New Salem, PA

Parish Background

Founded in 1914 by immigrants from the Carpatho Mountains in what is present-day Hungary, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in New Salem is continuing to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Orthodox Faith to its parishioners and to the surrounding communities of the Uniontown, PA area.  The parish is part of the Orthodox Church in America and is locally a part of the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and Western PA under the leadership of His Eminence, Archbishop
MELCHISEDEK.

In 1913, a petition by 209 persons was sent to Archbishop Platon asking that they be permitted to build an Orthodox Church in New Salem.  Their request was granted on November 18, 1913 and the Reverend Alexander Alechin was assigned as the first parish priest.  The church property was purchased on December 3, 1913 and in that same year a church hall was built to hold services until a house of worship could be completed.  On September 14, 1914 construction began on the church and the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Alexander on August 20, 1915.

Since 1914 there have been 14 priests to serve the faithful of Holy Trinity Church.  The present pastor, Rev. Vitaly Dudkin, was assigned on December 1, 2000. 

The challenge now at hand for the faithful of Holy Trinity is to continue the labors of those founding fathers and pastors, who so diligently fulfilled the words of Christ:  “Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, which is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16).

To that end, many activities take place at the Church beyond the worship services.  At the beginning of Great Lent and the Nativity Fast there are Pre-Lenten dinners.  The parish has taken pilgrimages to points of interest in the United States.  Trips so far have been to St Tikhon’s Seminary and Monastery, St Vladimir’s Seminary, the Chancery of the OCA, Holy Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, MI, and to the Vatra—the administrative headquarters of the Romanian Episcopate in Grass Lake, MI.  More trips are already in the planning stages.  Hospital and nursing home visitations are encouraged by the pastor.  The parish also sponsors a food drive for the local Food Bank and is involved in other community service projects. 

The parish has an annual picnic and hosts Lenten Mission services.  Prosphora baking classes are offered to the parishioners and each year the parish holds its annual Festival the Sunday after the Dormition of the Theotokos.  Orthodox and non-Orthodox from the area gather for a day of prayer, fellowship, and fun.

Visitors are always welcome at Holy Trinity.  Each Sunday after Divine Liturgy there is a coffee hour in which parishioners can mingle together and meet new friends.  Please feel free to stop by the Church or call if you have any questions about the parish.