Heritage Center
Preserving the history of the Diocese of Greensburg
Jerry Bertig, Director
724-837-0901 x2021
How was it inspired?
The Diocesan Heritage Center was inspired dually by Saint Pope John Paul II’s 1988 Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church.
Pope John Paul II’s commission aimed to be a resource for Dioceses that were trying to preserve artistic and cultural patrimony, or heritage.
Though the Diocese of Greensburg is relatively young (established in 1951), it has a rich history. At the blessing of the Heritage Center, in 2014, Bishop Brandt remarked that he has witnessed this history at parish anniversary celebrations and events. “Now is the time,” he said, to gather these important pieces of history before they are lost, destroyed or forgotten.”
“The heritage center should be a source of pride for our Diocese. So much has been accomplished in our short history,” the Bishop said.
Who is involved?
A Diocesan Heritage Center Commission was established to serve an advisory role to the Bishop in matters relating to the center as it is developed and opened. Jerry Bertig, who was named Director of the Diocesan Heritage Center in 2021, was involved in the initial stages of the center as well as Judith O’Toole, Director of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.
What is the Diocesan Heritage Center?
The Diocesan Heritage Center, blessed May 13, 2014, by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg, is a public location that houses artifacts, pictures and documents from the history of the Diocese and all of its parishes.
Its mission is to “to collect, preserve and assemble the cultural and archival patrimony of the Diocese.”
These items will be pulled from the current Diocesan archives, located at the Pastoral Center, and from parishes and parishioners to pay tribute to the heroic faith witness that makes up the rich history of the Diocese.
All of the items chosen to be kept at the Heritage Center will be catalogued and preserved with various museum-like displays and means for research. The Heritage Center is located in the Christ Our Shepherd Center adjacent to the Indiana Room.
How can I get involved?
The Diocesan Heritage Center is in need of help from members of the Diocese. Items that may be of interest to the center can be submitted for consideration.
It is only with the help of those in the parishes that the center will be a success. Other ways to support the center include keeping it in prayer and supporting it with monetary donations.
