Pittsburgh's Most Interesting Churches

The city is decorated with interesting churches that have played a part in Pittsburgh's history. All of the churches are open to the public and are available for tour, showcasing their architectural beauty. Churches are a beautiful thing because regardless of the religion, there is something to be shared. The aesthetic appeal of vaulted ceilings, beautiful gardens and historic construction is a sight for sore eyes. Here are Pittsburgh's most interesting churches.

Church of the Epiphany
184 Washington Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 471-0654
www.epiphanychurch.net

The Church of the Epiphany was erected when St. Paul Cathedral sold its property on Grant Street, which is now the Union Trust Building. The four large statues were transferred from St. Paul Cathedral to the Church of the Epiphany. The church was the first to establish a 2:30 a.m. mass at the request of Catholic printers. Pittsburgh was home to seven newspapers, and this is when the printers' shift concluded. The CONSOL Energy Center sits right next door, and the Epiphany Rectory and School buildings were sold to Sports and Exhibition Authority to assist in the construction of the Center at this location.

St. Patrick
1711 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-4767
www.saintsinthestrip.org

St. Patrick was the first church built in the historic Strip District. When the church was reconstructed after a fire demolished it, a piece a Blarney stone from the Blarney Castle was included, sent all the way from Ireland. TheMonastery Gardens were created with a grotto and marble altar. In 1993, the churches in the Strip District were no longer independent of each other and formed the St. Patrick-St. Stanislaus Kostka parish. The church remains open today and still serves the parish community.

Smithfield United Church of Christ
620 Smithfield St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 281-1811
www.smithfieldchurch.org

The Smithfield United Church of Christ is one of the oldest organized churches in the city of Pittsburgh dating back to its parish's founding in 1782. The deed to the land was given by the grandson and great grandson of William Penn. This is the fifth building that has been erected in this location, and the present structure was erected in 1927. The church is rich in German heritage.

First English Evangelical Lutheran Church
615 Grant St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 471-8125
www.flcpittsburgh.org

In 1837, the First Evangelical Lutheran Church became the first English-speaking Lutheran church west of the Allegheny Mountains. The present building was dedicated in 1888 and is the second oldest building on Grant Street. The church was renovated in 1985 to include a courtyard. The newest addition to the church is a 100-drawer columbarium for cremated remains of parishioners and family members. Former Pastor William Passavant established the Passavant Hospital.

First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh
320 6th Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-3436
www.fpcp.org

The First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh was developed in 1773, and the current building was constructed in 1903. The choir loft window was William Willett's first medallion window in the United States. The pastor of the church at that time did not like the window and had its view obstructed. At the 200th anniversary in 1973, the church renovated and restored this view. The church is located next to Trinity Cathedral, and the two churches share an Indian burial ground. The church has its 13 stained-glass windows constructed by Tiffany Studios, insured for $2 million.

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Diane Straka is a freelance writer whose work can be found on http://www.examiner.com/finance-in-pittsburgh/diane-straka