About Holy Family Church - Our Lady of the Valley Parish · New Brighton, Pennsylvania
Holy Family Church, located at 521 Seventh Avenue in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, is one of four worship sites that together make up Our Lady of the Valley Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. The parish was canonically established on February 14, 1994 when Bishop Donald Wuerl merged the historic St. Joseph Parish (founded 1862) and Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish (founded 1916 for the area's Croatian and Slovak immigrants) into a single new parish. In January 2021, Holy Family joined with Ss. Peter and Paul (Beaver), St. Cecilia (Rochester) and St. Felix (Freedom) to form the larger Our Lady of the Valley Parish, while Holy Family Church itself remained open as a worship site. The parish serves Beaver County communities including New Brighton, Pulaski Township, Daugherty Township, Marion Township, Fallston, Eastvale and North Sewickley Township, and lives by the motto 'In all things may Jesus be glorified.'
- Established
- 1994
- Patron
- The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
- Rector
- Father Paul Kuppe, O.F.M. Cap. (Pastor/Administrator of Our Lady of the Valley Parish)
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Holy Family offers a strong Catholic community in the New Brighton area with more than 130 students in its CCD religious education program (grades K–12), dedicated liturgical ministries, and Eucharistic ministers who bring Communion to the homebound. The parish also welcomes adults seeking faith formation, supports seniors through its Holy Family Gold group, brings together men and women in the Holy Name Society and Christian Mothers, and walks with grieving families by providing the social hall and a volunteer staff for wake luncheons. As part of the merged Our Lady of the Valley Parish, worshippers now benefit from a wider staff of Capuchin Franciscan friars, four church sites across Beaver County, and the parish school Saints Peter and Paul School.
Mass times at Holy Family Church - Our Lady of the Valley Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. (Holy Family)
- By appointment
About Holy Family Church
Holy Family Church is one of four worship sites that make up Our Lady of the Valley Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Located at 521 Seventh Avenue in New Brighton, Beaver County, the parish serves New Brighton and the surrounding municipalities of Pulaski Township, Daugherty Township, Marion Township, Fallston, Eastvale and North Sewickley Township up to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The parish lives by the motto 'In all things may Jesus be glorified.'
- Address: 521 Seventh Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066
- Parish office: 200 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009
- Phone: 724-775-4111
- Website: www.olotv.org
- Email: [email protected]
Parish History
Holy Family Parish was canonically established on February 14, 1994 when Bishop Donald Wuerl merged two venerable New Brighton parishes: St. Joseph (founded 1862) and Ss. Cyril and Methodius (founded 1916 for the area's Croatian and Slovak immigrants). Father Harry Parson was named founding pastor. Both churches initially remained open, but in June 1999 the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church was closed and renovated into a parish hall. As part of Bishop David Zubik's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative (announced April 12, 2015), Holy Family eventually joined with three other Beaver County parishes to form Our Lady of the Valley Parish on January 4, 2021, with Holy Family Church itself remaining open as a worship site.
- Founded: February 14, 1994
- Founding pastor: Father Harry Parson
- Merger into Our Lady of the Valley Parish: January 4, 2021
- Parish motto: 'In all things may Jesus be glorified.'
St. Joseph Parish (1862–1994): The English-Speaking Parish
St. Joseph Parish had its official beginning in 1862 when Father James Reid began celebrating Mass in private homes in New Brighton. Bishop Domenec dedicated a remodeled brick building as the first church on December 6, 1863. Father M.J. Mitchell became the first resident pastor in 1865. His successor, Father Bigham (1866–1891), founded St. Joseph Cemetery and purchased the plot where the present church was built. Bishop Domenec laid the cornerstone on November 17, 1871; the building was finally dedicated May 1, 1885 with 3,000 people in attendance. A fire on October 25, 1911 destroyed the upper steeple and gutted the interior, but the church was rebuilt within a year. It has undergone two major renovations, the most recent under Father Robert Rishel to accommodate the liturgical changes of Vatican II.
- Founded: 1862
- First resident pastor: Father M.J. Mitchell (1865)
- Cornerstone laid: November 17, 1871
- Church dedicated: May 1, 1885
- Fire: October 25, 1911 (steeple and interior destroyed)
- St. Joseph School founded 1884 by Sisters of St. Joseph of Baden, PA; closed June 1973
- St. Joseph Cemetery expanded with new section in 1959
Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish (1916–1994): The Immigrant Parish
Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish was founded by Bishop Regis Canevan to minister to the Croatian and Slovak families who settled in the area in the early 1900s. The first Mass was celebrated October 1, 1916 in the basement of St. Joseph Church by Father Ignatius Herkel, and the first church was dedicated on September 3, 1917. Father Martin Rubicky became the parish's first resident pastor in February 1921. A church/school building was constructed under Father John Sima on property donated by Mrs. Marie Heath; her home became the rectory (today the Holy Family rectory). The parish moved into a new building at 1851 3rd Avenue on August 14, 1957 (now the Holy Family Pastoral Activity Center).
- Founded by Bishop Regis Canevan
- First Mass: October 1, 1916 (in basement of St. Joseph Church, by Father Ignatius Herkel)
- First church dedicated: September 3, 1917
- First resident pastor: Father Martin Rubicky (February 1921)
- New church dedicated: August 14, 1957 at 1851 3rd Avenue
- School opened September 1926 under Vincentian Sisters of Charity; closed 1947
Formation of Holy Family Parish (1994)
By the 1990s, the population of New Brighton had dropped to the point that it was no longer practical to keep two parishes open. Bishop Donald Wuerl combined the two into Holy Family Parish on February 14, 1994, appointing Father Harry Parson as founding pastor. Both former churches remained open until June 1999, when Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church was closed and renovated into a parish hall.
