Our Parish
The Church of the Nativity of Christ is a Russian Orthodox Old Rite parish located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The church has overlooked Erie’s bayfront since the church was completed in 1919. After a horrific fire in 1986 destroyed the original church, it was completely rebuilt and now stands as one of the most visible landmarks in Erie. For more about our parish’s history, please click here. When the parish was founded in the early part of the 20th century, the founders chose to build a church near the water, since the shipbuilding plants and ore docks provided plentiful work to Russian immigrants. What was once merely a practical location has become a beautiful setting as the parish has grown and prospered.
Located on the shore of the Great Lake that shares its name, Erie has evolved from a manufacturing and shipbuilding town into a vibrant city that offers the benefits of a small town along with the attractions of a larger city. With the cost of housing well below the national standard and an average commute time that is nearly 30% shorter than that of the average worker, Erie offers a wealth of advantages to its residents.
Erie also boasts a thriving tourism industry. Over 4 million people visit Presque Isle State Park each year to enjoy the beaches and natural beauty. Erie also is home to one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the country, as well as an indoor water park, minor league baseball team and the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra.
Services are held every weekend, with Vespers beginning on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and followed immediately by Matins (which usually begins at approximately 6:15 p.m. and ends shortly before 9:00). Hours and Liturgy begin at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday morning, and are usually followed by Sunday School at 11:00 a.m. Check our parish calendar to see the schedule for weekday feasts. We hope to have you visit our parish soon.
For more information about Erie, visit the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership website or the Erie Area Convention & Visitors Bureau site.