About St. Mary of Czestochowa · New Kensington, Pennsylvania
St. Mary of Czestochowa is a Roman Catholic parish at 857 Kenneth Avenue in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, founded in 1893 by Polish immigrants who came to industrialize and farm the Allegheny River valley. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Greensburg and today is part of the New Kensington Catholic Community (NKCC), a three-parish collaboration with St. Joseph and Mount St. Peter parishes. The parish's current church building was constructed in 1911–1912, and after suffering devastating damage from an EF-1 tornado on April 8, 2020 (during Holy Week of the COVID-19 pandemic), the 109-year-old church was carefully restored and reopened for worship on November 27, 2022.
- Established
- 1893
- Patron
- Our Lady of Czestochowa (the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Czestochowa)
- Rector
- Rev. Daniel L. Blout (per the parish's current Pastor/Priest page)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Greensburg
Why belong here
St. Mary of Czestochowa is a more than 130-year-old parish with deep Polish-American Catholic roots that has grown into a diverse, multi-ethnic community of faith in the New Kensington area. Members are formed in the sacramental life of the Church — daily and Sunday Mass, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, infant baptism, marriage prep, and OCIA — and serve together in long-standing societies such as the St. Mary Holy Name Society (since 1953) and the Confraternity of Christian Mothers & Ladies' Aide Society (since the 1940s). Joining the parish means becoming part of the broader New Kensington Catholic Community, which offers a vibrant youth ministry, regional faith formation, and meaningful outreach like the Mount St. Peter food pantry serving more than 300 families a month.
Mass times at St. Mary of Czestochowa
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (at Mount Saint Peter Parish, 100 Freeport Road, as listed on the NKCC sacrament schedule)
Parish History
St. Mary of Czestochowa traces its roots to 1892, when a small group of Polish immigrant families in the New Kensington area asked Father Ladislaus Miskiewicz of St. Adalbert Church in Pittsburgh to help them found a parish where they could worship in their own language. He guided them in forming the Society of Our Lady of Czestochowa, and in 1893 the Diocese of Pittsburgh assigned Father Henry Cichocki as the first resident pastor. A small frame church was built on two donated lots on Kenneth Avenue, and the parish grew quickly, adding basement classrooms for a school within three years.
- 1892 – Polish immigrant families approach Father Ladislaus Miskiewicz of St. Adalbert Church, Pittsburgh
- 1893 – Society of Our Lady of Czestochowa formed; two Kenneth Avenue lots donated by Burrell Improvement Company
- November 1893 – Father Henry Cichocki named first resident pastor (63 families, 259 parishioners at first report)
- 1911–1912 – Present church constructed under Fathers Francis Pikulski and Francis Poszukanis
- 1913 – Felician Sisters of Coraopolis invited to staff the school
- 1914 – Fire destroys old church and rectory; new rectory and eight-classroom school built
- 1922 – School dedicated; 1927 – Cemetery land acquired under Father Anthony Baron
- 1957 – Present rectory built under Father Edward Sierocki
- 1993 – Centennial year: organ expanded, sound system replaced, interior redecorated, brickwork repointed under Father Thaddeus J. Kaczmarek
- 1994 – Parish school closes due to insufficient enrollment
- April 8, 2020 – EF-1 tornado damages the 109-year-old church during Holy Week / COVID-19 lockdown
- March 30, 2021 – Bishop Larry J. Kulick authorizes restoration
- November 27, 2022 – Reopening Mass celebrated by Bishop Kulick
Architecture, Altars & Campus
The present church was constructed in 1911–1912 to replace the small 1893 frame church. Its twin bell towers house the original bell (South tower) and a second bell from a different foundry (North tower). Inside, the parish treasures hand-carved imported wooden altars and ceiling murals — both of which survived the 2020 tornado with little damage — along with stained-glass windows that also remained largely intact. The campus includes the rectory (built 1957), the former eight-classroom school and convent, a cemetery acquired in 1927, and Friendship Hall, where parish societies meet.
- Twin bell towers with original (South) and second (North) bells
- Hand-carved imported wooden altars — preserved through the 2020 tornado
- Stained-glass windows — largely undamaged by the 2020 tornado
- Ceiling murals — largely intact after the tornado
- Parish cemetery (acquired 1927 under Father Anthony Baron)
- Friendship Hall — meeting space for the Holy Name Society and Christian Mothers
2020 Tornado & Restoration
In the early morning hours of April 8, 2020, an EF-1 tornado with winds up to 100 mph traveled about four miles from Frazer into New Kensington, peeling off one side of the church roof, dropping debris in the street, and severely damaging one of the two bell towers. The storm produced $2.6–3 million in damage, and the church was closed for more than two years during restoration. Crews from Volpatt Construction, Harris Masonry, and David M. Maines Roofing installed a new roof, rebuilt the damaged bell tower, and carefully restored the historic interior.
- April 8, 2020 – EF-1 tornado strikes during Holy Week of COVID-19 lockdown
- Damage estimated at $2.6–3 million
- Immediate response led by Msgr. Michael J. Begolly: temporary roof, dehumidifiers, interior protected with plastic
- March 30, 2021 – Bishop Larry J. Kulick announces restoration can begin
- Father Kenneth G. Zaccagnini named bishop's liaison for restoration
- August 26, 2022 (Feast of St. Mary of Czestochowa) – Diocese announces church safe for occupancy
- November 27, 2022 – Reopening Mass at 1 p.m. celebrated by Bishop Kulick
Parish Societies & Fellowship
St. Mary's is home to two long-standing lay societies that meet in Friendship Hall on the parish grounds. The St. Mary Holy Name Society, founded in 1953, gathers men of the parish to support one another's spiritual lives through a Scriptural Rosary, adult altar serving, Holy Thursday church walks, Sacred Heart altar candle devotion, and providing Catholic prayer booklets in the pews. The Confraternity of Christian Mothers & Ladies' Aide Society, in existence since the 1940s, brings women together to support Christian home education, encourage mothers, and assist the parish's educational and charitable efforts under the patronage of the Mother of Sorrows.
- St. Mary Holy Name Society — meets First Monday, 6:00 p.m., Friendship Hall; contact Edward Bloch via the parish office
- Confraternity of Christian Mothers & Ladies' Aide Society — meets Second Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., Friendship Hall; contact Adele Perdeus (724-335-1254)
- Officers of the Christian Mothers: President Adele Perdeus, Vice-President Rita Sieczkowski, Treasurer Kathleen Lucci, Recording Secretary Diane Rupert, Correspondence Secretary Linda Novak; National Director Father Joseph Tuscan, OFM Capuchin
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
The parish offers lifelong faith formation for children, youth, and adults, coordinated across the New Kensington Catholic Community. Timothy Ruflin serves as Regional Director of Faith Formation & Discipleship, while Heather Hensley serves as Regional Director of Youth Formation & Discipleship and Pastoral Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministries. The youth ministry program ('called to be saints') serves middle schoolers (grades 6–8) and high schoolers (grades 9–12) and includes Confirmation preparation for 8th graders and a CORE Team of teen leaders.
- Middle School Youth Ministry (Grades 6–8) — meets Wednesday evenings at St. Margaret Mary Parish
- High School Youth Ministry (Grades 9–12) — meets Sunday evenings (monthly) at St. Margaret Mary Parish
- Confirmation preparation for 8th graders
- CORE Team — teen leadership group
- Flocknote sign-up (text NKCC to 84576) for youth ministry communications
- Lower Burrell/New Kensington Young Adult Ministry (ages 20–40) — Theology on Tap evenings at local venues like Ash Taphouse
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry at St. Mary of Czestochowa is coordinated as part of the New Kensington Catholic Community. Mr. George Pecoraro serves as Music Minister for St. Mary of Czestochowa Parish, working with cantors and instrumentalists to support the sung liturgy at Sunday and weekday Masses.
- Music Minister for St. Mary of Czestochowa — Mr. George Pecoraro ([email protected], 724-335-9877 ext. 6202)
- Parish-wide Music Ministry Team: Mary Murphy (St. Margaret Mary), David Leo (Mt. St. Peter), Diane Painter (St. Joseph), George Pecoraro (St. Mary), and Will Smith (St. Joseph)
Clergy & Staff
St. Mary of Czestochowa is pastored as part of the New Kensington Catholic Community, with priests serving across the three parishes. The parish's current Pastor/Priest page lists Father Daniel L. Blout as Pastor, with Father Anthony Cortado as Parochial Vicar Pro-Tem, Father Rodolfo (Rody) P. Mejia, Jr., and Father Elpidio (Bimbot) Alcontin as Parochial Vicars. An April 2025 parish bulletin also lists Rev. Joel A. Sayson as Parochial Vicar and Rev. John Moineau as Pastoral Supply, with Rev. Kenneth G. Zaccagnini, V.F., named as pastor. Pastoral and support staff include Heather Hensley (Youth), Timothy Ruflin (Faith Formation), George Pecoraro (Music), William Staniszewski (Business Manager), Rebecca Planavsky (Secretary for St. Mary), and Michael Discello (Safe Environment Coordinator).
