Diocese: Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania
Deanery: Frackville Deanery
Address
209 S Lehigh Ave
Frackville, Pennsylvania 17931
Email:
Website: haoca.org
Office: 570-874-3162
Parish Contacts
Lay Leadership
Directions
From Interstate 81
Take the Frackville exit (#124B). Travel north on Rt 61. Church is located approximately 1 block from the first traffic light. on the right hand side of the road.
Schedule of Services
All services are in the English language.
5:30 PM Vespers, Confessions.
Saturday Evening
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy.
Sunday Morning
For a complete list of upcoming services, please visit the Monthly Calendar on the parish website.
Parish Background
The history of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Frackville, Pennsylvania is deeply connected to the same story that shaped many of our sister Orthodox parishes across the Coal Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania. In the early 1900s, waves of faithful Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants arrived here from the Carpathian Mountains of what is now southeastern Poland. Difficult economic conditions of the Lemko people in these provinces, governed by hostile rulers who persecuted them culturally and religiously, forced many in the villages of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (present-day Poland) to leave their native land and seek their fortune in the New World.
They came seeking work in the anthracite coal mines, and though life was hard and often dangerous, they carried with them the most precious treasures of their homeland: their beautiful traditions, language, and most importantly – their Faith. While life remained difficult, they experienced a better standard of living and complete religious freedom. These Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants built churches all across this area as the center of their community life, often pooling together limited resources to raise up a temple that would remind them of the beautiful wooden churches of their mountain villages back home. The roots of our parish trace back to the Lemko villages of Черемха/Czeremcha, Щавне/Szczawne, Вислік Великый/Wisłok Wielki, Куляшне/Kulaszne, Середнє Велике/Średnie Wielki, Барвінок/Barwinek, Репід/Rzepedź, Соровиця/Surowica, Зындранова/Zyndranowa, Явірник/Jawornik, Воля Нижня/Wola Niżna, Терстяна/Trzciana, Липовец/Lipowiec, and Завадка Рыманівска/Zawadka Rymanowska.
At the time of their immigration, most of these Lemkos were Greek Catholic, since their villages had been under the influence of the Union of Brest for centuries. When they arrived in America, however, many grew disillusioned with attempts to impose foreign customs, the pressures of Latinizations from the Roman Catholic Church, and disputes over married clergy. When the immigrants began leaving the Greek Catholic Church, they had to find a place that would welcome them as they were – Byzantine in Faith, Liturgy, and Tradition. At that time, the only Orthodox Church with a stable, recognized presence in North America was the Russian Orthodox Church. The Russian hierarchy defended their practices that were under attack in the Uniate Church. To Lemko immigrants, this meant they would not be forced to “Latinize” or abandon their Eastern identity. Desiring to return to the fullness of their ancestral Faith, thousands of these immigrants embraced and returned home to Holy Orthodoxy.
In 1914, twenty-one men from the Frackville and Maizeville area gathered at the home of Michael Halenda on South Balliet Street to begin organization of the new Orthodox Church. The twenty-two men who were responsible for the founding of Holy Ascension Orthodox Church were: Artim Billie, Harry Billie, Peter Billie, John Cuttic, Steve Cuttic, Michael Halenda, Simeon “Samuel” Kessock, Michael Kohudic, Wasil Kuchta, Thomas Lehotsky, Frank Madzi, John Malinchak, Stephen Malinchak, Julian Mucha, Theodore Patrick, Michael Polansky, George Pribulick, Wasil Roman, Roman Ruschak, Gabriel Sopko, and Frank Sowchak.
The Very Rev. Joseph Fedoronko, then rector of St. Mary’s Orthodox Church (Coaldale, Pa) and Professor Elias Boruch rendered their services to the new community in Frackville. The first services were held in the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church – a Lithuanian parish on Broad Mountain Avenue. The founders of the parish then elected the first Board of Trustees with Mr. Michael Halenda as Board President. After a week, the newly elected trustees felt it was time to have a permanent priest of their own in Frackville so they could progress towards the establishment of a new church building. Shortly after, V. Rev. Andrew Vanyush was appointed as the first rector. A suitable site was eventually purchased on the corner of South Lehigh Avenue and Chestnut Street. After long and weary days in the coal mines, they gave of themselves once more – digging into the earth to lay the foundation of their beloved church.
On June 15, 1915, the cornerstone was laid and blessed by Archbishop Evdokim, the ruling hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in America. From that moment on, the work progressed rapidly and by the end of 1915, the present church was consecrated and the parish was named Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church. Rev. Andrew Vanyush remained in Frackville until 1916, when V. Rev. Basil Repella would become the new parish rector for the next 4 years. In 1920, V. Rev. John Zitinsky was appointed the new rector and served the parish for 4 years. In 1924, V. Rev. Basil Gambal became the new parish rector and served the parish community until 1968. V. Rev. Basil Gambal was the longest-serving priest at Holy Ascension – having served this parish faithfully for 44 years.
