About St. Philip Church /of Saint Philip Parish · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Saint Philip Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, serving the western Pittsburgh communities of Crafton, Ingram, Crafton Heights, Sheraden, Elliott, West End, and Thornburg in Allegheny County. Originally established in 1839, St. Philip pre-dates the Diocese of Pittsburgh itself and was for many years the only Catholic church west of the Ohio River in the area. Following the Diocese's 2016 'On Mission' initiative, St. Philip merged with Ascension, Guardian Angels, and Holy Innocents parishes to form today's St. Philip Parish, which maintains two worship sites: St. Philip Church on West Crafton Avenue in Crafton and Ascension Church near Ingram. The parish is led by Father James R. Torquato and operates Guardian Angel Academy, a PreK-8 Catholic elementary school serving families across multiple South Hills school districts.
- Established
- 1839
- Patron
- St. Philip the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. James R. Torquato (Fr. Jim Torquato)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Saint Philip Parish welcomes new members to register as parishioners through the Parish Office (114 Berry Street) or by calling 412-922-6300, and provides abundant ways to live the faith through time, talent, and treasure. The parish supports an active sacramental life (Daily Mass at both worship sites, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, OCIA, Anointing of the Sick, and a robust Marriage preparation program), faith formation for children and adults, one of the most active St. Vincent de Paul Conferences in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a vibrant men's fellowship, a Ladies of Charity chapter, lay liturgical ministries (lectors, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, bridal coordinators), monthly Eucharistic Adoration, Taizé prayer during Advent and Lent, and an annual All Souls Memorial Mass. Families can also send their children to Guardian Angel Academy, the PreK-8 regional Catholic school co-sponsored by the parish.
Mass times at St. Philip Church /of Saint Philip Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM at Ascension Church (114 Berry Street)
- Additional opportunities during Advent and Lent (consult bulletin)
- By appointment via the Parish Office at 412-922-6300
Adoration times
- First Saturday of every month, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM at Ascension Church
About the Parish
Saint Philip Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh serving the communities of Crafton, Ingram, Crafton Heights, Sheraden, Elliott, West End, and Thornburg in western Allegheny County. Formed in 2016 through the On Mission initiative that merged St. Philip with Ascension, Guardian Angels, and Holy Innocents parishes, it maintains two worship centers: St. Philip Church at 50 West Crafton Avenue in Crafton and Ascension Church at 114 Berry Street near Ingram. Father James R. Torquato serves as pastor. The parish's mission statement reads: 'We, the Catholic Community of Saint Philip Parish, united in faith and empowered by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, are firmly committed to promoting full and active participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church. We answer the call of the Gospel to bring about the kingdom of justice and peace through worship, education, service, and stewardship.'
- Parish Office: 114 Berry Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (on the Ascension campus)
- Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Office Coordinator: Mr. Frank Bey
- Phone: 412-922-6300
- Pastor: Rev. James R. Torquato
Parish History
St. Philip's roots reach back to 1839, when Archbishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Philadelphia dedicated the original church near Chartier's Creek on land donated by Philip Smith. The parish was the only Catholic church west of the Ohio River in Pittsburgh for many years. Father William Charles Kelty's tenure (1898-1953) saw the construction of the current Gothic stone church, dedicated February 8, 1906. The parish grew so large that Ascension Parish was carved out in 1968; nearly fifty years later, the two parishes were reunited when Bishop Zubik's 2016 On Mission decree suppressed Ascension, Guardian Angels, and Holy Innocents parishes to form today's St. Philip Parish.
- Founded 1839; pre-dates the Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Original church dedicated July 25, 1839 by Archbishop Kenrick; stood in present-day cemetery
- Land donated by Philip Smith, a Philadelphia merchant
- Present Gothic cruciform church dedicated February 8, 1906 by Bishop Canevin; architect William P. Ginther of Akron; seats ~800
- Ascension Parish established 1968, carved out of St. Philip
- On Mission merger effective August 1, 2016 under Bishop Zubik
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. James R. Torquato with the assistance of Deacon Joe Allen and a staff team handling Faith Formation, Music, Administration, Maintenance, and Safe Environment. Father Philip Farrell is Priest in Residence at the Ascension Rectory, with three additional retired priests providing Weekend Assistance.
