Views of The
Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church

Interior, Members, and Altar,
St. Mary's Carpatho-Rusyn Greek Orthodox Church,
Shieldsburg / Salemville, PA

by Ryan P. Washlaski,
Raymond A. Washlaski &
Web design by Ryan P. Washlaski
Virtual Museum of Coal Mining in Western Pennsylvania
A Publication of the 20th Century Society of Western Pennsylvania
Updated Sept. 30, 2001

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Attending Mass, ca.1951 Interior Of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, ca.1951
View of the original interior of the church and the people attending Mass on February 25, 1951. The choir loft was up the stairs to the rear of the church.
The icon purchased by Pete Starry's mother, Mary Barkus-Starry, is on the wall between the windows. Pete Starry, Jr. is in the first row, left.

(Photo courtesy of Peter E, Starry, Jr.)
Carpatho-Rusyn Design
Officers of the Church, ca.1957 Officers of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, ca.1957
Officers of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, May 10, 1957 (St. Mary's Ukranian Catholic Church) , photo taken in the rear of the church.  From Left to Right: Anthony Stromock, unknown, Joseph Starry, Father Oriakievich, Mary Samella, Peter E. Starry, Jr., Joe Nash, and John Brigadore.
(Photo courtesy of Peter E. Starry, Jr.
Carpatho-Rusyn Design
Original Altar of St. Mary's Church Original Alter of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
The original Altar from The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, constructed by the Carpatho-Rusyn miners of Salemville. The alter having been removed during renovations to the church in the 1960's, was salvaged by Peter E. Starry, Jr. and rebuilt as a chapel in the basement of Pete's House in Huron Circle.
(Photo courtesy of Peter E. Starry, Jr.)
Carpatho-Rusyn Design
Starry Brothers with Priest Starry Brothers at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
The Starry Brothers with the priest. Left to right: Joe Starry, Stanley Starry, the Priest, Peter Starry, Jr., and Andy Starry.
(Photo courtesy of Peter E. Starry, Jr.)
Members of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
The Priest, Sophia Benzo, Sophie Knell & Stellar Sapovich on the front steps of the church.
(Photo courtesy of Stellar Sapovich)
Carpatho-Rusyn Design
Continue your tour HERE:
Back to Our Church Main Page & Links to History of Salemville and the Mines
Carpatho-Rusyn Design
Reference Sources: Reference Sources used in the History of Salemville, Salem Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania can be found here.
Copyright 2001, All rights reserved, by Ryan P. Washlaski, Raymond A. Washlaski & The 20th Century Society of Western Pennsylvania.


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