Nativity of St. John the Baptist ChurchAccessible

Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

Nativity of St. John the Baptist Church

Founded 1895

Status:

Serviced by Diocesan clergy.

Diocese: Archdiocese of Western Pennsylvania

Deanery: Eastern Deanery

Address

420 Laura St
Philipsburg, Pennsylvania 16866-2520

Website: nativityofstjohn-oca.org

Office: 814-342-2011

Parish Contacts

Dean, Eastern Deanery
St. Nicholas Church
Du Bois, PA 15801
Office: 814-375-0459

Lay Leadership

Mr. Mark S Ammerman
Lay Contact
Home: 814-632-3096
Mrs. Shirley Foster Donovan
Choir Director
Home: 814-234-6871

Directions

General Location
Nativity of St John the Baptist parish is located in Philipsburg (Chester Hill), Clearfield County, Pennsylvania approximately 25 miles west of State College and 35 miles north and east of Altoona.

From the South
Take Rt 220 (I-99) north to junction with Rt 350 at Bald Eagle.  Take Rt 350 12 miles to Philipsburg.  At the junction of Rts 350 and 322, turn left onto Presqueisle St (this occurs at a traffic signal located next to the central park in town).  Proceed straight through two traffic signals (after making the left above) and follow the road across railroad tracks, over a bridge, past J J Powell Oil Distribution Center and the Little League field (all on the left) until the road T’s.  At the T, turn left onto Laura St, and the Church is about 50 yards up on the left.

From the north and east
Take Rt 220 south to junction with Rt 322 west at Port Matilda.  At traffic signal at Port Matilda, turn right and follow 322 west (note that Rt 220 will proceed straight through the light and head south to Tyrone and Altoona).  Follow Rt 322 west for 12 miles to Philipsburg.  At the traffic light, turn left (Presqueisle St).  Rt 322 west continues straight.  Proceed straight through three traffic signals (after the light above) and follow the road across railroad tracks, over a bridge, past J J Powell Oil Distribution Center and the Little League field (all on the left) until the road T’s.  At the T, turn left onto Laura St and the Church will be about 50 yards up on the left.

From Interstate 80
Exit 133 (old exit 21), Kylertown.  Take Rt 53 south toward Philipsburg.  Turn left at the traffic light in Philipsburg (Harbor Inn is on the left).  Go 3 traffic lights and turn right onto Presquisle St.  Follow the road across the railroad tracks, over bridge, past JJ Powell Oil Co until the T intersection.  Turn left onto Laura St.  Church is on the left 50 yards ahead.

Schedule of Services

6:00 PM Vespers.
Saturday Evening

9:30 AM Hours; 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
Sunday Morning

6:00 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Wednesday & Friday Evenings During Great Lent

The Mystery of Holy Confessions is offered prior to every scheduled service or by appointment.
Confessions

Please see the Current Bulletin on our website (http://nativityofstjohn-oca.org)  for a detailed schedule of services.

Parish Background

Nativity of St John the Baptist parish was founded in 1895 by Rusyn/Slavic farmers who immigrated to the United States from both the northern and southern slopes of the Carpathian Mountain region in Eastern Europe.  Most of the immigrants came from areas around Presov in what is now Slovakia, then the Kingdom of Hungary, or the Lemkian region of Galicia, now in southern Poland.

After completing the church building on the Laura St property, it was consecrated by His Eminence, Nicholas, Bishop of the Aleutian Islands and All Alaska on the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist in 1895.  The building has remained the same as it is today except for the brick encasement of the exterior which wascompleted in 1976 as part of a renovation project.  Also at that time new iconography was installed as well as a new Holy Table, Table of Oblation and Sacramental Table.

Historically, the membership of Nativity of St John the Baptist has swung between a high of about 100 souls to a low of 31 souls.  The current economic climate in Central Pennsylvania has adversely affected the membership of the parish due to a 10% net loss in population since the 1990 census.

