| Home | Events | About | Services | St Joseph | Background | Contact Us | Links | Donate |
| Sunday Bulletins | Our Heroes |

In 1991, a small group of Romanians located in Hazleton, PA and surrounding areas decided to form a mission. They had nothing but a strong desire to succeed. From the beginning, the mission was put under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America and His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel. With his blessing, Rev.Fr. Onisie Morar officiated the first Divine Liturgy on April 19, 1991. With the help of Mr. & Mrs Jonel Pasula, Mr. & Mrs Ilija Germinjanc, Mr. Marian Pop, Mr. Ioan Anton, and Nicolae Cornea, Rev.Fr. Onisie Morar set up a small altar and veneration place on Emil and Dorina Horga’s property in Hazleton, where the first Resurrection Service was officiated.

During 1992-1993 the Mission held its services in various locations, the most important being St Michael's Orthodox Church in Freeland, PA, where its basement, at that time, served perfectly the purposes of the mission. Thanks to the kindness and love of Fr.Lawrence Barigger, all the services could be officiated in a perfect organized hall, which was generously equipped with all things necessary. While services were held at St. Michael’s, the newly formed mission began to organize and strengthen. The Mission Council and Ladies Auxiliaries Organization were formed, and then the intentions to have a personal place of worship arised.

In 1993, the Mission Council decided to buy the building of the United Methodist Church in Hazleton and adopted the name of Palm Sunday Romanian Church. The mortgage was paid off in 1999, before the church's consecration in November. In addition, the parish changed its name to St Joseph of Maramures Romanian Orthodox Church.

Since then, through the love and dedication of its parishioners, the parish added to its value numerous religious items, icons, vestments, and books, as well as an audio system designed especially for services. The parish also organized and changed the archive and office configuration, and bought a parish house close to the church. Since 1992 the number of those who attend the services at this church increased, many of them coming from Romania or moving from upstate New York area. St Joseph Church is the only Romanian Orthodox Church in Luzerne County and surroundings.