History

St. Frances Cabrini Parish, Center Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, was established by the Most Reverend John J. Wright, Bishop of the Pittsburgh Diocese, on May 24, 1961. On the same day, Rev. Paul A. Holzer was appointed by Bishop Wright as the first pastor.

The territory of this new parish was formerly sections belonging to St. Titus Parish, Aliquippa, Pa. and St. John the Baptist, Monaca, Pa. Its boundaries include most of Center Township, and small sections of Hopewell and Potter Townships.

The property where the parish compound was to be built was given to the Diocese of Pittsburgh on August 2, 1960 by Mrs. Mary Hall. It comprises about ten and one-half acres of the Hall Farm on Chapel Road between what is now Trinity Avenue, Shadyside Drive and Lynnway Avenue.

A parish census which began June 25, 1961 revealed there were 480 families in the parish when it was established.

The first Mass was offered in the home of William Leasha, Hall Road on Sunday, June 4, 1961. Sunday and daily Masses were offered there for two weeks. Beginning Sunday, June 18, 1961, Sunday Masses were offered in the Center Bowling Lanes, North Brodhead Road. Sunday Mass continued to be offered there until the temporary church was completed.

On October 1, 1961 Father Holzer, with the help of some energetic parishioners, began the first of two Building Fund Campaigns. By the end of 1964 these two campaigns had raised $76,819. Construction of the temporary church was completed in April, 1963.

The first Mass was offered on Sunday, December 22, 1963. The buildings were blessed by the Most Rev. John J. Wright on July 19, 1964. Rev. Walter Benz was appointed the second pastor of St. Frances Cabrini where he served until March 29, 1969.

Rev. Thomas O’Connell was appointed pastor in 1969 and faithfully served the parish community until his retirement in 1996. Under his direction, construction of seven classrooms and the social hall was completed in February 1971.

Rev. Joseph Kleppner was appointed pastor in 1996 and shepherded the congregation until his retirement in September 2014. At that time, Rev. Martin R. Bartel, O.S.B. began his service as pastor as we live our mission of prayer, worship and service bound together as the Body of Christ in the celebration of the Eucharist.