Parish life was progressing rapidly, and more structural improvements were being made. In 1924, the stone wall and steps in front of the church were built. Just one year later, the sidewalk was laid, the interior of the church was painted, and three bells were purchased through the hard work of the parish choir. On September 5, 1927, Metropolitan Platon, with the assistance of local and visiting clergy, blessed the newly painted church with its interior adorned with stenciling, frescoes, and holy icons. In 1928, the stone wall of the parish cemetery was built and a road was constructed through the center of the cemetery. In 1930, the crystal chandelier was purchased, and in 1940, the roof of the church was covered with slate, the domes with copper, and the exterior crosses with stainless steel. A few years later, in 1948, another stone wall was added to the north side of the church grounds.
In 1956, the church edifice had been reconstructed, and the exterior was extensively remodeled by brick facing. Five years later, in 1961, the interior of the church was repainted by artist Sergei Bodasiuk, and his coworkers, William Troxell and his son Frank, of Frackville. All of the gold leafing and the stenciling was done by the two Frackville artists, William and Frank Troxell. Shortly after, the parish choir raised one thousand dollars toward the purchase of the holy icons on the ceiling as well as other needed pieces in the church. All of the improvements and additions were made possible through the generous contributions of the parish congregation.
The iconostasis at Holy Ascension Orthodox Church is the crowning jewel of our holy temple. It is the most beautiful and sacred part of the building, drawing the eyes and hearts of all who enter. On the right side of the Royal Doors, there is an icon of our Savior. Next to Christ are icons of the Archangel Michael, St. Basil the Great, and the festal icon of our parish, the icon of the Holy Ascension. On the left side of the Royal Doors, there is an icon of our Holy Mother. Next to her are icons of the Archangel Gabriel, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and St. John the Baptist. The second tier of icons includes events in the life of Christ and of the Mother of God. The icon of the Last Supper is directly above the Royal Doors and icons on both sides of it portray the twelve Great Feasts of the Church. The third row of icons are of the Holy Apostles and the fourth row of icons portray the holy prophets of the Old Testament with Christ enthroned in the center of them.
In 1968, V. Rev. Basil Gambal was succeeded by V. Rev. Paul Ropitsky, who would serve the parish faithfully for the next 35 years until his retirement in 2003. During his tenure as the parish priest, the parish rectory was dismantled and reconstructed in 1970, the parish hall was remodeled in 1972, the stained glass windows were replaced in 1976, and the Russian Friendly Club was renovated in 1985. In 1986, the interior of the church was repainted and in 1989, property was purchased behind the church to provide parking for parishioners. In 2003, V. Rev. Barnabas Fravel became the new parish rector, and just two years later, the church’s gold domes were regilded. To this very day, the domes of Holy Ascension remain a distinctive symbol and landmark of the borough of Frackville.
From 2006 to 2009, the parish was served by the former Rev. Matthew Cantrell. In 2009, the V. Rev. James Jadick was appointed as parish rector and served the parish faithfully for 14 years. During this time, the parish hall was completely renovated, electric heat was installed in the church building, and the bells were lovingly restored and made ready for another 100 years of service. In 2023, the parish was lovingly shepherded by Rev. Vjekoslav Jovicić until 2024 when Holy Ascension welcomed its new and current rector, Rev. Kirill Zawatski. In the past year, Holy Ascension has begun the tradition of an annual Community Christmas Concert as well as many other outreach and charitable events to our neighboring communities.
For 110 years, our parish has been a beacon of faith, hope, and love in our community. Generations of clergy and parishioners have labored faithfully, building not only this sacred house of worship, but also a vibrant spiritual family rooted in prayer, love, and service. From humble beginnings, through times of challenge and change, our parish has grown and flourished, guided by the grace of God and the dedication of those who came before us. As we celebrate this milestone, we give thanks to God for the countless individuals whose devotion has sustained our community – those who prayed, labored, and contributed to the life of the parish in ways both great and small. The golden domes, the ringing bells, the icons, and most importantly, the living faith of our people all testify to God’s enduring presence among us.
May the Lord continue to bless our parish in the years to come, strengthening our faith, inspiring our service, and uniting us ever more closely as a family of believers. With gratitude for the past and hope for the future, we recommit ourselves to His work, striving to glorify Him in all that we do. Together, let us continue to shine as a light of Christ in our beloved Coal Region community for many more years to come.