About Resurrection Parish - St. Clare of Assisi · Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish is a merged Roman Catholic parish serving the historic Cambria City neighborhood of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Formed in July 2009 from the union of five former ethnic parishes (Immaculate Conception; SS. Casimir and Emerich; St. Columba; St. Rochus; and St. Stephen), the parish today worships at two church buildings — Resurrection Church at 324 Chestnut Street and St. Clare of Assisi Church at 124 Maple Avenue — under the pastoral care of Rev. George M. Gulash. The parish is rooted in the immigrant heritage of Cambria City and continues that legacy through a full schedule of Masses, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, religious education for every grade, and a range of parish ministries.
- Established
- 2009
- Patron
- Resurrection of the Lord (with patron saints of predecessor parishes: Mary, Stephen, Casimir, Emerich, Rochus, and Columba; St. Clare of Assisi for the Maple Avenue church)
- Rector
- Rev. George M. Gulash
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
Resurrection Parish welcomes anyone seeking an active Catholic community in Johnstown's historic Cambria City neighborhood. With two worship sites (Resurrection Church on Chestnut Street and St. Clare of Assisi on Maple Avenue), daily and weekend Masses, regular Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration, a grade-by-grade religious education program, and active groups for women, seniors, sewers, Bible study, book discussion, and Cursillo, the parish offers something for every age and stage of faith. The parish also makes giving simple through online offertory and clearly published bulletins, and invites parishioners to share their time and talent through the parish's many ministries.
Mass times at Resurrection Parish - St. Clare of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:30 – 3:00 PM at Resurrection Church
- Saturday: 3:30 PM at St. Clare of Assisi Church
- By appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of each month at 6:30 PM at Resurrection Church
- After the 6:30 PM Mass on the second Monday of each month at St. Clare of Assisi Church (Exposition and Benediction)
- The Resurrection Oratory is available for private prayer before the reserved Blessed Sacrament; a key can be obtained at the parish office Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Parish History and the 2009 Merger
Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish was born in July 2009 from the merger of five historic ethnic parishes in Johnstown's Cambria City neighborhood: Immaculate Conception, SS. Casimir & Emerich, St. Columba, St. Rochus, and St. Stephen. The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown announced the merger in early 2008; a Transitional Pastoral Council of two representatives from each parish worked for about eighteen months to prepare the new community. In March 2009 the Diocese chose the name 'Resurrection,' and in May 2009 Bishop Joseph Adamec appointed Rev. Alan E. Thomas as founding pastor. The first Mass was celebrated on July 22, 2009, and the first weekend Masses on July 25-26, 2009, followed by the Inaugural Mass with Bishop Adamec. The parish quickly joined community life, appearing at Johnstown's Ethnic Fest within weeks of opening.
- Five merged parishes: Immaculate Conception (German), SS. Casimir & Emerich (Polish/Hungarian), St. Columba (Irish), St. Rochus (Croatian), St. Stephen (Slovak)
- Founding pastor: Rev. Alan E. Thomas (May 2009)
- First Mass: Wednesday, July 22, 2009
- Inaugural Mass with Bishop Joseph Adamec: Sunday, July 26, 2009
Our Cambria City Neighborhood
Resurrection Parish is rooted in Cambria City, the historic immigrant neighborhood across the Conemaugh River from the former Cambria Iron Works. Between roughly 1853 and 1910 thousands of immigrants settled here, establishing ethnic social clubs and churches that defined a vibrant heritage still celebrated today. The neighborhood was submitted as a National Historic District in 1991. Once home to about 11,000 residents, Cambria City today has fewer than 1,000 — a demographic shift that shaped the 2009 parish merger. The Heritage Johnstown walking tour highlights Resurrection Catholic Church at Fourth and Chestnut Streets, with its twin five-story bell towers facing Chestnut.
- Cambria City is a National Historic District (designated 1991)
- Parish buildings include the former St. Stephen's Slovak Church (1891/1911) and the former St. Rochus Croatian Church (1908)
- The Heritage Johnstown walking tour spotlights Resurrection Catholic Church at 4th and Chestnut
Mission Statement
The parish mission statement, published on the About Us page, reads: 'We, the members of Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish, commit ourselves to growing as a caring community of faith, dedicated to living the Gospel message and to evangelization. We can accomplish these goals by using our God-given gifts, sharing them in a spirit of unconditional love for God, our Church, and all people.' The parish further commits to building a community that 'exhibits vitality, is rooted in diverse heritage, and gains strength through prayer and good works.'
- Focus: Gospel living, evangelization, and stewardship of time, talent, and treasure
- Heritage: built from five immigrant parishes
- Guiding principle: openness to the Holy Spirit for the next generation
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. George M. Gulash, who also serves as Administrator of St. Clare of Assisi Parish. He is assisted by Permanent Deacon Nelson E. Lowes, Jr. Parish office staff includes Mary Beth Konieczny (Parish Secretary), Beth Thomas (Administrative Assistant), Rose Eckenrod (Parish Secretary and Financial Manager at St. Clare of Assisi), and Dan Amrheim (Parish Maintenance Manager). Emily Roy is the Parish Music Director, and Chris (Christine) Babik is the Director of Religious Education.
- Rev. George M. Gulash — Pastor (Resurrection) and Administrator (St. Clare of Assisi)
- Deacon Nelson E. Lowes, Jr. — Permanent Deacon
- Mary Beth Konieczny — Parish Secretary
- Beth Thomas — Administrative Assistant
- Rose Eckenrod — Parish Secretary and Financial Manager (St. Clare of Assisi)
- Dan Amrheim — Parish Maintenance Manager
- Emily Roy — Parish Music Director
- Chris Babik — Director of Religious Education
Parish Locations and Offices
Resurrection Parish worships and operates from several buildings in and around the Cambria City area. The Parish Center and Offices are at 408 Eighth Avenue; the Resurrection Church is at 324 Chestnut Street; the Oratory and Oratory Hall are at 800 Chestnut Street; and St. Clare of Assisi Church is at 124 Maple Avenue. The Resurrection Oratory is open for private prayer before the reserved Blessed Sacrament, with a key available from the parish office Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. A small parish library is housed in the Oratory.
