The Carpathian Connection wishes to acknowledge the countless hours spent by Mr. George J. Malinich who compiled information for this page. George passed away on May 26, 2001 and all who knew him were graced by his gentle demeanor and depth of genuine character. Born in Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, a son of George and Anna Bules Malinich, he received a bachelors degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. George served his country valiantly during World War II in the Navy (SeaBees) and received the Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Point System and Two Asiatic Pacific Stars. A faithful communicant of St. Matthias Slovak Roman Catholic Church, he was a lector and also designed a web page about St. Matthias. George was a tireless champion of all Slovak based organizations. He was voted “1999 Man of the Year” by The American Slovak Cultural Association of The Manoning Valley, Inc., of Youngstown, Ohio and was also a past trustee. A man of superior talents, he hosted the on-air WKTL Radio’s “Slovak Hour” based in Ohio, assisted yearly with The Miss Ohio Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant and was involved with other groups and organizations. George was a steadfast family researcher and his natural enthusiasm was appreciated and admired. To his credit, he compiled and printed a “First Edition” of his family history. Unfortunately, he was not able to complete the final edition of his research. As a testament to George, the first edition was displayed during his wake. For a researcher/genealogist, having compiled research viewed in your memory is the ultimate honor. We are honored that the work he offered to us for viewing will be a permanent legacy to this gifted and distinguished man.
The Roman Catholics of Slovak descent began to settle in the Mahoning Valley in the 1880's, but the Roman Catholic Slovak Church History dates only from 1896, when a meeting of Slovaks was held to plan a Slovak parish in Youngstown. As a result of this meeting, the SS. Cyril and Methodius parish was founded.
The Roman Catholics of Slovak descent living in Struthers, traveled five miles to SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Youngstown to worship. This created a hardship on the families, especially in the winter, so in 1907, they decided to organize a parish of their own. A census was taken and it showed that there were 103 Slovak families in Struthers and the influx of more families into the community made it desirable to establish a parish of their own.
A petition to establish the parish was initiated at the monthly meeting of the Catholic Slovak Men’s Jednota Branch 259, Society of Saint Michael the Archangel on September 22, 1907. The petition was submitted to Bishop Ignatius Horstmann, Bishop of the Cleveland Diocese, which included the Youngstown area.
Bishop Ignatius Horstmann approved the request and sent Reverend Paul Herman to begin work to set up the parish. Property at 53 W. Washington Ave. with a house on it was purchased for $3,500. Reverend Paul Herman was in Struthers a short time and Reverend Melchior Furst replaced him in September 1907. Reverend Furst was the first active pastor of Holy Trinity Church.
On October 7, 1907, Reverend Furst laid the cornerstone for the Holy Trinity Catholic Slovak Church and construction of the church began. On December 7, 1907, the church was dedicated and the first Mass read by Reverend Furst. The church was a rectangular frame building with no definite architectural style and the windows were of colored glass. The house on the property became the rectory. Holy Trinity was the second Slovak Catholic Church built in the Mahoning Valley.
May 1908, Reverend Melchoir Furst was replaced by Reverend Emil Sloupsky, who completed the building of the church. In 1909, the rectory was enlarged and in 1910, the tower on the church was built containing one bell and a two-story yellow brick schoolhouse, shown on the left, was built. The school included grades 1 through 8. The Vincentian Sisters of Charity were in charge of the school and were the teachers. Approximately 176 students attended the school when it opened.
First Holy Communion Class of 1912
Reverend Joseph Zalibera replaced Reverend Emil Sloupsky on October 19, 1914. In 1916, he built the Sister’s brick convent to the right of the church and added a third story to the brick schoolhouse.
Through his friendliness, he won the hearts of the older Slovak people and the youth of the parish. He organized a young people’s club named S.M. Club which was very successful and won the admiration of the community.
In 1918, he purchased property on Oakview Avenue, located on the hill north of Struthers. A pavilion was built where picnics and dances were held, church dinners served and much more. The building did not have glass windows, instead the windows were made of wood and hinged at the top. In hot weather the hinged windows were opened and when the weather was bad or cold they were closed. A baseball diamond was laid out and in the summer, local and church baseball teams would play. In 1952 volunteers expanded the pavilion.
In 1919, an auditorium was built across the street from the church for club and social activities.
Stephen Kocis, son of parishioners John and Anna Kocis, was ordained and offered his First Mass on September 15, 1918 and remained as the assistant pastor in the parish until May 1919.Reverend Joseph Zalibera served the parish until October 1920, at which time Reverend John Frena (picture at right) was appointed pastor.
