About St. Joseph [Ruthenian] · Toronto, Ohio
St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic parish in Toronto, Ohio, founded on May 27, 1901 by Rusyn immigrants who had come to work in the coal and steel country of the Ohio Valley. The parish sits under the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (the Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris) and serves the faithful of Toronto together with the closely linked St. John the Baptist mission in Mingo Junction. The current church, built in traditional Byzantine style and dedicated on June 3, 1962, is the spiritual home of a small community that gathers Saturday evenings for the Divine Liturgy and works to preserve its Carpatho-Rusyn liturgical heritage.
- Established
- 1901
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Very Reverend David A. Bosnich
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris); geographically within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville.
Why belong here
St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church offers a tangible link to the Byzantine Ruthenian liturgical tradition that Rusyn immigrants brought to the Ohio Valley more than a century ago. Parishioners gather Saturday evenings for the Divine Liturgy and observe the Great Fast with the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts on Wednesdays and Fridays, all celebrated by Very Reverend David A. Bosnich in a church built in traditional Byzantine style. The small community keeps its heritage alive through feasts such as the December patron celebration with a covered-dish social, and works alongside its sister mission of St. John the Baptist in Mingo Junction.
Mass times at St. Joseph [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (per Discover Mass listing)
History of St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church
The parish traces its origins to the Rusyn immigrant community of the Ohio Valley at the turn of the twentieth century. Organized on May 27, 1901 through the initiative of St. Joseph Lodge No. 194 of the Greek Catholic Union and three lay leaders — John Demko, Joseph Feczko, and Michael Tulencik — it built its first church in 1902 and grew steadily through the steel and coal years. The current Byzantine-style church was dedicated in 1962, with the interior decoration finished in 1974.
- Organized May 27, 1901 by John Demko, Joseph Feczko, and Michael Tulencik under St. Joseph Lodge No. 194 of the Greek Catholic Union.
- First church building completed January 1902; altar installed a few months later; three bells placed in the tower.
- Rectory and a small school building begun before 1905.
- Fourteen priests served the parish between 1901 and 1925.
- Father John C. Muraida appointed pastor in 1935; church solemnly re-blessed July 12, 1942.
- Service flag dedicated in 1942 honoring more than 150 WWII servicemen.
- Outdoor statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven, erected and dedicated in 1952 as a veterans' memorial.
- Cornerstone of the present church placed July 2, 1961; church dedicated June 3, 1962.
- Small parish social center built on the grounds in 1963.
- Interior decoration completed in 1974 in Byzantine style as expressed by Rusyn Americans.
Architecture and Interior
The present church, dedicated in 1962, was designed in traditional Byzantine style with a more contemporary icon screen. Its interior, completed in 1974, showcases the liturgical art of the Byzantine tradition as it has been lived by Rusyn Catholics in America.
- Traditional Byzantine architectural style; more contemporary icon screen (iconostasis).
- Main altar of white marble with green veining, nearly square in form.
- Satin-finished bronze tabernacle and appointments.
- Baldacchino with arching lines and depictions of the choirs of angels.
- Icon of Christ Pantocrator dominates the center of the sanctuary wall.
- Main arch over the sanctuary displays the symbols of the twelve apostles and the words 'GOD IS WITH US.'
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
The parish is currently served by Very Reverend David A. Bosnich, who was appointed Administrator of both St. Joseph, Toronto and St. John the Baptist, Mingo Junction effective September 30, 2025. He was welcomed by the parish at a social after the October 18, 2025 Divine Liturgy and installed on October 25, 2025. He succeeds Father John J. Kapitan Jr., OFM, who retired after serving both parishes.
- Very Reverend David A. Bosnich — current Pastor/Administrator.
- Father John J. Kapitan Jr., OFM — previous pastor, retired effective September 30, 2025; bid farewell by the parish on September 20, 2025.
- Deacon Paul J. Simko Jr. — served as Administrator prior to September 30, 2025.
- Father John C. Muraida — pastor from 1935; led the renovations blessed in 1942.
Community and Heritage
Rooted in the Rusyn immigrant experience of the Ohio Valley, the parish continues to celebrate the Byzantine Catholic tradition and the patron feast of St. Joseph each year. The 1963 parish social center on the church grounds hosts covered-dish meals and other gatherings that bind the small faith community together.
- Patron feast of St. Joseph observed annually on December 27 with Divine Liturgy and covered-dish social in the church hall.
- Parish social center built on the church grounds in 1963.
- Historical link to St. Joseph Lodge No. 194 of the Greek Catholic Union.
- Shared ministry with St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Mingo Junction, Ohio.
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors may reach the rectory at (740) 537-1026. The parish's mailing address is 814 Fifth Street, Toronto, OH 43964. An alternate parish contact, Joseph Brem, may be reached at 604 N. River Avenue, Toronto, OH 43964, (740) 537-4578.
- Rectory phone: (740) 537-1026.
- Address: 814 Fifth Street, Toronto, OH 43964.
- Alternate contact: Joseph Brem, 604 N. River Avenue, Toronto, OH 43964, (740) 537-4578.
- Directions from Route 7: take the 4th Street exit, right off the ramp, right on 4th Street, right on Prospect — the parish and parking lot are visible from there.
- Listed on the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh parish directory and on Discover Mass.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John C. Muraida1935–(retired; long tenure through at least 1942 blessing)
Appointed pastor in 1935; led extensive interior and exterior renovations; solemn blessing of the redecorated church on July 12, 1942.
- Father John J. Kapitan Jr., OFMRetired effective September 30, 2025
Served as pastor of St. Joseph, Toronto and St. John, Mingo Junction; bid farewell by the parish on September 20, 2025.
- Deacon Paul J. Simko Jr.Administrator prior to September 30, 2025
Relieved as Administrator of St. Joseph, Toronto and St. John, Mingo Junction effective September 30, 2025.
- Very Reverend David A. BosnichEffective September 30, 2025–present
Relieved as Assistant Chancellor and assistant at Holy Ghost, Pittsburgh, and appointed Administrator of both parishes.