Diocese: 2 Catholic churches in Penn Hills, as well as 1 in Monroeville and Pitcairn to close in August

Two Catholic churches in Penn Hills will soon close their doors for good.

Diocese of Pittsburgh officials said St. Bartholomew Church, at 111 Erhardt Drive, and St. Gerard Majella Church, at 121 Dawn Drive, are in poor physical condition.

A recent decree from Bishop David Zubik cited both roofs, as well as their HVAC and other systems, are in dire need of repair or replacement.

The combined cost of repairs is estimated at least $790,000.

Plaster at St. Bartholomew had also fallen, creating a safety hazard and damaged the church’s organ.

The decree is effective shortly after midnight Aug. 6.

A Mass is set for 6 p.m. on Monday at St. Bartholomew and 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. Gerard.

They are expected to be the last, according to the Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish’s schedules.

The closure announcement also noted the estimated $1.2 million debt and declining membership of Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, the home of several churches in the Monroeville and Penn Hills area, as the result of a merger within the last two years.

Zubik’s decree stated parish assemblies took place May 12 and 13 to receive parishioner input on the possible closures. The bishop also heard from the Presbyteral Council on June 21 and the Vicars General on June 22 before coming to a decision.

The church’s stained glass windows, sacred items, non-sacred artifacts and “any work of some significance” will be removed for “reuse in other sacred edicices in the parish or be transmitted to the diocesan archives for use by other ecclesiastical entities.”

Parishioners would then continue receiving service at St. Bernadette and St. Susanna churches.

Monroeville, Pitcairn church closures

North American Martyrs Church at 2526 Haymaker Road in Monroeville and St. Michael Church at 750 Wall Ave. in Pitcairn, both of the aforementioned parish, are also expected to close as per decree.

Their final Masses are scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, respectfully.

Regular worship services have not taken place at these four churches since the pandemic.

A letter from Bishop Zubik about the impending closures was posted on the parish’s website, christthedivineshepherd.org.

“While I know this announcement is difficult to receive, I want to express to you my gratitude for all those who have worked so hard over many years to strengthen and pass on the faith through good works and fervent prayers in these church buildings,” Zubik’s letter read. “At the same time, it is my hope that this decision will allow your parish to be properly resourced to focus on the mission and ministry of the faith through evangelization so that there can be a sustainable Catholic presence in the area of east suburban Pittsburgh.”

Parish officials deferred comment to the diocese. Diocese officials deferred to the letter from the bishop.

Reaction to Penn Hills closures

Parishioners and Penn Hills community members chimed in about the impending closures via Facebook.

“We have been members at St. Bartholomew for just under 30 years,” wrote Denise Verosky. “I do not have the history of some though. I can say our family has memories to last of church community, activities, the summer fair, and the wealth of spirituality of the clergy who have come and gone.

“While I am saddened to see the church close, perhaps what saddens me more is the loss of community. Even before the pandemic there was a loss of attendance at services and faces were lost.

“I am glad to say we were fortunate to have the sense of belonging that we did. Thank you to the members of the parish and the clergy. Gone but never forgotten.”

Jodi Lilly expressed her grief and how closures have become too familiar.

“So sad to see churches closing and not opening,” Lilly wrote. “A sign of these times. We need God in our lives more than ever.”

Dan Giesey and Julie Parker recalled winning on the games of chance at St. Bart’s fair.

“I will always remember the summer fairs (of the) late ’60s,” Doug Bruckner wrote.

St. Bart’s history

St. Bartholomew Parish was established in 1950 by Rev. Hugh C. Boyle, then bishop of Pittsburgh.

Its first pastor, Rev. Charles Kerr, celebrated the first Mass in a living room of a residence with 34 parishioners attending on June, 29 of that year.

The Penn Hebron Garden Club rented the congregation space as a temporary church before a more permanent house of worship could be found.

Leaders broke ground in February 1951 for a building that would include a temporary church and parish hall. That building was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1951.

Work on a school addition began in 1953 and was completed in 1954. The school was dedicated that September.

A permanent church was built in 1965.

The school closed its doors June 2, 2017.

St. Gerard’s history

St. Gerard Majella was establised in 1964 by then-Bishop John J. Wright, with the Rev. Francis J.X. Lackner as its pastor.

Lackner celebrated the first parish Mass on May 28, 1964. There were 51 parishioners in attendance in a little house at 704 Hamil Road.

North Bessemer Community volunteer firefighters offered their fire hall for parish services from 1964 to 1967.

Officials broke ground in January 1966 and construction began that April for a new church. The first Mass at the new church was in June 1967.

It was renovated in 1978. Other pastors included the Rev. Richard J. Czapinski, Rev. John D. Brennan and Rev. Martin F. Barkin.

Parishioners celebrated its 50th anniversary in October 2014.