Holy Trinity

Who We Are

Holy Trinity Parish is a Catholic community in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, founded in 1855 and 'located in the palm of God's hand' between the Chestnut and Laurel ridges of the Allegheny Mountains. It is the easternmost parish in the Diocese of Greensburg, serving the area from Somerset County to Latrobe and from New Florence to Donegal. The parish welcomes not only valley residents but also weekend and summer visitors, as well as travelers passing through the Ligonier Valley's ski resorts, hiking trails, and historical sites. The parish mission statement calls the community to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Catholic education for youth, ongoing adult formation, leadership training, and the discovery and use of every member's God-given talents. Members are 'united and nurtured by the sacraments, scripture, and prayer,' and are encouraged to foster unity and social awareness and to join with neighboring parishes in spreading the Gospel.

Parish History

Holy Trinity Parish traces its origin to the Benedictine missionaries from Saint Vincent Abbey in Latrobe, who began riding on horseback to Ligonier to say Mass in Catholic homes. The first church was dedicated by Bishop Michael O'Connor of Pittsburgh on November 25, 1855 on West Church Street. Father Felix Fellner, OSB (1902–1921) celebrated the Golden Jubilee in 1905, oversaw the 1909 expansion, and founded the Wilpen mission. By the 1950s the old facilities were overflowing, and a new site at West Main and West Vincent streets was purchased in 1956. The resulting church was dedicated September 21, 1958 by Bishop Hugh L. Lamb, first bishop of the new Diocese of Greensburg. In 1997 the parish launched a multi-year building study that led to a 2002 capital campaign. The present Holy Trinity Church was dedicated by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt on May 8, 2005 before nearly 700 people; the $3.2 million project was completed without debt. The parish also retains a school that has been in continuous operation since 1943.

• 1855: First church dedicated on West Church Street
• 1869: Father Andrew Hintenach, OSB becomes first Benedictine pastor
• 1905: Golden Jubilee celebrated; expansion rededicated in 1909
• Dec. 25, 1908: First Mass at the Wilpen mission
• 1943: Parish school opens with 16 pupils
• 1958: Current-site church dedicated by Bishop Hugh L. Lamb
• 1978: Original West Church Street buildings demolished
• 2005: Present church dedicated by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt

Liturgical Ministries

Holy Trinity invites parishioners who have received Confirmation and Eucharist to take part in liturgical life as lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers/greeters, or altar servers. Training is offered, and Father Anthony Carbone can be reached at 724-238-6434 for more information or to volunteer.

• Altar Servers — open to children in 3rd grade and up; training yearly
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — parishioners 18+
• Lectors — parishioners 16+
• Ushers and Greeters — first contact for those arriving at Mass

Sacraments

Holy Trinity prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (First Communion), and Matrimony according to the guidelines of the Code of Canon Law and the Diocese of Greensburg. Confirmation sponsor requirements are published on the parish website and reflect diocesan norms (e.g., sponsors must be fully initiated Catholics at least 16 years old, designated by the candidate, and living in harmony with the faith). Reconciliation is offered Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and by appointment.

• Baptism
• Confirmation (with published sponsor qualifications)
• Eucharist / First Communion
• Matrimony
• Reconciliation — Saturday 4:00 p.m. and by appointment
• Anointing of the Sick — by appointment

Contact and Staff

The parish office is located at 342 West Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658, and is open Monday through Friday. The main parish number is 724-238-6434 and the fax is 724-238-6688. Pastoral and administrative staff include Father Anthony J. Carbone, JCL (pastor), Mara Bradford (business manager), and Addy Evangeliste (parish secretary and social media administrator).

• Father Anthony J. Carbone, JCL — Pastor
• Mara Bradford — Business Manager
• Addy Evangeliste — Parish Secretary and Social Media Administrator
• Phone: 724-238-6434; Fax: 724-238-6688

Diocese and Wider Church

Holy Trinity Parish belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, which was created in 1951. Holy Trinity is its easternmost parish. The parish is listed on the diocesan website alongside other parishes and missions in the Ligonier Valley, including Wilpen, where a mission served by Benedictines from Latrobe operated from 1908 until 1967.

• Diocese of Greensburg (established 1951)
• Easternmost parish in the diocese
• Historically served a mission in Wilpen (1908–1967)