St Michael's Catholic Church

The church building is beautiful, the liturgy is reverent and solemn, and the small community is friendly and vibrant.
The church's huge pavilion and park was a pleasant surprise. We enjoyed lunch (cooked by the pastor and served by his wife) after Mass there and had a chance to meet just about everyone.

Beautiful Liturgy, wonderful people. This is a Byzantine Catholic Church of the Eparchy of Passaic, in Union with the Pope of Rome.

I went there for the Liturgy of the presanctified gifts during great Lent, originally, I was going to go to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Cathedral in Philadelphia, but it just took too long to get to. First, what I don't like, kneelers in an Eastern Catholic church feel wrong, second, it's a little hard to find parking, not because there's a lot of people, but because of where it's at. Now to the good, I am quite familiar with Byzantine liturgy, because there is a Byzantine Rite (Melkite )Catholic Church not too far from where I live. some of the things were actually a little different, in the Melkite church, you receive the Eucharist from the hand of the priest, but at this church, which I believe is Ruthenian , you receive the Eucharist on a spoon , it's the same Jesus either way, just as me being canonically a Latin, usually receive our Lord the form of a host made with unleavened bread. At the point of consecration, that bread stops being bread, and becomes Jesus. Also, I noticed that I was the only person that made the sign of the cross every time the Trinity was mentioned, but that may just be a difference in preference. When the time for communion came, in the Melkite church, we receive on the tongue, with our arms crossed, I believe the same is true of most Orthodox churches. I noticed that they were standing, but without their arms crossed. This may have to do with different Origins, as I know Ruthenians are from mountainous regions of Slavic Europe, Melkites are heavily Middle Eastern in origin. I wish I would have talked to more of the people there, but it's okay, I'm glad I went, it was fairly close to where I was, and the Liturgy started later. I'm from South Carolina, so it's unlikely I'll go there again, but I recommend it. One thing I really liked, is that they have Bibles in the pews, that's nothing I have not seen before in a Catholic church, but the fact that the version is the revised Standard Version second Catholic edition, I believe it's the second edition, makes me quite happy, as this is actually the version of the Bible I use for personal use at home.

A visit to Holy Archangel Michael (St. Michael's) Byzantine Catholic Church (Ruthenian) in Mont Clare, PA is like stepping back in time - in a good, historic way. The church is an almost mystical presence with its weathered copper cupolas soaring upward crowned by ornate, golden three bar crosses. Open the door and you immediately smell the remnants of incense from over 100 years of liturgies served within this church. Enter the church itself and be amazed at the towering 4 tier iconostas (icon screen), antique stained glass windows and mural art. This church is so little changed from its earlier days that you can really get a sense of how it was to worship here as a newly arrived immigrant.

Divine Liturgy at St. Michael is a joy to experience. The talented cantor leads a very enthusiastic congregation in singing the responses. Perfect pitch isn't required, just join in! The pastor is very welcoming and will make you feel right at home. Coffee socials, held in the Parish Center, follow most Sunday liturgies and are a relaxed atmosphere for fellowship.

This gem of a parish, nestled at the foot of the hill behind Mont Clare and across the river from neighboring Phoenixville, is a must-visit for Byzantine Catholics as well as for other Catholics looking to experience Eastern Catholic worship in an amazing setting. With so much new construction and so many coming to the Phoenixville and adjacent King of Prussia areas, consider visiting St. Michael's when exploring the area and all that it has to offer.

If you go, should you not find parking at the church's location at Amelia and Landis Streets (it is limited); do not fear, as there is a parking lot behind the church on Sowers Street.

A beautiful Church with an even more beautiful congregation of loving, faith-filled Christians.