In the 1922 Census of Slovak People Living in Mahoning County, Ohio, it lists 194 different surnames in the Struthers area. For many names there are several families with the same surname.
Reverend John Frena served the parish until March 1923 and Reverend Stephen Begalla (picture on right) was named his successor. Father Stephen Begalla was loved by all the parishioners and worked successfully and spiritually, bringing togetherness of the parishioners. January 15, 1931, he was appointed pastor of Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovak Catholic Church in Youngstown, which was the first Slovak Catholic Church in Youngstown established in 1896 and he was replaced by Reverend Joseph Krispinsky.
Reverend Krispinsky was a native of Lowellville, Ohio. He attended Saints Cyril and Methodius school in Youngstown; Saint Procopius College, Lisle, Illinois; Saint Bernard Seminary, Rochester, NY and Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained October 14, 1923 at age 23.
Father Krispinsky organized the "Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary" for the young ladies of the parish and the "Holy Trinity A.C." for the young men of the parish. He remodeled and painted all the parish buildings.
Monsignor Krispinsky celebrated his 75th anniversary as a priest on October 18, 1998 at Little Flower Parish in Middlebranch, Ohio. Monsignor Krispinsky died on October 7th , 1999, being 99 years of age and the oldest living Roman Catholic priest in the state of Ohio.
TWENTY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
After twenty-five years, the parish had grown and many of its parishioners entered the vocations to the service of God: Reverend Stephen Kocis; Sr. M. Euphenia (Anna Cvengros), Sr. M. Phillippa (Katherine Cvengros), Sr. M. Lupert (Mary Virtes), Sr. M. Venantia (Mary Macala), Sr. M. Celsa (Anna Yash), Sr. M. Celestine (Katherine Granchay), Sr. M. Cyprian (Margaret Novak), Sr. M. Richard (Margaret Sedlacko), Sr. M. Hilary ( Anna Horvath), Sr. M. Ida (Veronica Vencko). Sr. M. Julian ( Mary Almasi), Sr. M. Lucy (Anna Almasi), and Theresa (Anna Pajdik).
After the Anniversary Mass, the parishioners assembled outside the church for the above picture. During this period, there were 2,071 Baptisms--566 Weddings--480 Deaths. At this time there were 298 families in the parish consisting of 1,609 persons, 210 children attended Holy Trinity School, 175 children attended Public Grade School, 108 Children Public High School and 5 students attended college.
Reverend Joseph Krispinsky served the parish until May 18, 1938, when he was transferred and was replaced by Reverend George Bobal. During Father Bobal’s service, the Bishop assigned Reverend William Slipski as assistant pastor. Reverend Slipski was later assigned to Saint Ann’s and was replaced by Reverend William Yurko. Masses were conducted in Slovak and English.
The present church building was getting to the point that all the parishioners could not be accommodated at Mass and Father Bobal felt that in the very near future a campaign would have to be conducted to raise money for a new church with the aim to build the new church by 1940. That was the hope of every loyal member of the Holy Trinity Parish. But it was not meant to be.
In the meantime, a plot of land, owned by the Frank family, at 250 N. Bridge Street, Struthers, (at the top of the hill) was purchased and plans for the new church were drawn and approved by the parishioners and the Diocese. Unfortunately this was all Father Bobal was able to accomplish during his lifetime, for he passed away on December 14, 1951.
Father Bobal’s kindness and unfailing patience in each function of his Holy Ministry never failed to bring encouragement to his people. Among the worshipers at Holy Trinity Church many remember his generosity and his vision of a modern church for his people and a more fitting abode for our Eucharistic King.
Every day of his priestly existence saw an advance in personal sanctity, but he was most exacting with himself while offering up daily the Spotless Sacrifice at the Altar of God. His constant effort was to be the true "Alter Christus."
He was replaced by Reverend Thomas Sofranec, who realized Father Bobal’s dream and undertook the task to build the new church.
THE NEW CHURCH
The ground breaking ceremonies with Father Thomas Sofranec tossing the first shovelful of earth with his silver shovel, for the new church and rectory took place on April 20, 1952. Father William Yurko took his turn overturning the soil after Father Sofranec and construction of the $270,000 new church began.
For the successful completion of the new church the following prayer was recited at all Sunday masses:
"Realizing dear Mother Mary,--that Thou art our Perpetual Help,--not only in spiritual--but likewise in temporal necessities,--we approach Thee--with submissive and humble hearts,--because we have a childlike confidence--in Thy power and goodness,--beseeching Thee to assist us--in successfully completing our new church.--We are not asking, dearest Mother, for wealth,--we merely beg for that assistance--which will enable us--to satisfy our pressing obligations.--We thank Thee, dear Lady,--and promise to publish far and wide,--the marvels of Thy Perpetual Help.--Amen.
