THE ASSUMPTION SOCIAL CENTER I South Belle Vista Avenue I I I
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NOVEMBER 9,1991 DINNER - DANCE THE ASSUMPTION SOCIAL CENTER I South Belle Vista Avenue i i I Serving Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbuil counties in northeastern Ohio. November, 199 1 Holy Name of Jesus Pariah 613 Lakeview Ave. Youngstown, OH 44509 My dear Friends, I write to congratulate you and express my best wishes on the occasion of the '15th Anniversary of Holy Nzlme of Jesus Parish, Youngstown. Much has transpired since the first World War and the expans4oa of the steel industry dramatically increased the Catholic p.opulation of our Mahoning Valley. In 1915 Holy Name Parish was organized. Father John Stipanovic was appointed pastor in February 1916. A large hall at the corner of Mid1,and Avenue and Salt Springs Road was the first meeting place of the parish. This hall was used until Christmas Day, 1917 when the first M.ass was celebrated in the basement of the present Church. The Church and rectory were completed in 1918 under the direction of Father Dubosh although the cornerstone bears the inscription ''Ecclssia SS Nomdnis Jesu A.D. 1916." What we celebrate this year is 75 gears of the presence of Christ in you, the people, who are Holy Name Parish. In your gathering Christ is made manifest. ItWhere two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst" (Mt. 18:20). In your dedication and service to others the light df Christ shines forth. I May I use this opportunity to acknowledge the years of sservice provide.if by Father George Franko, Pastor Emeritus of Holy Name Parish and to thank your present pastor, Father Michael Ronik, for his leadership and dedication. For all that has been, let us together give thanks and praise to Godl Far what is yet to come, let us ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of God our Father. With every best wish, I remain SinPI rely yours in Christ, BNHlrmf 144 West Wood St. Youngstown, Ohio 44503 (216) 744-8451 1 Catholic Diocese of Youngstown Serving Ashtabula. Columb~ana,Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull counties ,h.mh~asternOhio. -- - November 9, 1991 Dear Father Runik and Parishioners of Holy Name: As Holy Name Parish celebrates its 75th anniversary, I am happy to join my voice with those of many others acclaiming with pride its historical presence in the Youngtom area. As we celebrate this anniversary, it is good to recall the long line of dedicated priests and sisters. who have served there and the great number of parishioners who,, over the years, were nurtured in their long life of faith there and who have contributed to the presence of Catholic life In the community. While on this occasion we reflect on the parish's history and its accoxnplishmn~s,we look to the future with hope and trust in God that the faith community 'of Holy Mame Paristi will continue to make significanf. contributions to Catholic life and the Youngstown community. With my prayers and best wfshes, I am Benedict C. ~r&zetta, J\G. B Auxiliary Bishop of ~oun&rtown 144 West Wood St. Youngstown, Ohio 44503 (216) 744-8451 PHONE (216) 799-8873 613 N. LAKEVIEW A VENUE YOUAIGSTOW, OHIO 44509 Dear Parishioners of Holy Name Church: On this occasion: of the 75th Annniversary of Holy Name Church, it is with great pride that I celebrate this event in the history of our church with you. From its very beginning as a parish there was always the presence of the love of God and His church. It was because of your concern for having a church that you were able to build not only a beautiful church--but a school and ree- tory as well. The material buildings which we view today is a result of your desire to have a conununity of faith viaible to all peoples. Trusting in God and never abandsoning Him together with prayers, hard work and dedication were acknowledged by Hh.with the continued progress of the parish. On this the 75th hlversary, I congratdate all of our p.arishioners of the parish. Their past service to God is viewed t'oday as continuing to make Boly Name murch a parish that you can be proud to call your own. Today we thank the Triune God for all the past blessings and we ask that Their love for the parishioners will continue in the future. Blessing us with those graees which we individually need to make us all pleasing to Him and to cbntinue to love Him as those preceeded us. