About St. Michael [Ruthenian] · Donora, Pennsylvania
Saint Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Byzantine rite) Catholic parish located at 511 Murray Avenue in Donora, Pennsylvania, within the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1904 by Slavic (Rusyn/Slovak) immigrants who had previously traveled to Holy Ghost Church in Charleroi for worship, the parish built its first wooden church and rectory that same year under the charter name 'St. Michael's Slavish Greek Catholic Church.' The current brick church was completed in 1912 and remains in use today. St. Michael is administered by Father Brian Norrell, who also pastors the linked Byzantine parishes of St. Mary in Monessen and Holy Ghost in Charleroi.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- St. Michael the Archangel
- Rector
- Father Brian Norrell (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris of Pittsburgh)
Why belong here
St. Michael offers a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic experience inside the Mon Valley, with a historic brick church that has served Slavic Catholic families since 1912 and a parish cemetery in Carroll Township. Worshippers can attend Saturday Vespers and Divine Liturgy, observe Great Fast services, prepare for the sacraments through Eastern Christian Formation (ECF), and continue a rich local tradition that produced bishops and religious vocations. As part of a three-parish cluster with St. Mary (Monessen) and Holy Ghost (Charleroi) under one pastor, it offers stability and continuity of priestly ministry.
Mass times at St. Michael [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment only (contact the rectory)
History of St. Michael's, Donora
The Byzantine Catholics of the Donora area originally traveled to Holy Ghost Church in Charleroi for worship. In 1901 a branch of Greek Catholic Union Lodge No. 252 was organized under the patronage of St. Michael, and members began planning to build their own church. The first organizational meeting was held on April 11, 1904 in Vargo Hall, and a charter was granted in the name of 'St. Michael's Slavish Greek Catholic Church.' The first wooden church and rectory were built that same year, with Father Emil Seregelly arriving as the first resident pastor.
Building the Brick Church (1911–1912)
By 1911 the wooden church was already too small for the growing congregation. A new brick church was begun on the same site, the cornerstone was blessed on September 4, 1911, and the first Divine Liturgy in the new building was celebrated on the fifth Sunday of Lent, 1912. That same brick church remains in active use today. The present brick rectory was built in 1914 on the site of the original wooden rectory after that older structure was moved to become the parish cantor's home.
Vocations From the Parish
St. Michael has given five vocations to the priesthood — most notably Archbishop Nicholas T. Elko (born December 14, 1909 in Donora), who became the first American-born Ruthenian Greek Catholic bishop and later served as Auxiliary Archbishop of Cincinnati — and three vocations to religious life. Archbishop Elko directed far-reaching changes across the Ruthenian Catholic Church in America, including the construction of more than 100 churches and schools and the introduction of English for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the United States.
Parish Cemetery & Property
In 1932 twenty-five acres were purchased in Carroll Township for use as the parish cemetery. Over the years, additional properties were acquired for parking, the church interior has been redecorated, and major remodeling has kept the historic brick church well-maintained.
Worship, Divine Liturgy & Holy Mysteries
As a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic parish, St. Michael follows the Byzantine liturgical calendar and tradition. The regular weekly Divine Liturgy is celebrated on Saturday at 4:00 PM, preceded by Vespers. During the Great Fast, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is celebrated on Friday evenings at 7:00 PM. Confessions are heard at any time by appointment, and arrangements for marriage and the anointing of the sick are made through the rectory.
- Saturday: 4:00 PM – Vespers and Divine Liturgy
- Friday (Great Fast only): 7:00 PM – Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts
- Confessions: by appointment
- Marriage: contact the rectory
- Anointing of the Sick: contact the rectory
Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) and Adult Education
The parish provides ongoing catechesis through Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) classes for children and youth, and an Adult Education program. Both are scheduled as announced, with details obtained by contacting the rectory.
- Eastern Christian Formation (ECF) – as announced
- Adult Education – as announced
Clergy and Pastoral Care
St. Michael's current administrator is Father Brian Norrell. In accordance with Archeparchy practice, he serves as Administrator of three linked Mon Valley Byzantine parishes: St. Michael (Donora), St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church of the Assumption (Monessen), and Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church (Charleroi). Deacon John M. Hanchin, PhD, is associated with the cluster and assists at services such as the women's guild gatherings. Father Brian's wife, Pani Helen Norrell, has been publicly welcomed to parish events alongside him.
Contact, Location & Mailing
The parish is located at 511 Murray Avenue, Donora, Pennsylvania 15033. Telephone contact has been published both through the parish rectory at (724) 379-9751 and through the cluster administration line (817) 271-0968. The parish shares an email inbox with St. Mary's: [email protected]. The official directory page is maintained on the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh's website at archpitt.org.
- Address: 511 Murray Avenue, Donora, PA 15033
- Phone: (724) 379-9751
- Cluster rectory: (817) 271-0968
- Email: [email protected]
- Web: http://archpitt.org/place/donorapa/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Emil Seregelly1904–
First resident pastor of St. Michael's, arriving as construction of the original wooden church was completed.
- Father Stephen J. Wahal
Previously served as Administrator of St. Michael, Donora together with St. Mary, Monessen and (later) Holy Ghost, Charleroi, before being relieved from this assignment.
- Father Brian NorrellEffective 2025–present
Appointed by Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla as Administrator of the linked parishes of St. Michael (Donora), St. Mary (Monessen), and Holy Ghost (Charleroi), succeeding Father Wahal.