St. Vincent Basilica

History of Saint Vincent Basilica Parish

Saint Vincent Basilica Parish has been housed in five buildings and has been in the territory of four dioceses (Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Greensburg). Its roots reach back to April 16, 1790, when Father Theodore Brouwers, O.F.M., purchased the Sportsman's Hall Tract for Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore and established the first Catholic parish in Pennsylvania west of the Allegheny Mountains. The brick church he inherited was dedicated in 1835 and placed under the patronage of Saint Vincent de Paul; in 1846, Father Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., and eighteen Bavarian Benedictine companions arrived to take over the parish and simultaneously founded the first Benedictine monastery, college, and seminary in North America. The present basilica was begun on December 21, 1891, and consecrated on August 24, 1905.

• 1790 — Father Theodore Brouwers, O.F.M., founds Sportsman's Hall Parish
• 1808 — Parish passes to the Diocese of Philadelphia
• July 19, 1835 — Brick church dedicated by Bishop Francis Kenrick; placed under the patronage of Saint Vincent de Paul
• 1843 — Parish passes to the newly formed Diocese of Pittsburgh
• October 24, 1846 — Father Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B., installed as pastor; founds first Benedictine monastery, college, and seminary in North America
• 1855 — Saint Vincent raised to an abbey; Wimmer named first Archabbot
• December 21, 1891 — Construction of the present basilica begins under Brother Wolfgang Traxler, O.S.B.
• August 24, 1905 — Bishop J.F. Regis Canevin of Pittsburgh consecrates the new Archabbey Church
• 1951 — Parish transferred to the new Diocese of Greensburg
• August 22, 1955 — Pope Pius XII declares the church a minor basilica (decree Quasi fons lucis)
• January 28, 1963 — Fire destroys the 1835 brick church ('Students Chapel') and half the campus
• 1999 — Stunted steeples replaced with taller spires matching the original Schickel design, by architect Tasso Katselas

Architecture of the Basilica

The basilica is built in the classic basilica-hall style — 'house of the king' from the Greek Basileus — and is modeled on twelfth-century Romanesque churches of the Rhineland. German-American architect J. William Schickel (1850–1907), trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, designed the church and oversaw the start of construction before his death. The structure is supported by eighteen solid rose-Peterhead granite columns, quarried in Aberdeen, Scotland, and shipped across the Atlantic in 1893.

• Style: Rheinish Romanesque, basilica-hall plan
• Architect: J. William Schickel (with later steeples by Tasso Katselas, 1999)
• Materials: red-orange brick exterior, rose-Peterhead granite columns, rose-colored limestone foundation, native oak and American chestnut furnishings
• Dimensions: 230 ft long; nave and choir 75 ft wide and 62 ft tall; sanctuary and transept ceilings 68 ft; back towers 150 ft; front towers 195 ft
• Capacity: about 800
• Stained glass: 27 windows by the Stoltzenberg Company of Munich (installed by mid-1903), 22 tinted clerestory windows, and 3 rose windows
• Tympanum above the main portal: Christ handing the keys of the Kingdom to Saint Peter
• Crossing vaults: paintings of the four Evangelists and their symbols (Book of Revelation)

Mass and the Sacraments

Daily Mass is offered every weekday morning in the basilica, with two Masses Monday through Friday, two on Saturday morning plus the Sunday Vigil, and three Sunday Masses. A special Wednesday Community Mass is celebrated with the Monastery, Seminary, College, and Parish communities during the academic year, followed by Vespers. The Office of Hours (Liturgy of the Hours) is prayed publicly by the monks throughout the day, and all are welcome to join.

• Weekday Masses: Mon–Fri 6:50 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
• Saturday Masses: 7:20 a.m., 8:30 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. (Sunday Vigil)
• Sunday Masses: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.
• Community Mass: Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. (academic year)
• Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral Liturgies available; see Sacraments pages for preparation requirements

Parish Staff and Clergy

The parish is served by Benedictine priests of Saint Vincent Archabbey. The current pastor is Father Killian Loch, O.S.B., assisted by Parochial Vicar Father Romanus Davitt, O.S.B. The archabbot — the twelfth — is Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B., who also serves as Chancellor of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Seminary, and College. A small professional and volunteer staff supports the parish's faith formation, music, social ministry, youth, and administrative work.

• Father Killian Loch, O.S.B. — Pastor ([email protected]; 724-539-8629 ext. 13)
• Father Romanus Davitt, O.S.B. — Parochial Vicar ([email protected]; 724-539-8629 ext. 12)
• Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel, O.S.B. — Archabbot and Chancellor (since 2020; 12th archabbot)
• Erin Colcombe — Director of Faith Formation (ext. 16)
• Justin Massetto — Regional Director of Youth Ministry / Confirmation Preparation ([email protected]; 724-600-4648)
• Teri Pomerleau — Director of Social Ministry (ext. 15)
• Holly Sigut — Office Manager; Weddings, Grove Rentals (ext. 10)
• Kelly Tromba — Administrative Assistant; Bulletin, Baptismal Certificates, Mass Scheduling (ext. 14)
• Maggie Mehalko — Clearances, Funeral & Mass Scheduling, New Parishioner Registrations, Baptismal Certificates (ext. 11)
• John Szalewicz — Director of Music (ext. 21)
• Larry Sweeney — Grove Manager

Faith Formation and Religious Education

Faith Formation at Saint Vincent Basilica is built on three pillars: knowledge (knowing and loving Jesus), participation (loving and enjoying being part of his Body, the Church), and outreach/service (serving as Jesus for the needs of the poor). The parish emphasizes an intergenerational approach, recognizing that 'the family that prays (and learns) together, stays (and grows) together.' All formation flows from and leads to Sunday Mass, the source and summit of Catholic life.

