About St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church · Meadville, Pennsylvania
St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, historically located at 383 Arch Street in Meadville, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1862 by English-speaking Irish Catholics who petitioned the Bishop of Erie to separate from St. Agatha Parish. The parish traces its formal organization to 1863 when its first resident pastor was appointed, and the present brick church was solemnly dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1881. In June 2021 St. Brigid was merged by extinctive union with St. Agatha and St. Mary of Grace parishes to form The Epiphany of the Lord Parish, with St. Agatha designated as the parish church and St. Brigid retained as a secondary church. On December 5, 2025, Bishop Lawrence T. Persico decreed that St. Brigid Church be relegated to profane but not sordid use, effective February 2, 2026, citing the building's serious structural problems and an unsustainable $1.7 million maintenance burden for the merged parish.
- Established
- 1862
- Patron
- St. Brigid of Ireland
- Rector
- Rev. Jeffrey Lucas
- Diocese
- Diocese of Erie
Why belong here
St. Brigid's legacy continues through The Epiphany of the Lord Parish, where the historic Irish Catholic community of Meadville still finds a home alongside the traditions of St. Agatha and St. Mary of Grace. The parish centers on the Eucharist as the summit and source of its life, offers a robust slate of liturgical and outreach ministries—including Eucharistic adoration, a parish food pantry, the Meadville Soup Kitchen, a Prayer Line, and homebound visitation—and supports Seton Catholic School as a joint apostolate. With welcoming greeters, a choir open to all voices, opportunities for adult and youth faith formation, and a strong sense of family, it is a parish that strives to be both rooted in its immigrant past and outwardly engaged with the wider Meadville community.
Mass times at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:30 a.m.
- Saturday 3:30 p.m.
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday after 8 a.m. Mass until 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday after 8 a.m. Mass until 9:30 a.m.
- First Friday (with Holy Hour) — Third Monday of the month, 6:30–7:30 p.m. (except June, July, August)
History of St. Brigid Parish
St. Brigid's began with the arrival of large numbers of Irish immigrants in Meadville in the mid-1850s. In spring 1862 the English-speaking Catholic community petitioned Bishop Young of Erie for permission to separate from St. Agatha Parish. Their request was granted, and the new parish took the name St. Brigid (informally 'St. Bride's'). The early congregation—probably 100 to 125 families—first worshipped in 'Divinity Hall' on Center Street, then in a former Methodist church on Arch Street purchased in 1866 for $7,000. After more than a decade of growth, the cornerstone of the present brick church was laid by Bishop Tobias Mullen on August 11, 1878, and the new building was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1881. The church seated about 600 and was adorned with frescoing by Godfrey Frohe and his son of Buffalo, NY, depicting the Savior, the apostles, Mary Magdalen, and the patron saints St. Brigid and St. Patrick.
- Parish organized spring 1862; first resident pastor, Father Gilibarti, 1863
- Early Irish priests included John Mark Gannon, later Bishop of Erie
- Present church dedicated November 24, 1881
- St. Brigid and St. Agatha schools merged in 1973 to form Seton Catholic School
- Merged in 2021 into The Epiphany of the Lord Parish
- Decree of relegation to profane but not sordid use issued December 5, 2025; effective February 2, 2026
Architecture and the 1881 Church
The present St. Brigid Church was constructed 1878–1881 as a brick edifice at the corner of Arch and Liberty Streets, designed to hold 600–700 people and built at a cost of about $15,000. Its signature feature was the elaborate frescoing executed by Godfrey Frohe and his son of Buffalo, NY: allegorical scenes on the ceiling and a life-size painting of the Savior in the nave, with paintings of St. Peter, St. James, St. John, Mary Magdalen, St. Brigid and St. Patrick above the side altars. In later renovations the frescoes were painted over, a choir loft was added, a new altar and matching Stations of the Cross were installed, and the current stained-glass windows—depicting the Joyful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary—were installed in 1948–49. A Permastone coating was applied over the original brick exterior and an outdoor shrine was created on the grounds.
