On February 23, 1910, the Italian ethnic parish of Our Lady of Grace was established with Father Nicola Albanese as its first pastor.  For a while Father Albanese worked out of Seton Hill College until he was able to rent a small storeroom on the corner of Tremont and Highland Avenues.  This lasted until a new worship site was completed and dedicated in 1916.

By 1960 the parish had 340 families and was still growing.  Due to continued population growth in this area, Bishop William G. Connare authorized construction of a larger church and at the same time designated the parish as territorial.  The new “church” was dedicated on December 6, 1964, and the families of Our Lady of Grace moved to their new spiritual home. 

The current church building was dedicated in 1999.  With its completion additional space in the former church was freed up to be used for the needs of the parish connected with formation and social activities.  The parish is now home to about 2,150 families and continues working to meet the needs of the parish members and surrounding community.

As we begin our second century as a Catholic presence in Greensburg, we are called by God to continue with the great tradition of service and sacrifice set forth by our predecessors.  The parishioners of Our Lady of Grace celebrate a history rich in traditions and service to the larger community around us, especially the poor and less fortunate through our Saint Vincent DePaul and food pantry outreach.

Our Lady of Grace was founded on February 23, 1910 as an Italian ethnic parish.

• Father Nicola Albanese was our first pastor — for the next 50 years.
• The early services were held at the chapel in the old building of St. Joseph’s Academy at Seton Hill (Greensburg) until they were moved to a small storeroom on the corner of Tremont and Highland Avenues until the new church could be built.
• The first church was completed and dedicated in 1916.
• The name of Our Lady of Grace was chosen for the patroness of the small town of Cercemaggiore in Italy from where many of the immigrants came.
• Father Francis Ginocchi became our second pastor in December 1960.
• A new church was built on the old Byers estate on Mt. Pleasant Road in 1964.
• In 1966, we became a territorial parish.
• In 1968, Father John M. Meighen became our pastor (#3).
• Father Andrew Chupela became our pastor in December 1974.
• In June of 1983, Father William P. Donohue became the fifth pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish.
• Msgr. Larry R. Kiniry (then Father Kiniry) became the pastor in February 1988.
• Our new church was built and dedicated in 1999 under Msgr. Kiniry's guidance.
• The old church became Albanese Hall which serves as a center for Faith Formation, socials and meetings.
• Our seventh pastor was Msgr. Raymond E. Riffle who was assigned here in the summer of 2002.
• Our current and eigth pastor is Father Paul Lisik
• We presently have about 2,007 families, which is about 5,140 individuals.