- Rev. James R. Torquato — Pastor
- Deacon Joe Allen — Parish Deacon
- Rev. Philip Farrell — Priest in Residence (Ascension Rectory)
- Rev. James Kunkel, Rev. Harry Nichols, Rev. Richard Thompson — Weekend Assistance
- Mr. Frank Bey — Office Coordinator / Office Manager
- Mr. David Pilarski — Business Coordinator
- Ms. Maureen Takach — Administrative Assistant
- Ms. Pilar Brown — Bulletin Designer
- Ms. MaryAnn Garfold — Director of Faith Formation
- Ms. Linda Bey — Faith Formation Secretary
- Ms. Denise Ball — Faith Formation Staff
- Ms. Mary Beth Barsh — Music Director
- Ms. Dorothy Mancini — Assistant Organist
- Mr. Gary Urbatis — Safe Environment Coordinator
- Mr. Richard Hufnagel — Maintenance
- Mr. Thomas Dembecki — Maintenance
Parish Pastoral & Finance Councils
Saint Philip Parish is served by a Parish Pastoral Council and a Parish Finance Council that advise the pastor on the spiritual and temporal affairs of the parish community.
- Parish Pastoral Council: Patricia Cygrymus, Barbara Hendrick, Joseph Hoover, Martin Matko, Richard Musser, Katie Phillips, David Sammel, Mary Schubert
- Parish Finance Council: Benjamin Bannon, Robert Bertocchi, Joseph Hoover, Joseph Rynn, Richard Schubert, Gary Urbatis
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at Saint Philip Parish is coordinated by Director MaryAnn Garfold and her staff. Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist spans First and Second grade, with Monday evening catechetical sessions from 6:30 to 7:45 PM, a parent information/reflection night, and a family retreat. Confirmation preparation involves two years of formal instruction on Monday nights using Loyola Press and LifeTeen EDGE, and includes service days, retreat days, family service, and field trips. Adult Confirmation, OCIA, and Adult Baptism inquiries are arranged individually through the Office of Faith Formation.
- Director of Faith Formation: MaryAnn Garfold — 412-922-6388
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist: grades 1-2
- Confirmation: 2 years, Monday evenings 6:30-7:45 PM
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Adult Confirmation by arrangement
Guardian Angel Academy (Parish School)
Guardian Angel Academy is the parish's PreK-8 Catholic elementary school. Established in 2021 through the merger of two regional Catholic schools — St. Margaret of Scotland in Greentree and St. Philip in Crafton — the academy is part of the South Regional Catholic Elementary Schools (SRCES) and is accredited with the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. It serves families from 18+ school districts with an average class size of 12 and 20+ enrichment programs, and offers financial aid to all who apply.
