Parish History

On February 23, 1910, the Italian ethnic parish of Our Lady of Grace was established with Father Nicola Albanese as its first pastor.  For a while, Father Albanese worked out of Seton Hill College until he was able to rent a small storeroom on the corner of Tremont and Highland avenues.  This lasted until a new worship site was completed and dedicated in 1916.

  The responsibility of each member of Our Lady of Grace is to hear the Word of God and live it by sharing in worship, especially at Eucharist; by nurturing our Catholic faith through formation and prayer; by reaching out to identify and serve the needs of our parish and the community; and by welcoming others into our faith community.
Through our actions, we strive to share and to encourage others to share in the fullness of God’s kingdom.

By 1960, the parish had 340 families and was still growing.  Due to continued population growth in this area, Bishop William G. Connare authorized construction of a larger church at its current location on Mount Pleasant Road, at which time it was changed from its ethnic parish designation to a territorial parish, to which all were welcome.  Parishioners moved into their new spiritual home when the
Our Lady of Grace Church on Mount Pleasant Road was dedicated on December 6, 1964. 

It was important to the parishioners of Our Lady of Grace to hear the Word of God and live out that Word, in particular through the sharing of it in the Eucharistic Liturgy.  The parishioners also nurtured their faith through formation and prayer. Through the living of these values, the parishioners of Our Lady of Grace reached out beyond the walls of the physical Church building to identify and serve the needs of the community, a value which remains to this day, a guiding light for parishioners and beacon of hope for those in need.

Through the continual cycle of hearing God's word, being nourished by the Eucharist, and going forth to be the Body of Christ in the community, the parish family of Our Lady of Grace quickly outgrew its 'new' Church building in a short 35 years.

Under the leadership of Monsignor Kiniry, the current Our Lady of Grace Church was dedicated on July 11, 1999. The former church was transformed into Albanese Hall, which is used for formation, receptions, parish meetings, and social activities. 

On July 23, 2016, the Sanctuary of the current church was renovated to restore the tabernacle to the sanctuary
and to install new reredos (the backdrop of the sanctuary).

Our Lady of Grace s now home to approximately 1,800 families, and growing.  We recognize that each person who makes up this community of faith is a flawed human being, and despite those flaws, we all work to welcome everyone with open arms, and walk alongside each person without judgement. This parish strives to be a place where all
can grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

PASTORS

Rev. Nicola Albanese, Founding Pastor:  1910 - 1960
Rev. Francis L. Ginocchi:  1960 - 1968
Rev. John W. Meighen:  1968 - 1974
Rev. Msgr. Andrew A. Chupela:  1975 - 1983
Rev. William P. Donahue:  1983 - 1988
Rev. Msgr. Lawrence R. Kiniry:  1988 - 2002
Rev. Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle:  2002 - 2010
Rev. Paul A. Lisik:  2010 - 2013
Rev. Daniel L. Blout:  2013 – 2025

Rev. Kenneth G. Zaccagnini: 2025 -

PAROCHIAL VICARS
Rev. Msgr. Joseph Pernatozzi
Rev. Vincent Rocco
Rev. Robert Byrnes
Rev. Richard Karenbauer
Rev. Thaddeus Kaczmarek
Rev. Peter Peretti
Rev. Clifford Kramer
Rev. Kenneth Zaccagnini
Rev. V. Paul Fitzmaurice
Rev. Stephen Bugay
Rev. Paul Stivason
Rev. Salvatore Lamendola
Rev. Jonathan Wisneski
Rev. Joseph Trupkovich
Rev. Alan Polczynski
Rev. Frank Gan
Rev. Eric Dinga
Rev. Ryan Ravis
Rev. Marlon Pates
Rev. Ignatius Camello, O.S.B.
Rev. Samuel Pinheiro, O.S.B.
Rev. Levi Mantica (Current Parochial Vicar)

PRIESTS IN RESIDENCE
Rev. Leonard Sanesi
Rev. Msgr. Robert Shuda
Rev. Lawrence Hoppe
Rev. Ronald Simboli
Rev. John Euker
Rev. Msgr. Michael Matusak
Rev. Msgr. Raymond Riffle
Rev. Msgr. Thomas Klinzing
Rev. Richard Kosisko
Rev. Msgr. James Gaston
Rev. Daniel Blout
Rev. Msgr. Larry Kulick
Rev. Tyler Bandura

Rev. Arnel Tadeo