St. Mary’s Church in Pennsylvania Celebrates 125 Years

ST. CLAIR, PA — Abp. Mark of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania presided over the 125th anniversary celebration of St. Mary’s Church on Aug. 22, marking more than a century of Orthodox witness in the Schuylkill County community.

The celebration included a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy concelebrated by clergy from across the diocese. Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki delivered the homily, while a combined choir from local parishes sang the responses. Following the dismissal, Abp. Mark congratulated the parish, and “Memory Eternal” was sung for its departed members.

The anniversary also honored the generations who established and sustained the parish after its founding around 1900 by thirteen immigrant families, most of whom came from the village of Kamyanna in Galicia. The community initially worshiped in a rented Lutheran chapel before acquiring land for a cemetery and later constructing its own church. St. Mary’s endured a devastating fire in 1939 and continued to grow through the efforts of its clergy and faithful.

Following the Liturgy, the community gathered for a banquet, where parishioners and guests received special recognition. The celebration concluded with music and dancing, as the 81 Crew band performed polka music.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Vyksa Cathedral after more than 100 years.