- Brick church seating ~600, dedicated November 24, 1881
- Frescoes by Godfrey Frohe and son of Buffalo, NY
- Stained-glass windows date from 1948–49
- Outdoor shrine and Permastone-coated exterior added later
- Persistent water infiltration into the attached social hall documented in 2023 facilities study
Merger into The Epiphany of the Lord Parish
In June 2021 Bishop Lawrence T. Persico issued a decree merging St. Brigid Parish, St. Agatha Parish, and St. Mary of Grace Parish by extinctive union to form The Epiphany of the Lord Parish. St. Agatha Church at 353 Pine Street was designated the parish church, while St. Brigid and St. Mary of Grace were retained as secondary churches. The decision cited declining Catholic population in Meadville, fewer priests, and the need to reorganize Catholic life around a more sustainable foundation. The new parish, with about 1,200 families, is led by Pastor Rev. Jeffrey Lucas and Parochial Vicar Rev. Kyle Seyler.
- Merger effective June 2021
- St. Agatha (353 Pine St.) designated parish church
- St. Brigid (383 Arch St.) and St. Mary of Grace (1085 Water St.) retained as secondary churches
- Approximately 1,200 families in the merged parish
Relegation to Profane Use (2025–2026)
On October 7, 2025, Pastor Fr. Jeffrey Lucas obtained unanimous support from the parish finance and pastoral councils to petition for the relegation of St. Brigid Church. He formally petitioned Bishop Persico on October 8, 2025. The diocesan Presbyteral Council voted 13–1 to recommend the action on November 19, 2025. Bishop Persico issued the decree of relegation on December 5, 2025, with effect February 2, 2026. The decision rested on a 2023 Weber Murphy Fox feasibility study showing $549,362 in immediate repairs, $888,362 to meet building code, and $261,188 in 2025 steeple repair estimates, plus annual maintenance averaging $65,765. St. Agatha Church, located about 750 feet from St. Brigid, was found to have sufficient capacity for the entire parish community.
- Petition signed by Fr. Lucas October 8, 2025
- Presbyteral Council vote 13–1 in favor, November 19, 2025
- Decree signed December 5, 2025 by Bishop Lawrence T. Persico
- Effective date February 2, 2026
- St. Agatha Church, ~750 feet away, designated to serve the parish
Liturgical Ministries
The Epiphany of the Lord Parish maintains a full complement of liturgical ministries. Greeters and ushers welcome parishioners at the doors and assist with collections; lectors proclaim the Word of God at weekday, Sunday and Holy Day Masses; extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist distribute Communion at Mass and bring it to the homebound, hospitalized and those in nursing homes. Altar servers must have made First Communion and be in third grade or above. The parish choir, directed by Chris McGinnity, sings at Sunday Masses, Holy Days and holidays—no auditions required, and all voices and abilities are welcome.
- Greeters / Ushers
- Lectors (training provided)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Visitation Ministers (homebound, hospital, nursing home)
- Altar Servers (3rd grade+ after First Communion)
- Choir / Musicians
Parish Organizations and Fellowship
Several parish organizations carry on the social and service life of the merged community. The Altar Rosary Society cares for the sanctuary and provides fellowship opportunities for women of the parish; the Knights of Columbus (council contact Tom, 814-531-3537) is active in service and parish life; the Epiphany of the Lord Men's Club hosts donuts after the first Sunday 8 a.m. Mass, an annual Chili Cook-off in February, and a pancake breakfast in the fall. The Hospitality Committee and Environment Committee round out the volunteer corps.
- Altar Rosay Society — 3rd Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Center
- Knights of Columbus
- Epiphany of the Lord Men's Club
- Hospitality Committee
- Environment Committee
- Funeral Ministry
Outreach and Charity
Outreach to the wider Meadville community is a core part of parish life. The parish sends three teams to the Meadville Soup Kitchen held weekdays at Stone United Methodist Church on the Diamond, and supports the work with food and monetary donations. A Pastor's Fund provides one-time emergency assistance, and an in-house food pantry—stocked by parishioner donations—supplies neighbors in need. The annual St. Nicholas Tree lets parishioners pull envelopes off a Christmas tree and purchase gifts for children in need. Special collections support St. James Haven (men's shelter), the women's shelter, the pregnancy center, and the parish food pantry.