- Address: 915 Alice Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
- Principal: Mr. Robert Munz
- Phone: 412-922-4765
- Website: gaa.srces.org
- Grades: Preschool - 8
- Average Class Size: 12
- Established 2021 from the merger of St. Margaret of Scotland (Greentree) and St. Philip (Crafton)
Ministries & Service Organizations
The parish supports a wide range of ministries for parishioners of all ages. Liturgical ministries include Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Student and Adult Altar Servers, and Bridal Coordinators. Outreach and service ministries include the St. Vincent de Paul Society (St. Philip Conference, with its own food bank and Poor Boxes in both churches), Ladies of Charity, Allegheny Valley School Outreach (monthly adapted Eucharistic services), Ohio Valley Hospital Ministry, Bereavement Ministers, Adult Funeral Servers, and a Parish Outreach Drivers ministry. The St. Philip Men's Fellowship meets Wednesday evenings at the Parish Office.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — meets Tuesdays 6:30 PM in the Hope House; 412-444-8140; [email protected]
- St. Vincent de Paul Poor Boxes in both churches
- Ladies of Charity — meets second Thursdays on the St. Philip campus; 412-256-8067
- St. Philip Men's Fellowship — Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 PM, 114 Berry St. (2nd floor); contact Bob Bertocchi 412-335-2356
- Allegheny Valley School Outreach — monthly (Sept-May, usually 2nd Tuesday)
- Ohio Valley Hospital Ministry — contact St. Malachy Parish at 412-771-5483
- Parish Outreach Drivers (rides to Mass, medical appts, groceries)
- Lay liturgical roles: Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Altar Servers (4th grade+), Bridal Coordinators
- TV Mass for the Home-bound
Sacraments Overview
Saint Philip Parish celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms for children are scheduled after the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass at St. Philip (and on the first and third Sundays of the month at 12:15 PM at either church); a seminar is required for first-time parents. First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation are prepared through the parish Faith Formation program. Confessions are heard Saturdays 12:00-1:00 PM at Ascension Church, with additional Advent/Lent times. Weddings require contacting the Pastor 6-18 months in advance and participating in a Pre-Marriage Program. Anointing of the Sick is offered following weekend Masses and on the last Saturday of the month at 8:30 AM at Ascension Church. Adult Baptism, Confirmation, and OCIA inquiries are handled through the Faith Formation Office.
- Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, OCIA, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick
- Faith Formation Office: 412-922-6388
- Marriage: 6-18 months advance notice; Pre-Marriage Program required
- Anointing of the Sick: after weekend Masses and last Saturday at 8:30 AM (Ascension)
Bulletin, Communications & Live Stream
The parish publishes a weekly bulletin (PDF available on the parish website) with the full Mass schedule, confession times, devotions, ministry news, and parish announcements. Bulletin Designer Pilar Brown produces the publication. The parish live-streams select Masses on Facebook and maintains an archive of past homilies and Masses for parishioners who are traveling, homebound, or seeking a moment of peace and connection.
- Weekly parish bulletin (PDF on website)
- Live-streamed Masses on Facebook
- Archive of past homilies/Masses available online
Stewardship & Getting Involved
Saint Philip Parish frames parish life around 'active stewardship of time, talent and treasure' and invites parishioners to find their place in the parish family. The Parish Office can connect prospective members with ministries, programs, and the school. Volunteers are particularly needed as Lectors (5:30 PM, 7:00 AM, 9:30 AM), Altar Servers (4:00 PM, 5:30 PM, 9:30 AM), Eucharistic Ministers (all Masses), and Ushers (all Masses), as well as Bereavement Ministers, Funeral Servers, Bridal Coordinators, Drivers, and Ohio Valley Hospital Ministers.
- Stewardship of Time & Talent
- Contact Parish Office at 412-922-6300 to get involved
- Volunteer needs: Lectors, Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Bereavement, Bridal Coordinator, Drivers
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John O'Reilly1839 (at dedication)
Celebrated the High Mass at the dedication of the first St. Philip Church on July 25, 1839.
- Father William Charles Kelty1898-1953
Arrived as a young priest and led a complete renewal and rebuilding program, producing the present Gothic stone church dedicated February 8, 1906.
- Father McCash
Referenced as a pastor of St. Philip in the parish history.
- Father (succeeded McCash, 1967)1967-1970
Served as pastor until he was called to be Bishop of Pittsburgh in 1970.
- Father Glen Conner1968
Assistant pastor of St. Philip; appointed in 1968 to head the newly created Ascension Parish in Ingram when the St. Philip congregation was divided.
- Father Dworakretired Fall 2015
Concluded his tenure as Pastor of St. Philip Parish in Fall 2015; worked with Father Gizler and the Diocese to prepare for the On Mission initiative.
- Father John Gizler IIISeptember 2015 - August 2016
Appointed Administrator of St. Philip Parish in addition to pastoring the West End Catholic Community; led the petition to Bishop Zubik to merge the four parishes.
- Rev. James R. Torquato2016-present
Appointed to head the newly formed St. Philip Parish; oversaw major capital projects and the 2021 school merger into Guardian Angel Academy.