About St. Joseph · Uniontown, Pennsylvania
St. Joseph Parish in Uniontown, Pennsylvania is a vibrant Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Greensburg, founded in 1903 for Polish-speaking immigrants, many of whom were coal miners in the Appalachian Basin of Fayette County. Today, although still recognized as a national parish of Polish heritage, it serves roughly 650 families of varied ethnic backgrounds from its 19-acre campus in South Union Township. The parish offers weekend and weekday Mass, Eucharistic adoration, confession, a parish school legacy (1907–1970), a cemetery in Hopwood, and a broad slate of ministries including the Holy Name Society, Christian Mothers, the Secular Franciscan Order, and a St. Vincent de Paul outreach.
- Established
- 1903
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Reverend Innocent Noronm Orduah (Parochial Vicar pro tem for St. Joseph and the other Southern Fayette partner parishes as of January 2025)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
St. Joseph welcomes about 650 families of varied backgrounds to a historic, 19-acre campus in South Union Township with step-free access and 221 parking spaces (22 accessible). Parishioners can attend Sunday Mass at 7:30 AM or 10:00 AM, weekday Mass Tuesday–Thursday at 7:00 AM, and Wednesday Eucharistic adoration from 2–6 PM with confessions from 5–5:45 PM. With a deep bench of ministries — Holy Name Society, Christian Mothers, Secular Franciscan Order, St. Vincent de Paul, Ladies of Charity, Salt 'n Light, Vacation Bible School, youth ministry, and more — there are many ways to grow in faith and serve.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday, 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Adoration times
- Wednesday, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Adoration / Private Prayer)
Parish History
St. Joseph Parish was established in 1903 to serve Polish-speaking immigrants in Uniontown, with the first Mass celebrated in August 1903 at the old St. John Church and the first parish church built on South Mount Vernon Avenue. The cornerstone was blessed October 1, 1905, and over the next century the parish expanded with a school (1907–1970), a cemetery in Hopwood (1916), and the present-day church on a 19-acre campus in South Union Township (1974). Seven pastors have led the parish, with Monsignor Michael W. Matusak serving as Administrator since July 1, 2015.
- 1903 — Approval for new Polish parish in Uniontown
- 1905 — Cornerstone blessing for first church
- 1907 — St. Joseph School opens; rectory built
- 1916 — Cemetery land purchased in Hopwood
- 1951 — Diocese of Greensburg created
- 1970 — St. Joseph School closes
- 1974 — Present church completed on 19-acre site
- 2005 — 100th anniversary celebration
Parish Ministries
St. Joseph Parish maintains a deep roster of lay ministries — both liturgical (Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Music Ministry, Ushers) and pastoral or social (Homebound, Bereavement, Sponsor Couple, Art and Environment, Pastoral and Finance Councils). Long-standing devotional societies include the Christian Mothers and the Holy Name Society, while newer or outreach-oriented groups include Salt 'n Light, Ladies of Charity, Catholic Men's Group, Prayer Blanket Makers, and the Secular Franciscan Order.
- Christian Mothers (founded 1954)
- Holy Name Society
- Secular Franciscan Order
- St. Vincent de Paul Volunteer
- Ladies of Charity
- Catholic Men's Group
- Salt 'n Light
- Prayer Blanket Makers
- Music, Hospitality, Homebound, Bereavement, Video Ministry
Faith Formation & Youth
Catechists and volunteer substitutes staff the parish's Religious Education program for children, with classes beginning in October. The parish also runs Youth Ministry, Vacation Bible School, and Adult Bible Studies, and supports a Catholic Men's Group for ongoing faith formation beyond the classroom.
- Catechists (Religious Education / CCD)
- Youth Ministry
- Vacation Bible School
- Adult Bible Studies
- Catholic Men's Group
Partner Parishes — Roman Catholic Churches of Southern Fayette
St. Joseph worships and ministers alongside other Southern Fayette County parishes sharing clergy and resources under the Roman Catholic Churches of Southern Fayette banner. Together they coordinate Mass schedules, confession times, adoration, faith formation, and pastoral care across the region.
- St. Mary (Nativity), Uniontown
- Ss. Cyril & Methodius, Fairchance
- St. Hubert, Point Marion
- St. Joan of Arc, Farmington
- St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus, Uniontown
- St. John the Evangelist, Uniontown
- St. Francis of Assisi, Masontown
Visiting & Contact
Parishioners and visitors may contact the parish office by phone at (724) 437-3927 or by email at [email protected]. The parish shares office hours with the Uniontown grouping (Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Friday 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM) and is staffed by a team of three or more priests who rotate across the partner parishes.
- Phone: (724) 437-3927
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: stjosephuniontown.org / faysouth.org/st-joseph
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9–4, Fri 9–3:30
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Boleslaus Pawlowski1906–1924
First pastor; oversaw rectory (1907), school opening (1907), school/convent (1914), cemetery land purchase (1916)
- Rev. John Rokosz1924–1943
Second pastor; built second school/social hall, renovated church, enlarged convent, established first parochial kindergarten in the area
- Rev. Charles Kobylarz1943–1964
Third pastor; Christian Mothers founded, Diocese of Greensburg created (1951) during his tenure
- Rev. John Kaczmarczyk1964–1984
Fourth pastor; school closed (1970), present church built (1974); died 1984
- Rev. Joseph Tamilowski1984–1994
Fifth pastor; interior painted, parking lots rebuilt, handicap restrooms added, special Eucharistic ministers permitted, Happy Helens Social Club founded; died 1994
- Rev. Alexander L. Pleben1994–2005
Sixth pastor; parish grew to ~700 families, volunteers tripled, 100th-anniversary dinner held October 2, 2005
- Rev. Ronald L. Simboli2010–2015
Seventh pastor; retired July 1, 2015
- Rev. Msgr. Michael W. Matusak2015–present
Named Administrator on July 1, 2015 while continuing as pastor of St. Therese, Little Flower of Jesus and administrator of Ss. Cyril & Methodius and St. Hubert parishes