Parish History

For years, six Catholic churches had been present in the Cambria City section of Johnstown. Five churches remained after the merger of St. Casimir and St. Emerich, following the closure of St. Emerich Parish. Early in 2008, the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese officially announced that the parishes of Immaculate Conception, SS. Casimir & Emerich, St. Columba, St. Rochus and St. Stephen’s would merge into one parish during the summer of 2009. Throughout the year and a half before the merger, a Transitional Pastoral Council of two representatives from each parish worked diligently to ensure a smooth transition for the then unnamed new parish.

In late March 2009, the Diocese announced that the name of the merged parish would be Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish. Two months later, Bishop Joseph Adamec announced that the Rev. Alan E. Thomas would be the pastor of the new parish. A picnic Mass was held on Sunday, June 27 to allow parishioners to meet Father Alan prior to the merger.

The new parish celebrated its first Mass on Wednesday, July 22, and on Saturday, July 25, 2009, the first weekend Mass was held at Resurrection Parish. An Inaugural Mass with Bishop Joseph followed the first morning Mass on Sunday, July 26. Within weeks after opening, Resurrection Parish participated in Johnstown's Ethnic Fest, surprising many, since the parish and its workers had such a brief time of preparation. Since that time, Resurrection Parish has continued to show the community that with faith, all things are possible.

Parish Unity
Each of the former parishes brought a treasured item to share with the new parish. …

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH
Remembering Our German Heritage

The Blessed Virgin Mary
"On Friday night, May 30, 1889, the church was filled with people praying to the Blessed Mother. When the noise of the flood was heard, the congregation hastened to get out of the church. … After the flood waters had receded, the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was in its original place. The flowers, the wreaths, the lace veil were not even spattered … although the marks on the wall showed that the surface of the water had risen above the statue to a height of fifteen feet."

ST. CASIMIR PARISH
Remembering Our Polish Heritage

Our Lady of Czestochowa
“The icon of Our Lady of Czêstochowa carries the signs of Poland’s struggles and its victories over its foes throughout the centuries. Her face is said to be blackened by fire from battles for the control of Poland. We continue to plead for Mary’s protection under the title of Our Lady of Czêstochowa, or Black Madonna, as we sing the refrain: ‘Madonna, O Black Madonna, protect us from evil’s charms. Enfold us, O Black Madonna, and hold us in your fair arms.’”

ST. COLUMBA PARISH
Remembering Our Irish Heritage

Tabernacle and Sanctuary Lamp
Sacred dwelling of the Blessed Sacrament, the tabernacle draws our eyes in adoration to Christ who sacrificed Himself for us so that we might gain eternal life. “He has pitched his tent among us.” The sanctuary light stands vigil close to the tabernacle, serving also in this new parish as a reminder of our beloved deceased.

ST. EMERICH PARISH
Remembering Our Hungarian Heritage

Candles for the Altar of Sacrifice
“Of the few items that remain from St. Emerich’s, a beautiful set of candlesticks are the gift from the Hungarian members of SS. Casimir & Emerich Parish to Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish. They take a place of honor on either side of the altar of sacrifice, where they will continue to burn brightly, reflecting the faith of the Hungarian people.”

ST. ROCHUS PARISH
Remembering Our Croatian Heritage

Statue of the Risen Lord
“We believe that by dying on the cross, Christ showed us that love is stronger than any power on earth. Love conquers all evil, and even death itself. This time, this place, this challenge is just another opportunity given to us to spiritually leap into the arms of the Risen Christ and draw from him guidance and strength, so that our hearts may be filled with kindness, with forgiveness, with tolerance, with respect for each other, and most of all with love.”

ST. STEPHEN PARISH
Remembering Our Slovak Heritage

A Statue of the Sacred Heart
“The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the hands of Christ outstretched in welcome has always been a powerful reminder of the love and welcoming spirit of St. Stephen Parish. It is the hope that the vision of love and the welcome expression of the image of the Sacred Heart will always be part of the spirit of Resurrection Roman Catholic Parish.”

THE RESURRECTION TREE
It has blossomed during its first year much like we have.
Planted behind the Resurrection Parish Picnic Grove altar, the Resurrection Tree is a symbol of New Life.The cross shape on the tree’s petals is empty because the Risen Lord is now within each and every one of us.