Currently there are 40 souls registered as assessment-paying members of the parish while we provide ministry to upwards of 20 additional persons that do not consider themselves assessment-paying members.  The demographics of the congregation is almost evenly split between teenagers, young adults and middle aged adults.  The balance of the congregation (about 40%) consists of retired persons.  Orthodox Christians from the Carpatho-Russian, Serbian, Russian, and Greek traditions are included in the group.  There are also a considerable number of converts from other Christian confessions making their home at our parish.

The primary liturgical language here is English, although small portions of some services are conducted in Church Slavonic and Greek.  Congregational singing is emphasized and encouraged.  To this end pew books are prepared to provide parishioners with the opportunity to sing the services with the Readers and the Choir.

The Revised Julian Calendar (new) is followed in this parish in conformity with the practice of the Orthodox Church in America.

The small size of the parish (both physically and in membership) allows for an intimate experience of Orthodox Community living and the worship experience as a whole.  Everyone is known in the church and no one remains a stranger for long.  There is great concern shown one-to-another and this can certainly be called a “family church” in the truest sense of that expression.

Painted in 1976, the new iconographic depictions were executed by Fr Alexander Jurewicz.  These icons are without a doubt some of the best examples of neo-Byzantine iconographic style available in Western Pennsylvania.  Several art classes from nearby Penn State University have made trips to the parish in order to study and appreciate these icons.

As we celebrate our 116th year as a community in Christ, we look forward to continued spiritual growth and the deepening of our commitment to Jesus Christ.  At Nativity of St John the Baptist, we aren’t about building bigger buildings or increasing our membership rolls for number’s sake.  We are about empowering each person, singly as well as corporately, to deepen their faith and work out their salvation in Christ.

In CY 2002, we built a fine addition to the rectory ($100,000 cost, w/o a mortgage) which included four additional rooms and a much needed garage.  Thank God for all things.  President Jack Foster and Engineers Doug Donovan and Kari Ann Donovan were highly instrumental in drawing up the blueprints, dealing with the contractor and providing successful closure to this project.

A new church sign, designed per church specifications, was donated and installed by Paul and Carol Supko.  The sign was blessed by Father Donovan on April 20, 2003.  Many thanks were forthcoming to Paul and Carol for this beautiful sign.

An Eagle Scout Project by Andrew Conkey during 2003:  Landscaping plans were drawn up by Andrew for the Rectory and Church grounds, including projected costs.  These were presented to the Church council and approved.  With assistance from other church members, he installed the shrubs and flowering plants around the two buildings.  Andrew also helped plan and assisted in a social luncheon to help pay for the costs of this landscaping project.  Many thanks for a job well done Andrew.

An Eagle Scout Project by Michael Conkey in 2007 involved refinishing all of the church pews.  Michael also helped plan and assisted in a social luncheon to help pay for the costs of this project.  Many thanks for a job well done Michael.

The Icon of the Virgin of the Sign by iconographer Matthew Garrett has been installed on the ceiling above the altar.  It was blessed on July 20, 2008 by Father Horosky.  God grant many years to the donors of this beautiful icon:  the Brennish family—Jan, Sonia and Janine and William Kuehn.  The icon was donated in memory of John Pisancik Brennish, Jane Pokllick Brennish, and Florence Pollick Coulter.

An Eagle Scout Project by Christopher Conkey in 2009 involved construction and installation of benches at the cemetery.  In conjunction with the project, the parish had a sign made and installed, marching the style of the sign at the Church.  Christopher also helped plan and assisted in a social luncheon to help pay for the costs of this project.  Many thanks for a job well done Christopher.

The apricot, nut and poppyseed roll bake sales are successful every year.  It seems you cannot predict the amount of rolls to make - we always seem to sell out entirely.  Also successfully completed is the annual chicken BBQ - over 300 dinners are sold.

If you’re in the area, why not stop in and “break bread” with us?  You’ll be most welcome here!