About Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel · Loretto, Pennsylvania
The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel is a Minor Basilica of the Catholic Church located in Loretto, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Founded in 1799 by the Servant of God Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin — the 'Apostle of the Alleghenies' — it is the oldest existing Catholic parish within the current borders of the diocese and the spiritual heart of the historic Gallitzin settlement. The present sandstone Romanesque Revival church, designed by Frederick J. Osterling and donated by steel magnate Charles M. Schwab, was consecrated on October 2, 1901, and elevated to the rank of minor basilica by Pope John Paul II on September 9, 1996. It remains an active parish, a pilgrimage destination centered on Gallitzin's tomb, and a frequent stop for visitors to nearby Prince Gallitzin State Park.
- Established
- 1799
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Very Rev. Father John David Byrnes, JCL, JV
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
St. Michael's offers a rare combination: it is the spiritual cradle of Catholicism in central Pennsylvania, founded by a candidate for sainthood whose tomb is venerated in the sanctuary, and it remains a small, walkable parish where visitors are greeted as pilgrims. Daily and Sunday Masses are celebrated in an architecturally distinguished sandstone basilica — one of only a handful of minor basilicas in the United States — with a full choir, confession before most Masses, a religious-education program, and the quiet devotion of Eucharistic adoration. For Catholics in the Alleghenies, for those devoted to Father Gallitzin, and for travelers exploring Prince Gallitzin State Park and the Cambria County countryside, the basilica is both an active parish home and a place of pilgrimage unlike any other in the region.
History of the Basilica
St. Michael's parish was founded in 1799 by Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, a Russian-born aristocrat who became one of the most influential missionary priests in early American Catholic history. Gallitzin named the parish for St. Michael the Archangel and in remembrance of Michael McGuire, the Irish immigrant who first settled the site in 1788. The parish has worshiped in four successive churches on this hilltop in Loretto: a log church (1799), a frame church (1817, whose stone foundation is still visible), a brick church (1854), and the present sandstone basilica (1901). Gallitzin himself is buried in the basilica and his cause for sainthood is open.
- 1799 — first church built of white pine logs
- 1817 — second church of frame construction
- 1854 — third church of brick, on the present site
- January 10, 1900 — groundbreaking for the fourth (present) church
- October 1901 — occupancy granted
- October 2, 1901 — consecrated by Bishop Eugene Garvey
- 1959 — first major renovation
- 1993–94 — second major renovation
- September 9, 1996 — elevated to minor basilica by Pope John Paul II
- 2017 — terra-cotta tile roof replaced
Architecture & Art
The Basilica is a Romanesque Revival church with Gothic features, designed by Pittsburgh architect Frederick J. Osterling and built in the form of a Latin Cross. The exterior is Ohio cut sandstone around a brick casing, with locally quarried stone foundations. Inside, the basilica is finished in quartered red oak and adorned with Italian Carrara marble altars, a Mexican onyx communion railing, art-glass windows of Gospel scenes, Italian Stations of the Cross, three paintings over the main altar by a Chicago artist, and an Andrew Carnegie–donated pipe organ in the choir loft. The 32-foot-square tower is topped with an arcaded belfry and bronze cross, and houses three donated bells.
- Architect: Frederick J. Osterling (Pittsburgh)
- Style: Romanesque Revival with Gothic features
- Plan: Latin Cross (cruciform)
- Exterior: Ohio sandstone, locally quarried foundation stone
- Roof: Akron red curved terra-cotta tile (replaced 2017)
- Altars: four Italian Carrara marble altars in Gothic design
- Communion rail: 70 ft of polished Mexican onyx with brass Gothic fittings
- Pipe organ: gift of Andrew Carnegie ($8,000)
- Bells: three, donated by the Schwabs (Charles and John) and Father Ferdinand Kittell
- Original seating: 146 red oak pews, capacity ~1,100
Parish Staff & Leadership
The Basilica of St. Michael is served by a small but devoted team of clergy, religious, and lay staff. The rector is Very Rev. Father John David Byrnes, JCL, JV. Two Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSCJ) — Sr. Angela Marie Igou and Sr. Theophana Grace Conner — serve as Administrative Assistants. Ms. Celeste Stolz directs Religious Education, Mr. Jonathan Nagy directs Music, and Mr. Joe Spinner and Mrs. Alice Lee care for the buildings and housekeeping.