A year later, on April 19, 1953, the outdoor cornerstone ceremony was performed. The Most Reverend Bishop Emmet M, Walsh blessed the cornerstone of the new Holy Trinity Church, then placed the copper box containing the names of various parishioners and church organizations together with certain church documents into the cornerstone.
In attendance at the blessing and laying of the cornerstone were many priests of the Diocese of Youngstown. Standing behind Bishop Walsh is Father Thomas Sofranec. Many parishioners attended the blessing and laying of the cornerstone. After the laying of the cornerstone, Bishop Walsh, the priests and the congregation went into the church. While Bishop Walsh blessed the interior of the new church, the visiting priests and congregation stood in silent prayer. On Sunday afternoon, February 7th, 1954 the church was dedicated by the Most Reverend Emmet M. Walsh, Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown. Bishop Walsh blessed the buildings and grounds and then celebrated Mass, assisted by the Reverend Thomas Sofranec. A letter from the Apostolic Delegation, read by Father Sofranec at the afternoon services, told the congregation that Pope Pius XII had imparted his apostolic benediction on the church.
Dedication and Blessing of the New Church
"When I come to a parish like this, knowing the magnitude of your undertaking and yet seeing the joy and happiness with which you meet your responsibility, I am inspired ," Bishop Walsh said. "The age of faith is not past, and this church will stand as a witness of your labor for your salvation." Father Sofranec gave thanks especially to the late Reverend George Bobal, who prepared the way for the project. He also thanked the nuns, the church councilmen, the assistant pastor, Reverend William Yurko, and the members of the parish for their patient and untiring work. The sandstone church seats 500 in the church, with a dining room in the basement for 500.
There is a connecting rectory to the church, a 3 car garage, and 20 acres of ground. The rectory was built to the right of the church and dedicated in 1955.
The Vincentian Sisters of Charity resided in the Convent on W. Washington Avenue, next to the original church and taught in the schools still located on W. Washington Avenue. Construction of a new convent was started in October 1955 and dedicated in 1956.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima was dedicated on October 14, 1956 overlooking the steel mills along the Mahoning River. The dedication consisted of school children, members of the Fatima Club and Pastors, Reverend Thomas Sofranec and Reverend William Yurko. The president of the Fatima Club placed the crown on the Blessed Mother.
The final project of the six year building program was the new school building built on five acres west of the Sister’s Convent. Ground breaking for the new school was on October 17, 1958 with the revival of an old Slovak custom. Parish benefactors assembled around a model of the new school, holding colored ribbons attached to it. Each schoolchild was provided with a toy shovel to take part in the symbolic ceremony.
The school was dedicated on Sunday, June 18, 1961 at 3:30 P.M. by Auxiliary Bishop James W. Malone. The eight-classroom brick school represented $100,000 of the $500,000 building program. The school opened in April 1960 and replaced the four temporary classrooms in the church auditorium.
Father Sofranec spoke of the achievements Holy Trinity Church had made in the last nine years: "We began with a new church and rectory. This was followed by the convent, extension of the parish pavilion and the outdoor shrine. Construction of the school building was begun in 1959."
The parish had grown from 285 families in 1952 to 400 in 1960. More than 200 pupils attended the Holy Trinity School taught by the Vincentian Sisters of Charity of Bedford Ohio.
Reverend Thomas Sofranec continued to serve the parish until June 1970. Reverend Michael E. Ronik was then assigned as pastor of Holy Trinity Church.
On May 25, 1975, a burning of the parish mortgage ceremony/dinner was held in the church hall. The parish had eliminated the debt on the parish facilities that were constructed from 1952 thru 1961. Bishop James W. Malone was present at the ceremony. Bishop Malone spoke at the dinner and praised the parish for its continuing contribution to the Christian community.
In 1983, the Vincentian Sisters of Charity decided to leave the school and lay teachers were hired.
Reverend Stephen Karas was named pastor of Holy Trinity Church on July 15, 1989, replacing Reverend Michael Ronik.
Holy Trinity School had served the area for 81 years and in February 1991, following a six month study by a committee composed of parish representatives, parents of school children, diocesan personnel and Father Karas and Father Trimbur, pastor of St. John The Baptist of Campbell it was decided to close the Holy Trinity School at the end of the school year. Father Trimbur was a member of the committee for his parish had sent children to the school since their school had closed in 1982. Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Nicholas Wolsonovich chaired the committee.
