About St. Gertrude · Vandergrift, Pennsylvania
St. Gertrude Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, overlooking the Kiskiminetas River on the border of northern Westmoreland and southern Armstrong Counties. It is a parish of the Diocese of Greensburg and has been partnered with Christ the King Church in nearby Leechburg. The parish is one of more than 600 households, served since its founding by Benedictine priests from Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe. Its present church, designed by Pittsburgh architect John T. Comes in the Italian Romanesque style, was completed in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
- Established
- 1885
- Patron
- St. Gertrude the Great (Benedictine virgin and mystic, 1256–1301/1302)
- Rector
- Rev. Alan N. Polczynski, JCL (installed September 28, 2023; native of Lower Burrell, PA, ordained June 2, 2007, completing a license in canon law from The Catholic University of America)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
St. Gertrude is a close-knit, multi-generational parish of just over 600 households where liturgy, faith formation and fellowship remain central. Members can serve in nearly a dozen lay ministries — from lector and altar server to catechist, Minister of Holy Communion, and Minister to the Sick and Homebound — while families with children from kindergarten through high school find a full Faith Formation and Youth Ministry program, plus Children's Liturgy of the Word during the school year. The parish's enduring partnership with the Benedictines of Saint Vincent Archabbey, its 1911 Italian Romanesque landmark church, and its commitment to welcoming new members make St. Gertrude a faithful Catholic home in the Kiskiminetas River valley.
Mass times at St. Gertrude
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays: 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Fridays: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Eucharistic Adoration)
Parish History
Catholic worship in the Vandergrift area began in August 1885 when Father James McTighe was sent from Saint Vincent Archabbey to serve a small flock in Apollo. The congregation moved to Vandergrift and took the name St. Gertrude in 1898. As the town grew, the original frame church proved too small, and in 1910 land was purchased for $1,700. Ground was broken on March 1, 1910, the cornerstone was laid on June 11, and the first Mass was celebrated on March 26, 1911. Bishop Regis Canevin of Pittsburgh blessed the completed building on March 11, 1911, at a cost of about $60,000. A long succession of Benedictine pastors from Saint Vincent Archabbey has shepherded the parish ever since.
- 1885: First pastor (Fr. James McTighe) sent from Saint Vincent Archabbey to Apollo
- 1898: Parish moves to Vandergrift as St. Gertrude Church
- 1910: Land purchased for $1,700; ground broken March 1; cornerstone laid June 11
- 1911: First Mass in the new church, March 26; blessed by Bishop Regis Canevin, March 11
- 1922: St. Gertrude School opens
- 1983: Church listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- 2019: Cardinal Maida Academy (formerly St. Gertrude School) closes
The 1911 Church Building
St. Gertrude's present church is an Italian Romanesque Revival basilica plan designed by Pittsburgh architect John T. Comes, AIA, and built by the Duquesne Construction Company. The building measures 126 by 54 feet with 3-foot-thick concrete footings, 30-inch-thick foundation walls, and twin 104-foot bell towers. The front features three Romanesque semi-columns, a sculptured frieze, a tympanum and a thirteen-light rose window. Inside, a 7-rank Wicks organ (enlarged from the original church) and a custom Schulmerich electro-mechanical carillon provide music for the liturgy. The façade bears the Latin inscription 'Adorate dominum in aula sancta ejus' — 'Worship the Lord in his holy court.'
- Architect: John T. Comes, AIA, Pittsburgh
- Builder: Duquesne Construction Co., Pittsburgh
- Clerestory windows designer: George Stotter, Carnegie Technical Schools
- Style: Italian Romanesque Revival basilica plan
- Height of bell tower: 104 feet
- Organ: 7-rank Wicks (enlarged from original church)
- Overall dimensions: 126 × 54 feet
Parish Clergy & Staff
St. Gertrude Parish is led by Father Alan N. Polczynski, JCL, who was installed as pastor on September 28, 2023. Father Alan is a native of Lower Burrell, was ordained June 2, 2007, and is completing a license in canon law from The Catholic University of America. Father James H. Loew, OSB — pastor from 2009 to 2023 and one of the parish's longest-serving Benedictine shepherds — continues to serve the partnered parishes of St. Gertrude and Christ the King, along with Father Thomas More Sikora, OSB. The parish staff also includes a secretary and bulletin editor, director and assistant director of faith formation, business manager, music director, and office coordinator.
- Father Alan N. Polczynski, JCL — Pastor (installed September 28, 2023)
- Father James H. Loew, OSB — Pastor Emeritus, partnered parishes
- Father Thomas More Sikora, OSB — Priest in Residence
- Melonie Poydence — Secretary & Bulletin Editor
- Katie Tylinski — Director of Faith Formation
- James Peterman — Assistant Director of Faith Formation
- Angela Reese — Business Manager
- Patti Donghia-Albert — Music Director
Mass & Liturgical Schedule
Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Weekday Masses are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 AM. Eucharistic Adoration is held Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, and confessions are heard Saturday from 3:15 to 3:45 PM or by appointment.
