About Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel - Ss. Simon and Jude Church · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, established on January 4, 2021, through the merger of three historic parishes — St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Carnegie, St. Margaret of Scotland in Green Tree, and Ss. Simon and Jude in Scott Township. The combined parish embraces the spiritual and corporal needs of the communities of Carnegie, Green Tree, and Scott, with all three original church buildings continuing to host Mass and the sacraments. Liturgies are celebrated in English across three worship sites, and the parish carries forward the faith traditions of its three parent communities into a single mission of "Love, Hope, Mercy, and Eternal Life."
- Established
- 2021
- Patron
- St. Raphael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Robert J. Grecco, MA, MEd
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
St. Raphael the Archangel welcomes parishioners across three worship sites — Ss. Simon and Jude in Scott Township, St. Margaret of Scotland in Green Tree, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Carnegie — offering daily and weekend Mass, Confession several days a week, monthly nocturnal Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, and a roster of ministries including Faith Formation (CCD), RCIA, Christian Mothers, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. It is a parish with deep local roots going back to 1931 (St. Margaret), 1955 (Ss. Simon and Jude), and 1992 (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton), yet newly forged in 2021 to sustain vibrant Catholic life for the next generation.
Mass times at Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel - Ss. Simon and Jude Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month) at Ss. Simon and Jude Church
- Saturday 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM at St. Margaret of Scotland Church
- Saturday 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church
Adoration times
- 1st Friday 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM at Ss. Simon and Jude Church
- 1st Friday 10:00 PM – 7:00 AM — Nocturnal Adoration at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, with Benediction at 6:45 AM
About the Parish
St. Raphael the Archangel is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh established January 4, 2021 through the merger of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Carnegie), Ss. Simon and Jude (Scott Township), and St. Margaret of Scotland (Green Tree). The parish serves the communities of Carnegie, Green Tree, and Scott, striving to live as faith-filled disciples and to spread the Gospel of Love, Hope, Mercy, and Eternal Life. All three original worship sites remain active.
- Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Established January 4, 2021
- Three worship sites
- Three parent communities: Carnegie, Green Tree, Scott
Coat of Arms & Symbolism
The parish coat of arms is described in heraldic terms as 'Vert, above two fish hauriant respectant and a fish contourné in base Argent, a Greek cross enclosed within an annulet Or' — a green shield bearing three silver fish beneath a golden ringed cross. The three fish reference St. Raphael (from the Book of Tobit) and also the three parent parishes; they evoke the ichthys of the early Christians and the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The ringed cross resembles a Eucharistic Host, and the green shield symbolizes life, growth, hope, and Ordinary Time.
- Three fish = Holy Trinity and three parent parishes
- Ringed cross = Eucharist
- Green = life, growth, hope
Ss. Simon and Jude Church
Established June 16, 1955 by Bishop John F. Dearden for the faithful of Charter Oaks (Scott Township), Green Tree Borough, and along Greentree Road in Pittsburgh. Located at 1607 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220. Founding pastor Fr. Ignatius Koller and about fifty parishioners converted a weed-and-bramble-filled field into a working church in less than eight months. Fr. Thomas F. Carey led the parish for 25 years after 1963, expanding the church building; Fr. Richard Ward, appointed 1988, led a major renovation focused on the Sacred Liturgy. The next three pastors — Frs. Dennis Bradley, Daniel Maurer, and Jay Donahue — rounded out the parish's life before the 2021 merger.
- 1607 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
- Founded 1955
- Fr. Ignatius Koller, founding pastor
- Fr. Thomas F. Carey, 1963–c.1988, expanded building
- Fr. Richard Ward, 1988, renovated church
- Frs. Dennis Bradley, Daniel Maurer, Jay Donahue — final pastors before merger
St. Margaret of Scotland Church
St. Margaret began as a mission parish approved by Bishop Hugh Boyle on January 5, 1931. The first Mass was held May 3, 1931 in a converted frame building at Mansfield and Greentree Road, with 150 founding families. The parish was officially established on July 27, 1938, named by the Baker brothers in honor of their mother and St. Margaret, Queen of Scots. A school (staffed by the Sisters of Divine Providence from Allison Park) and church were dedicated November 9, 1952; the present modern church was begun on March 4, 1979, and the earlier worship space was converted into a gym named for the first pastor, Fr. McDonough. Located at 310 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.
