St. Mary of the Mount Church & St. Adalbert Church
Parish Histories
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Mary, Queen of Peace History
Formed in 4th January 2021 after the Diocesan process of "On Mission for the Church Alive." The new parish is formed from the combined Parishes of St. Mary of the Mount and Prince of Peace Parishes. This new parish is served by the St. Mary of the Mount Church and St. Adalbert Church Buildings.
Locations:- Parish Offices, Social Hall and Mailing Address: 81 S. 13th Street Pittsburgh PA 15203
- St. Adalbert Church Building: 160 S. 15th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203
- St. Mary of the Mount Church Building: 407 Grandview Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15211
- Education and Community Center: 403 Grandview Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15211
To Learn more about the merger process, changes and inauguration see:
Parish Merger 2021 and Mission on the Move -
Prince of Peace History
Formed in 1992 from the seven Parishes and Churches of the South Side. St. Adalbert Church is the one remaining Church Building.
Location: St. Adalbert Church 160 S 15th Street, Pittsburgh PA 15203
Prince of Peace Parish was established in 1992, but its history goes back much further. Seven former Parishes (St. Adalbert, St. Casimir, St. John the Evangelist, St. Josaphat, St. Matthew, St. Michael, and St. Peter) were a large part of the history of the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. The product of a deep ethnic community and a city centered around the steel mill, the roots of each of the seven former Parishes were rich with faith, family life, Church life, traditions, and customs. Over the years, the area has undergone rapid change with the loss of the steel industry, families moving on, and a city with financial struggles. Even though many moved to the semi-suburb areas surrounding the South Side, they continued to be active members within their respective Parishes.In the early 1990’s, with the reality of a shortage of priests and financial issues related to many of the Churches, it was necessary for the Diocese of Pittsburgh to evaluate all of the Parishes and make some very difficult decisions. In 1992, the seven Parishes of the South Side were reorganized into one Parish, Prince of Peace, and four of the seven Church buildings remained open along with its Parish school. While many accepted the change, this restructuring was a difficult one, but the deep faith of its Parishioners remained strong.
With a further decline in the number of priests, along with limited resources, it became necessary for the Parish to close two of its four Churches and the school. But again, with the strong faith of its Parishioners, this action was not a setback. Instead, it became the first real step toward unification.
In 2008, Prince of Peace formed its Pastoral Council, beginning its ministry with the theme of “Putting the People Back in the Parish.” Since people are the true living Church, it was time to reach out to the faith community at Prince of Peace. The Council had set and implemented its Pastoral plans, which balanced spiritual and social aspects and re-energized the Parish bringing family, friends, young, old, long-time and new members together.
The vision of Prince of Peace Parish was clear and focused on the continual strengthening of the Parish Family in both faith and unity. It set out to be a beacon of God’s love for the community of the South Side.
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St. Mary of the Mount History
St. Mary of the Mount Current Church Opening Date: 1897
Location: 407 Grandview Avenue, Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh PA 15211
Saint Mary of the Mount was established in 1873 as a mission church of St. Malachy on the South Side. In 1877 Saint Mary of the Mount became a parish with boundaries extending from Grandview Avenue to Warrington Avenue. The original Church was a wooden structure built at the corner of Kearsarge and Belonda Streets. The current Church was begun in 1891. It was designed by Frederick Sauer in Gothic architectural style. Frederick Sauer built many churches in the Pittsburgh area including Saint Stanislaus Kostka in the Strip District, Saint Nicholas Croatian Church in Millvale, and Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead. The Church was dedicated on December 19, 1897.
Saint Mary of the Mount was a church build by Irish, German and Italian immigrants who were looking for a cleaner environment, more open space and a place away from the noise of the ever growing mills and factories.
When the Monongahela Incline in 1870 and the Duquesne Incline in 1876 were completed, they provided easier access to Mount Washington. By 1871, there were 2,200 people living on Mount Washington. Due to population growth in Mount Washington, Saint Mary of the Mount became a parish in 1877 with boundaries extending from Grandview Avenue to Warrington Avenue. The original Church was a wooden structure built at the corner of Kearsarge and Belonda Streets.
The land on which the current church now sits was originally part of a farm purchased by Abraham Kirkpatrick from the Penn Family in 1794. The price of the land, around $35,000. The building of the current Church began in 1891. It is an example of Gothic architecture, erected at the cost of $70,000.
The church's high altar (white) and statues are original to the church. The modern altar and the lecterns were built by a member of the parish. Note that the lectern on the left side of the modern altar is wider. It accommodates the American Sign Language "reader” at one Mass a Sunday, which is interpreted for the deaf. The Catholic Deaf Community of Diocese of Pittsburgh is part of Saint Mary of the Mount Parish.
In 2010, Saint Justin the Martyr merged with Saint Mary of the Mount. The Risen Jesus on the left altar is from Saint Justin's. To the right of the high altar, where the organ is located was once an altar, but is now the location of our music ministry. Saint Mary of the Mount has an adult choir, a deaf choir and a hand bell choir. The baby grand piano was a gift to the parish.
There are 10 pictorial stained glass windows on either side of the church depicting the life of Christ. The windows on the right of the altar are Christ as a Child. The windows on the left are His adult ministry. The most stunning stained glass window in the Church is above the main entrance, the Ascension. The windows are original to the Church. They were made in Germany and were donated by members of the parish. In the mid-1990s, the stained glass windows were re-leaded and refurbished. The pews are made from tiger oak and are original to the Church.
The only new architectural addition was made in 1999 when the bell tower was added to the front of the church. The bell tower had been part of the original design but was not included in the original building or subsequent remodel activities (paint, carpeting, addition of the side entrance and the addition of the patio at the front entrances). The original bell is in the tower but an electronic carillon is used to call people to church.Saint Mary on the Mount has grown as a parish and has also declined with the economic fortunes of the City of Pittsburgh. Due to large population growth in Mt. Washington at the beginning of the twentieth century a portion of Saint Mary’s original parish became St. Justin the Martyr Parish in 1917. Beginning in the 1970’s Pittsburgh experienced a tremendous loss of population. By 2010 it was evident to the pastors of both Mt Washington Parishes that the need existed for only one. After input from both parishes and a decision by the Diocese, the Mt. Washington Churches again became one parish located at Saint Mary of the Mount Church.
Saint Mary of the Mount Parish is called to be “a beacon of God’s Light…striving to live the Gospel by loving and serving God and our neighbor.” Saint Mary of the Mount has experienced a resurgence in growth in recent years. Many families from the closed Hilltop Churches have joined the parish. There is also new growth coming from young families and urban professionals. Saint Mary of the Mount continues to welcome all visitors, tourists and anyone wishing to experience and grow in God’s love.