About St. Mary · Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania
Saint Mary Parish is a Roman Catholic faith community in the small Blacklick Valley borough of Nanty Glo, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Founded in 1902 as a mission offshoot of Immaculate Conception Parish in Vintondale, the parish was built by European immigrant coal miners and is known throughout the region for its striking stained-glass windows, which tell two intertwined stories — the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the lower panels and patron saints of the immigrants' homelands in the upper panels. The parish is currently administered by Franciscan Friar (T.O.R.) Father Kevin Queally and is supported by Deacon James J. Janosik and a dedicated staff and volunteer committee structure.
- Established
- 1902
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary (officially referenced as Our Lady of the Assumption)
- Rector
- Rev. Kevin M. Queally, T.O.R. (Administrator, Franciscan Friars)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
Why belong here
Saint Mary's offers the warmth of a small, multi-generational Catholic community in the heart of the Blacklick Valley, with daily Mass, a strong music program, and a Franciscan-TOR pastor committed to welcoming every visitor. The parish is deeply rooted in outreach — running the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, supporting the Interfaith Community Food Pantry, and providing direct Christian Service help to parishioners in need. Its unique stained-glass windows, the visible legacy of the immigrant families who built the parish, make Saint Mary's a place where every Mass is celebrated in a setting that visibly honors the universal Church.
Mass times at St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 8:00 AM
- Saturday 3:30–4:15 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday 7:30 AM
Welcome and Mission
Saint Mary Parish describes itself as 'A Catholic Faith Community' and lives by an explicitly Franciscan welcome. The parish mission statement, written in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, extends an open invitation: 'No matter what your present or past status in the Catholic Church, no matter what your current family or marital situation, no matter what your past or present religious affiliation, no matter what your personal history, age, background, race, or color, you are invited, welcomed, accepted and loved here at Saint Mary's Church.' It is signed by Fr. Kevin, T.O.R., Deacon Jim, and the parish staff.
- Welcoming Franciscan-TOR parish
- Mission statement grounded in the words of St. Francis of Assisi: 'May the Lord give you peace.'
Our Church History
The parish's history page preserves a richly illustrated timeline. Saint Mary's grew out of the 1902 mission established in Nanty Glo by Immaculate Conception Parish in Vintondale to serve European immigrant miners in the Blacklick Valley. A small wooden-frame church was built in 1903; a brick church replaced it on Caroline Street in 1915. The post-WWII boom brought a 1955 expansion, the ceiling lights of which are still in use, and the spin-off of St. John Vianney Parish in Mundy's Corner. After 1984 structural damage, Mass moved to the Nanty Glo Fire Hall until Easter 1987, when the rebuilt church reopened with the 1915 interior — pews, altar, windows, and both choir lofts — carefully salvaged.
- 1902 — mission church formed in Nanty Glo from Immaculate Conception, Vintondale
- 1903 — first wooden-frame church built on Roberts Street
- 1915 — brick church built on Caroline Street
- 1955 — post-WWII expansion; second choir loft added
- 1984 — structural damage; Mass relocated to Nanty Glo Fire Hall
- 1987 (Easter Sunday) — first liturgy in the rebuilt church
The Stained-Glass Windows of St. Mary's
The parish's own published guide, 'The Windows of St. Mary's,' explains that the windows are designed to do two things at once. The lower, larger portion of each window tells the story of the Blessed Virgin Mary — her earthly life, her apparitions through the ages, and her Assumption into Heaven. The upper portion of each window depicts a saint, more often than not the patron of the immigrant homeland that built the parish, so that the parish 'fathers apparently retained their ethnic origin with the upper part of each window — separate, but together as one worshipping community.' One window in particular is said to identify who the parish is, depicting the Assumption of Mary and underscoring the parish's official title as 'St. ___ of the Assumption Parish.' The Feast of the Assumption, August 15, is highlighted in the window documentation as central to the parish's Marian identity.
- Lower panels: scenes from the life of Mary, including her Assumption
- Upper panels: patron saints of the immigrants' homelands
- Window series illustrates the parish's multi-ethnic Catholic identity
Parish Staff and Clergy
Saint Mary's is led by Franciscan Friar Father Kevin M. Queally, T.O.R., who serves as Parish Administrator. Father Kevin, originally from Yonkers, New York, was educated at St. Francis College (now University) in Loretto, Pennsylvania, studied theology at St. Francis Seminary in Loretto, and was ordained to the Catholic priesthood for the Franciscans in 1977. He later earned an M.A. in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame and has served in high school and college teaching, hospital ministry, college chaplaincy, the Order's General Curia in Rome, and decades of work with the Secular Franciscan Order — including as a national spiritual assistant and past president of the Conference of National Spiritual Assistants to the OFS. He is assisted at St. Mary's by Deacon James J. Janosik, Financial Secretary Mary Frances Setz, and part-time secretary Deb Hines.
