Holy Family Parish was founded on February 14th, 1994 when Bishop Donald Wuerl, as part of a larger reorganization of the Diocese, appointed Father Harry Parson as Pastor and combined the Saint Joseph and Saints Cyril and Methodious Parishes. It consists of the Beaver County municipalities of New Brighton, Pulaski Twp, Daugherty Twp, Marion Twp, Fallston, Eastvale, and North Sewickley Twp to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Both Saints Cyril and Methodious and Saint Joseph Parishes had long and venerable Catholic histories in the area. Saint Joseph Parish had its official beginning in 1862. Father James Reid celebrated Mass in several homes in New Brighton. On December 6th, 1863, Bishop Domenec dedicated a remodeled brick building, which served as the first church of the Parish.
The first three pastors commuted from Pittsburgh. Father M.J. Mitchell became the first resident Pastor when he purchased the first rectory in 1865. The next Pastor, Father Bigham (1866-1891), founded Saint Joseph's Cemetery and purchased the plot where Saint Joseph Church (later Holy Family) was built.
The cornerstone of the Saint Joseph Church was laid by Bishop Domenec on November 17th, 1871. Because of difficult economic times, the Church was not completed until May 1st, 1885, when 3000 attended the dedication. Fire struck the Church on October 25th, 1911. The fire started in the sanctuary, destroyed the upper steeple, and gutted the interior.
Within a year, the Church was rebuilt. The Church has undergone two major renovations since then. The last one was under Father Robert Rishel to accomodate the Church to the changes in the Vatican II Liturgy. Saint Joseph Parish also enjoyed the benefits of a Catholic school founded in 1884 and served by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Baden, PA. Sadly, the school closed in June of 1973. Many happy memories of their Saint Joseph school days remain with the parisioners.
In the early 1900s, many people from Croatia and Slovakia settled in the area. Saints Cyril and Methodious Parish was founded by Bishop Regis Canevan to address the needs of those who could not speak English. The Parish celebrated its first Mass on October 1st, 1916, in the basement of Saint Joseph Church by Father Ignatius Herkel. On September 3rd, 1917, the first Church was dedicated. Father Martin Rubicky was appointed the first resident Pastor in February of 1921.
Father John Sima was given permission to build a Church/School building. This building was constructed on property donated by Mrs. Marie Heath, which included her home which became the Parish Rectory and now the current Holy Family Rectory.
On August 14th, 1957, the Church moved into its new building at 1851 3rd Avenue which has now become the Holy Family Pastoral Activity Center. Saints Cyril and Methodius also enjoyed a school, which opened in September of 1926 and closed in 1947. The Vincentian Sisters of Charity served it.
In 1959, Saint Joseph Cemetery opened a new section to accomodate burials for years to come. Holy Family Parish seeks to build on this history by living a strong Catholic life.
After Father Parson's retirement, Father James Orr became our pastor until April 2004. Father James Gretz then served as our pastor until December 2007. Father Steve Palsa and Father Mark Thomas served as our priests until April 2009. Father Tom Kredel served Holy Family Parish until he retired on October 15, 2018.
Our current administrator, Father Howard Campbell, Pastor, and his team of Capuchin friars, Senior Parochial Vicar Father Paul Kuppe, and Parochial Vicar Brother John Harvey are serving the Church as we begin the transitional phase of the OnMission initiative. We hope all feel welcome.