The committee met for six months to review all the factors and options relative to the operation of Holy Trinity School. As a result of the study, it was concluded that Holy Trinity parish could not financially operate the school on its own and the consolidation with another school was not feasible. Dr. Wolsonovich said if the school opened the next school year, Holy Trinity Parish would incur a deficit of $25,000 to $35,000.
"In light of these proceedings," Bishop Malone said," I have decided to close Holy Trinity School at the end of this school year.
At the time of the school closing there was a total enrollment of 129 students in the eight grades. Of that enrollment, 86 students were Catholic and 43 were non-Catholic. Of the Catholic students, 53 were from the Holy Trinity parish and 33 were from 10 other parishes. In 1982 the school enrollment was 263 after the closing of St. John The Baptist. Tuition at the time was $675 for parishioners and $1,000 for non-parishioners and the parish was comprised of 482 households and approximately 1,100 registered parishioners.
The school building and some of the property was then sold in August 1993.
On September 28, 1997, Holy Trinity Parish celebrated its 90th Anniversary and at this time the parish consisted of approximately 310 households.
Father Stephen Karas wrote a letter to the parishioners & friends in celebration of the 90th Anniversary as follows:
Dear Parishioners & Friends of Holy Trinity: "I write to congratulate you as we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of our founding as a Slovak Catholic Parish in 1907. For close to a century, you have gathered to worship and minister to one another in Jesus’s Name. Our purpose, then, for this celebration is to give thanks to God for all that you have accomplished in the past and to ask God’s continued blessings on your future accomplishments.
It is hard to believe that I have been your pastor for 8 years already. I can truthfully say that these years, perhaps, have been my happiest ones. I think that is due to the fact that the people of Holy Trinity are faith-filled, co-operative, hardworking, and friendly. I can say that I really feel at home at the top of the hill.
Much has been accomplished here in Holy Trinity during the past eight years. I want to thank the parishioners for their co-operation, generosity, interest in and concern for their parish.
May God bless you on this joyous occasion and may you continue to be a people dedicated to ministry in Jesus Christ."
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Stephen Karas
At the Anniversary Dinner, Father Karas stated, "that the ongoing success of Holy Trinity Parish is due to the cooperation and tireless efforts of the parishioners, especially our faithful Pirohy workers and the Tuesday morning Muscle Club, a group of retired parishioners who gather each Tuesday to maintain and beautify the parish plant and its surroundings."
This History of the Holy Trinity Catholic Slovak Church is dedicated to the founders of the church for their hard work and dedication to the Slovak heritage. "Hej Slovaci, este nasa Slovenska rec zije" (Hey Slovaks our Slovak language still lives.)
History written by: George Malinich
December 1999
Co-authored by: Carol Jean Hirt
E-mail address: carol@hirt.com
Edited and Approved by: Reverend Stephen C. Karas
March 2000
Sources: Parishes of the Catholic Church in Youngstown-from The Diocese of Cleveland Archives; March Of The Eucharist From Dungannon by The Most Reverend James A. McFadden; The History of the Slovak People of the Mahoning Valley by the Bicentennial Committee; 1922 Census of Slovaks in the Mahoning Valley; Struthers Historical Society Archives; Anniversary articles written by Holy Trinity Parishioners; 1954 Dedication of the New Church Booklet; Ninetieth Anniversary Program.
SLOVAK DAY QUEEN and CZECH QUEEN celebrations in years past are well remembered. In 1987, the pageant titled, "Miss Czech-Slovak USA Pageant was established. The pageant gives identity to the three provinces, Czech-Moravian-Slovak, which are now two Republics, Czech and Slovak.
The National Pageant is held in Wilbur, Nebraska during the first weekend in August and is a very colorful and entertaining event. The first pageant was in 1987 with four contestants and grew to thirteen contestants in 1999. The Queens were Miss Florida Czech Queen, Miss Nebraska Czech Queen, Nebraska State Czech Heritage Queen, Kansas State Czech-Slovak Queen, Oklahoma State Czech Queen, Ohio State Slovak Queen, Illinois State Czech Queen, Oklahoma Kolace Queen, Wisconsin State Czech Queen, Minnesota Czech-Slovak Queen, Michigan Czech-Slovak Queen, Pennsylvania Slovak Heritage Queen and Kansas Bohemian Belle. The winner was Andrea Kassik, Oklahoma State Czech Queen and Mary Kostrubanic, Ohio State Slovak Queen, was second runner up and was the first place talent winner for her ethnic singing and dancing.
"Year 2000 Ohio State Czech-Slovak Queen" was chosen on June 25th, 2000 at the St Matthias Slovak Catholic Church in Youngstown. The winner was Jennifer Myers of Youngstown. