About Sts. Peter and Paul [Ruthenian] · Erie, Pennsylvania
Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church is a Ruthenian (Byzantine) Catholic parish located at 3415 Wallace Street in Erie, Pennsylvania, founded in 1912 by Slavic immigrants who had settled along Lake Erie beginning around 1885. The parish falls under the Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris) while sitting within the geographic territory of the Roman Diocese of Erie. It is twinned with its sister mission parish, Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Girard, PA, and together they are served by a single pastor. The parish maintains a full Byzantine liturgical life in English, with regular Divine Liturgies, confession, Eastern Christian Formation for children, an annual Slavic Food Festival, and a major 2006–2009 interior renovation that installed the five domes, iconostasis and Holy Table that define the sanctuary today.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- Saints Peter and Paul (the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul)
- Rector
- Very Reverend John J. Mihalco
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh (Ruthenian Metropolitanate sui juris of Pittsburgh); geographically within the territory of the Roman Diocese of Erie
Why belong here
Sts. Peter and Paul offers the full rhythm of Byzantine Catholic life in English — Saturday evening and Sunday morning Divine Liturgies, regular Saturday confession, Eastern Christian Formation for children, a parish Slavic Food Festival, and ministries ranging from chant groups, lectors and altar servers to a Bethany Ministry visiting shut-ins, a Welcome Committee, and hands-on stewardship of the church and grounds. Because it is twinned with Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Girard under one pastor, parishioners become part of a tight-knit two-parish Byzantine family on Lake Erie's south shore. The 2009 renovation gives the community one of the most fully realized Byzantine interiors in northwestern Pennsylvania, complete with an iconostasis and a Holy Table consecrated around the relics of Hieromartyr Bishop Theodore Romzha.
Mass times at Sts. Peter and Paul [Ruthenian]
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:45 – 5:15 PM (SS. Peter & Paul, Erie)
- Sunday 8:15 – 8:45 AM (SS. Cyril & Methodius, Girard)
- Upon request
History of the Parish
Sts. Peter and Paul traces its origins to the Byzantine (Ruthenian) immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe who began settling the Lake Erie shore around 1885. After years of worshipping at the Latin-rite Holy Family Church on Fulton Street, fifteen families resolved in 1912 to organize their own congregation. The parish was officially organized on March 19, 1912, chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on May 20, 1912, and dedicated as SS. Peter & Paul Greek Catholic Church on Thanksgiving Day, November 18, 1912, with Father Emil Burik of Bradenville celebrating the first Divine Liturgy in the former Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church near East 23rd and German Streets.
- 1912 — parish organized March 19; charter granted May 20; first Divine Liturgy celebrated Nov. 18
- 1915 — Lodge 487 of the Greek Catholic Union organized
- 1918 — Father Theofil Zatkovich becomes first resident pastor; rectory at 2301 German Street purchased
- 1938 — parish split leads to the independent Eastern Rite congregation (today St. Nicholas Orthodox Church)
- 1939 — Father John Pipik founds the Francis Corners mission (later SS. Cyril & Methodius, Girard)
- 1950–51 — church remodeled under Father Andrew Dzmura; rededicated by Bishop Daniel Ivancho, July 8, 1951
- 1957 — $81,745 Building Fund Appeal; 29 lots purchased at E. 34th & Wallace for $18,500
- 1958 — Metropolitan Stephen J. Kocisko presides at groundbreaking
- 1959 — Bishop Nicholas T. Elko blesses the cornerstone (August)
- 1960 — Wallace Street church solemnly dedicated May 1 by Bishop Elko; additional city block acquired for $25,000
- 1969 — Parish Center built under Father Andrew Resetar
- 1973–2003 — Father Julius Kubinyi, STD (longest-tenured pastor); copper roof (1982), mortgage burning (1984), parking lot (1987)
- 2003–2010 — Father Andrew Deskevich leads the 2006–2009 major renovation (five domes, iconostasis, Holy Table, icons)
- 2009 (June 20) — Metropolitan Basil M. Schott consecrates the Holy Table and seals within it relics of Hiero-Martyr Bishop Theodore Romzha
- 2010–2012 — Father Robert J. Karl serves as pastor
- 2012 (June 10) — 100th Anniversary Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan William C. Skurla
- 2012 (Oct. 3) — Very Rev. John J. Mihalco becomes pastor of both Erie and Girard parishes
Parish Staff & Clergy
The Very Reverend John J. Mihalco has served as pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul (Erie) and Sts. Cyril & Methodius (Girard) since October 3, 2012. The parish rectory office is open by appointment; Father John should be contacted directly to schedule sacraments, register as a parishioner, or arrange a hospital or home visit. Sister Sylvia assists at the Girard parish office.