- Meadville Soup Kitchen — 2nd Thu, 3rd Thu, 3rd Fri, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Stone UMC
- Pastor's Fund emergency assistance
- Parish Food Pantry (in-house)
- St. Nicholas Tree (Christmas gifts)
- Special Collections — St. James Haven, women's shelter, pregnancy center
Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
Faith formation for all ages is led by Amy Mosbacher (Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization, 814-333-2274) and Sergio Cortes (Youth Faith Formation & Ministry). The RETURN evangelization team meets every other Thursday to engage parishioners and the wider community through four sub-teams: phone callers, in-person contacts, welcome, and prayer warriors. A Prayer Line of volunteers prays for any special intention requested by parishioners and friends of the parish.
- Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization — Amy Mosbacher
- Youth Faith Formation & Ministry — Sergio Cortes
- RETURN Evangelization Team (4 sub-teams)
- Prayer Line — 814-724-5174 / [email protected]
Seton Catholic School
Seton Catholic School, located at 385 Pine Street, Meadville, is the joint parish school of the Epiphany of the Lord Parish community. Formed in 1973 by the merger of St. Agatha School and St. Brigid School, it is named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint. From 1917 to 1973 the second St. Brigid school building had housed eight grades. Principal Christine Hess leads the school today, and ongoing fundraising includes the Scrip Loaves & Fishes gift-card program.
- Formed 1973 from merger of St. Agatha and St. Brigid schools
- Named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
- Address: 385 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335
- Phone: (814) 336-2320
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.seton-school.com
- Principal: Christine Hess
- Scrip Loaves & Fishes fundraiser
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven sacraments and welcomes inquiries from parishioners and visitors. Couples preparing for marriage, families preparing for baptism, and those seeking the Anointing of the Sick should contact the parish office at 814-336-1112.
- Baptism
- First Communion / Confirmation (through Faith Formation)
- Marriage preparation
- Sacrament of Reconciliation (see schedule above)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funeral Ministry
Parish Staff and Contacts
Parish operations are staffed from 353 Pine Street, with offices reachable at 814-336-1112 and [email protected].
- Pastor: Rev. Jeffrey Lucas
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Kyle Seyler
- Permanent Deacons: Edward Horneman, Kenneth Reisenweber, Todd Sommers
- Office Staff: Sarah Blood, Moira Mawn
- Bookkeeper: Jesse Sipos
- Liturgical Music: Chris McGinnity
- Adult Faith Formation & Evangelization: Amy Mosbacher
- Youth Faith Formation & Ministry: Sergio Cortes
- Seton Catholic School: 814-336-2320 / [email protected]
Visit and Getting Involved
Visitors are warmly welcomed at all three church sites. The parish office at 353 Pine Street is open during regular business hours; weekend Masses and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are celebrated at St. Agatha Church. Live-streamed Mass is available on the parish website. To get involved in any ministry listed above, call the parish office at 814-336-1112.
- Office: 353 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335
- Phone: 814-336-1112
- Fax: 814-240-5998
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.epiphanymeadville.org
- St. Brigid Church: 383 Arch St., Meadville, PA 16335 (phone 814-336-4459)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Marc A. DeLaRoque1862–1863; resident pastor 1865
First priest in charge of the new parish from St. Hippolyte's; returned as resident pastor in 1865.
- Rev. Gilibarti1863
First resident pastor of St. Brigid's, assistant to Fr. DeLaRoque.
- Rev. James Perry1865 (assistant)
Served as assistant during Fr. DeLaRoque's pastorate.
- Rev. James Haley1866 (portion)
Succeeded Rev. Perry as assistant.
- Rev. John L. Finncane1868–1871
Native of Ireland, well-known lecturer and eminent pulpit orator; later died in Brooklyn, NY.
- Rev. John L. Madigan1871–1874
Native of Ireland, ordained by Bishop Young of Erie; built the parish school during his pastorate.
- Rev. James J. Dunn1874–
Opened the new school in September 1874; purchased the Arch and Liberty Streets lot in 1877; built and dedicated the present church on November 24, 1881.
- John Mark Gannon
Among the Irish priests who served the parish in its early years; later became Bishop of Erie.