Work to refinish New Kensington church's 'onion dome' continues

The layers of the onion are being put back on a New Kensington church.

It was finally warm and dry enough Tuesday to begin work to refinish the onion dome atop St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church on Elmtree Road.

It’s the first time the “terribly weathered” onion dome, so called for its shape, has been refinished since the church was built in the early 1960s, Alexis Parshook said. Parshook is the church’s choir director and had been administrator for the past four months until a new priest, the Rev. John Parker, arrived.

Francis Hutta of Coaldale said it will take three days, depending on the weather, for him to regild the dome with 22-karat gold leaf.

Through his business, Francis J. Hutta Builders, he has specialized in this kind of work for 20 years. It has taken him to buildings including churches, hospitals and schools up and down the Eastern Seaboard, to Texas, to Alaska and even Malaysia.

Hutta said the gold film he is applying to the dome at St. John will be good for at least 20 years.

When work on the dome is completed, the church is having its roof replaced, which was last done 27 years ago, Parshook said. Planning for the work was underway before Parker started May 8.

Parshook said the work had been talked about for a few years, with the church council deciding last fall to hire contractors and get it done.

Parker replaced Father Nikolai Breckenridge, who left in January after nine years for a new position at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Catholic Church in Bethlehem, Pa.

Parker and his wife, Nadia, came to St. John from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Donora. They have a son, Jonah, 1, and are expecting a daughter in August.

“So far, we’ve felt very welcomed,” Parker said. “Everyone seems to pitch in and help each other. I’m inspired by the dedication people show to their church.”

The church has about 60 members on its books, with between 35 and 45 attending Sunday services, Parshook said.

The parish was founded in 1910 on Fourth Avenue in Arnold before moving to its New Kensington location. Parker is the 28th pastor of the parish.

Work on the dome and roof is costing $72,000-$73,000, Parshook said. Donations from parishioners and cashing out a certificate of deposit for general property improvement is covering all but about $8,000, she said.

“If there is a need, the people step up for it,” Parker said. “I was impressed to hear about some very generous donations.”