• Children's Faith Formation — age-appropriate lessons in Church teaching, prayer, and Scripture
• Adult Faith Formation — ongoing spiritual growth through Christ Life and other programs
• OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — preparation for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
• Youth Ministry — middle and high school activities, prayer, and service
• Confirmation Preparation — 8th Grade Decision Point, with a gathering with Bishop Kulick
• First Reconciliation Celebration and 2nd Grade First Communion Retreat
• Faith Sharing Small Groups — prayer, reflection, and discussion on the liturgical season, prayer, Scripture, Catechism, and the lives of the Saints

Liturgical Ministries

Lay faithful serve the parish liturgy in a number of commissioned roles. All liturgical ministers must be registered parishioners, fully initiated, and over the age of 16.

• Sacristans — prepare the church and altar for Saturday 5 p.m. and Sunday 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses; contact Fr. Killian Loch, O.S.B.
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — assist with distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ at weekday and Sunday Masses; contact Maryrose Orange ([email protected])
• Lectors — proclaim the Scripture readings at Sunday and weekday Masses and at funerals; contact Maryrose Orange or the Parish Office
• Altar Servers — boys and girls Grade 4 through high school assist at Sunday Masses and weddings; adult men and women assist at weekday Masses and funerals; contact Maryrose Orange or Maggie Mehalko
• Ushers — greet worshipers, find seating, gather the offerings, distribute bulletins, and check the pews after Mass; contact Maggie Mehalko

Parish Organizations and Social Ministries

Parish organizations extend Christ's love through service to others, foster fellowship among parishioners, and care for the church and grounds. They range from charitable outreach to stewardship of the physical environment.

• Saint Vincent de Paul Society — partners with the Saint Vincent de Paul Store (724-537-0411); volunteers staff the store one day per week; Saint Vincent covers Friday staffing
• Knights of Columbus Council 940 — family and pro-life causes, support of the priesthood, and community service projects (contact Bill Fromme, 724-422-1843)
• Rosary Altar Society — fosters devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary through the rosary and cares for the altar and sanctuary (contact Summer Chavez, 724-771-2294)
• Outdoor Gardeners — annual landscaping of the flower beds at the Parish Grove, the Boniface Wimmer statue, and the Sportsman's Hall monument (contact Randy Redinger)
• Indoor Gardeners — watering, cleaning, and fertilizing plants in the church, Assembly Room, hall, and stairwell

Music Ministry

The Music Ministry enriches the parish's worship by lifting hearts and voices to God at Mass and on special occasions. The Director of Music is John Szalewicz ([email protected]; 724-539-8629 ext. 21). Singers, instrumentalists, and cantors are all invited to share their talents in this vital ministry.

Weddings at the Basilica

Saint Vincent Basilica Parish celebrates only Catholic weddings. The basilica's soaring Romanesque interior makes it a popular setting for Catholic weddings, including for Saint Vincent College alumni and non-parishioners in addition to registered parishioners. Couples should plan well in advance and complete all Catholic marriage preparation requirements before the ceremony.

• At least six (6) months' notice required for preparation
• Marriage preparation includes meetings with clergy and pre-marital counseling
• Parishioner couples: contact Fr. Killian Loch, O.S.B. to check availability
• Non-parishioner couples: must supply a priest; priests from other dioceses must provide a letter of good standing
• Specific decor and liturgical guidelines apply
• Wedding Information Request form available on the parish website

Visiting Saint Vincent Basilica

All visitors — Catholic and non-Catholic — are welcome at the basilica during hours that do not interfere with Mass and the monastic schedule. The complex is a working abbey, college, and parish, so visitors are asked to be respectful of prayer, classes, and community life. The Parish Center next door includes a small gift shop with religious items, and the Saint Vincent gristmill, college campus, and surrounding grounds are also open to visitors.

• Approach the basilica from the bronze statue of Archabbot Boniface Wimmer (erected 1931)
• Exterior: tympanum of Christ handing the keys to Saint Peter, bar-tracery rose window, twin towers
• Interior: Stoltzenberg stained glass, four Evangelists in the crossing vaults, granite columns, native oak and chestnut furnishings
• Parish Center and gift shop located adjacent to the basilica
• Saint Vincent gristmill (where the monks make bread) is a short drive away
• Tours may be arranged through the Parish Office at (724) 539-8629