- Very Rev. John J. Mihalco — Pastor (effective Oct. 3, 2012)
- Sister Sylvia — Parish staff, Girard (814-774-9253)
Worship Schedule & Holy Mysteries
The parish celebrates the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Divine Liturgy in English each weekend, with the Girard sister parish hosting Sunday morning worship so that parishioners in both locations have convenient access. The Mystery of Reconciliation is offered before Saturday evening Liturgy in Erie and before Sunday morning Liturgy in Girard, and any time upon request.
- Saturday Divine Liturgy — 5:30 PM, Erie
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 11:00 AM, Erie
- Sunday Divine Liturgy — 8:30 AM, Girard (Sts. Cyril & Methodius)
- Confessions — Saturday 4:45–5:15 PM (Erie)
- Confessions — Sunday 8:15–8:45 AM (Girard)
- Confessions — upon request
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
The Byzantine 'Holy Mysteries' follow the parish's customary Eastern discipline. Sacraments are normally reserved for registered, active members of the parish family, and a series of meetings with Fr. John are required for weddings and for families presenting children for Baptism/Chrismation. Because federal law restricts hospital access to patient information, family members are asked to notify Fr. John whenever a loved one is hospitalized.
- Baptism, Chrismation & Eucharist (Mysteries of Initiation) — pre-Baptism instruction; by appointment with Fr. John
- Crowning (Marriage) — pastor contacted one year before date; Pre-Cana weekend + three sessions with Fr. John
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Saturdays 4:45–5:15 PM Erie; Sundays 8:15–8:45 AM Girard; upon request
- Anointing of the Sick — upon request; encouraged the Sunday before surgery or other medical procedures
- Visitation of the Sick — monthly home and nursing-home visits; family should notify Fr. John of hospitalization
- Funerals — family or funeral director contacts Fr. John before scheduling
Religious Education — Eastern Christian Formation (ECF)
Children of the parish receive formation in the Byzantine Christian tradition through Eastern Christian Formation classes, which meet on the second Sunday of September through May, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. ECF is staffed by volunteer catechists from the parish.
- ECF sessions: 2nd Sunday, September – May, 9:30–10:30 AM
- Volunteer Religious Education teachers
Parish Ministries & Groups
The parish sustains an extensive lay ministry rooted in stewardship of time, talent and treasure. Opportunities range from liturgical roles (readers, chant group, acolytes, candle bearers) to pastoral outreach (Bethany Ministry visiting shut-ins), hospitality (Welcome Committee, Altar-Rosary Society) and physical stewardship of the buildings and grounds.
- Parish Council
- Altar-Rosary Society
- Baking Group
- Acolytes / Altar Servers
- Get-Together Workers
- Chant Group
- Readers (male and female)
- Candle Bearers (youth and adult)
- Bethany Ministry — shut-in visitation and prayer groups
- Welcome Committee — greeters and new-parishioner outreach
- Social Hall Management — events, setup and cleanup
- Decorating Committee — Christmas, Easter, Feast Days
- Groundskeeping and Building Maintenance
- Church Cleaning
Annual Events & Stewardship
The parish's signature event is the annual Slavic Food Festival, which brings together the Erie and Girard congregations and welcomes visitors from across the region with traditional baked goods, basket raffles, and Slavic foods. Year-round collections such as the Christian Cupboard support local hunger-relief efforts; recent bulletins highlight staples like ketchup or mustard for the June drive.
