I am ambivalent as to where this thread might be most appropriate (it's not exactly appropos to this forum and I may just up and move it yet).

I just acquired the "Silver Jubilee 1924-49" program book of the Byzantine Slavonic Rite Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Found two copies online - 1 very inexpensive from a bookseller in OR, the other, 3x the cost, from a bookseller in Windber PA (as I remarked to a friend, the latter's geographic location clearly informed his pricing - he knew what it's worth in his neck of the woods - or the mines, as the case may be ).

Fascinating text. It includes an exterior photo of each then extant parish/mission and one of its pastor; there is also a succinct (1 paragraph) history of each - including the number of faithful and the dollar value of the property.

In addition to information as to dates of founding, each history lists daughter parishes (Ruthenian and Ukrainian), if any. Most also name any 'independent', RO, ACROD, or UO parishes formed in the aftermath of the divisions that occurred after the episode involving St Alexis and Archbishop John Ireland and the later one involving Bishop Orestes, of blessed memory. Estimates of the numbers of faithful who left the parish in those circumstances are also included.

So, if anyone has a burning desire to know any of this info, I'll try my best to reply. At some point, when I have some leisure time, I'll try and piece together some numbers from it.

Meanwhile, this got me wondering if a 50th anniversary edition was produced as well - or just the 75th of which we're well aware. I know of a book on the Pontifical Liturgy served at the time of the 50th but, what I've been able to learn doesn't suggest that it incorporated a directory aspect. If anyone (John ?) knows more about the possibility, I'd be glad of the information.

Many years,

Neil

I am lucky to have two of these...haven't seen one offered online for several years (about $50 at the time). The Metropolia did not do a 50th commemorative book...instead it published a series of individual parish histories in the diocesan newspapers in 1974.

Please tell me about your bookseller from Windber. I am striking out looking for parish histories from the 1940s and 50s.

John,

The seller is apparently a book business run by a Christian family ministry, so this may have been a chance item, rather than an ongoing source for such. Although they apparently live in Windber, it's not clear whether they have a brick and mortat operation (Ung may know, I think he's from the Windber area), but this is their website.

Following up ... their website seems to list a very limited line of biblical-based texts. Online, at abebooks, they have 33K+ entries - and, even at a quick glance, thaey're much broader in scope. I haven't had a chance to narrow it down with keywords but that is where I'd look, rather than at their own site.

I actually saw the offer on abebooks. It's still there, if anyone wants to pursue it, this is the listing.

Many years,

Neil

John,

Did some keyword searches of their stock. These you probably already have, but I found 3 listings: St Mary's Johnstown Centennial Commemorative Book (1995) and Centennial Banquet (1995); and St Mary's Windber Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Book (1975).

Many years,

Neil

John,

Either of these of interest?

Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church Diamond Jubilee 1899-1974 Jessup, Pennsylvania
Golden Jubilee: St. John's Greek Catholic Church, Scranton, Pa, 1897-1947

both available from Frost Pocket Farms in Fleetville PA

See here

Many years,

Neil

Thank you. I have them both. I bought the Scranton history a few years ago for $10.00. It is hard bound classic, with wonderful photos and drawngs of the earl days of the parish. It is the only history ever published by that church