The cornerstone of St. Augustine Church was laid in 1899 and the church was dedicated in 1901. Standing on the front steps of the church and looking right, you see the cornerstone, which contains the names of the Capuchins stationed at the parish at the time, along with members of the parish, copies of local newspapers, postage and war stamps of the United States, coins, photographs, and various relics and medals. Directly above the cornerstone is the tower which houses the bells of St. Augustine. On November 29, 1900, the bells were brought in procession to the church, drawn by horses and include: the St. George Bell (5,500 lbs.), the St. Mary’s Bell (3,000 lbs.), the St. Joseph’s Bell (1,800 lbs.), and the St. Raphael’s Bell (750 lbs.) 

In the vestibule of the church, there are three pictures to the right of the center door. The first picture is of St. Benno’s Church in Munich, Germany. The architectural firm of Rutan and Russell was employed to sketch the plans for the new St. Augustine Church and John T. Comes (from the firm) did the actual sketches to follow the design and Romanesque architecture of St. Benno’s. The second picture is of St. Fidelis Church (also known as the Cathedral of the Plains) in Victoria, Kansas, which was modeled after St. Augustine Church (the third picture). Walking into the body of the church and turning to the left, St. Anthony Chapel is in the corner and is reserved for private prayer. The chapel includes the Shrine of St. Anne, brought to the church from the former St. Mary Church on 46th Street. 

Walking out of the chapel, you will notice a large cross on the wall.  That came from the former St. Joseph Church in Bloomfield.  

The stained glass windows are from Austria and original to the church. 

1. The first window is St. Rose of Lima, the first American Saint. 

2. The second window represents St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr, who is especially called upon for the grace of a happy death. 

3. The third window represents St. George the Knight, with the vanquished dragon at his feet. 

4. The fourth window represents St. John, Apostle and evangelist. 

5. The fifth window represents St. Peter, Prince of Apostles. 

6. The sixth window depicts St. Michael conquering Satan. 

7. The seventh window is a picture of St. Francis asking of Christ, through the intercession of Mary, for the great Portinucula Indulgence. 

8. The eighth window contains the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. 

The Stations of the Cross begin here and are a devotion following the way of Christ’s Passion and Death. These stations are paintings by the Mayer Company of Germany.

Through the generosity of the parishioners they were cleaned and restored in 2012. 

To the right is the Baptismal Font and near it a statue of St. John the Baptist, brought to the church from the former St. John the Baptist Church on Liberty Avenue. 

Looking at the front of the church, there are many majestic altars, all from the original St. Augustine Church on Butler Street, which were carved by the Capuchin Brothers Eleutherius, Hilarion, and Elzear. The beauty of the altars is enhanced by statuary. The first altar on the left bears a statue of St. Francis, with the next altar containing Mary, the Blessed Mother of God. The main altar houses statues of the Archangel Raphael with Tobias on the left, and St. Lawrence, the deacon, on the right. The center of the main altar contains the Risen Christ. The two altars on the right bear statues of St. Joseph and St. Anthony. 

Standing in the front center of the church, looking up is a large dome. The four triangles at the base of the dome depict the four evangelists, Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each evangelist is pictured with a symbol particular to their life and work - an angel, a winged lion, an ox, and an eagle, respectively. 

Looking to the rear of the church, the choir loft is seen extending out above the inner doors. The pipe organ, built by Roosevelt of Baltimore in 1884, was transferred from the old church and greatly improved by Roosevelt’s successor, Adam Stein. 

To the left is the bejeweled image of Mary entitled, “Our Lady of Czestochowa” from the former Holy Family Church on 44th Street. 

Next to the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa is a statue of St. Conrad. Conrad was the porter (doorkeeper) for St. Ann's Friary in Altoetting. This friary was attached to a shrine in honor of Mary and was a popular place of prayer. He performed this ministry for forty years, and often took care of the poor by giving food and alms. In addition to welcoming friars and visitors, Conrad had the opportunity to send many people on their way. He was one of the last friars to say goodbye and promise prayers for the three young friars who were going to the “missions” in America. The ministry of Fr. Hyacinth, Br. Eleutherius, and Br. Matthew in Pittsburgh was truly blessed by this humble saint’s prayer. 

1. The first window near the St. Anthony Altar shows us the Archangel Gabriel announcing to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she is chosen to be the Mother of God. \

2. The second window is a depiction of what the Gospel tells us of Jesus embracing and blessing the little ones. 

3. The third window depicts the Biblical narrative regarding the archangel Raphael and the young Tobias with the fish.

4. The fourth window is St. Paul the Apostle. The demolished idol at his side reminds us of the zeal of this “Apostle to the Gentiles” in preaching Christ crucified and over-throwing the altars of the false gods. 

5. The fifth window represents St. Stephen, the first martyr. 

6. The sixth window represents St. Edward the Confessor, King of England. 

7. The seventh window represents St. Catherine, virgin and martyr. 

8. The eight window represents St. Elizabeth, Countess of Thuringen, giving alms to a beggar. 

The detailed frescoing in the rear of the church was painted by Arthur Thomas. The fresco on the left (facing the rear of the church building), vividly illustrates the passing of the Old Law and the acceptance of the New. The fresco on the right is an illustration to the famous prayer of praise in honor of St. Anthony composed by St. Bonaventure. 

Finally, throughout the center of the church are Franciscan-themed frescoes. Each of these paintings represents an incident in the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare. These were painted in 1913. 

On January 1, 2024, St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish was formed out of the former Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Lawrenceville and St. Maria Goretti Parish in Bloomfield and Garfield. Saint Padre Pio Parish serves parishioners with one worship site at St. Augustine Church located in Lawrenceville.