Local Pittsburgh Catholic Church Mosaic Among the Largest in the United States

Photo by Pittsburgh Murals and Public Art Blog

We’re reflecting with gratitude as one of our early custom mosaics was recently featured on a local art and mural blog.

This remarkable work was designed by company founder and renowned liturgical artist Rudolph Rohn in the early 1960s for the newly constructed Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church in Oakland, PA. The exterior triptych mosaic, fabricated in Pietro Santo, Italy, was carefully shipped in sections to Pittsburgh, then expertly installed on the church’s facade. Radiating vibrant color and sacred symbolism, it stands as one of the four largest mosaics in the United States, composed of an astonishing seven million pieces of Venetian glass.

At the mosaic’s center is a majestic depiction of the Holy Trinity, flanked by twelve figures on each side drawn from the Old Testament (left) and New Testament (right). This composition beautifully conveys the continuity of God’s plan and invites viewers into a profound spiritual contemplation. The radiant glass captures and refracts sunlight throughout the day, bathing the neighborhood in a kaleidoscope of color and light, inspiring all who pass by with a sense of divine presence and hope.

Inside the church, Rudolph also created expansive Byzantine-style decorations, including a breathtaking altar mural of the Most Holy Mother of God and Christ Child. This sacred image portrays the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles on Holy Pentecost Sunday, a moment that celebrates the birth of the Church and the enduring power of faith.

The mosaic, along with eight custom Byzantine stained glass windows—also designed by Rudolph and crafted by Rohlf Studio in Yonkers, NY—was solemnly blessed on September 11, 1966, marking a significant milestone in the parish’s spiritual journey.

If you’re in Pittsburgh and wish to experience this stunning testament to Eastern European tradition and artistry, the church spans the entire block between Clyde and Devonshire Streets at 4815 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. It remains a vibrant beacon of faith and culture in the community.

Today, we proudly continue Rudolph’s legacy through our consulting and interior design services. Visit our website to discover how we can help your parish create an inspiring, harmonious, and liturgically correct environment that nurtures both spirituality and beauty.

Photo by Fr. David Abernathy via Twitter

Photo by Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons