 | The following is a timeline of significant dates in Catholic history in the region that now encompasses the Diocese of Greensburg. Dates were compiled from parish histories and diocesan archives.
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| 1700 |
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July 1, 1754 – Recollect Father Denys Baron, chaplain at Fort Duquesne, celebrates Mass for French troops near present-day Brownsville. One of the first Masses celebrated west of the Allegheny Mountains.
July 4, 1776 – Signing of Declaration of Independence.
March 26, 1789 – Land that is now the site of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg is purchased to build a Catholic church. The group is considered the first Catholic congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains. Effort is abandoned in favor of site that is now Saint Vincent.
Nov. 6, 1789 – Diocese of Baltimore established, first diocese in United States
1790 – Father Theodore Brouwers purchases land for Sportsman’s Hall, near Latrobe, now site of Saint Vincent Basilica Archabbey, College and Seminary. This site is called the “Cradle of Catholicity” in western Pennsylvania” by the first historian of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Msgr. A.A. Lambing.
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| 1800 |
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1806 – Log church built at Sugar Creek, Armstrong County. A refurbished church still stands on the site and is the oldest church west of the Allegheny Mountains. Parish thought to have been established by Father Augustine (Prince Demetrius Gallitzin) of Loretto.
April 8, 1808 – Diocese of Philadelphia established (becomes archdiocese on Feb. 12, 1875).
1811 – Bishop Michael Egan, first bishop of Philadelphia, visits St. Patrick Parish in Sugar Creek, Brownsville in Fayette County, and Sportsman’s Hall, near Latrobe.
1822 – First Catholic church built in Indiana County, a log house in Cameron’s Bottom. A stone church, St. Patrick, is consecrated by Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Philadelphia in 1832.
1829 (approx.) – Father Demetrius Gallitzen of Loretto celebrates Mass in the towpath of the Pennsylvania Canal for Catholics in Saltsburg and Tunnelton.
Nov. 28, 1830 – Arrival of Father James A. Stillinger as pastor of SS. Simon and Jude Parish in Blairsville. He ministers to Catholics as far away as Greene County and the New York state line. He serves there until his death on Sept. 19, 1873.
July 19, 1835 – Dedication of Saint Vincent Church near Latrobe.
Aug. 8, 1843 – Establishment of Diocese of Pittsburgh.
April 6, 1845 – Dedication of what is now Historic Church of St. Peter in Brownsville.
1846 – Benedictine Father Boniface Wimmer establishes the Benedictine presence at Saint Vincent near Latrobe.
1846 – Redemptorist Father John Nepomucene Neumann, serving in Pittsburgh, helps begin establishment of Most Holy Sacrament Parish, Greensburg. He is later named bishop of Philadelphia and canonized in 1977.
May 14, 1847 – Sisters of Mercy open convent and school for girls, St. Xavier Academy, near Saint Vincent.
Dec. 5, 1847 – Dedication of Most Holy Sacrament Church, Greensburg.
1853 – Diocese of Erie established.
April 12, 1861 – Civil War begins with bombardment of Fort Sumter.
July 29, 1866 – St. Patrick Church, Brady’s Bend, is dedicated. Parish traces roots to 1846.
March 3, 1868 – Dioceses of Harrisburg and Scranton established.
April 18, 1870 – Saint Vincent College incorporated.
June 16, 1872 – Cornerstone laid for Church of the Holy Guardian Angels in Nicholson Run. Church dedicated in 1878.
1882 – Sisters of Charity establish motherhouse at Seton Hill in Greensburg.
1883 – Sisters of Charity establish St. Joseph Academy in Greensburg. School is forerunner to Seton Hill College.
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| 1900 |
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1917 – St. John High School opens in Uniontown.
June 3, 1918 – Seton Hill College, Greensburg, receives charter.
Nov. 11, 1918 – World War I ends.
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| 1920 |
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May 9, 1928 – Dedication of Most Holy Sacrament Church, now Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, in Greensburg. Parish is served by Benedictine priests.
Oct. 29, 1929 – Stock market crashes, Great Depression soon follows.
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| 1930 |
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1931 – First members of Sisters of St. Benedict arrive from St. Walburg Abbey, Bavaria, Germany, and work at Saint Vincent.
March 2, 1939 – Election of Pope Pius XII.
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| 1940 |
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Dec. 8, 1941 – U.S. enters World War II.
1943 – Sisters of St. Benedict purchase land near Greensburg where St. Emma Monastery now stands.
Aug. 6, 1945 – Atomic age begins with dropping of first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
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| 1950 |
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March 10, 1951 – Diocese of Greensburg canonically erected by Pope Pius XII.
May 28, 1951 – Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Hugh L. Lamb promoted to bishop of Greensburg. Bishop Lamb’s transfer to Greensburg is delayed because of death of Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, archbishop of Philadelphia. Pittsburgh Bishop John Francis Dearden serves as apostolic administrator until installation of Bishop Lamb.
June 7, 1952 – Priestly ordination of Bishop Anthony G. Bosco.
Dec. 19, 1954 – Bishop Lamb dedicates church and school at St. James the Greater Parish in Apollo.
Oct. 28, 1958 – Election of Pope John XXIII.
July 18, 1959 – Jeannette District Memorial Hospital dedicated. Owned by Sisters of Charity until lay leaders are selected for the board of trustees and corporate board in 1976.
Nov. 29, 1959 – Bishop Lamb dedicates Greensburg Central Catholic High School, first diocesan high school.
Dec. 8, 1959 – Bishop Lamb dies.
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| 1960 |
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Feb. 23, 1960 – Appointment of Bishop William G. Connare to Diocese of Greensburg.
May 4, 1960 – Installation of Bishop Connare.
Nov. 1960 – Election of John F. Kennedy, first Catholic president of the United States.
Dec. 11, 1960 – Decrees of the first diocesan synod promulgated by Bishop Connare.
June 1, 1961 – First issue of The Catholic Accent published.
Aug. 15, 1961 – Bishop Connare consecrates diocese to Mary, Assumed into Heaven.
Oct. 2, 1961 – Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children established near Greensburg.
May 20, 1962 – Diocese’s first fund drive, the Expansion Program, opens.
Oct. 11, 1962 – Pope John XXIII opens first session of the Second Vatican Council.
Jan. 28, 1963 – Major fire destroys part of Saint Vincent.
June 3, 1963 – Pope John XXIII dies.
June 21, 1963 – Election of Pope Paul VI.
Nov. 22, 1963 – President Kennedy assassinated.
April 26, 1964 – Father Geibel Memorial High School in Connellsville dedicated by Bishop Connare.
June 17, 1965 – First vicar general of the diocese, Father Cyril J. Vogel, named bishop of Salina, Kan.
Dec. 8, 1965 – Pope Paul VI closes fourth and final session of Vatican II.
Dec. 21, 1968 – St. Thomas More Parish established on the campus of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
July 20, 1969 – United States lands first man on the moon.
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| 1970 |
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Jan. 1, 1970 – Bishop Connare decrees that attendance at Saturday evening Mass fulfills Sunday obligation.
March 22, 1970 – New Order of the Mass implemented in Diocese of Greensburg.
May 14, 1970 – Bishop Bosco named auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh. (Episcopal ordination held June 30, 1970).
1970 – Father Kolb Memorial High School, Masontown, closes at end of 1969-70 school year.
June 24, 1970 – St. Boniface Parish established in Chestnut Ridge by Bishop Connare. Its roots trace back to 1849 and the arrival of the first Benedictine priests.
March 6, 1972 – Fire destroys St. Xavier Academy in Unity Township.
June 1, 1972 – St. Joseph/St. Bernardine Parish in Mount Pleasant renamed St. Pius X Parish.
Jan. 22, 1973 – In two decisions, Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton, U.S. Supreme Court lifts most legal restraints on abortion.
Oct. 7, 1973 – Blessed Sacrament Cathedral consecrated by Cardinal John Krol, archbishop of Philadelphia.
April 2, 1975 – Bishop Norbert F. Gaughan appointed auxiliary bishop of Greens-burg.
June 26, 1975 – Episcopal ordination of Bishop Gaughan.
1976 – St. John High School, Uniontown, closes.
Aug. 6, 1978 – Pope Paul VI dies.
Aug. 26, 1978 – Election of Pope John Paul I.
Sept. 28, 1978 – Death of Pope John Paul I.
Oct. 16, 1978 – Election of Pope John Paul II.
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| 1980 |
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Aug. 14, 1980 – Flash flood kills nine in Brady’s Bend area, damages St. Patrick Church.
July 9, 1984 – Bishop Gaughan appointed bishop of Gary, Ind.
Jan. 4, 1985 – All Saints Church in East Vandergrift destroyed by fire.
June 4, 1985 – Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish established in East Vandergrift. All Saints, Holy Trinity and St. Casimir parishes suppressed.
