Israel J. McGovern
- First Mass: September 13, 1903, 8:00 AM, in Greenough Hall; 75 in attendance
- April 12, 2015 — Bishop Zubik announces 'On Mission for The Church Alive!'
- April 28, 2018 — Bishop Zubik groups the three parishes together
- July 1, 2022 — Regina Coeli Parish formally established
- August 14, 2022 — Father Timothy Deely appointed first pastor
Three Churches, One Parish
Regina Coeli is a 'parish of three churches' that serves the Bellevue, Emsworth, and Franklin Park areas north of Pittsburgh. Each worship site retains its own identity, devotions, and Mass schedule while sharing one pastoral team and administrative staff. The parish website invites visitors to consider joining and become active participants in worship and parish life.
- Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — 45 N. Sprague Avenue, Bellevue, PA 15202
- Sacred Heart — Emsworth, PA
- St. John Neumann — Franklin Park, PA
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Father Timothy Deely, who was appointed on August 14, 2022 when Regina Coeli Parish was canonically established. He is assisted by parochial vicars, two deacons, and lay staff including a Business Manager.
- Rev. Timothy Deely — Pastor
- Rev. Bob Miller — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Joe Sioli
- Deacon Rick Caruso
- Deacon Bill Palamara
- Dan Stover — Business Manager ([email protected])
Becoming Catholic & Sacraments
The parish welcomes inquirers through a 'How Can I Become Catholic?' program — the parish's RCIA process — and supports families preparing for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage. Confession is offered weekly, and the Anointing of the Sick can be requested by appointment through the parish office.
- RCIA / Becoming Catholic
- Baptism preparation
- First Eucharist preparation
- Confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick (by appointment)
Ministries & Faith Formation
Regina Coeli supports a range of parish ministries serving the spiritual, family, and pastoral needs of its three communities, including formation for children and youth, support for families and parishioners with autism or special needs, liturgical ministries, and consultative parish councils.
- Faith Formation / Religious Education
- Special Needs & Autism ministry
- Family ministry
- Liturgy Committee (lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, altar servers, music ministers)
- Parish Council
- Parish Finance Committee
Practical Information
Parish office is at the Assumption Church campus on Sprague Avenue in Bellevue. Phone, email, and weekday office hours are listed below; the office also opens briefly on Sundays for parish business.
- Address: 45 N. Sprague Avenue, Bellevue, PA 15202
- Phone: 412-766-6660
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (closed 12:00–12:30); Fri 8:30 AM–12:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Israel J. McGovern1903 – (first pastor, founded the parish)
Assistant at St. Mary's in Lawrenceville when Bishop Richard Phelan sent him to establish the Bellevue parish. Born Oct. 25, 1870; ordained June 26, 1897; died Nov. 16, 1934. Commemorated by a historical marker in St. Mary's Cemetery, Lawrenceville.
- Rev. Timothy Deely2022 – present
Appointed first pastor of Regina Coeli Parish on August 14, 2022, following the July 1, 2022 merger.