Visit
1704 Harpster StPittsburgh, PA 15212Mass: Monday 8:30 AM (Daily Mass)
When to go
Mass times
- Monday8:30 AM · Daily Mass
- Tuesday8:30 AM · Daily Mass
- Wednesday8:30 AM · Daily Mass
- Friday8:30 AM · Daily Mass
- Sunday11:30 AM · Sunday Mass
- First Sunday of each month3:00 PM · Eucharistic Adoration
About
Summary
Saint Anthony Chapel, located at 1700 Harpster Street in Pittsburgh, PA, is a historic site housing approximately 5,000 religious relics, making it the largest collection outside the Vatican. Founded by Fr. Suitbert G. Mollinger in 1880, the chapel features life-sized Stations of the Cross and offers daily masses and adoration services. Visitors can explore the chapel's rich history and artifacts through guided tours and online resources Saint Anthony Chapel.
Details
Saint Anthony Chapel, established in 1880 by Fr. Suitbert G. Mollinger, stands as a testament to religious devotion and historical preservation. Located in the Troy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, the chapel is renowned for its extensive collection of religious relics, including a splinter of the True Cross, a thorn from the Crown of Thorns, and pieces from the Holy Sepulcher. These artifacts, acquired with Mollinger's personal funds, are displayed alongside life-sized Stations of the Cross carved from wood, adding to the chapel's spiritual ambiance.
The chapel offers a variety of services and events to engage the community and visitors. Daily masses are held at 8:30 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with Sunday masses at 11:30 AM. Eucharistic Adoration takes place on the first Sunday of each month at 3 PM, providing an opportunity for personal veneration of the chapel's saint of the month. The chapel is open for visitation and prayer daily from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, except on Fridays and holidays, when the gift shop is open Chapel Shop.
Facilities include a gift shop across the street, a museum, and restrooms within the chapel. The chapel also offers a docent-led tour, which can be reserved by calling (412) 999-4401. Visitors can enjoy an audio tour, watch videos on the chapel's history, and submit prayer requests through the website. The chapel's commitment to preserving its rich heritage is evident in its well-maintained architecture and the care taken in displaying its relics Learn About Our Founder.
Newcomers are warmly welcomed, with docents available to provide information and guidance. The chapel's community is dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment, encouraging visitors to explore its historical and spiritual significance. Whether attending a mass, exploring the relics, or simply visiting for prayer, Saint Anthony Chapel offers a unique and enriching experience for all who enter Join Our Community.
From Faith Near Me
Saint Anthony Chapel in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood offers a serene, historic space for reflection and worship. With its life-sized Stations of the Cross and 5,000 religious relics—many displayed with care and reverence—visitors encounter a deeply spiritual atmosphere. Newcomers are warmly greeted by docents, and the chapel’s daily masses and adoration services foster a sense of community rooted in tradition.
Pros
- Welcoming docents assist newcomers and provide historical context.
- Clear service times for daily masses and monthly Eucharistic Adoration listed online.
- Extensive relic collection, including artifacts like a splinter of the True Cross.
- Guided and audio tours available for deeper exploration of the chapel’s history.
- Free parking and restrooms on-site, with a gift shop and museum across the street.
- Facilities maintained with attention to preserving historical and spiritual significance.
Cons
- Visitation hours for prayer and exploration are limited to 12:30–3:00 PM daily (except Fridays and holidays).
- Information about relics may require a guided tour for full context, as displays are minimal.
- Key facilities like the gift shop and museum are located across the street, requiring a short walk.
- Website provides limited detail on relic authenticity or historical verification.
Reviews from around the web
Public comments we collected from listing sources. Not written on Faith Near Me.
- The Jewel Riders Archivea month ago
Mixed feelings. It’s a beautiful church! And there is a history that you can discover. Not to be too skeptical… But if you do any research into medieval relics selling, you’ll know that probably most of this is going to be fraudulent. It’s fun to see. But unless you really, really believe, it’s more of a fun to see experience. But if this is something that you truly whole-heartedly believe in, it is definitely something to see as this is the largest collection of artifacts outside of the Vatican! There are available catalogs with artifacts labeled with locations. However, the display cases are not labeled with any of these locations! And it seems that the nuns who did the organizing possibly did them from stage left to stage right. It would benefit probably from some sort of key signage to show where key relics are. We were told that there is pieces of Moses’ staff, pieces of the manger, and a ton of Saints’ bones.