Nov. 5-6, 1985 – Flooding on Monongahela and Cheat rivers damages Brownsville, Fayette City, Belle Vernon, Maxwell, Palmer and Point Marion.
Dec. 11, 1986 – Bishop Connare reaches mandatory retirement age, 75. Submits his resignation to Pope John Paul II.
Jan. 20, 1987 – Pope accepts Bishop Connare’s resignation. Bishop Connare named apostolic administrator of diocese.
April 14, 1987 – Bishop Bosco appointed bishop of Greensburg.
June 29-30, 1987 – Installation ceremonies for Bishop Bosco, the
third bishop of Greensburg.
Sept. 20, 1989 – Church of the Good Shepherd established in Kent.
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| 1990 |
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Jan. 6, 1991 – The Epiphany of Our Lord Parish established in Monessen. Five parishes suppressed: St. Anthony, St. Cajetan, St. Hyacinth, St. Leonard and Most Holy Name of Jesus.
March 1991 – Bishop Bosco announces restored order of sacraments. Children will receive sacrament of confirmation at same time they receive first Eucharist.
1992 – Deparment of Education and Spiritual Formation is formed. Father James T. Gaston appointed executive director.
Feb. 27, 1992 – The “Journey of a Lifetime” theme and logo are introduced to emphasize that formation is a lifelong process.
1993 – ALPHA, adult religious education program, begins in diocese.
June 21, 1995 – Church of the Resurrection established in Clymer.
Jan. 18, 1996 – Widespread flooding hits diocese; Clymer in Indiana County hardest hit.
Nov. 1, 1996 – Bishop Bosco promulgates New Wine, New Wineskins program.
March 25, 1999 – Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua, archbishop of Philadelphia, is keynote speaker at Catholic Charities’ first Communities of Salt and Light Awards Dinner.
June 15, 1999 – Christ the King Parish established in Leechburg.
July 11, 1999 – Dedication of new church for Our Lady of Grace Parish, Greensburg.
Oct. 1, 1999 – Bishop Gaughan dies.
Nov. 28, 1999 – Diocese opens Jubilee Year celebration with interfaith gathering at Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensburg.
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| 2000 |
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June 21, 2000 – Bishop Bosco decrees the establishment of 18 regions in diocese. Parishes in a region will seek ways to work collaboratively on a variety of projects.
June 25, 2000 – Approximately 2,000 people attend diocese’s Jubilee 2000 Mass in Latrobe on the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.
Jan. 7, 2001 – Diocese closes Jubilee Year celebration at The Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Monessen.
March 10, 2001 – Diocese celebrates its 50th anniversary.
June 1, 2001 – The Catholic Accentcelebrates its 40th anniversary.
Jan. 16, 2002 – During Mass at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral to close the diocesan 50th anniversary observance, Bishop Bosco commissions the first Diocesan Pastoral Council.
Aug. 1, 2002 – Bishop Bosco celebrates his 75th birthday. In accordance with canon law, he submits his letter of resignation to Pope John Paul II.
February 2003 - Setup for demolition of Transfiguration Church in Mount Pleasant begins after the structure was deemed unsafe in 2002.
March 30, 2003 - "Accent On the Air," the diocesan award-winning radio news magazine show airs its final show in a cost-cutting measure.
April 2003 - Father Lawrence L. Manchas, diocesan coordinator for Catholic Scouting, is given a special stole in gratitude of 20 years of service to scouting in the diocese.
August 2003 - Sister of St. Joseph Marguerite Coyne, diocesan superintendent of the Office for Catholic Schools since 1998 and a member of the school's leadership team since 1987, leaves to assume a position the five-member leadership team of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden.
September 2003 - St. Mary Parish, Export, celebrates its 100th anniversary.
September 2003 - St. Mary Parish, Brownsville, is temporarily closed due to structural problems.
September 2003 - St. John the Baptist Parish, Scottdale, celebrates its 125th anniversary.
September 2003 - A major initiative mandated by the U.S. bishops and designed to help protect children from sexual abuse has been lauded in the diocese. “Protecting God’s Children” awareness sessions begin.
October 2003 - St. Ambrose Parish, Avonmore, celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Nov. 20-21, 2003 - Mother of Sorrows Parish and its school near its $11.25 million renovation completion. The Eucharist is transferred from the school gymnasium to the church Nov. 20 and ribbon cutting is held at the school Nov. 21.
