St. Nicholas Orthodox Church

St. Nicholas Carpatho-Russian Greek Catholic Church of the Eastern Rite was formerly organized when its faithful met in July 17, 1938 at the G.C.S. (Greek Catholic Slovak) Hall on Hess Avenue, and with the election of Church Officers, the first steps were taken to preserve their Faith.

On August 14, 1938, Rev. Peter Tkach served the First Divine Liturgy in the Hall and for the next two years, St. John’s Roumanian church was rented for services until the basement of the new church was completed. The late Rev. Andrew Pankov was appointed as pastor on December 5, 1938. Prior to his arrival on September 18, 1938, ten acres of land was purchased for a church cemetery. Several years later, 14 acres adjoining the Church cemetery were purchased and are the present day picnic grove.

Other pastors serving St. Nicholas were: Rev. Peter Halkovich (1942-1947); Rev. Basil Barany (1947-1952); and Rev. John Hotrovich (1952-1959). The longest serving pastor was Very Rev. Protopresbyter Ronald Hazuda who came on September 1, 1959. Fr. Ronald would serve St. Nicholas for a total of 52 years, retiring from active parish life in 2011. Upon his retirement, Rev. Fr. Donald Valasek was appointed as pastor. Fr. Donald retired in June of 2017 and was replaced by Rev. Fr. Nicholas Mihaly who was appointed as pastor on September 1, 2017. 

Under the pastoral leadership of Fr. Nicholas, the hard-working and God-loving people of St. Nicholas in Erie have become active members of the greater Erie community. In an effort to bring the Orthodox Faith to the community and area they love so much, the parish annually blesses the waters of Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay and they host multiple outreach activities at both the parish church and their picnic grove. St. Nicholas Orthodox Church is known throughout Erie and the surrounding area for all they do to help foster local development and growth.  The parish has an active church school and altar boy program.

In December of 2020, the parish took a big step forward. Recognizing that the neighborhood was not a suitable place to raise a family, the parish voted to move Fr. Nicholas and the Mihaly family from the rectory next to the church and into a rental property in Millcreek. 

In April of 2026, the parish formally voted to move out of the city of Erie and to build a new church at our St. Nick's Picnic Grove. This decision was made after years of prayer, discussion and contemplation. It is with faith and hope that the parish will continue to be a shining light in the dark world which so desperately needs Him.