- Canonically established: February 14, 1994
- Founding pastor: Father Harry Parson
- Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church closed and converted to parish hall: June 1999
On Mission for The Church Alive! and the Merger into Our Lady of the Valley (2015–2021)
On April 12, 2015, Bishop David Zubik announced 'On Mission for The Church Alive!', a consultative strategic planning process across the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Under this initiative, Holy Family was grouped with Ss. Peter and Paul (Beaver), St. Cecilia (Rochester) and St. Felix (Freedom). The parishes shared clergy and staff and eventually published a joint bulletin. The arrangement concluded on January 4, 2021, when the four parishes merged to form the new Our Lady of the Valley Parish; Holy Family Church remained open as one of the merged parish's four worship sites.
- Diocesan initiative announced: April 12, 2015 by Bishop David Zubik
- Joint bulletin and shared clergy/staff period
- Merger effective: January 4, 2021
- Our Lady of the Valley Parish now comprises four worship sites: Ss. Peter and Paul (Beaver), Holy Family (New Brighton), St. Cecilia (Rochester), and St. Felix (Freedom)
Pastor and Clergy
The pastoral team of Our Lady of the Valley Parish is led by Capuchin Franciscan friars (O.F.M. Cap.), with additional secular clergy and permanent deacons assisting across the four worship sites. Father Paul Kuppe, O.F.M. Cap. serves as Pastor/Administrator; Father Howard W. Campbell, M.A. is Senior Parochial Vicar; and Brother John Harvey, O.F.M. Cap. is also a Senior Parochial Vicar. Several permanent deacons assist throughout the parish. Holy Family's own pastors over the years have been Father Harry Parson (founding), Father James Orr, Father James Gretz, Father Steve Palsa, and Father Tom Kredel.
- Pastor/Administrator: Father Paul Kuppe, O.F.M. Cap.
- Senior Parochial Vicar: Father Howard W. Campbell, M.A.
- Senior Parochial Vicar: Brother John Harvey, O.F.M. Cap.
- Parochial Vicar: Father Gregory Brown, O.F.M. Cap.
- Institutional Chaplain: Father Michael Greb, O.F.M. Cap.
- Deacons: Mark A. Marvenko, Richard D. Ernst, Dominic A. Barracchini, Joseph N. Basko
Faith Formation and Religious Education (CCD)
The parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program serves more than 129 students in grades K through 12. CCD teachers are advancing in certification, and adult education is offered at various times throughout the year. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation is coordinated through this program.
- CCD enrollment: 129+ students (K–12)
- Adult education offered periodically
- Coordinated sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
Music Ministry
Our Lady of the Valley Parish maintains a vibrant Roman Catholic choral program that includes a Parish Youth Choir, a Contemporary Music ensemble, a Resurrection Choir for funeral Masses, an Intergenerational Choir for the great feasts of the liturgical year, a Schola Cantorum for solemnities, and trained cantors who lead sung Masses. The music ministry at Holy Family Church is directed by Larry Tavlarides. The full, active participation of the congregation is considered the primary 'choir' of the parish.
- Director of Music (parish-wide): Larry Tavlarides
- Cantors lead music at every sung Mass
- Parish Youth Choir (3rd grade and up)
- Contemporary Ministry ensemble (monthly at Saturday 6:00 p.m. Mass)
- Resurrection Choir for funeral Masses
- Schola Cantorum (3- and 4-part choir for solemnities)
- Intergenerational Choir for Christmastide, Holy Week, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Corpus Christi
Parish Organizations and Groups
A range of parish organizations supports fellowship, service and spiritual growth at Holy Family and across Our Lady of the Valley.
- Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Christian Mothers
- Holy Name Society
- Holy Family Gold (senior parishioners' group; organizes trips)
- Bereavement ministry (offers wake luncheon setup with volunteers)
- Bingo and Parish Raffle fundraisers
Sacraments
Holy Family prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office; First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation are prepared through the CCD program; Marriage is coordinated with the wedding coordinator; and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the Eucharist to the homebound.
- Baptism
- First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage (wedding coordinator: Tiffany Burick)
- Anointing of the Sick and homebound Communion visits
Saints Peter and Paul School
While Holy Family's own St. Joseph School closed in June 1973, the inter-parochial Saints Peter and Paul School (located in Beaver at the parish office campus) now serves as the elementary school for Our Lady of the Valley Parish families. Principal: Krista Moyer.
- Saints Peter and Paul School (inter-parochial, Beaver)
- Principal: Krista Moyer
- Phone: 724-774-4450
Visiting and Contact
Holy Family Church is located at 521 Seventh Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066. The central parish office for all of Our Lady of the Valley Parish is at 200 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009, reachable at 724-775-4111 (with extensions for individual staff). For the most up-to-date weekday Mass and Confession schedules, consult the parish bulletin on www.olotv.org.
- Worship site: 521 Seventh Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066
- Parish office: 200 Third Street, Beaver, PA 15009
- Phone: 724-775-4111
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.olotv.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Harry Parson1994 – retirement (after 2009)
Founding pastor appointed by Bishop Donald Wuerl to merge St. Joseph and Ss. Cyril and Methodius parishes.
- Father James Orruntil April 2004
- Father James Gretzuntil December 2007
- Father Steve Palsauntil April 2009
- Father Tom Kredel2009 – present era
Listed in parish directory as pastor in the joint-directory era and during the transition toward Our Lady of the Valley.