Saint John Neumann Church - Pittsburgh, PA - Roman Catholic Churches on Waymarking.com

A Bit of History about the Saint and the Parish
(Taken from SJN Welcome Packet)

Saint John Neumann, as a student in Bohemia, yearned to be a foreign
missionary in far-away America. Ordained in 1836 by the Bishop of New York, he trudged the Niagara frontier for four winters. He built churches, established schools, and was loved by children everywhere. In 1840 he joined the Redemptorists, but a decade later, by order of Pope Pius IX, he was consecrated fourth Bishop of Philadelphia. He traveled his vast diocese by canal boat, stagecoach, railway, on horseback and afoot. Master of eight languages, he found use for them all in his quest for souls. He was a pioneer promoter of the
parochial school system. He was first in America to establish a diocesan schedule of the Forty Hours. He invited several religious orders to his diocese, befriending them with his kindness.
At forty-eight, worn out from his apostolic endeavor, he dropped dead in the street. His remains now repose in the crypt of St. Peter’s at Fifth and Girard in Philadelphia. When Benedict XV declared his virtue heroic, he remarked: “You are all bound to imitate Venerable Neumann.”

Saint John Neumann Parish was established on July 2, 1979 as the 321st
parish in the Diocese of Pittsburgh to serve the families of Franklin Park and surrounding areas. Fr. William R Bovard was appointed pastor and 356 families joined the new parish. The first mass in the parish was celebrated on July 8, 1979, at the Franklin Park Fire Hall. Early masses were also held at Heritage United Presbyterian Church on Rochester Road.

On September 13, 1981, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new church took place on the property at 2230 Rochester Road. Bishop Vincent Leonard dedicated St John Neumann Church in May of 1982.
Early in 1994, registration was at its peak with 1400 families registered at St. John Neumann. On February 12, 1994 the new parish of Sts. John and Paul was established in Wexford, and as a result of redistricting, about 300 SJN families became members of this new parish. Since 1994, parish growth has almost offset the effects of redistricting with registered families now numbering
about 1450.

Type of Church: Church Status of Building: Actively in use for worship Date of organization: 07/12/1979 Date of building construction: 09/13/1981 Dominant Architectural Style: Contemporary Archdiocese: None Diocese: Diocese of Pittsburgh Address/Location: 2250 Rochester Road Pittsburgh, PA United States 15237 Relvant Web Site: [Web Link] Associated Shrines, Art, etc.: Not listed

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