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
The parish runs a full Faith Formation program for children in Kindergarten through Grade 5, with CCD classes held Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:30 AM, September through May. Students in Grades 6–12 are served through a youth ministry program, and children ages 5–12 may participate in Children's Liturgy of the Word, offered the first three Sundays of the month during the school year. Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church are welcomed through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
- Faith Formation (Grades K–5) — Sundays 9:15–10:30 AM, September–May
- Youth Ministry (Grades 6–12)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 5–12, first three Sundays during school year)
- OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Parish Ministries & Service
Parishioners are invited to share their time and talent through liturgical and pastoral ministries. Liturgical roles include Altar Server, Lector, Minister of Holy Communion, and Minister of Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound. The Music Ministry welcomes singers, cantors and instrumentalists; catechists and aides are needed for the CCD program and must meet training and clearance requirements. The Mercy Lunch Committee, chaired by Ida Lucas, prepares the parish hall for funeral luncheons, offering a tangible expression of community care.
- Altar Server
- Catechist & Catechist Aide
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Lector
- Mercy Lunch Committee (Chair: Ida Lucas)
- Minister of Holy Communion
- Minister of Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound
- Music Ministry
Sacraments
Parishioners of St. Gertrude celebrate all three sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation — at the appropriate age and after sacramental preparation. Reconciliation is offered Saturdays from 3:15 to 3:45 PM or by appointment. Couples wishing to be married at St. Gertrude should contact the parish office, and the Anointing of the Sick can be scheduled as needed. Those exploring a vocation are directed to the Diocese of Greensburg.
- Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation for parishioners
- Reconciliation (Confession): Saturdays 3:15–3:45 PM or by appointment
- Matrimony — by arrangement with the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — by request
Cardinal Maida Academy & Parish Education
St. Gertrude School opened in 1922 and was later renamed Cardinal Maida Academy. For generations the parish's Benedictine Sisters taught there; by the end of the 20th century state-certified teachers had replaced the sisters to meet federal and state requirements. After years of declining enrollment — enrollment fell to 54 students in 2018–19 — Bishop Edward Malesic accepted the school board's recommendation and Cardinal Maida Academy held its last day of classes on May 31, 2019, closing permanently on June 30, 2019. The former school building remains on the parish grounds adjacent to the church.
- St. Gertrude School founded 1922; later renamed Cardinal Maida Academy
- Benedictine Sisters taught at the school until the late 20th century
- Closed permanently June 30, 2019 due to declining enrollment
Partnership with Christ the King Parish
St. Gertrude is a partner parish with Christ the King Church in Leechburg, sharing pastoral staff and resources. Father James H. Loew, OSB has served as pastor of both parishes since 2020, and other Benedictines assist in the joint ministry.
- Partner parish: Christ the King, Leechburg, PA
- Shared pastoral team including Father James H. Loew, OSB and Father Thomas More Sikora, OSB
Mission Statement & Parish Identity
The parish's published mission statement reads: 'We, the parish community of St. Gertrude Parish in Vandergrift, Pa., are proud of our long tradition of family, faith and fellowship. Called into Christ as priest, prophet and king, by our baptism, we seek to strengthen and deepen our love of him and one another. We are committed to "building up the body of Christ" through word, worship, evangelization, leadership, service, stewardship and community. May that commitment extend to all parishioners from birth to eternity, to all we are called to service, and to all we seek and welcome into our parish community. For we are each called to be the light of the world.'
- Just over 600 households
- Welcomes new members through a parish registration form
Visit, Contact & Accessibility
St. Gertrude Parish is located at 303 Franklin Avenue in Vandergrift, PA (mailing address: 125 Park Road, Leechburg, PA 15656). The parish office can be reached at 724-845-8191. Two handicap parking spaces are available in the lot between the former school building and the church, and the nearest side entrance is equipped with a chair lift. New parishioners are invited to complete a registration form on the parish website or contact the parish office for more information about joining the parish family.
- Address: 303 Franklin Avenue, Vandergrift, PA 15690
- Mailing: 125 Park Road, Leechburg, PA 15656
- Phone: 724-845-8191
- Two handicap parking spaces with chair-lift access at nearest side entrance
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father James McTighe1884–1885
First pastor sent from Saint Vincent Archabbey
- Father Patrick Killoran1885–1892
- Father Fidelis Busam, OSB1892
- Father Constantine Leber, OSB1892–1895
- Father Marcarius Schmidt, OSB1895–1896
- Father Gregory Zeilnhofer, OSB1896
- Father Boniface Wirtner, OSB1896–1899
- Father Martin Singer, OSB1899–1913
First pastor of the present (1911) church building
- Father Linus Brugger, OSB1913–1919
- Father Sigmusmund Szydlowski, OSB1919–1922
- Father Aloysius Luther, OSB1922
- Father Edgar Zuercher, OSB1922–1932
- Father Virgil Niesslein, OSB1932–1933
- Father Aemilian Schlimm, OSB1933–1953
- Father Lucian E. Malich, OSB1953–1965
- Father Damian Abbaticchio, OSB1965–1967
- Father Donald J. Haggerty, OSB1967–1970
- Father Vernard J. Spitzer, OSB1970–1973
- Father Noel H. Rothrauff, OSB1973–1974
- Father Paschal N. Kneip, OSB1974–1981
- Father Charles A. Weber, OSB1981–1987
- Father Michael J. DeLon, OSB1987–1992
- Father Arthur Holtz, OSB1992–1996
- Father Thaddeus Rettger, OSB1996–2004
- Father Chad Ficorilli, OSB2004–2009
- Father James H. Loew, OSB2009–2023
Long-serving pastor who also became administrator and then pastor of partnered Christ the King Parish