www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Photo Gallery Nativity of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church

This is an OCA Parish at 420 Laura St. in Philipsburg (Chester Hill), PA. Mission vespers were hosted here this past Sunday (March 27, 2011).

What is the relationship with St John in Hawk Run?

Deacon Paul,

Not sure if you're asking what kind of a relationship exists between the two at present or whether they had historical ties, as in one being formed by persons leaving the other.

The available on-line histories of the two don't reference any movement of parishioners between the two - which doesn't mean there wasn't. Some histories are very straightforward on such matters; others choose to ignore them. They were not founded contemporaneously though.

St John (OCA) is about a dozen yrs older than St John (BCC). The former was an Orthodox parish from the outset; it dates to 1895 and was dedicated by Nicholas, of blessed memory, Bishop of the Aleutian Islands and All Alaska in that year. The latter was dedicated in 1907. The founding families of both parishes were Carpatho-Rusyns and (at least in the case of St John's in Phillipsburg) Slovaks. One of our historians may be able to elaborate further on the historical details of one or both.

Many years,

Neil

Beautiful photos, Jeff. Thanks for posting them.

Many years,

Neil

This is a beautiful little church. St John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Hawk Run is also really lovely inside. Because of my church schedule I have never been to a liturgy there.

My favorite local Eastern church may be St Michael in Irvona, but I really feel drawn to each of these intimate little churches.

That may be because I worship in a Latin Rite Church that is big and grand and much too large for our congregation. Our Lady of Lourdes in Altoona, PA seats 600 or 700 people but our attendance at 8:00 AM Sunday morning is about 125.

The vespers on Sunday at Philipsburg was a great experience with a full church.

Thanks Neil.

For a bit of clarification, there are two St John the Baptist parishes in Hawk Run, the original is the Byzantine Catholic and the other (across the street)is it's estranged (sad, not meant as uncharitable) sister Carpatho-Rusyn parish by the same name.
I wasn't aware of a third St John, probably about 10-15 miles away. I take it that it is (or was originally) Russian Orthodox.
Very interesting.

The iconostas is bright and beautiful. Thank Jeff for posting.

Christ is amongst us!
Fr Deacon Paul