About Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish - St. Elizabeth of Hungary · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh formed on July 1, 2020 through the 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative of Bishop David Zubik. The parish is a merger of four former parishes: St. Elizabeth of Hungary (Pleasant Hills), Holy Spirit (West Mifflin), St. Clare of Assisi (Clairton), and St. Thomas à Becket (Jefferson Hills). It serves the communities of Clairton, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, and West Mifflin in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, with Mass celebrated at all four original church sites. The parish administrative office can be reached at 412-755-2046.
- Established
- 1942
- Patron
- Triumph of the Holy Cross (parish patron); St. Elizabeth of Hungary (one of four worship sites)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pittsburgh
Why belong here
Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish welcomes Catholics from Clairton, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, and West Mifflin into a single family of faith united by the triumph of Christ's cross. With Mass celebrated in English at four historic worship sites and a full sacramental schedule — including weekday Masses, Saturday Vigil, and Sunday Masses — parishioners have many opportunities to worship close to home. The parish offers faith formation for children and youth, youth ministry, Vacation Bible Camp, a music ministry, social concerns outreach, and a safe-environment program, giving every member of the family a place to grow in faith and serve others.
Mass times at Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish - St. Elizabeth of Hungary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM at Saint Thomas à Becket
- Monday 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
- Monday 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Monday before 1st Friday) at Saint Clare
- 1st Friday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
- Anytime by appointment (call the Parish Office at 412-755-2046)
Adoration times
- Monday 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
About Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish
Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish is a Roman Catholic community in the Diocese of Pittsburgh serving Clairton, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, and West Mifflin. Formed on July 1, 2020 through Bishop David Zubik's 'On Mission for The Church Alive!' initiative, the parish unites four formerly independent parishes into one family of faith. Mass is celebrated in English at four historic worship sites — St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Holy Spirit, St. Clare of Assisi, and St. Thomas à Becket — giving parishioners many convenient opportunities to worship close to home.
- Formed July 1, 2020
- Part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh
- Parish office: 412-755-2046
- Email: [email protected]
History of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church
The parish traces its origins to St. David's Church on Springdale Drive, built in 1923 as a mission church of St. Wendelin Parish in Carrick. Raised to parish status in 1937, the congregation quickly outgrew the small church. In 1941, pastor Father Henry Immekus petitioned Bishop Hugh C. Boyle for land along Route 51 — then known as 'Sacred Acres' — and the parish was canonically established in 1942 as St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Ground was broken on May 24, 1942 for a school that would contain a temporary church in its basement; the first Mass was celebrated there on Christmas Day 1942.
- 1923 — St. David's Church built as a mission of St. Wendelin Parish
- 1937 — St. David's raised to parish status
- 1941 — Father Immekus purchases 'Sacred Acres' along Route 51
- May 24, 1942 — Ground broken for school/temporary church
- Christmas Day 1942 — First Mass celebrated in new building
- November 16, 1952 — Permanent church dedicated
- 2017 — Diamond Jubilee (75 years) celebrated
Faith Formation and Youth
The parish supports the spiritual growth of children, youth, and families through several programs. Children and Youth Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, and an annual Vacation Bible Camp help young parishioners encounter Christ in age-appropriate ways. The Safe Environment program protects children and vulnerable adults in all parish activities. Ministry contacts are listed on the parish website for each program.
- Children and Youth Faith Formation (412-253-7091 or 412-207-1668)
- Youth Ministry
- Vacation Bible Camp
- Safe Environment program
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry enriches the liturgical life of the parish. Contact: 412-755-2046.
- Music Ministry — 412-755-2046
Social Concerns and Outreach
The Social Concerns ministry coordinates the parish's outreach to those in need in the surrounding communities. Contact: 412-882-0111.
- Social Concerns — 412-882-0111
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments — Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. For a sacramental emergency (such as anointing of the sick), parishioners may call 412-572-4810. Reconciliation (Confession) is offered at the regularly scheduled times listed above and by appointment through the parish office.
- Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick
- Sacramental Emergency: 412-572-4810
- Confession by appointment: 412-755-2046
Worship Sites
The merged parish operates from four historic worship sites inherited from the formerly independent parishes.
- Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church — 1 Grove Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 (Pleasant Hills)
- Holy Spirit Church — West Mifflin
- Saint Clare of Assisi Church — Clairton
- Saint Thomas à Becket Church — Jefferson Hills
Joining the Parish
New parishioners are warmly welcomed. Registration forms, safe environment information, and faith formation registration are available on the parish website. Online links cover registration, safe environment, children and youth faith formation, and addresses/directions to the church sites.
- Parish Registration Form
- Safe Environment
- Children and Youth Faith Formation registration
- Addresses and Directions to all four worship sites
Contact and Visit
The parish administrative office is reachable at 412-755-2046 and email [email protected]. For Sacramental Emergencies, call 412-572-4810. To reach one of the priests, call the Parish Office at 412-755-2046. The parish website, triumphtheholycrosspgh.org, provides the full weekly bulletin, Mass schedule, registration, ministry contacts, and parish news.
- Parish Office: 412-755-2046
- Sacramental Emergency: 412-572-4810
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: triumphtheholycrosspgh.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Henry Immekus (later Monsignor)1942-1971
Founding pastor who built the joint church and school, convent, rectory, permanent church (1952), high school, and bell tower during his 29 years.
- Father Jim Aaron1971-1984
Second pastor who led the parish through the post-Vatican II years with innovation and renovation.
- Father Roy Conley1984-2005
A 'hometown boy' raised in St. Elizabeth Parish who offered his First Mass there in May 1961. Known for kindness, gentleness, and patience during 21 years of service.
- Father Dale DeNinno2005-2020
Fourth and final pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish before the merger; had served as parochial vicar under Father Conley from 1984-1989.