St. Nicholas Catholic Church

Founded in 1900 by Croatian immigrants, historic St. Nicholas Catholic Church was the first Croatian church purposefully built in the United States. It was the Croatian immigrant parish that inspired the Vanka Murals, leaving a lasting legacy within the walls of the church. Today, St. Nicholas remains an active, inclusive parish that welcomes all to Mass & their activities. Learn more about the parish at St. Nicholas Catholic Church and view upcoming events at St. Nicholas Events.

ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SPMMMV PARTNERSHIP

SPMMMV welcomes thousands of visitors each year, provides unique educational programming and funds the conservation of Vanka’s “Gift to America” as well as projects such as roof repair and climate control for the health of St. Nicholas Church and the Murals.

In 2022, SPMMMV was awarded a Save America’s Treasures Collections Grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services recognizing the Vanka Murals as a national preservation priority. Tour admission, merchandise purchases, program registrations and tax-deductible donations support SPMMMV’s mission to save and share the Vanka Murals.

Working in partnership with the St. Nicholas Parish, SPMMMV, has created a world-wide community of support for and investment in the long-term preservation of the Vanka Murals.

1900

The church high atop a hill in Millvale, along the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh, was completed in 1900, making it the first church in the United States built from the ground up.
Before having this home, Croatians worshipped at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Grant Street and then at St. Mary of the Assumption on 57th Street.

1921

A devastating fire destroyed most of St. Nicholas Church.

1922

After a little more than a year, the rebuilt – and more austere -- church was dedicated in 1922.

1931

Father Albert Zagar became pastor of St. Nicholas Church.

A painting of Croatian peasants in a serene farm setting wearing traditional dress praying towards the center of the altar. In the background there is a small village with church and homes.

1937

Maxo Vanka arrived in Millvale to paint the first series of murals of the Croatian immigrant experience. Later that year, Time magazine dedicated a full page, with three photographs, to the new murals dubbing them, “one of the few distinguished sets of church murals in the U.S.”

1941

Again at the invitation of Father Zagar, Maxo Vanka returned to St. Nicholas, adding murals with a pacifist theme.

1950

St. Nicholas celebrated its golden jubilee.

1954

The convent was created to house the Sisters of St. Francis who were teaching at St. Nicholas.

1958

The new rectory/parish house was dedicated.

1970

New murals, by Yugoslavian artist Ivan Joko Knezevic, were finished, altering a number of Vanka’s original murals.

Sign reads: This Property has been placed on the National Register of Historic places

1980

St. Nicholas Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

1991

The Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka was formed.

2004

Hurricanes Ivan and Francis damaged the church and murals.

2019

Pittsburgh Diocese forms the Shrines of Pittsburgh, with St. Nicholas included as one of six.

This building is historic.

Thanks to detailed planning, and generous funding, St. Nicholas Church has been recognized for its historic structure.

View the Historic Structure Report