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Sincerely in Christ, Rev. Michael E. Ronik Pastor of Holy Name Church History As a prelude to the History of Holy Name of Jesus Paiish, we should be aware of the immigration of Slovaks in Youngstown. Reading in YOUNSTOWNSKY SLOVAK, KALENDAR NA ROK 191 8, p. I, it is interesting to note that the first Slovaks came to Youngstown in 1878. At that time the following Slovaks were in Youngstown: John Hamrak, Martin Farkas, and J. Zabrunsky. After 12 years of these settlers, there were about 30 Slovak families and about 50 single Slovaks living here. By 191 3, the West Side of Youngstown, known as Steelton, because of its prox- imity to the steel mills, was undergoing a rapid development. The mills attracted early settlers, some of which were Slovak immigrants. The Steelton Slovaks soon established Branch 308, Holy Name of Jesus Lodge of the First Catholic Slovak Union [JEDNOTA) Officers of this lodge were elected on January 18,1914and were: John Roth, Matthew Kutcko, Joseph Lipjanec, and Martin Dolak with John Bolha, Michael Novotny. and Stephen Saluga, trustees. By 4916 there were approxiately 200 families of Slovak descent in Steelton. Searching through the church archives for the origins of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, a brief history, from December 12, 1913 to January 25, 1922, compiled by Rev. Francis J. Dubosh, then pastor, was discovered. The document follows: "The Steelton Slovaks, according to information available, first expressed their desire to have a parish of their own in the year 1913. Up $0that time and until the year 1916, when in February, they received their first pastor, they were members of SS mil& Mdhodius Church on the corner of E. Wood and Watt Streets. There ambitilonand their wish to have their own church was not realized immediately because it was the intention of the TZt. Rev. J. P. Farrelly, and the Rev. Oldrich Zlamal to dissect the mother church, SS Cyril and Methodius, slowly. As the people in Hazeltan and Lansingville were the first to petition for a parish, these people in the Eastern part of Youngstown naturally were first considered. Their petition was granted in the year 1913.No pastor, however, was appointed to the church of St. Matthias untll the middle of the year 1914, when the first available man, the Rev. John M. Gerenda, was ordained and later appointed to be the first pastor of the first child of SS Cyril and Methodius Church. The people in the western section of Youngstown (Steelton), drawing sncourag- mant from the success of their co-parishioners in the East, soon began to put forth their claims to a parish for Steelton. Father Zfamal promised to do for them what he did for the Hazelton and Lansingville Slovaks as soon as circumstances would permit. It must be remembered that at that time, in 1914, there were no available priests. Father Gerenda was the first to be ordained, and even his ordination was advanced one year in order that the demand of St. Matthias could be met. History The Sfeelton Slovaks, however, became impatient. Tley earnestly desired a parish, and since, in their opinion, Father Zlamal did not act quickly enough, as he could not, because there was no priest and there were no available funds for the purchase of property, they, under the leadership of John Roth, Matthias Kucko. Martin Dolak, Joseph Lipjanec, Joseph Bolha, Michael Novotny, and Stepehn Saluga began collecting independently for what was to be the Holy Name of Jesus Parish of Youngstown, Ohio. At this point it is interesting to note that the first meeting of the Steeltan district was held in January of 1914 at the home of Joseph Sopkovic. The first collection (house to house) amounted to the grand sum, at that time, of $98.25. It was customary among the Slovaks (in those days) to take advantage of any opportunity to gather money from any community affair. They would collect at christenings, at weddings, and even on the occasion of a funeral. The first such collection was turned in by Martin Dolak, who, at a wadding party in East Youngstown, collected the munificent sum of $25.90.The receipts for the first month, January 1914, amounted to $165.40; the disbursements were $3.90, supposedly for notebooks. These various collections were taken up month after month, until, with the aid of a loan from John Kaemar, Sr. of $250, the land upon which the present church and rectory stand was purchased from the Carnegie Steel Company for the sum of $2,000. This land, consisting of eight lots, and in all 250 x 225 feet, on North Lakeview Avenue and extending from Midland Avenue to Florence Avenue, was purchased in August 1914. The property was obtained for such a low price because of the intercession of Rev. 0. Zlamal and Rev. Maurice Griffin.