- Rector: Very Rev. Father John David Byrnes, JCL, JV
- Administrative Assistants: Sr. Angela Marie Igou, SSCJ; Sr. Theophana Grace Conner, SSCJ
- Director of Religious Education: Ms. Celeste Stolz
- Music Director: Mr. Jonathan Nagy
- Maintenance: Mr. Joe Spinner
- Housekeeping: Mrs. Alice Lee
- Parish phone: 814-472-8551
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Basilica operates a parish Religious Education program for children and youth, directed by Celeste Stolz. Families preparing for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation enroll through this ministry. Inquiries about CCD and adult faith formation can be directed to the parish office.
- Director of Religious Education: Ms. Celeste Stolz
- Programs for First Communion, Confirmation, and ongoing faith formation
- Contact via parish office: 814-472-8551
Music & Liturgy
Liturgical music at the Basilica is led by Music Director Jonathan Nagy, supported by a parish choir that sings for Sunday and feast-day Masses. The choir loft houses the historic pipe organ donated by Andrew Carnegie in 1901, an instrument of considerable note in its own right. The basilica's acoustics — shaped by its high cruciform interior, oak wainscoting, and marble appointments — support both congregational hymnody and choral repertoire appropriate to major solemnities.
- Music Director: Jonathan Nagy
- Historic Andrew Carnegie pipe organ (1901, $8,000)
- Parish choir for Sunday and feast-day liturgies
Visiting & Pilgrimage
The Basilica welcomes visitors throughout the week. The church is open daily with extended hours on Wednesdays, and self-guided tour materials are available through the parish's HISTORY page. Pilgrims are especially drawn to the tomb of Father Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin in the sanctuary and to the historic cemetery where the original 1799 and 1817 church sites are marked. Many visitors combine a trip to the Basilica with nearby Prince Gallitzin State Park (named for the same priest) and a visit to the Saint Francis University campus.
- Daily opening hours posted on the parish website
- Self-guided tours (parish-provided history materials)
- Gallitzin tomb pilgrimage site
- Adjacent to Prince Gallitzin State Park and Saint Francis University
Parish Office & Contact
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, generally 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (some parish communications list 9:00 AM–11:45 AM and 1:00 PM–4:00 PM). The parish office handles inquiries about Mass intentions, baptism, marriage, anointing, funerals, facility use, and records. Telephone (814-472-8551) and email ([email protected]) are the primary means of contact.
- Address: 321 St. Mary Street, PO Box 10, Loretto, PA 15940
- Phone: 814-472-8551
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
Diocese & Wider Church
The Basilica of St. Michael is a parish of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, which covers the central Pennsylvania counties served by its cathedral in Altoona. As a minor basilica, St. Michael's holds a special relationship with the Holy See and the Universal Church, a status granted by Pope John Paul II in 1996. The diocese is led by Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak (per the parish's published Wikipedia infobox and parish directory). The basilica is also an important neighbor to Saint Francis University, the Franciscan institution in Loretto.
- Diocese: Altoona-Johnstown
- Diocese website: www.dioceseaj.org
- Diocesan bishop (per parish directory): Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak
- Status: Minor Basilica (since 1996)
- Neighbor institution: Saint Francis University, Loretto
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin1799–1840
Founder of the parish; Russian-born prince-priest, 'Apostle of the Alleghenies'; Servant of God; buried in the basilica.
- Rev. Ferdinand Kittell
Pastor at the time the present (fourth) church was constructed and consecrated in 1901; donor of one of the three tower bells.