St. Columbkille, Imperial
St. Columbkille was established in 1908. The origin of the parish can be traced back to the rise of the Imperial district in the 1890's and 1900's. The first Mass celebrated in Imperial took place in a private residence in 1897. For the next eight years, the area was infrequently visited by priests from nearby parishes who celebrated Mass in private homes or halls in Imperial. In 1905, the pastor of St. John, Monaca established a mission in Imperial and began work on a church, which was dedicated on August 15, 1905. Mass was offered in the church once a month.
By 1908 the population of the Imperial area had grown to the point that the community could support an independent parish. The parish was established in August of 1908. By the mid 1940's the congregation had outgrown its church. Not only was the church too small, but it was also in need of major repairs. Rather than renovate the church, the parish sold the building with the understanding that it would be removed. Until a new church could be built, the parish hall, a former school building, was converted to a temporary church. Work on a combined church and school building began in the early 1950's. The completed building was dedicated on August 16, 1953. The hall, which had served as the temporary church, was later torn down in 1958.
The church was renovated in the mid-1960's. Additional improvements were made in 1982, 1985 and 1989. The church continues to serve the congregation today.
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| First St. Columbkille Church, 1940 | Interior of first church, 1940 | Second St. Columbkille Church, 1940 | St. Columbkille Church, 2002 |
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