- Wanda Matz2 months ago
AMAZING! They do no promoting so it an undiscovered treasure. 5,000 religious artifacts collected and displayed. My only regret is that a tour or guide or even a book to buy for more description - more in depth of what was there. Don't skip their gift shop across the street with a little museum up stairs
- Maria Savoldi2 months ago
Outside of the Vatican, the largest collection of Christian relics in the world. Fascinating history and beautifully preserved. We were greeted by docents who offered to share as much of their time and knowledge as we desired. Well worth the visit. We plan to return!
- John Comden10 months ago
Amazing place. I was surprised to see so few people. The largest collection of relics outside the Vatican and absolutely stunning life size stations of the cross. It is admittedly hard to figure out what relics are there, but we also didn't take the tour. Place seems to be managed by older volunteers so hours can change (when we went everything was noon-3p). I sincerely hope volunteers and financial support keep this place open for the rest of time.
- Jessica Hoffman9 months ago
This chapel is a breathtaking wonder, boasting magnificent artwork and a rich history that's simply awe-inspiring. The preservation efforts are stunning, a true testament to the care and dedication that's gone into maintaining this incredible space.
- Siobhan O'Connora year ago
What a beautiful sacred space! The life-sized Stations of the Cross are truly incredible and deeply moving. The immense collection of relics is remarkable and beautifully displayed. The docents were very gracious and helpful. There is a restroom in the chapel and a museum/gift shop across the street. Parking is free and easy right next to the chapel. Definitely recommend a visit to this lovely and unique chapel!
- Jessica Marie Harpa year ago
Absolutely Stunning! The moment I walked in i had chills all over. The feeling and presence of Our Father was in such abundance. Staff was graciously delightful. My daughter and I left there with smiles & thankfulness.
- Rich Oa month ago
An amamazing little chapel with actual saints relics second in the world only to the Vatican. The chapel is truly a hidden gem complete with life size depictions of The Stations of The Cross. Also a small gift shop and museum across the street. Walking inside feels spiritual.
- Francine Lauraa year ago
St. Anthony’s Chapel was built by Fr. Suitbert Mollinger in 1880 in the Troy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. The chapel houses approximately 5,000 religious relics, making it the largest collection of relics outside the Vatican. Some of the highlights of the collection include a splinter of the True Cross, a thorn from the Crown of Thorns, a piece of the stone from the Holy Sepulcher and a relic for each of the 12 apostles. In addition to the relics, there are life-sized Stations of the Cross carved from wood. The relics were acquired by Fr. Mollinger with his own funds from inherited family money. His primary goal was to protect the relics during times of political upheaval in Europe. We were very fortunate to meet Steve McCauley at Mass. His wife Sue is one of the docents and he has learned a lot of from her; he was kind enough to take us on a private tour of the chapel!
- Michael Johnsona year ago
If I have my facts correct, this Catholic chapel has the most relics in America and 2nd most in the entire world. It's not the easiest place to get to, but it's worth the drive. The chapel is beautiful, the stations of the cross are amazing, and the relics are a real treasure.
Services and facilities
Services
- Daily Masses
- Sunday Mass
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Guided Tours
- Audio Tours
- Prayer Requests
- Online Giving
- Gift Shop
Facilities
- Gift Shop
- Museum
- Restrooms
- Chapel
- Parking
- Free Parking
Events and programs
Holy Mass
Weekly
Sunday Mass at 11:30 AM
Chapel Gift Shop is Open
Daily
The gift shop is open daily from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, except on Fridays and holidays.
Chapel Open for Visitation and Prayer
Daily
The chapel is open for visitation and prayer from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM.
Docent-Led Tour of Saint Anthony Chapel
Weekly
A guided tour of the chapel led by docents, with limited seats available.
Connect
- Contact page
- Open contact page