- Rev. Daniel L. Blout — Pastor (per current NKCC Pastor/Priest page)
- Rev. Anthony Cortado — Parochial Vicar Pro-Tem
- Rev. Rodolfo (Rody) P. Mejia, Jr. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Elpidio (Bimbot) Alcontin — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Joel A. Sayson — Parochial Vicar (April 2025 bulletin)
- Rev. John Moineau — Pastoral Supply (April 2025 bulletin)
- Rev. Kenneth G. Zaccagnini, V.F. — Pastor (April 2025 bulletin); pastor of the three New Kensington parishes from July 2021; bishop's liaison for restoration
- Heather Hensley — Regional Director of Youth Formation & Discipleship ([email protected], ext. 6206)
- Timothy Ruflin — Regional Director of Faith Formation & Discipleship ([email protected], ext. 6322)
- George Pecoraro — Music Minister for St. Mary ([email protected], ext. 6202)
- William Staniszewski — Business Manager ([email protected], ext. 6203)
- Rebecca Planavsky — Secretary for St. Mary ([email protected])
- Michael Discello — Safe Environment Coordinator ([email protected])
- Fil Matuszewski — Financial Secretary (EFT/WeShare questions)
New Kensington Catholic Community (NKCC)
Since 2008 diocesan restructuring, St. Mary of Czestochowa has shared pastoral leadership with St. Joseph Parish (New Kensington) and Mount Saint Peter Parish as the New Kensington Catholic Community (NKCC). All parish business — registration, sacramental preparation, bulletin submissions — is handled at the central NKCC Parish Office, 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA 15068. The community is guided by an NKCC Pastoral Council, which works with the pastor to identify needs and set a vision for the next five to ten years.
- St. Mary of Czestochowa — 857 Kenneth Avenue, New Kensington, PA 15068 (Office: 724-335-8212)
- St. Joseph Parish — New Kensington, PA (Office: 724-337-6412)
- Mount Saint Peter Parish — 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA 15068 (Office: 724-335-9877)
- Central NKCC Parish Office: 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA 15068
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (per bulletin: Mon–Thu 9–5, Fri 9–4)
- NKCC Pastoral Council members include Fr. Kenneth Zaccagnini, Fr. Elpidio (Bimbot) Alcontin, Fr. Joel Sayson, and Bill Staniszewski among others
Stewardship, Giving & Outreach
Parishioners can support St. Mary of Czestochowa through weekly offertory envelopes, Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) from a checking or savings account, and online donations through WeShare. Proceeds from parish fundraisers — including the St. Mary Christian Mothers Raffle and similar events — support parish operations and outreach, including the Mount St. Peter food pantry, which serves more than 300 families a month with food and community outreach ministries.
- EFT form (recurring donation from checking/savings) — mail to NKCC Parish Office, 100 Freeport Road
- WeShare online giving (debit/credit card) via the parish's WeShare page
- Questions about giving: Fil Matuszewski, Financial Secretary, via the NKCC office
- St. Mary Christian Mothers Raffle (e.g., May 1–31, 2025) — tickets $10; contact Charlotte at 724-889-3284
- Mount St. Peter Food Pantry — serves 300+ families a month with food and community outreach
Joining the Parish & Contact
New parishioners are warmly welcomed at St. Mary of Czestochowa. To register, parishioners can print and complete the parish registration form and mail it to the NKCC Parish Office (100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, PA 15068) or place it in the Sunday collection basket. A welcome letter follows with an invitation to meet with one of the priests and be introduced to the parish staff. Information about becoming a member of the Church (e.g., through OCIA) can be obtained by calling 724-335-9877.
- Registration form available on the parish website; mail or drop in collection basket
- Welcome meeting arranged with a parish priest (Fr. Dan mentioned in parish materials)
- For OCIA, marriage prep, or baptism prep: call 724-335-9877
- Bulletin archive available at newkensingtoncatholic.org/bulletin-archives
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Henry Cichocki1893 –
First resident pastor assigned by the Diocese of Pittsburgh in November 1893; reported 63 families and 259 parishioners in the first annual report.
- Father Anthony Baron–
Acquired land for the present parish cemetery in 1927.
- Father Casimir Orlemanski1942 –
Began the grand task of liquidating the parish debt; added an addition to the convent.
- Father Edward Sierocki1957 –
Oversaw the building of the present rectory.
- Father Anthony Wozniak1970s
Undertook a major church renovation.
- Father Thaddeus J. Kaczmarek1986 –
Led the parish through its centennial year, 1993; organ expanded, new sound system, interior redecorated, exterior brickwork repointed.
- Father Richard P. Karenbauer1997–2010
Pastor 1997–2008, then administrator 2008–2010; another interior repaint/recarpet, statues refurbished, organ facade pipes repainted, altars cleaned and regilded.
- Father Alan W. Grote2008 –
Named part-time parochial vicar in October 2008 after diocesan restructuring partnered St. Mary with St. Joseph.
- Father John S. Szczesny2010 –
A 'parish son' named administrator in 2010.
- Father Daniel Ulishney2013 –
Appointed Parochial Vicar in 2013.
- Father Gregorio de la Cruz Soldevilla2016–2018
Served as Parochial Vicar.
- Father Rodel Molina2018 –
Began service as Parochial Vicar in 2018.
- Msgr. Michael J. Begolly, D.Min.July 2019 –
Became pastor in July 2019; oversaw the immediate response and protection of the church after the April 2020 tornado.
- Father Segundino Laude2021 –
Joined as Parochial Vicar in 2021.
- Father Kenneth G. Zaccagnini, V.F.July 2021 –
Installed in July 2021 as pastor of the three New Kensington parishes (St. Mary, St. Joseph, Mt. St. Peter); also served as bishop's liaison for the post-tornado restoration.