- Resurrection Church — 324 Chestnut Street, Johnstown, PA 15906
- St. Clare of Assisi Church — 124 Maple Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15901
- Parish Center and Offices — 408 Eighth Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15906
- The Oratory and Oratory Hall — 800 Chestnut Street, Johnstown, PA 15906
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Resurrection Parish runs a full grade-by-grade religious education program directed by Chris Babik (DRE). Classes meet in classrooms throughout the Parish Center and Oratory. Sacramental preparation for Confirmation is provided for Grades 9, 10, and 11, led by Sr. Cindy Burns, CCW, with classes held at St. Benedict Parish in Geistown. The parish also publishes a Religious Education Attendance Policy and a Registration Form online.
- Kindergarten and Grade 1 — Ms. Amy Haer (2nd floor, Parish Center)
- Grade 2 — Mrs. Frances Findley with Mrs. Stacy Roberts (2nd floor)
- Grades 3 & 4 — Mrs. Jennifer Gardenhour (2nd floor)
- Grade 5 & 6 — Mrs. Faith Thomas (1st floor)
- Grade 7 & 8 — Mr. Richard Pavic (1st floor)
- Grade 9 & 10 — Judy Carroll (Oratory Hall)
- Grade 11 — Ms. Morgan Casto (Oratory)
- Confirmation (Grades 9-11) — Sr. Cindy Burns, CCW, at St. Benedict Parish, Geistown
Liturgy and Music Ministries
The parish's Liturgy and Ministry committee promotes the quality of liturgical life through environment, music, special liturgies, children's bulletins, electronic bulletin boards, and the formation/scheduling of liturgical ministers. Specific liturgical roles include Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors (with a training video and printed guidelines), Ushers and Greeters (Ministers of Welcome), Cantors, and the Parish Choir, which is open to those unable to receive the Eucharist. Emily Roy serves as Parish Music Director. Bulletins and the parish's 'Elements of the Catholic Mass' series support ongoing formation.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors (training video available online)
- Ushers and Greeters / Ministers of Welcome
- Cantors and Parish Choir
- Children's Bulletins and electronic church bulletin boards
Parish Life, Groups and Devotions
Beyond liturgy, the parish offers groups for women, seniors, sewers, Bible study, and readers, as well as the Cursillo movement. The Women's Guild unites the women of the parish through spiritual, volunteer, and social opportunities. The Hilltoppers, in existence since 2000, welcomes parishioners and friends over age 55, meeting at 12:30 PM. The Sewing Ministry meets in the Sewing Room (former Sweet Shoppe) with beginner sessions resuming in the fall. Women of the Bible meets Thursdays at 6:00 PM in the Oratory, and the Book Discussion Group meets monthly. The parish also supports a Prayer Chain, a group of Collection Counters, and the Cursillo Movement (linked to the Altoona-Johnstown Cursillo).
- Women's Guild / Women's Ministry
- Hilltoppers (55+ group, est. 2000)
- Sewing Ministry (Sewing Room / former Sweet Shoppe)
- Women of the Bible (Thursdays 6:00 PM, Oratory)
- Book Discussion Group (summer 2025: Bishop Fulton Sheen)
- Cursillo Movement
- Prayer Chain and Collection Counters
Get Involved and Protecting God's Children
Resurrection Parish invites parishioners to share their time and talent. The website's Get Involved page lists every committee, group, and activity in the parish and encourages new members to contact the parish office. Anyone volunteering in any program involving youth must complete the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown's 'Protecting God's Children' Youth Protection Program, including the online Virtus course, application, code of conduct, ministry reference form, CPSL Volunteer Disclosure Statement, background-check authorization, Pennsylvania State Police and ChildLine clearances, FBI clearances (when applicable), and Mandated Reporter Training.
- Online registration through Virtus (virtusonline.org)
- Application, Code of Conduct, and Ministry Reference Form
- CPSL Volunteer Disclosure Statement
- PA State Police, ChildLine, and FBI clearances as required
- Mandated Reporter Training (3-hour online course)
Giving, Bulletins and Online Resources
Parishioners can support the parish by using the collection basket, mailing envelopes to the parish office at 110 Maple Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15901, or donating online through the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown's online giving portal. Bulletins are published weekly; the deadline for bulletin submissions is Wednesday at 9:00 AM, and announcements can remain in the bulletin for up to two weeks. The website links to parish bulletins, the parish calendar, daily Mass readings, the Saint of the Day, the Vatican website, the USCCB, the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, parish cemeteries, Protecting God's Children, Religious Education, the parish's Facebook and YouTube pages, the Liturgical Ministry Schedule, and an 'Elements of the Catholic Mass' series.
- Online giving through the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown portal
- Mailed contributions to 110 Maple Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15901
- Weekly bulletin with Wednesday 9:00 AM submission deadline
- Quick links: Bulletins, Parish Calendar, Daily Mass Readings, Saint of the Day, Vatican, USCCB, Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Cemeteries
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Alan E. Thomas2009 (founding) –
Named founding pastor of Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish by Bishop Joseph Adamec in May 2009; led the parish through its first Mass on July 22, 2009, and the inaugural Mass with the Bishop on July 26, 2009.
- Rev. George M. Gulashpresent
Current Pastor of Resurrection Parish and Administrator of St. Clare of Assisi Parish; listed in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown clergy directory.