breakfast to begin its long tradition
of activity and camaraderie. In
addition, access to public and
private transportation changed local
pedestrian culture with the opening
of Interstate 79 and South Hills
Village Mall.
Over the last 25 years, St. Thomas
Episcopal Church has evolved with
the times. It welcomed its first female
priest in Reverend Rosalind Brown,
followed by two additional female
priests.
“Canon Cathy Brall is our current
priest and we absolutely love her,”
says Lucarelli. “Since being ordained
in 1995, she has served in various
capacities for parishes and the
diocese, most recently becoming
our current Priest-in-Charge and we
are thrilled. Because the Diocese of
Pittsburgh does not tightly control
our church, it allows us to select who
we believe can lead us in our faith.
The vestry receives recommendations
from the diocese and then we vote. It
works really well for us.”
St. Thomas
Church
2016.
Photo by
Debbie
Vayansky.
“We are a church
family. We are
there for each
other in person
and in faith.”
After 150 years, St. Thomas
The Rev. David Kinsey leading a children’s moment
during the 1970s. Kinsey’s 25-year tenure as vicar
Episcopal Church has weathered
is the longest in St. Thomas Church history.
the storms of their local community
Photo courtesy Sam Richards.
and the changing tides within the
Episcopalian faith. “I have been a
member of this church since 1998,”
notes Lucarelli. “I’ve served as a vestry member several times and can honestly say the reason
our church survives is because we are a church family. We are there for each other in person
and in faith.”
She also says that while the church can hold up to 75 people comfortably, the current
congregation of 50 holds strong. “I have found our church stays the size it needs to be. We
keep in touch with each other, we are comfortable with each other, and know we are loved
and cared about. But we are also very welcoming and open to visitors who may want to join
us for worship or fellowship.”
The church holds a “Grillin’ and Chillin’” free BBQ supper event the last Friday of every
month in June, July and August and uses Facebook to communicate the latest news and
events.
The church’s 150th anniversary celebration was held Sunday, Sept. 11, with a celebratory
service followed by a luncheon. Church members, along with city officials and the bishop
were invited to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event. n
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