About St. Albert the Great Church /of Blessed Trinity Parish · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
St. Albert the Great Church is one of four worship sites that make up Blessed Trinity Parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, serving the South Hills neighborhoods of Pittsburgh including Baldwin, Brentwood, Hays, and Carrick. The parish was canonically formed on July 1, 2020 by merging the former Holy Apostles Parish (St. Albert the Great, St. Basil, St. Norbert, and St. Wendelin) with St. Sylvester and Holy Angels. The church itself was established as a separate parish on June 8, 1956, and the current standalone church building was dedicated on January 13, 1991, after more than three decades in a temporary combination church-and-school structure. Blessed Trinity Parish is pastored by Rev. Stephen A. Kresak with two parochial vicars, Rev. Kenneth A. Sparks and Rev. Zachary A. Galiyas, and is supported by six permanent deacons.
- Established
- 1956
- Patron
- St. Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus)
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen A. Kresak, MDiv
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Blessed Trinity Parish is a four-church Catholic community in the South Hills that combines the heritage of six former parishes (St. Albert the Great, St. Basil, St. Norbert, St. Wendelin, St. Sylvester, and Holy Angels) into one active family of faith. The parish offers daily and weekend Mass at four convenient locations, a full Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) process, faith formation for children and adults, vibrant outreach (a Diaper Bank, Brentwood Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, garden ministry, crochet and prayer blanket groups, and Lectio Divina), and rich devotional life including weekly Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays, novenas, and a rosary-centered Sisters in Christ fellowship.
Mass times at St. Albert the Great Church /of Blessed Trinity Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at St. Sylvester
- Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM at St. Basil (unless there is a funeral)
Adoration times
- First Friday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at St. Sylvester (sign-up required)
Welcome to Blessed Trinity Parish
Blessed Trinity Parish is a four-church Catholic community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, formed on July 1, 2020 by the merger of Holy Apostles Parish (St. Albert the Great, St. Basil, St. Norbert, St. Wendelin) with the parishes of St. Sylvester (Brentwood) and Holy Angels (Hays). The parish's Administration Office is housed at St. Albert the Great Church, 3198 Schieck Street in the Baldwin neighborhood of Pittsburgh's South Hills, and serves as the mailing address, phone center, and staff hub for the entire community.
- St. Albert the Great Church – 3198 Schieck Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15227 (administration site)
- St. Basil Church – 1735 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15210
- St. Sylvester Church – 3754 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227
- Holy Angels Church – 408 Baldwin Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15207
St. Albert the Great Church: History and Heritage
St. Albert the Great Parish was established on June 8, 1956, when the South Hills population was growing rapidly and needed a new Catholic worship site. The first Mass was celebrated on June 17, 1956, in the auditorium of McGibney School. Ground for a combined church-and-school building was broken December 15, 1957, and the structure was dedicated December 13, 1958. The worship space was always understood to be temporary, but the parish needed more than thirty years to fund a permanent home. Ground for that permanent church was broken April 1, 1990, the cornerstone was laid November 4, 1990, and the new St. Albert the Great Church was dedicated on January 13, 1991.
- Established June 8, 1956
- First Mass: June 17, 1956 (McGibney School auditorium)
- Combination church/school building dedicated December 13, 1958
- Current church building dedicated January 13, 1991
- Part of Holy Apostles Parish 2016–2020; part of Blessed Trinity Parish since July 1, 2020
The Trinity Bell Tower
In 2024 Blessed Trinity Parish erected the Trinity Bell Tower at St. Albert the Great Church to house three historic bells rescued from nearby St. Wendelin Church, which was built in 1897 and demolished in June 2024. Bishop David Zubik blessed the tower before it was lifted into place. The once-black bells were restored to a fresh gold finish by the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, fitted with new automated ringers, and can now be programmed on a timer or triggered remotely through a smartphone app. The parish also offers a $25 hardback pictorial book about St. Wendelin Church to support the bell tower fund.
- Three bells from St. Wendelin Church (built 1897, demolished 2024)
- Blessed by Bishop David Zubik in 2024
- Restored by the Verdin Company, Cincinnati
- Automated computer ringing system with smartphone app control
Clergy and Parish Staff
The pastoral team of Blessed Trinity Parish is led by Pastor Rev. Stephen A. Kresak, MDiv, supported by Senior Parochial Vicar Rev. Kenneth A. Sparks and Parochial Vicar Rev. Zachary A. Galiyas. Six permanent deacons assist with preaching, baptismal preparation, weddings, and parish outreach: Deacon Michael J. Babcock, Deacon James R. Grab, Deacon Daniel E. Nizan, Deacon Andrew J. White Sr., and Deacon Timothy B. Zenchak.
- Rev. Stephen A. Kresak, MDiv – Pastor
- Rev. Kenneth A. Sparks – Senior Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Zachary A. Galiyas – Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Michael J. Babcock
- Deacon James R. Grab
- Deacon Daniel E. Nizan
- Deacon Andrew J. White, Sr.
- Deacon Timothy B. Zenchak
Liturgical and Office Staff
Lay staff coordinate liturgy, music, religious education, business, communications, safe environment, and youth ministry across all four worship sites. Pastoral and business operations are run out of the Parish Office Building at St. Albert the Great.
