Of the many things that Carpatho-Rusyns have contributed to this region, their greatest legacy may be their faith.

St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Uniontown, has sustained that legacy for 100 years and parishioners are marking the event today with a divine liturgy and dinner.

The congregation was chartered on Sept. 21, 1911, to meet the needs of the region's growing Carpatho-Rusyn community. Until then, many parishioners had been attending St. Mary's Church, where many people spoke Slovak.

The new church, under the leadership of the Rev. Stephen Gulovich, was chartered under St. John the Baptist; congregants met in the social hall of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, until the new church, located on East Main Street, was constructed in 1918.

The St. John School was added in 1956, under the leadership of the Rev. Peter Hewko. The church's golden dome, a hallmark of the Uniontown skyline, was added during the early 1980s to replace the disintegrating original bell tower.

The Rev. Eugene Yackanich instituted the Carpatho-Rusyn festival, which was organized by Bonnie Balas and others. It is now the largest festival of its kind in this region. The Rev. Yackanich also oversaw the annual pysanka classes, taught by Bonnie Balas.

Gerry Dorobish, a lifelong member of St. John's, says that St. John maintains its tradition of reaching out to the community.

"Our Eastern Christian Formation classes have a good working relationship with Mount St. Macrina," she said. "We do many community outreach projects together."

Kay Breakiron, also a lifetime member, agreed.

"These outreach programs give us a chance to meet people from other churches." she said.

Julie Pillar, whose great-grandfather helped build the church, said that the Byzantine service format unites people.

"Our liturgy touches all of the senses," she said. "People can smell the incense. They can see the icons. They can hear the singing. Our liturgy allows everyone to participate."

The Rev. Ron Larko, pastor of St. John's, believes that reaching out to young people is a priority.

"We have social activities for young people. We also have catechism activities," he said. "We try to have monthly gatherings, to talk to and engage the young people."

Andrew Vensko, an agricultural sciences student at Penn State, maintains his ties with his heritage by participating in the Penn State Byzantine Catholic Student Organization.

"I like the tradition of the Byzantine Church." he said. "I like their way of applying Scripture. At Penn State, we have weekly liturgy. We also have many outreach programs."

Vensko was one of the designers and builders of St. John's new outdoor shrine.

"We wanted to beautify the church for its 100th anniversary," he said.

Parishioners undertook many other projects for the anniversary, including a new pictorial directory, a DVD of old photographs and several beautification projects.

Many other parishioners have positive thoughts of the church, as well. Anna Lalakulich said, "I love the church in every way. My faithfulness continued even though I lost a (4-year-old) daughter. I always felt it important to work for the church. I spent many days cleaning up in the kitchen with the other ladies. I have been blessed as I was almost given up for dead at age 49 and God gave me back my life. I will be celebrating my 90th birthday on June 25."

Kay (Sochko) Balas also shared some thoughts about her heritage.

"I was born to Rusyn Byzantine Catholic parents and was baptized at age 3 days in St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Bradenville. We moved to this area in 1937 and my father became a proud coal miner. We immediately became members of St. John Byzantine Church, of which my family and I are still members.

"My parents and my grandparents, Ridilla and Sochko, felt a deep faith in God, devotion to our Byzantine Catholic (Greek Catholic) faith and pride in their Rusyn ancestry, which was instilled into my own life at a very young age."

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