- Annual Parish Slavic Food Festival — baked goods, basket donations, setup/cleanup and festival-day volunteers
- Christian Cupboard Collection (monthly outreach)
- Fundraising campaigns supporting the church and Parish Center
Get Involved — Stewardship of Time and Talent
Parish registration is done only through the pastor by appointment. The parish welcomes anyone to become a parishioner of Sts. Peter & Paul or Sts. Cyril & Methodius; registration entails a commitment of worship, time, talent and treasure. The parish lists dozens of practical ways to serve and invites anyone unsure where they fit to call the rectory so a place can be found.
- Parish registration — by appointment with the pastor
- Liturgical service: Readers, Chant Group, Acolytes, Candle Bearers
- Pastoral care: Bethany Ministry, Welcome Committee
- Building and grounds: Groundskeeping, Building Maintenance, Church Cleaning, Decorating
- Events: Slavic Food Festival (baked goods, baskets, setup/cleanup, festival-day volunteers), Fundraising
Facilities & Campus
The parish campus is centered on the 1960 Byzantine-style church at 3415 Wallace Street, set on 29 lots purchased in 1957 with an additional city block added in 1960. A separate Parish Center (built 1969) hosts parish activities and offices, and the complex includes an asphalt parking lot added in 1987. The 2006–2009 renovation under Father Deskevich transformed the sanctuary with five exterior domes, an iconostasis, a new Holy Table and a full iconographic program.
- Church — 3415 Wallace Street (dedicated May 1, 1960; major renovation completed 2009)
- Parish Center — built 1969
- Asphalt parking lot — added 1987
- Rectory and Parish Center phone: (814) 825-9029
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, email or postal mail. The rectory office is open by appointment; for urgent or sacramental needs, calling the rectory is the best way to reach Father John.
- Address — 3415 Wallace Street, Erie, PA 16504
- Telephone — (814) 825-8140
- Fax — (814) 825-7582
- Parish Center — (814) 825-9029
- Email — [email protected]
- Sister church — Sts. Cyril & Methodius, 1022 Tilden Avenue, Girard, PA 16417 — (814) 774-3281
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Emil Burik (of Bradenville, PA)1912–1914
Celebrated first Divine Liturgy at the dedication of SS. Peter & Paul Greek Catholic Church on Thanksgiving Day, November 18, 1912; parish designated a Mission Parish in 1914.
- Father Nicholas Sabo (of Sheffield, PA)1914–1918
Travelled from Sheffield once a month for Matins, Divine Liturgy, Vespers, baptisms and funerals while the parish was a mission.
- Father Theofil (Theophile) Zatkovichfrom 1918
First resident pastor of SS. Peter & Paul; rectory purchased at 2301 German Street.
- Father John Pipiklate 1930s
Led the parish after the 1938 split; extended the original church and founded the Francis Corners mission that became Sts. Cyril & Methodius.
- Father Andrew Dzmuraaround 1950–1951
Remodeled and improved the original East 23rd Street church; received Bishop Daniel Ivancho for the July 8, 1951 rededication.
- Father Paul Danoearly 1950s
Led the 1957 Building Fund Appeal; planned and began the new Wallace Street church (dedicated May 1, 1960).
- Father Paul Tigyermid-1950s
First Assistant Pastor at SS. Peter & Paul during construction of sister parish SS. Cyril & Methodius (dedicated June 26, 1955).
- Father Andrew Resetarlate 1960s
Built the Parish Center in 1969.
- Reverend Dennis Logue, S.V.D.
Listed among previous pastors.
- Reverend Julius Kubinyi, S.T.D.August 1, 1973 – May 9, 2003
Longest-serving pastor in parish history; installed the copper roof (1982), presided at the mortgage burning (1984), and added the asphalt parking lot (1987).
- Reverend Andrew DeskevichMay 9, 2003 – January 28, 2010
Led the major 2006–2009 interior/exterior renovation that added the five domes, iconostasis and Holy Table; reassigned to Warren, Ohio in January 2010.
- Reverend Robert J. KarlJanuary 28, 2010 – October 2, 2012
Guided the parish through the June 10, 2012 100th Anniversary Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Metropolitan William C. Skurla.
- Very Reverend John J. MihalcoOctober 3, 2012 – present
Current pastor of both Sts. Peter & Paul (Erie) and Sts. Cyril & Methodius (Girard).