About Holy Trinity [Ruthenian] · Conemaugh, Pennsylvania
Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Greek Catholic) parish in the borough of Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, part of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. The parish traces its roots to the Rusyn immigrant families who settled along the Conemaugh River to work at the Cambria Steel Company mill at the turn of the 20th century. The cornerstone was laid on October 4, 1908, under the leadership of its first pastor, Father Alexander Dudinsky, and Bishop of Altoona Most Rev. Eugene Garvey, and the completed church was dedicated a decade later in 1918. Today it is served by Father Robert F. Oravetz and Deacon Michael Yewcic, with the Divine Liturgy celebrated in English on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- Holy Trinity
- Rector
- Reverend Robert F. Oravetz
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris); geographically within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown
Why belong here
Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church is a small, multigenerational parish where the Rusyn Catholic heritage of the Conemaugh Valley is kept alive week by week. Visitors can worship at the Sunday 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy, receive the Holy Mysteries (Confession at 8:15 AM Sundays or by appointment, Marriage preparation with six months' notice, and Anointing on request), and grow in faith through the parish's adult education offerings. The community gathers each year at Pentecost for the Patronal Feast Day Festival, a beloved tradition that binds the parish family together.
Mass times at Holy Trinity [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:15 AM (or by appointment)
- First Saturday of the month: 1:00 PM (per catholicmasstime.org)
Parish History
Holy Trinity was established in 1908 by Subcarpathian Rusyn families who had settled in Conemaugh and Franklin Boro to work at the Cambria Steel Company mill. The cornerstone was laid by Bishop Eugene Garvey on October 4, 1908, under founding pastor Father Alexander Dudinsky, and the church was completed and dedicated in 1918. The interior was decorated and dedicated by Bishop Basil Takach in 1924–1925, a new rectory was blessed by Bishop Nicholas Elko in 1963, and extensive renovations of the church and social center were completed in 1964.
- Cornerstone laid October 4, 1908
- Church completed and dedicated in 1918
- Interior decorated 1924–1925 by Bishop Basil Takach
- New rectory dedicated 1963 by Bishop Nicholas Elko
- Church and social center renovated 1964
Clergy & Staff
Holy Trinity is currently served by Father Robert F. Oravetz and Deacon Michael Yewcic. The parish has been under the care of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh throughout its history.
- Reverend Robert F. Oravetz — Pastor
- Deacon Michael Yewcic — Deacon
Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
Information about the celebration of the Holy Mysteries is provided directly on the parish's Archeparchy listing. Contact the rectory for arrangements.
- Confessions: Sundays at 8:15 AM or by appointment
- Marriage: contact the rectory at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick: contact the rectory to make an appointment
Parish Activities & Faith Formation
The parish offers ongoing formation opportunities for adults and gathers the community for an annual patronal festival.
- Adult Education — offered at various times throughout the year; check the parish bulletin
- Annual Parish Festival — Pentecost (Patronal Feast Day of the parish)
Rusyn Heritage & Notable Parishioners
Holy Trinity was a Subcarpathian Rusyn congregation, with original members hailing from villages in Spiš County (Orjabyna, Fol'vark), Zemplyn County (Banske, Runyna, Pryslup, Topolja, Velykŷ Poljanŷ, Rus'kŷj, Staryna), and Už County. The first local lay organization was the Holy Trinity Brotherhood, founded in 1904 as Lodge 253 of the Greek Catholic Union. Among the most famous sons of the parish was Michael Strank (Mychal Strenk), born in Orjabyna, Spiš County, who as a U.S. Marine was one of the flag-raisers immortalized in the photograph of the second flag-raising on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, on February 23, 1945.
- Subcarpathian Rusyn origin community from Spiš, Zemplyn, and Už Counties
- Holy Trinity Brotherhood (GCU Lodge 253) founded 1904
- Parishioner Michael Strank — Iwo Jima flag-raiser
Parish Cemetery
The parish maintains a cemetery located in East Taylor Township, about one-half mile south of the village of Wesley Chapel on Route 271 (William Penn Avenue).
- East Taylor Township cemetery, on Route 271 (William Penn Avenue)
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach Holy Trinity at the rectory during the week. The parish office phone is also the rectory line, and the parish maintains a direct email address.
- Address: 217 Fourth Street, Conemaugh, PA 15909
- Rectory Phone: (814) 535-5231
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://archpitt.org/place/conemaughpa-2/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Alexander Dudinsky1908–
First pastor; led the parish from the laying of the cornerstone on October 4, 1908.
- Fr. Basil Bereczcirca 1920
Pastor around 1920; photograph exists of that year's First Holy Communicants.
- Fr. Gabriel Chopeycirca 1925
Pastor in 1925 when parish officers were photographed.