St. George Church Preservation Society News & Archives

St. George in 1st Place... 10/21/2016 St. George Church in 1 st  place in YPA's 2016 Top 10 Preservation Opportunities. St. George Church Preservation Society (SGCPS) is proud to announce that St. John Vianney (formerly St. George Church) has been selected by the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh (YPA) as a 2016 Top 10 Preservation Opportunity! The Top 10 Event & reception was held yesterday at The Frick in Point Breeze as several members of SGCPS were in attendance to share in this wonderful recognition for the church and community. Click the link below to read the coverage of this event by NEXT Pittsburgh: http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/city-design/young-preservationists-association-top-ten-list-2016/

Pledge Drive II posted  Oct 21, 2016, 1:41 PM   WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR A SUCCESSFUL PLEDGE DRIVE!!!  In September, we were notified that the Vatican revoked the decision to close the former St. George church. Now, we need to show the Diocese and the Vatican that together, we can provide the resources to reopen and restore the church. This nationwide pledge drive is reaching out to all of our St. George Family and supporters. PLEDGE DRIVE II  We are asking for your pledge to make a donation each month to fund the restoration of the former St. George Church once it is reopened. Recent proposals estimate that the work can be completed over 5 years. Once an  agreement has been reached and the restoration work is started, you will be contacted to  begin payments on your pledge. If 180 donors pledge an average of $50 per month, ($12 per week) we will exceed our 5 year  goal of $527,000.  Pledge Drive II ends on November 1, 2016.  Your Memorial/Honor...

St. George 130th Anniversary Dinner a huge success!! posted  Sep 28, 2016, 12:54 PM  by  Close to 250 members of the St. George Family filled the Castle Shannon Memorial hall on Saturday night. Many guests were overwhelmed with appreciation for this opportunity to gather and reminisce. There were many compliments for the great food, deserts, drinks and the DJ with oldies music for dancing. During the event, there was a slide show of St. George photos displayed on several flat screen TVs. The crowd was privileged to honor our several guests from The Greatest Generation and viewed the display of the St. George WWII memorial. Guests also were able to gather around St. George and the trophy table for class photos. In addition to the large Chinese Auction, many door prizes and the 50/50 raffle, there were St. George T-Shirts and mugs on sale. We would like to thank everyone for coming and especially all of those who helped make this such a successful event.  If you know o...

Prize Winners from the Anniversary Dinner posted  Sep 28, 2016, 12:23  ST. GEORGE RAFFLE PRIZE WINNERS EARLY BIRD RAFFLE  Tom Suhayda BLUE TICKET RAFFLE Jason Callendar      Football & Helmet autographed by Jack Ham DJ Grace Zierden    Chvasta Anti Aging Facial DOOR PRIZES Bill Meyer Party         Lite Wax Pot Stephanie Gonsar     Plate Holders and Gift Card Mary Gorski              Glass Bowl Viv Werst                  Coins 1999 Cindy McGinley        Friends Statue Paul Shannon           Hummingbird Light Sandy Steele            Lenox Ornament Connie Bayer            Ornament Rich Mehrenb...

Letter from the Vatican posted  Sep 14, 2016, 5:30 PM   Dear St. George Family: On Tuesday, September 6, 2016, our group of parishioners received a letter from the Vatican indicating that the decision to close our church has been revoked. While we are pleased with this news, we're aware that this decision could be appealed. Now we look forward to entering into a cooperative effort with the parish to continue on a path of success for our historic church. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Below is a copy of the letter:

130th Anniversary of St. George posted  Aug 3, 2016, 11:58 AM   The St. George Anniversary Committee would like to invite all St. George & SJV family and friends to gather for the  130th Anniversary  of the founding of  St. George Parish  in 1886. $40 donation per person Includes Dinner and Open Bar Music by D.J. Grace Saturday, September 24, 2016 5:00pm-10:00pm 3600 Library Rd & Grove Rd Pittsburgh, PA 15234 Castle Shannon V.F.D. Memorial Hall Seating is limited. Deadline is  September 1st 2016 .     Click on the "add to cart" button to make your reservation now!! For more information call  412-502-5062 . Spread the word! Please tell your friends & family about this event! Thank you, The St. George Anniversary Committee 1 886 St. George Founders' Table Display of St. George WWII Memorial Your Photo with St. George Alumni Class Photos St. George T-Shirts & Mugs Door Prizes & Raffles Keepsake Program To make ...

Participate in a Parishioner Survey-Help Reopen & Restore Our Church! posted  Jun 11, 2016, 9:05 AM   As part of our ongoing efforts to Reopen & Restore our church, we are asking former parishioners of St. John Vianney to complete an online survey. If you have family members, friends or neighbors who do not have email access, please assist them in submitting a survey. The deadline for submissions is June 17, 2016. Please click  here  or cut and paste the link below into your browser to access the St. John Vianney Parishioner Survey. http://goo.gl/forms/5hIk4AQ00w8vtVTT2 Thank you for your continued support! -SGCPS

  Success Story II: Another Church Reopened by the Vatican posted  Jun 7, 2016, 6:59 PM  [ updated  Jun 7, 2016, 7:11 PM  ] As we wait for a decision on the appeal to reopen the former St. George Church (St. John Vianney), we'll share some stories about reopened Catholic churches around the Country. Many closed churches in other dioceses have been ordered reopened by the Vatican.  It is important to know that there are success stories out there.  The appeal process is the one very important factor that separates the reopened churches from hundreds churches that were closed. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Adams, Massachusetts Since 2000, 69 churches or parishes had been closed in Western Massachusetts. St. Stanislaus Kostka Church was closed in late 2008. After parishioners filed an appeal, the Vatican ordered the church reopened in 2011. The following article was from “The Times Union” of Albany. Polish church's survival an underdog's tale Parishioner...

  Stories of Success Keep Hope Alive! posted  May 25, 2016, 1:25 PM  by Saint George Church Preservation Society    [ updated  May 25, 2016, 1:58 PM  ] While we wait for a decision on the appeal to reopen the former St. George Church (St. John Vianney), we will share some stories about reopened Catholic churches around the Country. In the last decade, dozens of closed churches in other dioceses have been ordered reopened by the Vatican. Although there are different situations for each church, it is important to note that there are success stories out there. The appeal process is the one very important factor that separates the reopened churches from hundreds churches that were closed. St. Patrick Church, Chicopee, Massachusetts Since 2000, 69 churches or parishes had been closed in Western Massachusetts. St. Patrick Church was closed in 2009. After parishioners filed an appeal, the Vatican ordered the church reopened in 2011. The following article was ...

  There's still time to order your Saint George T-shirt! posted  May 14, 2016, 4:07 PM  by Saint George Church Preservation Society    [ updated  May 14, 2016, 4:08 PM  ] The Saint George T-shirt sale ends this Friday, May 20, 2016. To place your order online, click  here . If you order by mail, checks must be received by the deadline.