About Saint Anthony Chapel of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saint Anthony Chapel is a Catholic chapel on Troy Hill in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that serves as the devotional chapel of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish within the Shrines of Pittsburgh grouping of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Overlooking the Allegheny River on Pittsburgh's North Side, the chapel is famous worldwide as the home of the largest publicly venerated collection of Christian relics outside the Vatican — more than 5,000 relics housed in over 800 reliquaries, plus 525 certificates of authenticity. Built in 1880–1883 by Father Suitbert G. Mollinger, a Belgian-born physician-turned-priest and the parish's first resident pastor, the chapel remains a working house of prayer, a pilgrimage destination, and a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- Saint Anthony of Padua
- Rector
- Rev. Nicholas S. Vaskov, S.T.L. (Moderator, Team Ministry and Pastor of the Shrines of Pittsburgh)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Saint Anthony Chapel is the devotional heart of the Shrines of Pittsburgh, a grouping of parishes that includes Most Holy Name of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saint Nicholas, and Saint Patrick–Saint Stanislaus Kostka. Catholics who belong to Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish worship in one of the most extraordinary chapels in the world — a place where more than 5,000 authenticated relics of the saints, life-size Stations of the Cross from Munich, and European stained glass come together in a setting that has drawn pilgrims for more than 140 years. Daily Mass and confessions are offered at the chapel itself, the chapel is open regularly for visitation and prayer, and there is an active music ministry, faith formation program, gift shop, and votive candle offerings to draw the community into ongoing devotional life.
Mass times at Saint Anthony Chapel of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM (Saint Anthony Chapel)
- Wednesday 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM (Saint Anthony Chapel)
About Saint Anthony Chapel
Saint Anthony Chapel sits on Troy Hill, overlooking the Allegheny River on Pittsburgh's North Side, and is the devotional chapel of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish within the Shrines of Pittsburgh grouping of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. The chapel is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, the 'Wonder-Worker,' and is world-famous as the home of the largest collection of publicly venerated Christian relics outside the Vatican — more than 5,000 relics in over 800 reliquaries, with 525 authenticating certificates. The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation has designated the chapel a Historical Landmark.
- Largest publicly venerated relic collection outside the Vatican (5,000+ relics, 800+ reliquaries, 525 certificates of authenticity)
- Dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua
- Troy Hill neighborhood, Pittsburgh's North Side
- Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historical Landmark
History
The chapel grew out of the relic collection of Father Suitbert G. Mollinger, the first resident pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish. He built and personally financed the chapel in 1880–1883, dedicated it on the Feast of St. Anthony, June 13, 1883, and enlarged it in 1892 with a nave addition, life-size Stations of the Cross from Munich, and imported stained glass windows. He collapsed on the day of the 1892 rededication and died two days later. After decades of disrepair the chapel was restored between 1972 and 1977, and today continues to welcome pilgrims from across North America and beyond.
- 1880–1883: Original chapel built and dedicated on June 13, 1883
- 1892: Nave addition and rededication; Father Mollinger died two days later
- 1972–1977: Three-stage restoration completed in November 1977 under Bishop Vincent M. Leonard
- Designated Pittsburgh Landmark (PHLF) in 1968; listed on the Pittsburgh Register of Historic Places in 1977
The Relics
Over 5,000 relics of the saints have reposed in the chapel for more than 130 years. The collection is displayed in beautifully wrought reliquaries arranged in altars and side cases constructed of hand-carved solid walnut. The first-class relic of St. Anthony of Padua — the chapel's most venerated relic — rests in a small reliquary within a repository on the St. Anthony Altar. A Latin inscription on the central arch reads 'Here Lie the Saints in Peace.'
- 5,000+ relics of the saints, 800+ reliquaries, 525 authenticating certificates
- First-class relic of St. Anthony of Padua on the St. Anthony Altar
- Latin inscription on the central arch: 'Here Lie the Saints in Peace'
- Reliquaries arranged in hand-carved solid walnut altars and side cases
The Cross Reliquary
Among the thousands of relics, three central reminders of the most profound aspects of the Christian faith are highlighted in a large reliquary in the left transept. It contains approximately 700 relics, with a large cross at its center holding a splinter of the True Cross, a thorn from the Crown of Thorns, and a piece of stone from the Holy Sepulchre.
- Approximately 700 relics in the left-transept reliquary
- Splinter of the True Cross
- Thorn from the Crown of Thorns
- Piece of the Holy Sepulchre
The Stations of the Cross and Windows
Father Mollinger acquired a set of life-size Stations of the Cross during a visit to Europe. They were carved of wood by artists of the Royal Ecclesiastical Art Establishment of Mayer and Company in Munich, Germany, and their installation prompted the 1892 chapel addition. Fourteen stained glass windows above the Stations portray the apostles along with Saints Paul, Stephen, and Lawrence; the central entrance window depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mother of God and Queen of Heaven, St. Joseph, St. Anthony, and St. Catherine of Siena.
