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Immaculate Conception Church (Bloomfield, Pittsburgh) =

Immaculate Conception Church (Bloomfield, Pittsburgh)

Overview

Immaculate Conception Church was a Roman Catholic parish located in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Originally established in the 19th century to serve the city's growing immigrant population. The church became notable in the 20th century for its modernist building, constructed in the early 1960s. Distinguished by its dalle de verre stained glass, mosaic reredos, and post-Vatican II liturgical layout, the church was a rare local example of mid-century ecclesiastical architecture. It was closed by the Diocese of Pittsburgh on May 1, 2022, and demolished in May and June of 2025 despite organized preservation efforts.

History

Following the announcement of the church's closure, a group of parishioners formally petitioned the Vatican to allow Immaculate Conception Church to remain open. The appeal was submitted shortly after the church was vacated and desanctified in 2022. It took approximately two and a half years for the Vatican to render a decision, ultimately declining to overturn the Diocese's plan.

Ground was broken on August 3, 1959, with the cornerstone laid on October 23, 1960. The modernist building was completed on July 8, 1961, and formally dedicated on October 1, 1961. The church served the community for over 60 years before being closed as part of a diocesan consolidation initiative.

Architecture

Designed by Belli & Belli Architects of Chicago, with Edo J. Belli as principal architect and Anthony J. Belli as associate architect, the church exemplified Expressionist Modern architecture. The building featured two large barrel-vaulted naves terminating in monumental 40-foot tall dalle de verre stained glass windows: the west-facing "Creation Window" and the south-facing "Judgment Window." These windows were designed by Roy Calligan and Nicholas Parrendo of Hunt Stained Glass Studios in Pittsburgh. A circular baptistry stood adjacent to the narthex and was topped by an 80-foot aluminum crucifix.

The church was constructed using thin-shell reinforced concrete, which enabled expansive column-free spaces. The interior walls and vaulted ceilings were adorned with more than one million ceramic tiles, which gradually transitioned in color from darker earth tones near the stained glass to white behind the altar, symbolizing enlightenment. The main altar included a five-ton granite base and a two-ton Carrara marble mensa, placed before a large mosaic reredos designed by Bernard Gruenke and fabricated by the August Wagner Company in West Berlin, Germany. A large oculus skylight positioned above and aligned to the west was designed to strike the altar mosaic in a dramatic fashion, particularly during the late afternoon sun.

Custom furnishings and sacred art were produced by artisans including French sculptor Lambert Rucki, Roy Calligan and Nicholas Parrendo of Hunt Stained Glass Studios, Pittsburgh, Johannes Schluter of West Berlin, Germany, and sculptor Vincenzo Mussner of Ortisei, Italy. Pendant lighting with perforated brass shades created a starlight effect during services. Modifications in 1989 included updates to lighting, carpeting, and skylights above the altar, which altered aspects of the church's original design.

Preservation Efforts and Demolition

On March 25, 2022, the Diocese of Pittsburgh announced the church’s closure. Despite its sound structural condition and community opposition, the church was vacated and desanctified on May 1, 2022.

Preservation Pittsburgh and Preservation Pennsylvania led efforts to save the building. Over 1,350 petition signatures were gathered, and an offer of $3 million as-is was submitted by La Scuola d’Italia Galileo Cultural Association to purchase and repurpose the site as a bilingual school and cultural institution. The Diocese declined the offer.

Demolition began on April 29, 2025. Artisans and preservation experts had offered to assist with the removal of the stained glass and mosaic, but no salvaging occurred. The five-ton Carrara marble altar was broken apart and discarded; the mosaic reredos and stained glass windows were destroyed. Poor demolition practices caused damage to neighboring properties and utilities.

Legacy and Recognition

Immaculate Conception Church was never formally designated as a historic structure, but it was widely recognized for its architectural significance. Its sculptural form, liturgical design innovations, and integration of international craftsmanship made it a standout example of mid-century church architecture in the region.

A comprehensive preservation report was compiled by Gregory Weimerskirch, including photographs, architectural drawings, and historical documentation. This report serves as the primary surviving record of the church’s design and legacy.

Infobox

Immaculate Conception Church
Location	321 Edmond Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Founded	1905 (parish)
Dedication	October 1, 1961
Architecture
Architect(s)	Belli & Belli Architects (Edo J. Belli, Anthony J. Belli)
Architectural type	Church
Style	Expressionist / Modern
Groundbreaking	August 3, 1959
Completed	July 8, 1961
Closed	May 1, 2022
Demolished	April–June 2025
Specifications
Capacity	~1,000
Materials	Concrete, Indiana limestone, terrazzo, Carrara marble, dalle de verre
Administration
Diocese	Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh

References

• Weimerskirch, Gregory. History of Church Architecture and Post-Demolition Report, June 30, 2025. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n4kUHhYC6NGFRY24_F6ztaB53rftGPZE/view?usp=share_link
• Diocese of Pittsburgh closure announcement (https://olasmg.org/on-mission)
• Obituary: Nicholas Parrendo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 14, 2016

External Links

• [Preservation Pittsburgh](http://www.preservationpgh.org/)
• [Gregory Weimerskirch – Preservation Report (to be hosted)]
• [Bloomfield Neighborhood – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomfield_(Pittsburgh))