The Most Beautiful Catholic Churches in Pittsburgh

The Diocese of Pittsburgh is a Latin‑rite, Roman Catholic diocese established in 1843, serving six counties in western Pennsylvania—Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence, and Washington—with over 600,000 Catholics. Its mother church is Saint Paul Cathedral in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

As of January 1, 2024, the diocese comprises 60 parishes, organized into two geographic regions: the North Vicariate (33 parishes) and the South Vicariate (27 parishes). These parishes are made up of a total of approximately 107 church buildings (sometimes called churches or worship sites), reflecting earlier consolidations and mergers as part of the restructuring plan.

In this article, I want to present some of my “favorite” churches with a little bit of history and facts about them. I hope it will help you decide which ones you would like to visit first and pray, attend a Holy Mass, or join the young adult group! 

List of the most beautiful Catholic Churches in Pittsburgh

The list has no particular order, photos should help you in deciding which of them you want to visit first. Every church will have a website and location linked to easily find it on Google Maps.

1. Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish

Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish in Pittsburgh’s North Side is a personal parish established in July 2019, dedicated exclusively to the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) and entrusted to the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP) .

Housed in the historic former St. Francis Xavier Church (built in 1926), the parish offers a full schedule of chanted and low Latin Masses throughout the week—daily noon Mass, evening Masses on Tuesdays and First Fridays, and two Sunday Masses at 8 AM and 11 AM.

Under the care of Canons from the ICKSP—priests in full communion with Rome—the parish embodies a richly reverent liturgy, with Gregorian chant, incense, and traditional vestments that draw faithful Catholics from across the diocese. The Institute is well-regarded globally for its dedication to the classical 1962 Roman Rite.

With its solemn worship, vibrant schola (Latin chant choir), daily confessions, and classic architecture, Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish stands as a beacon for traditional Catholic worship in Pittsburgh.

Website: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/pittsburgh-home
Directions: 3250 California Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

2. St. Paul Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint Paul in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Located in the city’s Oakland neighborhood, it serves as the bishop’s seat and a prominent center of Catholic worship and activity in the region.

Built between 1902 and 1906, the cathedral was designed by architect Egan & Prindeville in the Gothic Revival style, inspired by the great medieval cathedrals of Europe. Its towering spire, pointed arches, and intricate stained-glass windows give it a majestic and reverent atmosphere. The cathedral is known for its rich liturgical life, beautiful music program, and outreach to the city’s large student and hospital communities.

Website: http://stpaulpgh.org/
Directions: 108 N Dithridge St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

3. Saint Anthony Chapel

The Saint Anthony Chapel, also known as the Shrine of St. Anthony of Padua, is a hidden gem perched atop Troy Hill in Pittsburgh’s North Side. Built in 1880 by Belgian‑born Fr. Suitbert Mollinger—who combined his medical background with a deep spiritual calling—the chapel was originally a personal devotional space and clinic for thousands seeking healing.

Today, it boasts 4,000–5,000 authenticated relics, making it home to the most extensive collection of publicly venerated Catholic relics outside the Vatican. Among these are:

• Fragments of the True Cross, thorn from the Crown of Thorns, and stone from Christ’s tomb

• Bone shards from all 12 Apostles, the skulls of St. Macharius and St. Stephana, and the full skeleton of St. Demetrius

• A tooth of St. Anthony, the sole relic of him outside Padua

The chapel’s interior is richly adorned with European-imported stained glass, life‑sized Bavarian Stations of the Cross, and custom wood reliquary cases—creating an atmosphere both intimate and majestic.

Following Fr. Mollinger’s death in 1892, the chapel passed into parish hands and saw significant restoration during the 1970s to preserve its bowed beauty. It now welcomes over 30,000 visitors annually, offering guided tours that reveal its relics, history, and stories of miraculous healing

Website: http://www.saintanthonyschapel.org/
Directions: 1704 Harpster St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

4. St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church

St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in Pittsburgh’s Strip District is a stunning example of the “Polish Cathedral” style—an architectural blend of Romanesque, Baroque, and Byzantine influences. Designed by Frederick C. Sauer and built in 1891–1892, its imposing twin towers and red‑brick façade make it a local landmark at 21st & Smallman Streets.

Originally established in 1875 by about 200 Polish immigrant families, the parish became a vibrant cultural and spiritual center for Pittsburgh’s Polish community. The spectacular stained-glass windows—crafted in Munich by the Royal Bavarian Art Institute—are recognized as some of the finest “Munich Style” examples in the United States.

The church has weathered significant challenges: during the floods of 1936 the pews floated, and a nearby industrial explosion damaged the towers—leading to the removal of their original Baroque-style cupolas. In 1969, Cardinal Karol Wojtyła (later Pope John Paul II) visited and praised the church, noting its resemblance to those in Poland; today, a modest shrine marks the spot of his prayer.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1972) and designated a diocesan Shrine (2019), St. Stanislaus continues daily Mass, parish life, Polish hymns, and even pyrohi sales that keep its heritage alive

Website: https://23091.sites.ecatholic.com/
Directions: 57 21st St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Let me know in the comments, which one is your favorite Catholic Church in Pittsburgh and if you would like to see more video content about those churches.