History of St. Brendan's
Brendan the Navigator was a fabled Irish saint credited with extensive travel and the establishment of monasteries and churches throughout Ireland and Scotland. His travels in the mid-sixth century likely took him to Iceland and Greenland, and some even credit him with discovering America centuries before other explorers.
Brendan’s strong desire to reach out to new worlds inspired the name of the mission church that was to be planted in Franklin Park. Bishop Alden Hathaway formally approved this outgrowth of Christ Episcopal Church, in Pittsburgh’s suburban North Hills, in January 1987, with the Rev. Dr. Patricia Carnahan as its leader.
From humble beginnings and borrowed worship space, the congregation grew to 120 members within three years and eventually had the financial wherewithal to build its own church. Ground was broken in May 1991, and on Palm Sunday in 1992, the bishop consecrated the new building.
With the mission church established and growing, Rev. Carnahan retired in 1997 and St. Brendan’s began its search for a new Rector. The Rev. Catherine A. Munz was called in January 1998. With new traditions and new ministries, the parish experienced an influx of new members. Plans were soon drafted for a major expansion to include a chapel, new sanctuary, kitchen, memorial garden and additional space for children and youth. The parish broke ground for the new church in September 2001 and consecrated the new space a year later.
Eventually, the parish began to feel the impact of division within the Episcopal Church. Although the Pittsburgh diocese was split and various parishes left the national church, St. Brendan’s remained a steadfast member of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America. In 2008, Rev. Munz accepted the call to a new parish and, by year’s end, the Rev. Dr. William Pugliese joined St. Brendan’s as Interim Rector. His steady guidance and solid leadership (over five years) helped it to attract new families and stay focused on its mission. He saw the parish through its 25th anniversary, the arrival of a new bishop and St. Brendan’s search for a new Rector. The Rev. Daniel Scott Russell was called to that position in November 2013 and served until March 2016, when he accepted a call to Rutgers University.
The Rev. Regis J. Smolko was named St. Brendan’s Priest-in-Charge in July 2017 and brought a fresh focus to inclusivity, diversity and pastoral care. He led the parish until his retirement in December 2021. The Rev. Robin Jarrell followed as Priest-in-Charge in May 2022 and, with her background as a Biblical scholar, delivered sermons with unique insights to the history and meaning of the Scriptures. She plans to retire from ministry at the end of April 2025.
​
As St. Brendan’s changes and grows, it is worth considering its namesake. Various accounts call Brendan the Navigator, the Wanderer, and the Voyager. He’s also been called Brendan the Bold, reflecting his will and determination to spread the Word in the early days of Christianity in Ireland. St. Brendan’s, as a parish community, not only embraces these traits but eagerly looks forward to the journey ahead.
Learn more about St. Brendan's Episcopal Church in this four-part history. In 2023 St. Brendan's celebrated its 36th birthday with cake and a new church video. It was fun to watch and learn about our beginnings, growth and change throughout the years. Check out the video here!
​