About St. Mary [Ruthenian] · Johnstown, Pennsylvania
St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church (formally the Holy Protection of St. Mary) is a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish in the historic Cambria City neighborhood of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, dedicated to Our Lady of the Patronage. Founded on October 7, 1895, by Father Hilarion Dzubay for immigrants from Eastern Slovakia, Hungary, and Western Ukraine who came to work in the steel mills, the parish belongs to the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and serves as a living showcase of Carpatho-Rusyn heritage in the Alleghenies. The present magnificent Byzantine Revival church, modeled on Constantinople's Hagia Sofia and seating 900, was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day 1922 and remains an architectural landmark on Power Street. Today the parish is pastored by Father Timothy Fariss and continues to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, run faith formation, and host beloved community events like the Cambria City Ethnic Festival.
- Established
- 1895
- Patron
- Our Lady of the Patronage (Holy Protection of the Mother of God)
- Rector
- Rev. Father Timothy Fariss
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris of Pittsburgh)
Why belong here
St. Mary offers a chance to worship in the Byzantine Catholic tradition — the Divine Liturgy sung in English with deep roots in the spirituality of the Eastern Christian Church — in one of the most architecturally stunning Ruthenian churches in the United States, a 900-seat Byzantine Revival landmark modeled on Constantinople's Hagia Sofia. The parish is a living piece of Carpatho-Rusyn heritage in Johnstown's historic Cambria City neighborhood, where families gather for Eastern Christian Formation on Tuesdays, Thursday evening Feast Day services, adult education, and the famous Labor Day Weekend Cambria City Ethnic Festival that draws visitors from around the world. Whether you are Byzantine Catholic, Roman Catholic, or simply curious about Eastern Christianity, you'll find a small, warm, tradition-rooted community ready to welcome you.
Mass times at St. Mary [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- One hour before all Divine Liturgies (Saturday 3:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM)
- By appointment (contact the rectory)
Parish History
St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church was founded on October 7, 1895 by Father Hilarion Dzubay as a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic parish for Carpatho-Rusyn, Eastern Slovak, Hungarian, and Western Ukrainian immigrants working in Johnstown's steel mills. The first wooden church quickly proved too small; a larger brick church was built in 1901, and by 1918 a third — and far grander — church was planned. The present Byzantine Revival church, modeled on Constantinople's Hagia Sofia and seating 900, was designed by Pittsburgh architect John T. Comes and dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, November 30, 1922. The parish survived both the Johnstown floods of 1936 and 1977, ran St. Mary Parochial School from 1938 to 1993 under the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, and added a new school building, auditorium, and rectory in 1961.
- Founded: October 7, 1895 by Father Hilarion Dzubay
- First church: wooden, cornerstone blessed October 13, 1895
- Second church: brick, 1901
- Third (present) church: dedicated November 30, 1922; seats 900
- Architect: John T. Comes of Pittsburgh
- Sister school: Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, 1938–1993
- Survived Johnstown floods of 1936 and 1977
Architecture & Building
The current St. Mary church is one of the most striking examples of Byzantine Revival architecture in the United States. Designed by Pittsburgh architect John T. Comes and modeled on the ancient Hagia Sofia in Constantinople, it features a domed Greek cross floor plan with equal arms, three domes topped with lanterns (two flanking the entrance and a larger central dome), round-arched windows circling the dome, intricate exterior brick patterning, floral capitals, porthole openings in the towers, a tiled roof, and large vaulted ceilings inside. The result, when sunlight pours through the dome windows, is described by visitors as 'magical.'
- Style: Byzantine Revival
- Plan: domed Greek cross
- Capacity: 900 worshippers
- Architect: John T. Comes (Pittsburgh)
- Materials: brick, stone, tile
- Status: Active parish church
Clergy & Leadership
St. Mary has been served by a succession of Ruthenian priests since 1895. After 28 years of faithful service, Monsignor Raymond A. Balta retired from active ministry on July 31, 2024. On August 1, 2024, Father Timothy Fariss — ordained to the priesthood on April 7, 2024 by Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla — was assigned as the new administrator of the parish. Father Timothy grew up near Philadelphia, graduated from West Chester University in 2012 with a degree in accounting, served as director of finance at LaSalle University, entered the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pittsburgh in 2016, and graduated in 2020. He and his wife Kolby were married in July 2023; their first son, Cassian, was born in May 2024.
