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Holy Trinity
Orthodox Church
Mervine & Juniper Streets
Pottstown PA 19464
Very Reverend
S. David Mahaffey,
Rector
www.oca.org
Some images provided
courtesy of
www.oca.org and the
Orthodox Church in America.
(c) 2003 Holy Trinity
Orthodox Church
All rights reserved.
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Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Pottstown was
established in the year 1928, a time of great turbulence and uncertainty in the
historical development of the Orthodox Church in America. But the vision and
determination of the small group of faithful in Pottstown was clear and certain.
The people desired to have a House of Worship in their own immediate community.
The distance to the nearest Orthodox parishes (Philadelphia, Reading, Chester)
seriously hampered the full participation and practice of Orthodox life.
Thus, on January 21, 1928, in the home of Thomas Seniuk (435 South St), concrete
steps were initiated to establish a local parish. At the first meeting,
temporary officers were elected, monthly dues were set at $2 per member, and all
members were assessed $100 towards the building fund. In February, additional
officers were elected, and in the same month the newly formed group held its
first church dinner to raise funds for a church building.
On March 25, 1928, the Very Reverend George Popoff of Reading, PA served the first Divine
Liturgy for the fledgling parish at the home of Alexander Poplawsky. Thereafter,
Father George cared for the new parish until a permanent pastor was secured. On
April 28 the faithful decided to name their parish in honor of the Holy Trinity.
On June 19 the first permanent pastor, Reverend Nicholas Kovalchukoff, was assigned.
Father Nicholas celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and Feast Days at the home
of Thomas Seniuk until December.
On July 14, 1928, a contract was awarded to one Arthur Kepner to construct a
church edifice. A few days later, on July 18, ground was broken for the new
church. Within a relatively short time the building was completed at a cost of
approximately $6000. December 16 was the memorable day when the first services
were held in the newly constructed church. A few weeks later, on December 30, Very
Reverend Jonah Milasevich was assigned pastor of Holy Trinity Church. The
determination and zeal of these founders was truly remarkable when one considers
that within only one year, from January to December 1928, they organized a
parish, erected a church building, had it consecrated, and secured a permanent
pastor. What marvelous things are done when humans strive to fulfill the will of
God on earth.
In 1957, after 29 years of fruitful labor, Fr. Jonah Milasevich retired. Since
that time, many dedicated priests, both permanent and temporary, have served at
the Altar of Holy Trinity Church. The current acting rector, Very Reverend
Protopresbyter Michael Slovesko, was
assigned to Holy Trinity in August 2005. The parish has also sent one son to the Holy Priesthood, Reverend J Gregory Becker, who was ordained here on February 13, 1977, and now
serves in the Romanian Episcopate.
In addition, Holy Trinity Church has also been the recipient of the talents of
many lay leaders and choir directors over the years. Of special distinction is
Mr. Stephen Kopestonsky of Philadelphia, who was a pioneer in the adaptation of
traditional Slavonic liturgical music into the English language. The current
choir director is Mr. John Black Jr.
In 1975 the first step in a new building program was taken: the construction of
a new rectory on property adjoining the cemetery. The rectory was dedicated on a
day of celebration, May 24, 1975. Plans for a new church had been drawn up.
However, through the Grace of God, a building and suitable grounds located at
the intersection of Mervine and Juniper Streets in Pottstown became available
and were purchased by the congregation in 1979. The property is within walking
distance of both the parish rectory and cemetery. The site also contained
plentiful parking facilities and land, providing room for future growth and
expansion. At the time of the purchase, the original church, rectory and
property located at Lincoln and Hale Streets were sold.
While the new building provided ample room for worship, it was not originally
built as an Orthodox Church. As a result, it required extensive and detailed
renovations, additions and redesign. Beginning in 1984, the people turned their
attention to the task of slowly transforming and beautifying both the interior
and exterior of the church in accordance with Orthodox tradition, work that is
ongoing to the present. In the spring of 1986, a new hand-carved, solid wood
iconostas designed, built and installed by Deacon Oleg Machniuk was installed in the
church. Just prior to the installation of the iconostas, the entire altar and
ambo areas were reconstructed. On October 10, 1984, the parish commissioned
iconographer Vladimir Krassovsky to provide the beautiful icons today seen
adorning the iconostas He also produced the magnificent Resurrection Icon at the
High Place, adorned with ornamental and filigree work (a project funded entirely
by the Holy Trinity Ladies' Altar Society).
In September 1998 Dolan Construction Co, Inc was contracted by the parish to
carry out a major redesign and reconstruction of both the exterior and interior
of the church building. The church has been transformed into the shape of a
cross with the addition of two side towers, which contain klirosi on opposite
sides of the church. Furthermore, the entire face of the church building has
been reconstructed with spaces for future mosaic icons. A bell tower has been
added along with several cupolas crowned by magnificent crosses. Thus, the
church is now visible and identifiable as an Orthodox structure and reaches out
as a witness to our faith throughout the surrounding community.
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