Saint Anthony Chapel is a Catholic chapel located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The chapel was built in 1880 and is known for its vast collection of religious relics.
The chapel is home to an impressive collection of 4,000 to 5,000 religious relics. This makes it the largest collection of such artifacts outside the Vatican. These relics are a significant part of the chapel's appeal to visitors.
By the 1970s, the chapel had fallen into serious disrepair. However, a group of parishioners formed a committee to raise funds for its restoration. By 1978, the restoration was complete, and the chapel was returned to its former glory. Today, it stands as a testament to the dedication and efforts of those who worked to preserve it.
History & Anthropology Art & Design Religion Religious building
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No exhibitions in St. Anthony's Chapel have been found.
St. Anthony's Chapel has 2 ratings.
St. Anthony's Chapel in Pittsburgh, United States, is a small but significant religious site that houses an impressive collection of Christian relics. Visitors often appreciate the chapel's quiet and reverent atmosphere, which allows for peaceful reflection and prayer. The extensive array of relics, said to be one of the largest collections outside of the Vatican, is the main draw for many.
The chapel's architecture, while modest, is noted for its traditional design and beautiful stained glass windows. Some visitors find the explanations and historical context provided about the relics to be informative, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the collection.
However, it's worth noting that the chapel is quite small, which can lead to crowding during busier times. Some visitors mention that the lighting could be improved to better showcase the relics. Additionally, as this is primarily a religious site rather than a traditional museum, those expecting extensive exhibits or interactive displays may find the experience limited.
The chapel's location within the Troy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh is sometimes described as off the beaten path, which can be seen as either a drawback or an advantage depending on the visitor's perspective. Parking can occasionally be challenging due to the residential area.
Overall, St. Anthony's Chapel offers a unique and spiritually significant experience for those interested in religious history and relics. While it may not appeal to all tourists, it provides a peaceful and thought-provoking visit for many.
When I found out there was a church/shrine devoted to St Anthony here in Pittsburgh I was very excited and made arrangements to visit it as soon as I could. I was immediately taken in by its beauty how well it is taken care of it is for a church built in the 1800s . There is a tremendous amount of Catholic history there to see and learn about. The visit includes a lecture that was interesting , informative and presented in a very professional manner. In the time allotted he was able to cover a lot of material which left me knowing so much more than my initial research I did prior to visiting this shrine . I’m sure he could have talked for hours telling us so much more . It is understandable that he only had so much time to cover the highlights concerning the church and its history. He told us about the people that made this church what it is , a must see national Catholic Shrine. Yes this church is relatively small but the amount of art work, life sized statues and the amount of holy relics second only to the Vatican is quite remarkable! After the initial lecture the speaker graciously accepted all and any questions from the visitors in a very knowledgeable manner. After the lecture and Q and A we were free to roam around , take pictures and continue to ask more questions about what we were seeing within the walls of this Shrine. The amount of relics and other such items to see and learn about can not be done in one “quick” visit . I compare it to visiting the nations capital , it all can’t be seen in one visit. To fully appreciate what is in this wonderful relatively small church/shrine will take more research and visits . I know I will be coming back to see what I missed on my first visit . Living in the Pittsburgh area makes me feel very fortunate to have discovered this wonderful piece of Catholic history and being able to revisit as many times I would like to. Don’t get me wrong if you are from any other part of the country or world you will be very impressed and happy with what you see and learn on a single visit . It is well worth putting it on your to do list of places to see and experience on your visit to the Pittsburgh area . you will not be disappointed I promise you that !
Visited on 5 Apr 2025
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