- Current pastor: Father Timothy Fariss (since August 1, 2024)
- Previous pastor: Monsignor Raymond A. Balta (28 years, retired July 31, 2024)
- Founder: Father Hilarion Dzubay (1895)
- Ecclesiastical superior: Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla of Pittsburgh
Divine Liturgy & Holy Mysteries
St. Mary celebrates the Byzantine Catholic Divine Liturgy (the Ruthenian equivalent of the Roman Mass) on Saturdays at 4:00 PM and Sundays at 10:00 AM. Additional weekday and Feast Day services are held on Thursdays at 6:00 PM and on the calendar's Holy Days. Confessions are heard one hour before every Divine Liturgy (Saturday 3:00 PM, Sunday 9:00 AM) or by appointment. Arrangements for Marriage (the Crowning) and Anointing of the Sick are made by contacting the rectory.
- Saturday Divine Liturgy: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM
- Thursday Feast Day services: 6:00 PM
- Confessions: one hour before each Divine Liturgy, or by appointment
- Marriage (Crowning): by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick: by appointment
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) for children on Tuesdays at 4:30 PM, September through May. An Adult Education program supplements the children's catechesis — parishioners are directed to consult the weekly bulletin for current offerings. The parish website also curates resources on the Byzantine Catholic Church's 2,000-year history, spirituality, ascetics, and sacred Tradition, plus Family Life links for parents who want to make their homes 'domestic churches' — including the Synaxarion (lives of the saints), guided story time, children's publications, festal recipes, crafts, and liturgical-living activities.
- Eastern Christian Formation (ECF): Tuesdays 4:30 PM, Sept–May
- Adult Education: consult the bulletin
- Family Life resources: Synaxarion, kids' story time, festal recipes, crafts
Community Life & Events
St. Mary is the heart of the Cambria City neighborhood's ethnic and cultural life. The parish's signature event is the Cambria City Ethnic Festival on Labor Day Weekend, a free community celebration featuring church tours, ethnic foods, music and dance, and contemporary fare, drawing visitors from around the United States and the world. From May through September the parish hosts Jazz Along the River on the fourth Friday of each month — a summer concert series set against the backdrop of the church. The parish also maintains a STEM park alongside the historic Morrell school building.
- Cambria City Ethnic Festival: Labor Day Weekend (e.g., August 29–31, 2025)
- Jazz Along the River: every 4th Friday, May through September
- Thursday 6 PM Feast Day services
- Pentecost celebration
Parish School (Historical)
St. Mary Parochial School opened in September 1938 under the guidance of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, who took over a convent building acquired for the purpose. For 54 years the school formed generations of Byzantine Catholic children in the Cambria City neighborhood. In 1961 a new school building, an auditorium, and a rectory were added to the campus. The school ultimately closed in 1993, but the Morrell school building still stands on parish grounds and is part of the parish's maintenance and outreach efforts today.
- Opened: September 1938
- Staffed by: Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great
- New school building, auditorium, and rectory: 1961
- Closed: 1993 (after 54 years)
Giving & Stewardship
The parish accepts online donations through Tithe.ly, a Christian-based online giving platform. Donations support the maintenance of the church, the historic Morrell school building, and the STEM park, as well as future projects for evangelization, education, and spiritual growth.
- Online giving platform: Tithe.ly
- Supports: church maintenance, Morrell school building, STEM park
Jurisdiction & Affiliations
Although geographically located within the territory of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown, St. Mary is an Eastern Catholic (Ruthenian/Byzantine) parish and belongs to the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, part of the Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris of Pittsburgh headed by Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla. The parish identifies as Byzantine Catholic and celebrates the Divine Liturgy in English following the Ruthenian liturgical tradition.
- Jurisdiction: Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian)
- Metropolitan: Archbishop William C. Skurla
- Geographical location: Roman Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown
- Rite: Byzantine (Ruthenian)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Hilarion Dzubay1895 (founder)
Founded the parish on October 7, 1895 as a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic mission for Carpatho-Rusyn, Eastern Slovak, Hungarian, and Western Ukrainian immigrants.
- Monsignor Raymond A. BaltaApproximately 1996 – July 31, 2024
Served as pastor of St. Mary for 28 years; retired from active ministry in summer 2024 after being relieved by Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla.
- Father Timothy FarissAugust 1, 2024 – present
Ordained to the priesthood on April 7, 2024 by Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla; assigned as administrator of St. Mary on August 1, 2024.