- Life-size wooden Stations of the Cross by Mayer and Company, Munich
- Fourteen imported European stained glass windows above the Stations
- Central window of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Anthony, and St. Catherine of Siena
Father Suitbert G. Mollinger (1828–1892)
Father Suitbert Godfrey Mollinger was a Belgian-born nobleman and physician who became the first resident pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish in 1868. Drawing on his medical training and a substantial family inheritance, he is reported to have treated some 325,000 patients and written over 80,000 prescriptions in Troy Hill, with many patients claiming miraculous healings. He spent an estimated $300,000 of personal funds to build the chapel and its 1892 addition. He collapsed on the day the enlarged chapel was rededicated and died two days later, on June 15, 1892, following surgery for a ruptured stomach.
- First resident pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (assigned July 4, 1868)
- Treated ~325,000 patients and wrote ~80,000 prescriptions
- Personally financed the chapel and its 1892 addition (~$300,000 of personal funds)
- Died June 15, 1892, two days after the chapel's rededication
Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish
Saint Anthony Chapel is the devotional chapel of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, the historic German parish of Troy Hill. The parish was established in 1868, with the cornerstone of the church laid on August 26, 1866, and the building dedicated on June 7, 1868. Today the parish shares a Team Ministry with three other parishes — Immaculate Heart of Mary (Polish Hill), Saint Nicholas (Millvale), and Saint Patrick–Saint Stanislaus Kostka (Strip District) — collectively known as the Shrines of Pittsburgh.
- Parish established 1868; church dedicated June 7, 1868
- 1700 Harpster Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
- Phone: 412-231-2994
- Part of the Shrines of Pittsburgh Team Ministry
Clergy and Staff
The Shrines of Pittsburgh are led by a Team Ministry. Rev. Nicholas S. Vaskov, S.T.L. serves as Moderator of Team Ministry and Pastor; Rev. Michael R. Ruffalo serves as Curator of the Patrimony; and Rev. Thomas Kadlick serves as Parochial Vicar. The team is assisted by Deacons G. Gregory Jelinek, Michael Fekete, and Anthony Giordano. Parish staff include a business manager, faith formation director, music ministers, gift shop manager, bulletin editor, and administrative assistants.
- Rev. Nicholas S. Vaskov, S.T.L. — Moderator, Team Ministry and Pastor
- Rev. Michael R. Ruffalo — Team Ministry / Curator of the Patrimony
- Rev. Thomas Kadlick — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon G. Gregory Jelinek
- Deacon Michael Fekete (Pastoral Associate)
- Deacon Anthony Giordano (Director of Operations)
- Mary Ann Dank — Director of Faith Formation
- Rebecca Hurst — Business Manager
- Carole Brueckner — St. Anthony's Chapel Chairperson
- Sandy Tivo — Chapel Gift Shop Manager
- Music Ministry: Carol Spehar, Ken Gerst, Melanie Harris, Zach Legas
Visiting, Tours, and Gift Shop
The chapel is open for visitation and prayer on a regular schedule, and tours can be reserved by calling Carole at 412-999-4401. The on-site Chapel Gift Shop and Father Mollinger Museum are part of the visitor experience. Audio tours are also offered, and the chapel hosts events listed on the Shrines of Pittsburgh calendar throughout the year.
- Tours by reservation: call Carole at 412-999-4401
- Chapel Gift Shop on site
- Father Mollinger Museum on site
- Audio tours available
- Check pghshrines.org events calendar for current open days
Faith Formation and Music Ministry
Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish runs a Faith Formation / Religious Education program under Director Mary Ann Dank (ext. 7), serving the families of the Shrines of Pittsburgh. Liturgical life at the chapel is supported by an active Music Ministry team of Carol Spehar, Ken Gerst, Melanie Harris, and Zach Legas, who provide music for Masses and other liturgical celebrations.
- Director of Faith Formation: Mary Ann Dank (412-231-2994 ext. 7)
- Music Ministry: Carol Spehar, Ken Gerst, Melanie Harris, Zach Legas
- Bulletin Editor: Kristen Reiner
The Shrines of Pittsburgh (Team Ministry)
Saint Anthony Chapel is one of four churches in the Shrines of Pittsburgh, a Team Ministry grouping of parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. In addition to Most Holy Name of Jesus (Troy Hill), the grouping includes Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Polish Hill, Saint Nicholas Parish in Millvale, and Saint Patrick–Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish in the Strip District, all sharing clergy and certain ministries.
- Immaculate Heart of Mary — 3058 Brereton Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (412-621-5170)
- Most Holy Name of Jesus — 1700 Harpster Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (412-231-2994)
- Saint Nicholas — 24 Maryland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209 (412-821-3438)
- Saint Patrick–Saint Stanislaus Kostka — 57 21st Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412-471-4767)
- Shared website: pghshrines.org
Address, Directions, and Contact
Saint Anthony Chapel is located at 1704 Harpster Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, on Troy Hill next to the Most Holy Name Rectory, with a parking lot providing easy access and the chapel rounding Most Holy Name of Jesus Church. The parish administrative center for Most Holy Name of Jesus is at 1700 Harpster Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (phone 412-231-2994). For the chapel's main office and staff emails, the convention is [email protected].
- Chapel address: 1704 Harpster Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
- Parish office: 1700 Harpster Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
- Phone: 412-231-2994
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: pghshrines.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Suitbert G. (S.G.) Mollinger1868–1892
First resident pastor of Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish; Belgian-born physician-turned-priest who personally financed construction of Saint Anthony Chapel (1880–1883) and its 1892 nave addition. Died two days after the rededication on June 13, 1892.