Who We Are & Our Parish History
Honoring the Legacy of St. John the Baptist
Our beloved parish, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, stands as a living witness to the faith, perseverance, and devotion of generations of Orthodox Christians. Guided by the intercessions of our patron saint, the Forerunner who prepared the way of the Lord, we continue to walk in the light of Christ, proclaiming His mercy to the world.
The Troparion of St. John the Baptist beautifully captures his role in salvation history and inspires our parish to follow his example of faith and courage:
With praise the holy man is remembered.
But for him who has prepared the way,
The praise of the Lord Himself suffices.
For you are higher in honor than the prophets,
Since you were worthy to baptize in the stream
Whom you foretold.
Then after suffering joyfully for the Truth,
To the dead you proclaimed the glad tidings of God's Incarnation.
He has taken away the sins of the world,
Thereby granting to the world His great mercy.
The Founding of the Parish
In 1909, a small group of devoted Orthodox Christians, filled with determination and faith, gathered together with one vision, to establish a parish and build a house of worship to the glory of God. Their dream came to fruition in 1910, when the first church was completed and dedicated in honor of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
This humble church became the spiritual heart of the community, a place of worship, fellowship, and steadfast faith. Through times of both joy and trial, the faithful gathered here to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, to baptize their children, to be joined in holy matrimony, and to lay their loved ones to rest in the hope of the Resurrection.
Building for the Future
As the parish grew, so did its vision. A Building Fund was established, growing gradually year by year through the faithful generosity and labor of love of parishioners. Their dream was to create a larger, more beautiful temple for the worship of God, a space to nurture future generations in the Orthodox faith.
In time, land was purchased in the Rossmont section of New Kensington, and the long-awaited plans were approved. On Sunday, September 8, 1963, the first shovel of earth was turned by Peter N. Esteruk, President of the Church Council, marking the groundbreaking ceremony for the new church. That day, Father Andrew placed a wooden cross in the earth at the very spot where the Holy Altar would stand, sanctifying the ground with prayer and purpose.
Construction soon followed, and on Sunday, November 10, 1963, His Eminence, Metropolitan John, assisted by guest clergy and Father Andrew, led the Cornerstone-Laying Ceremony. The cornerstone from the original church was lovingly transferred, and within the new one were placed the names of the parish founders and current members, coins from 1910 and 1963, and sacred icons, a bridge between past and present, uniting generations in faith.
A New Era of Worship
On Sunday, May 24, 1964, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated for the final time in the little church on Fourth Avenue. Just one week later, on Sunday, May 31, 1964, Father Andrew celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the new church, a moment of joy and thanksgiving for the entire parish.
This sacred transition marked not just the opening of a new building, but the unfolding of a new chapter in the life of the community. The parish continued to flourish, rooted in the same faith and love that inspired its founders.
Growing in Faith Today
Over the decades, St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church has grown and changed, ever guided by the light of Christ. Today, we are blessed to see the fruits of that faith: young families, new faces, and catechumens drawn to the beauty and truth of the Orthodox Church.
As we welcome more families into our spiritual home each year, we give glory to God for His abundant mercy and the continued renewal of our parish life. The story of our church is not only one of brick and mortar, it is a story of faith, community, and the enduring love of God, carried forward by all who call this parish home.