Tradition Banned - Tradition Restored

On 4 September 2026, Mark Eckman, Bishop of Pittsburgh, terminated the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Titus Church in Aliquippa, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, after 19 years (see here & here).  The Traditional Latin Mass was first offered in Beaver County, in Western Pennsylvania, by Father Joseph DeBonnecamps, a French Jesuit, in 1749.  The Traditional Mass was offered continuously for 221 years until 1970, when Bishop Vincent Leonard imposed Pope Paul VI's novel rite in the wake of Vatican Council II.  This ban remained in effect until 1989, when Bishop Donald Wuerl, in response to a request by the faithful after the publication of Pope John Paul II's Ecclesia Dei adflicta, restored the Traditional Latin Mass to Ss. Peter & Paul Church in Beaver, where it was offered periodically until 1990, when it was again discontinued.  It was the Knights of Columbus Woodlawn Council 2161 who revived the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Titus Church in Aliquippa in 2007, after the publication of Summorum Pontificum by Pope Benedict XVI, and it was this Mass that Bishop Eckman chose to terminate in 2026.

On 24 October 2026, the faithful participating in the 15th annual Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage in Rome were prevented from entering into St. Peter's Square by Vatican police, were prevented from entering St. Peter's Basilica to pray, and were told they could only be in the Basilica of St. Mary Major for one hour, thus preventing the celebration of the preplanned and previously authorized Solemn Pontifical Mass.  A Low Mass was offered, but no official photos were permitted.  (See here & here.)

Two instances of war being waged against the faithful who profess and practice the Traditional Faith.

While the faithful in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, have no control over events in Rome, they refuse to allow the Traditional Latin Mass to disappear from Beaver County.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Capel
Conway, Pennsylvania

They have purchased a small chapel, a former Lutheran Church, engaged an architect, and are in the process of raising funds to provide a fitting home for the Traditional Latin Mass in Beaver County.

Proposed interior view.

Proposed sanctuary view.

If you would like to support this project financially, please mail you tax deductible (in the United States) contribution in US dollars to:

Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel

P.O. Box 131

Conway, PA 15027

Donors who give at one of the levels below will have their names inscribed on the donor commemorative plaque of the finished project.

Nine Choirs of Donors

Seraphim...................$1,000,000

Cherubim...................$500,000

Throne.......................$250,000

Domination................$100,000

Virtue.........................$50,000

Power........................$25,000

Principality.................$10,000

Archangel..................$5,000

Angel.........................$1,000

Phase I fundraising goal is $610,000, and includes the sanctuary/sacristy addition to the existing building, site work & drainage, and the upper level of the chapel.

Proposed interior view (rear).

Please pray for the restoration of the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments, and for the success of this chapel project to restore the Traditional Latin Mass and Sacraments in one small corner of the vineyard.

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