About St. John the Baptist · Scottdale, Pennsylvania
St. John the Baptist Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Greensburg. It is paired with neighboring St. Joseph Parish in Everson as a 'partner parish,' sharing clergy, staff, and pastoral resources under one pastor. The parish traces its roots to the wave of European Catholic immigrants — chiefly Slovak and other Central European laborers — who came to the Scottdale area in the late 19th century to work in the coal mines and coke ovens of the Connellsville coke region. Today the parish serves its members through weekend and weekday Masses, faith formation for children, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and parish-based outreach.
- Established
- 1878
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Paul A. Lisik
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist offers a small-town Catholic community in the heart of the Connellsville coke region, paired with neighboring St. Joseph in Everson to share one pastor, staff, and faith-formation program. Parishioners can attend the Saturday Vigil at 4:00 p.m. or Sunday morning Mass at 10:30 a.m., with weekday Masses shared between the two churches. The parish runs a Sunday Religious Education program for children and an RCIA process for adults seeking to become Catholic, and the Pastoral Center on Broadway Avenue is staffed Monday through Thursday for sacramental and pastoral needs.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Parish Identity & Mission
St. John the Baptist Parish in Scottdale, PA, is officially paired with neighboring St. Joseph Parish in Everson as a 'partner parish.' The website's 'Who We Are' page states that the two living faith communities 'are bridged by our common baptism, while maintaining our respective heritages' and are 'called by Jesus Christ to be a nurturing community through worship and service.' The mission commits the parish to 'preserve our Catholic beliefs centered on the Eucharist as we become better disciples, while continuing to develop strong lay leadership.' The partnership is described as sharing a vision of becoming 'a vibrant partner parish where all feel loved and welcomed.'
- Mission: nurturing community through worship and service
- Eucharist-centered discipleship and lay leadership
- Pairing with St. Joseph, Everson (201 Painter Street)
History & Heritage
St. John the Baptist Parish was established in 1878 to serve the swelling Catholic population drawn to the Scottdale / Mount Pleasant area by the late-19th-century coal and coke industry. Within five years of founding, the parish had grown enough to plant a mission on Summit Street in Mount Pleasant (1883), under Father Michael Lambing, which would become Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary / St. Pius X Parish. Today the parish partners with St. Joseph in Everson, and leadership passed to its current pastor, Very Rev. Paul A. Lisik, in November 2019.
- Founded 1878 in the Diocese of Greensburg
- Father Michael Lambing led the parish in its founding era
- 1883: founded the Mount Pleasant mission that became St. Pius X / Visitation of the BVM
- Pastoral Center established at 416 Broadway Avenue, Scottdale
Clergy & Staff
The partner parish is led by Very Rev. Paul A. Lisik as Pastor. He is assisted at the Pastoral Center by a Business/Pastoral Associate (Dianne Figg), a Business Manager (Chris Whoric), an Administrative Assistant (Jill Skowronek), a Music Director (Jane Scott), a Regional Faith Formation Director (Mary Allison), and a maintenance staffer (Bill Thompson). Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (closed Friday).
- Pastor: Very Rev. Paul A. Lisik
- Business / Pastoral Associate: Dianne Figg
- Business Manager: Chris Whoric
- Administrative Assistant: Jill Skowronek
- Music Director: Jane Scott
- Regional Faith Formation Director: Mary Allison
- Maintenance: Bill Thompson
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Sunday Religious Education program for children. According to the formation page, it is 'designed for all children' and 'teaches the basics of our faith in a comprehensive, loving and fun structure.' Sacramental Preparation registration is done in person at a Parent Meeting (dates published in the bulletin); paper forms are available in the churches and the parish office, and there is a $10 registration fee per child (cash, check, or online).
- Sunday Religious Education program for children
- Online and in-person registration options
- Sacramental Preparation through a parent-meeting process
- $10 per-child registration fee
Becoming Catholic — RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) welcomes both unbaptized catechumens and already-baptized candidates into the Catholic Church. The parish describes the process as one that 'addresses the life experiences and spiritual needs of the individual' and calls it 'an initial step in the lifelong journey of intellectual, emotional and spiritual conversion.' Those interested are invited to call the Pastoral Center (724-887-6321) or consult the Diocese of Greensburg website for more information.
- Welcomes catechumens (unbaptized) and candidates (already baptized)
- Multiple liturgical stages and rites
- Contact: Pastoral Center at 724-887-6321
Catechist Formation
Anyone who wishes to serve as a catechist in the parish must complete VIRTUS training, sign the diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct, secure Pennsylvania Child Services Law clearances, and complete the diocesan basic and permanent catechist certification program. Ongoing education opportunities are also offered by the diocese annually.
- Required: VIRTUS training and Code of Pastoral Conduct
- Required: PA Child Services Law clearances
- Required: Diocesan basic and permanent catechist certification
- Annual diocesan ongoing-education opportunities
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music Ministry for the partner parish is led by Music Director Jane Scott, who can be reached through the parish office.
- Music Director: Jane Scott
Sacraments
The parish prepares and celebrates the standard Roman Catholic sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Matrimony, and the Anointing of the Sick, together with the RCIA process for adults entering the Church. Sacramental preparation for First Communion / Confirmation is done in conjunction with the Faith Formation program and Parent Meetings.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (weekday & Sunday Masses)
- Matrimony (arranged through the Pastoral Center)
- Anointing of the Sick
- RCIA — see Becoming Catholic section
Parish Life & Facilities
The Pastoral Center at 416 Broadway Avenue in Scottdale serves as the administrative hub of the partner parish. The St. John the Baptist Social Hall (724-887-7013) and St. Joseph Social Hall (724-220-5321) are available for parish and community events.
- Pastoral Center: 416 Broadway Avenue, Scottdale
- St. John the Baptist Social Hall: 724-887-7013
- St. Joseph Social Hall: 724-220-5321
Contact & Office Hours
Parish office staff can be reached Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (the office is closed on Fridays). General inquiries go through the parish mailbox; specific matters should be directed to the relevant staff member listed on the contact page.
- Main phone: 724-887-6321 / 724-887-6714
- Fax: 724-887-6324
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; closed Friday
- General mailbox: [email protected]
Getting Involved & Bulletin
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to stay current through the parish bulletin (published on the website), which carries the Mass schedule, ministry announcements, and Faith Formation dates. Practical ways to get involved include the Faith Formation program (as a family or catechist), the Music Ministry, parish council and committee work through the partner parish structure, and ministry to the broader Connellsville-area Catholic community.
- Online weekly bulletin
- Volunteer as a catechist or substitute catechist
- Music Ministry participation
- Partner-parish council and committee work
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Michael Lambing1880s (founding era)
Listed as the founding pastor of St. John the Baptist and the priest who established the 1883 mission on Summit Street that became Mount Pleasant's parish.
- Rev. Elmer Alforque2019
Served as administrator of St. John the Baptist, Scottdale, and St. Joseph, Everson, with residence at the St. Joseph rectory.
- Very Rev. Paul A. LisikNovember 2019 – present
Bishop Edward C. Malesic appointed him pastor of the partner parishes effective Nov. 6, 2019. He subsequently also became pastor of multiple parishes in Connellsville and Mt. Pleasant.