- Business Manager: Deacon Andy White
- Pastoral Associate: Deacon Dan Nizan
- Director of Music & Liturgy: Tommy Hoffman
- Assistant Music Directors: Eileen Hite, Paul White
- Coordinator of Social Ministry Services & Community Action: Sister Theresa Bealer
- Religious Education: Carolyn Eisenbarth, Elaine Garfold
- Youth Ministry: Nicholas Wolf, Anthony Bradley
- Safe Environment & Ministry Coordinator: Lou Ann Shannon
- Administrative Assistants: Mary Ann Negley, Cheryl DePretis
- Bulletin Editor: Cindy DePretis
- Maintenance: Jeff Jenney, Len Lis, Gene Werner
Faith Formation and Becoming Catholic
Blessed Trinity Parish runs a full Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program each year from mid-September through the Easter season, with classes meeting Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at the Parish Office at St. Albert the Great. The OCIA team is led by Fr. Ken Sparks, Fr. Zach Galiyas, Deacon Brian Kail, and Jeff Wagner. The program follows the traditional four stages: Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment (during Lent), and Mystagogy, culminating in the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. Children prepare through the Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC), and a separate Religious Education (CCD) program supports ongoing faith formation for parish youth.
- OCIA classes – Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:00 PM at St. Albert Parish Office
- OCIA team: Fr. Ken Sparks, Fr. Zach Galiyas, Dcn. Brian Kail, Jeff Wagner
- OCIC for children seeking initiation
- Religious Education (CCD) for parish youth
- Pre-Baptism classes for parents
Parish Ministries and Outreach
Beyond liturgy, the parish runs an extensive outreach and fellowship program reaching both parishioners and the wider South Hills community. The Brentwood Food Pantry distributes food the third Saturday of each month from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at 3725 Brownsville Road; the Diaper Bank distributes diapers and wipes the second Saturday of each month, 9:00 – 10:45 AM, at St. Basil Church; and Meals on Wheels now operates out of St. Sylvester Hall. Parishioners can also serve through the Blessed Trinity Parish Gardeners (spring to fall at all four churches), the Young Families Group, the Crochet and Prayer Blanket Ministry, and Lectio and Visio Divina Scripture prayer gatherings.
- Brentwood Food Pantry – 3rd Saturday, 9:30 – 11:00 AM, 3725 Brownsville Road
- Diaper Bank – 2nd Saturday, 9:00 – 10:45 AM, St. Basil
- Meals on Wheels – St. Sylvester Hall, 412-881-6888
- Blessed Trinity Parish Gardeners
- Young Families Group – 4th Sunday
- Crochet Ministry – Thursdays 9:00 AM, Holy Angels School
- Baptismal Blanket Ministry – 1st Thursday, Holy Angels School basement
- Lectio & Visio Divina – Thursdays 1:30 – 2:15 PM, Parish Office
Devotions and Prayer Life
Alongside Sunday and weekday Mass, the parish offers a steady rhythm of devotions, novenas, and small-group prayer. Two regular novenas are celebrated: the Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal after Thursday's 8:00 AM Mass at Holy Angels, and the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help after Wednesday's 8:00 AM Mass at St. Wendelin. Sisters in Christ, a women's Gospel-sharing group, meets the third Thursday of each month from 1:00 – 3:00 PM in the Chapel Room at St. Albert the Great. Sanctuary Candle Intentions can be requested through the Parish Office.
- Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal – Thursday after 8:00 AM Mass, Holy Angels
- Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Wednesday after 8:00 AM Mass, St. Wendelin
- Sisters in Christ – 3rd Thursday, 1:00 – 3:00 PM, Chapel Room at St. Albert
- Sanctuary Candle Intentions – contact Parish Office
Sacraments at Blessed Trinity Parish
Blessed Trinity Parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments across its four worship sites. Baptism requires a pre-Baptism class for parents, offered periodically at the Parish Office at St. Albert. First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and ongoing faith formation are coordinated through the Religious Education team. Adults who have not been baptized, those baptized in another Christian denomination, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion and/or Confirmation are welcomed into the OCIA process, with the Sacraments of Initiation conferred at the Easter Vigil. Couples should contact the parish office for marriage preparation; families seeking Anointing of the Sick may also contact the office.
- Baptism – pre-Baptism class required (contact Dcn. Mike at 412-884-7744 x206)
- First Holy Communion – through parish Religious Education
- Confirmation – through parish Religious Education
- Marriage – contact the Parish Office
- Anointing of the Sick – contact the Parish Office
- OCIA / OCIC – full initiation into the Catholic Church
Visiting and Contact
The Parish Administration Office is located in the Parish Office Building at 3198 Schieck Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15227, on the St. Albert the Great campus. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, with a daily lunch closure from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM. The parish can be reached by phone at (412) 884-7744 or by email at [email protected]. The most current weekly bulletin, which includes the latest weekday Mass and confession schedule, is available on the parish website at blessedtrinitypgh.org.
- Address: 3198 Schieck Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15227
- Phone: (412) 884-7744
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: blessedtrinitypgh.org
- Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 12:00 – 1:00 PM for lunch)