It was known as Saint Wenceslaus Parish, in Pittsburgh. Built in 1900, it was the only Bohemian parish in Pittsburgh diocesan history. Then, in 1989, Donald Wuerl proverbially closed its doors permanently.
At present, in 2026, there is an attempt to convert it into a Bohemian-influenced Dinner Theater ... or a regular theater of one degree or another. Maybe a reception area. Maybe a hall for awards. Maybe a holiday venue. Maybe some kind of a hub. In fact, when it comes to its future purpose, you can fill in the blanks, yourself.
Now, the structural engineer's involvement has already occurred, with a report already filed. The structure, itself, is located very near the 16th Street Bridge, across from the Heinz Complex which used to be the Heinz 57 Factory of decades past.
It's now known as the Heinz Loft where computer engineers, robotics engineers, and other young professionals rent apartment space.
St Wenceslaus' is also relatively near the St. Anthony Shrine which holds the second largest number of certified saint relics in the entire world. Only the Vatican has more.
In addition, St Wenceslaus is located only a short drive from the two northside stadiums, where the Steelers and Pirates play. It's even walking-distance from the oldest Catholic parish in Pittsburgh which still is in operation.
Yet, even closer to the church ... one block away ... is a humble metal-related business operated by Andy Warhol's authentic nephew. If you're a researcher into Andy Warhol's world, I can introduce you to Andy's nephew. And yes, Andy's birth and baptismal certificate reads as "Warhola," with an "a" at the end.
United Nations Interpreter
The owner of the ex-church is an interpreter {a translator} of the United Nations. He inherited the structure from his dad. He seeks co-investors and/or business partners, if not historic society contributions and the such. He's knowledgeable in Russian, but he is an American. In fact, his dad was an American fighter pilot.
I did get to know his dad, a few month's before his dad's departure into the next realm of existence ... and/or next realm of consciousness.
Contact info
In this day-and-age of con artistry & doxing, people have a need to keep confidential their names, phone numbers, etc. So, if you want to inquire further into converting St Wencenslaus into something artistic, you can start by calling me and leaving me a message.
That makes me a buffer only. I then connect you to the owner ... or to the prime contractor involved with the former church. In as much, I'm not the prime contractor. I'm the #2 man in charge. I have not signed a contract since the 1990s, and I haven't even filled-out & signed anyone's paycheck since 2015 or 2016.
And yes, we have already employed subcontractors, for some preliminary work thus far done at the site. I took care of sealing the stained glass windows, securing door openings, and some roof work where my ladder jack broke, teaching me how gravity works on a church roof.
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| The main section of church. All pews were removed. |
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| Stairway to Choirloft |
This project is not something that results in interested persons immediately picking up a phone, in order to make a quick purchase. This is something where truly interested persons first do research on the Northside of Pittsburgh and then become familiarized with the structure in focus. There's the matter of how much parking would be available, how often police patrol the area, rain drainage, snowplow assistance, and the potential audiences, as well as ticket sales ... or even dinner sales, and perhaps renting the building for events.
Well, there is a lot of parking ... but it's owned by a certain real estate entity. And as far as went police thus far, as soon as I started working at the site, a police car rolled-up and two officers got out, to see who and what I was, even requiring ID, while taking the plate number of the company truck I was using.
The police were surprised to see the front doors open, because that church was closed and virtually abandonned for years.
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| To a belfrey. Hole in ceiling. |
All in all, being that the Heinz Loft and a Microsoft building are across 16th Street, a police presence and city utility vehicle presence will be there ... in case you were wondering about the safety element in this day and age of brutal attacks done in the name of God of race of whatever.If you are an aspiring artistically-minded invester ... or business owner ... or C-corporation stockholder, here's a cell phone number for you:
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆ 1-412-475-1822 ★☆★☆★☆★☆★
There has already been work done on the structure
I've already done quite a bit of work on St. Wenceslaus ... with the assistance of other construction pros, of course. In fact, while on that roof, my roof jack broke in half, sending me into a moderate slide downward, according to the laws of gravity ... until I made a successful twist within the reach of a much more secure roof jack.
I tossed out all old roof jacks shortly thereafter. And no, I wasn't wearing a harness at the time, because it wasn't that dangerous ... just a trip to the hospital type of danger. For now, I'll post some of the photos of St Wenceslaus and the surrounding area ... for familiarization purposes.
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| 16th St Bridge, in relation to the church. And yes, it's on Progress St. |
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This is on the other side of the 16th St Bridge, across from the St. Wenceslaus structure. | | St Wenceslaus, itself. |
 | | With scaffolding. |
 | | church basement |
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| Basement area assumed to get a fire escape door cut into it. |
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| Main entrance |
 | | The metal I used to secure the back windows and back door entrance came from none other than Andy Warhol's nephew, the metal merchant. |
 | Once again, the metal was compliments of Andy Warhol's authentic nephew.
It's intended to be temporary. In fact, it's intended to be a fire-escape door,
with a readjusted lintel, etc, etc, etc. |
 | | This is the lefthand side of church interior, when you enter through the main entrance. |
Photo above: Basement, of course.  | | Stairs to the basement |
 | | View from choirloft |
 | | Rear road. The building in the photo is a Microsoft Building. |
Rear of church. Lots of room at present.  | | sacristy ... at one time. |
 | | Near the entrance of the church, in a corner area. |
 | | The rose stained glass window opening, boarded-up. |
 | | Flooring of the former altar area. |
 | The flight leading down to the choirloft.
Somewhere there will be the need of a fire escape. |
 | | behind choirloft |
 | | Main altar area ... at one time. |
 | | basement |
 | | Basement, as well. That stuff in photo has been removed. |
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