On March 19, 1953 thirty-five women met with Father Flanigan, pastor of St. Pius for his permission to organize a Catholic women's organization in White Oak Borough. It was the intent of these women to grow in numbers and to focus all their efforts for a Catholic Church in White Oak. Father Flanigan gave permission for the organization, but could not make a commitment to assist in founding a new church for at least five years.

 

By May of 1953, catechism classes had outgrown the facilities of the American Legion Home. In August of 1953, the Lee family offered the use of their barn. Renovations were made possible through the generosity of Fr. Flanigan. He and the husbands volunteered their time and efforts on evenings and weekends to do the major repairs under the supervision of a local contractor who also donated his time. Catechism classes resumed in the barn and continued there until 1958 when they were moved to the Rainbow Gardens Roller Rink when the parish was officially founded.  The White Oak Women's Guild, established in 1954, took care of the utilities and served cookies until 1958. They supported the parish from the beginning and volunteered at McKeesport Hospital and Auberle as well. They continued to support the parish for thirty-seven years until 1991 when they disbanded.

 

The Parish of St. Angela Merici was founded in June 1958 to serve the Catholics of White Oak as the population of this borough grew. The area had formerly been served by St. Pius V Church in McKeesport.

 

Under the leadership of its first pastor, Father Raymond Higgins, rapid strides were made to convert the parish from a nominal parish celebrating Mass in the old Rainbow Roller Rink to a full-scale center of Christian life.

 

Groundbreaking ceremonies on July 24, 1960 launched the erection of a church and school building. The parish office (formerly the rectory) was purchased in 1958. It is adjacent to the parish grounds. Just prior to the completion of the building in 1961, a convent (now the rectory) was purchased on Fawcett Avenue.

 

The first Mass in the completed church (now the second floor of the school) was offered by the pastor on August 20, 1961. In September, the parish school opened its doors to two grades of primary students, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Baden. The formal dedication of the new church/school facility was celebrated in December at a Pontifical Mass by John Cardinal Wright, then Bishop of Pittsburgh.

 

Five years later, June 1966, Father Thomas O'Connell succeeded Father Higgins as pastor. During his twenty-six month ministry, the parish debt was liquidated, the school grew to include eight grades, and the Parent Teachers Guild (PTG) was formed to promote closer cooperation in the education process.

 

In the spring of 1967, Father John Corbett was assigned as the first assistant pastor.

 

Father Cyril Drap became pastor on August 29, 1968. His selfless dedication and parish service led to the development of a parish center for social, athletic and recreational activities.

 

In 1973, Father Regis Farmer succeeded Father Corbett as assistant pastor.

 

Mandated by Diocesan directive, Father Drap developed a parish council to be a representative, consultative body for the pastor.

 

On September 27, 1975, Father Drap was called to his eternal reward.

 

Father Stephen Chervenak assumed the duties as the fourth pastor in November, 1975. Groundbreaking for the Father Drap Memorial Center took place that month. The Center was completed and dedicated on September 11, 1976, adding a multipurpose gymnasium/auditorium/cafeteria with full kitchen, meeting rooms and rest rooms to the parish plant.

 

Father Chervenak recognized the need for pre-school and kindergarten, and these classes were added to the school in September, 1976.

 

Father Richard N. Whalen succeeded Father Farmer as associate pastor in October 1977, and was in turn succeeded by Father James E. Merkel in March 1978.

 

The parish celebrated its Silver Anniversary with a full year of activities, culminating in a Jubilee Mass and dinner in the Parish Center in June 1983. Bishop Vincent Leonard presided.

 

Father Paul C. Householder was appointed to succeed Father Merkel in 1984. Father Patrick Hynes arrived at St. Angela's in 1990, when Father Paul was assigned to become Pastor of his own parish. Father Hynes, a native of the Forest Hills area of Pittsburgh, came to St. Angela's from Akron, Ohio.

 

Over the years, the school faculty has gradually become totally operated by a dedicated and highly motivated lay faculty. St. Angela's school regularly demonstates its outstanding educational qualities and fine religious commitment by the honors and awards earned by students, and the services performed. The school celebrated its thirtieth anniversary on January 22. 1992 and is currently in its forty-fifth year. Bishop Donald Wuerl offered the Mass and attended the reception.

 

Since 1980, the parish added a Director of Religious Education, A Pastoral Minister, a Business Manager, A Music Director and Youth Minister to the pastoral team. A desire to enhance the quality of the Worship experience and to meet the needs for increased space has also led the Parish Council and pastoral team to explore parish development possibilities.

 

We give praise and thanks to God for those who have worked together to build this parish community, and pray that we may continue to build a blessed and fruitful community of the Body of Christ here in White Oak.

 

 

The following information needs to be added:  Parish Council change to Pastoral Council, The groundbreaking, building and dedication of the new church, the remodeling of the former church space into additional classrooms, the addition of a Pastoral Associate (their names and years), and the plans for the church basement and current parish office.