- 310 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
- Mission approved January 5, 1931
- First Mass May 3, 1931
- Parish established July 27, 1938
- Named by the Baker brothers in honor of their mother Margaret
- Present church groundbreaking March 4, 1979
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church
Located at 330 Third Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106, this church is itself a 'merger church.' The previous St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish was formed in 1992 from Holy Souls, Immaculate Conception, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Joseph, and St. Luke (with St. Vincent de Paul Chapel in Rennerdale). Hurricane Ivan (September 17, 2004) flooded two churches; ultimately the parish renovated the historic St. Luke Church, rotating its interior 180 degrees and rebuilding it while preserving three walls, the roof, and the stained-glass windows. The renovated church was rededicated November 20, 2011 as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, blending artifacts of Carnegie's century-old Catholic history with new construction and furnishings.
- 330 Third Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106
- Renovated and rededicated November 20, 2011
- Original building is the former St. Luke Church, rotated 180°
- Preserved three walls, roof, and stained-glass windows
- Parent parishes: Holy Souls, Immaculate Conception, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Joseph, St. Luke (with St. Vincent de Paul Chapel)
Parish Ministries
The parish is home to an active and dedicated mix of ministries serving children, families, converts, and those in need. Faith Formation (CCD) educates parish children; RCIA welcomes those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church; liturgical ministries support the Sacred Liturgy; and outreach is carried out through Christian Mothers and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
- Faith Formation (CCD)
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Christian Mothers
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, EMHCs)
- Parish Festival volunteer team
Sacraments
Parishioners are encouraged to contact the Parish Office at 412-857-5356 to begin preparation for Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Faith Formation (CCD) is the pathway for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation — via Faith Formation
- Marriage — contact the parish office to begin preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — contact the parish office
Our Clergy & Pastoral Team
Fr. Robert J. Grecco, MA, MEd, is the founding pastor of the Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Fr. Aleksandr J. Schrenk, priests in residence Fr. James McDonough, Fr. Jerome Etenduk, and Fr. Robin Evanish, and three deacons — Dcn. Kevin Lander, Dcn. Paul Lim, and Dcn. Jim Mackin. The Diocese of Pittsburgh lists Fr. Grecco as pastor on its priests page.
- Fr. Robert J. Grecco, MA, MEd — Pastor
- Fr. Aleksandr J. Schrenk — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. James McDonough, Fr. Jerome Etenduk, Fr. Robin Evanish — In Residence
- Deacon Kevin Lander, Deacon Paul Lim, Deacon Jim Mackin
Visit & Join
Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the three churches. Those who live within the parish boundaries (primarily zip codes 15106 and 15220, with select households in 15071, 15205, 15142, and 15216) are invited to register online through the 'Join Our Parish' page on the parish website. People outside the parish boundaries should contact Fr. Grecco. The Parish Office can be reached at 412-857-5356.
- Parish Office: 412-857-5356
- Online registration via straphaelcgs.org/join-our-parish
- Primary zip codes: 15106 (Carnegie), 15220 (Green Tree/Pittsburgh)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ignatius Koller1955–1963
Founding pastor of Ss. Simon and Jude. Built the original church in under eight months alongside ~50 parishioners.
- Fr. Thomas F. Carey1963–~1988
Second pastor of Ss. Simon and Jude. Expanded the church over a 25-year pastorate; noted for Eucharistic devotion, the Rosary, and ministry to the sick.
- Fr. Richard Ward1988 onwards
Led the renovation of Ss. Simon and Jude Church, centering parish life on the Sacred Liturgy.
- Fr. Dennis Bradley
Pastor of Ss. Simon and Jude prior to the 2021 merger.
- Fr. Daniel Maurer
Pastor of Ss. Simon and Jude prior to the 2021 merger.
- Fr. Jay Donahue
Pastor of Ss. Simon and Jude prior to the 2021 merger.
- Fr. Robert J. Grecco2021–present
Founding pastor of the merged Parish of St. Raphael the Archangel.