Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church & Rectory

Saint Michael's is a church building with Romanesque Revival elements located in Pittsburgh's South Side Slopes, characterized by rounded arches and stone construction. The main structure was built between 1855 and 1861, with a separate rectory added in 1890.

Construction began in 1855 under architect Charles Bartberger and was completed in 1861 to serve the growing Catholic community. The rectory was added roughly 30 years later in a different architectural style, designed by Frederick Sauer.

The building served as a gathering place for the German and Irish communities in the neighborhood, shaping religious and social life in the South Side Slopes. It remains a reminder of the area's diverse past, even as its use has transformed.

The building is no longer open as a church but has been converted into residential units and remains visible in the urban landscape on Pius Street. The exterior facade with its original features can still be appreciated by visitors walking past the building.

The rectory displays an unusual architectural style with irregular shapes and textural variations in its stone surface. These visible details stand apart from the simpler design of the main church, revealing the time gap between the two constructions.

Location: Pittsburgh

Architects: Charles Bartberger

Address: 1 Pius Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

GPS coordinates: 40.42490,-79.98440

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:41