Nov. 25, 2003 - A pre-Thanksgiving fire destroys St. Hubert Church in Point Marion. Masses are moved to a local roller skating rink.
Jan. 2, 2004 - Pope John Paul II appoints Msgr. Lawrence E. Brandt, chancellor of the Diocese of Erie, as the new shepherd of the Diocese of Greensburg.
Jan. 17, 2003 - Bishop-elect Brandt meets with Pope John Paul II and receives a blessing for his ministry as the fourth bishop of the diocese.
Jan. 22, 2004 - Bishop-elect Brandt tours the facilities and meets with Pastoral Center staff.
Feb. 1, 2004 - Bishop Anthony G. Bosco bids farewell at a prayer service held in his honor at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.
February 2004 - St. Hubert Church in Point Marion is razed for safety reasons.
March 4, 2004 - The episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt takes place in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.
March 21, 2004 - St. Mary (Nativity) Parish concludes its centennial celebration.
March 28, 2004 - Holy Trinity Parish in Ligonier breaks ground for a new church.
May 30, 2004 - Mount St. Peter Parish concludes its centennial celebration.
June 2004 - St. Mary Academy, Freeport and St. Edward School, Herminie, announce they will close their doors at the end of the 2003-04 academic school year, citing increasing costs and decreasing enrollment.
June 13, 2004 - St. Regis Parish in Trafford celebrates its 100 years as a community of faith.
July 2004 - The Catholic Accent moves to a bi-weekly publication schedule to save costs.
July 18, 2004 - St. Mary Parish, Yatesboro, celebrates 100 years.
July 2004 - Catholic Charities continues their 50 year celebration at Idlewild Park in Ligonier.
Aug. 22, 2004 - St. Anne Home celebrates 40 years of service with a special Mass and celebration.
August 2004 - Bishop Brandt announces a new vocations initiative, citing Father Jonathan J. Wisneski and Father Larry J. Kulick as co-directors of the Office of Clergy Vocations.
August 2004 - Bishop Brandt publishes a pastoral letter, “Integrity and the Political Arena,” to clarify the Catholic Church’s teaching on life issues, particularly abortion and receiving holy Communion.
September 2004 - Bishop Brandt makes his first “ad limina” visit to the Vatican.
October 2004 - St. John the Baptist Parish, Perryopolis, celebrates its 100th anniversary.
October 2004 - St. Margaret Mary Parish, Lower Burrell, celebrates its 50th anniversary.
November 2004 - Four parishes announce the purchase of a school building in North Huntingdon to serve as home for Queen of Angels School, which has been operating out of temporary facilities since March 1999.
December 2004 - Bishop Brandt is elected by the bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey to serve as their representative on the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
December 2004 - St. Hubert Parish, Point Marion, receives approval to rebuild the church.
April 2, 2005 - Pope John Paul II dies in Rome.
April 2005 - Pope John Paul's successor is announced as Pope Benedict XVI.
April 2005 - Bishop Brandt sets up the diocesan planning committee to help establish a plan to guide the diocese through the next several years. A major part of the initiative is to provide opportunities for all parishioners to have input in the process.
June 11, 2005 - Pontifical honors and the title of monsignor are bestowed on 14 diocesan priests for their service to the church. A special Mass is celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish. At the Mass 10 laypeople are honored as Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in recognition for their distinguished service to the church.
July 7, 2005 - Parishioners of St. Mary Parish in Brownsville bid a tearful goodbye to their parish during a Memorial Mass celebrated in the church's parking lot adjacent to the building.
July 2005 - Bishop Brandt announces staff reorganizations, new job titles and new assignments for employees of the Pastoral Center.
Aug. 16, 2005 - Bishop Brandt announces the establishment of the permanent diaconate program, citing Msgr. Roger A. Statnick as director, Father Salvatore R. Lamendola as assistant director, and Marsha Kable as liaison.
Sept. 9, 2005 - The Bishop Anthony G. Bosco Center, which houses a Catholic Center and is home to Queen of Angels Catholic School, is formally dedicated in North Huntingdon.
Sept. 17, 2005 - The new St. Hubert Church is dedicated by Bishop Brandt. The church replaces the old structure destroyed by fire in November 2003.
Oct. 14, 2005 - Bishop Brandt announces the formation of the diocesan St. Thomas More Society for legal professionals. Msgr. William R. Rathgeb of the diocesan Tribunal Office is named the society's chaplain.
Dec. 15, 2005 - Bishop Brandt announces the addition of a middle school program at Geibel Catholic High School. |