Saint Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church

Saint Nicholas Church was a Catholic building designed in Romanesque Revival style with thick stone walls, arched windows, and a distinctive bell tower along East Ohio Street. The structure dominated the Troy Hill neighborhood with its architectural presence until structural problems led to its closure in 2004.

The first Croatian Catholic parish in the United States was established in 1904 and quickly became a spiritual center for the growing Croatian immigrant community. It served this role for nearly a century before financial pressures and structural deterioration forced its closure in 2004.

For over a century, this parish served as the heart of Pittsburgh's Croatian community in Troy Hill, where families gathered for religious celebrations and community events. The building shaped the neighborhood's identity and remains meaningful to residents who remember its role in their cultural life.

The original site is now a public park featuring murals that depict the area's history, including images of the former building. Visitors can access the space during daylight hours and learn about the architectural legacy and community heritage of the neighborhood.

The building remained standing for nine years after closure, from 2004 until its demolition in 2013, showing how long abandoned churches can persist in a neighborhood. The memorial park that replaced it preserves the site's memory through murals that tell Pittsburgh's broader story.

Location: Pittsburgh

Inception: 1904

Architects: Frederick C. Sauer

GPS coordinates: 40.45853,-79.98657

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:43