- Rev. Kevin M. Queally, T.O.R. — Administrator
- Deacon James J. Janosik
- Mary Frances Setz — Financial Secretary
- Deb Hines — Part-Time Secretary
Sacraments
The parish website explains its preparation processes for the three major initiation and vocation sacraments. Parents are asked to call the rectory early in pregnancy to arrange Pre-Baptism Classes (especially for a first child) and the Baptism itself; families must be registered and active parishioners. Couples planning a wedding must contact the parish at least nine months in advance, attend Diocesan-sponsored Pre-Cana sessions, and complete the FOCCUS inventory, in line with diocesan directives. Adults seeking full communion with the Catholic Church are invited into the parish RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), which prepares candidates for the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation.
- Baptism — Pre-Baptism Classes, registered/active membership required
- Marriage — 9-month notice, Pre-Cana and FOCCUS required
- RCIA — adult initiation into the Catholic Church
Music Ministry
Music at Saint Mary's is provided by a small, dedicated team of volunteer musicians that serves every weekend Mass and funerals. The Folk Choir, under Bill Kanich, typically sings at the Saturday Vigil; organist and vocalist Mary Frances Shedlock leads the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass; the Contemporary Choir, directed by Ray Becker, leads the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass; and the Funeral Choir, directed by Mary Frances Shedlock, ministers at funeral liturgies. Anyone wishing to join Music Ministry is invited to contact a director or call the rectory.
- Folk Choir — Bill Kanich (Saturday Vigil)
- Organist/Vocalist — Mary Frances Shedlock (Sunday 8:00 AM)
- Contemporary Choir — Ray Becker (Sunday 10:30 AM)
- Funeral Choir — Mary Frances Shedlock
Religious Education and Faith Formation
Faith formation for the parish's children is provided through a collaborative arrangement with neighboring parishes. Elementary CCD classes are held at Saint John Vianney's Church under the direction of Sister Karen Gruseck. High school students from St. Mary's in grades 9, 10, and 11 are enrolled in the High School and Confirmation Preparation Program at Holy Name Church in Ebensburg. Parishioners with questions about enrollment or the process are directed to the rectory at (814) 749-9103.
- Elementary CCD — St. John Vianney's Church, Sister Karen Gruseck
- High School / Confirmation Prep (grades 9–11) — Holy Name Church, Ebensburg
- Church Hall Rental available
Parish Committees and Councils
Saint Mary's is governed through a network of standing committees that support the pastor in liturgy, finance, pastoral planning, property upkeep, and cemetery care. The Liturgy Committee (Tom Bracken, Rosemary Conzo, Karen Janosik, Betsy McDermott, Stan Popich, Mary Frances Shedlock, Faith Wiegman) plans and implements liturgical activities. The Finance Committee, chaired by Michaela Markovich with members Bill Dunchuck, Morine Long, Jerry Simmons, Lynn Stock, and Carole Verba, audits and oversees the parish's finances. The Parish Pastoral Council, chaired by Rick Kline, with co-chair Dan Hoover, secretary Jonnette Lickert, and members Joe Jackens, Larry Kupchella, Judy Mulato, John Ostinowsky, Cindy Simmons, and Barbara Unchapher, assists the pastor in setting parish goals. The Maintenance Committee is chaired by Dan Hoover.
- Liturgy Committee
- Finance Committee — Chair: Michaela Markovich
- Parish Pastoral Council — Chair: Rick Kline
- Maintenance Committee — Chair: Dan Hoover
Cemeteries
Saint Mary's Parish is responsible for two cemeteries in the area. St. Mary's Cemetery is located on Cardiff Road in Nanty Glo; St. Charles Cemetery is on Church Street in Twin Rocks. Inquiries about guidelines, availability, and maintenance for St. Mary's should be directed to Rick Agagliati at (814) 254-7620; for St. Charles, contact Mike Pisarcik at (814) 659-4393.
- St. Mary's Cemetery — Cardiff Road, Nanty Glo
- St. Charles Cemetery — Church Street, Twin Rocks
- St. Mary's Committee: Suzanne Conzo, Christopher Holub, Suzan Popich, Perry Sheesley, Debra Snedden, Joseph Villa, Jr.
- St. Charles Committee: Brenda Cassol-Turous, Larry Kupchella, Thomas Mesoras, Wayne Nazarak
Community Outreach and Charity
Outreach is a major part of parish life. The Interfaith Community Food Pantry, located at 625 Simmons Lane, Mundy's Corner (in the parking lot of St. John Vianney's Church), is supported by the parish and the Conemaugh Ministerium; it serves Jackson Township, Mundy's Corner, Nanty Glo, East Taylor and Middle Taylor Townships, Belsano, Twin Rocks (Blacklick Township), Vintondale, Strongstown to the Indiana county line, and Conemaugh to the Johnstown City line. Distribution is the fourth Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM, with registration beginning at 9:00 AM. The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store provides quality clothing, housewares, and emergency financial support, and St. Mary's Christian Service offers direct help to parishioners in need (call the rectory at ext. 6). The parish also supports the Knights of Columbus and a Eucharistic Ministry that brings Communion to the sick and shut-in.
- Interfaith Community Food Pantry — 625 Simmons Lane, Mundy's Corner; 4th Saturday, 10:00 AM (phone 814-242-7910, [email protected])
- St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store — clothing, housewares, emergency financial help
- St. Mary's Christian Service — direct aid to parishioners in need
- Knights of Columbus council
- Eucharistic Ministry to the sick and shut-in