St. Mary’s Parish in New Castle, Pennsylvania, has a rich history dating back to the early days of Catholic presence in the area, beginning around 1831 when priests from Pittsburgh first served local Catholics. The parish formally began as a mission in 1852, with the first church building erected that year on West Washington Street. It quickly grew into an independent parish as the Catholic population expanded with immigrants, especially Irish workers, and by 1871 a new Gothic-style brick church was completed at the corner of Beaver and North Streets.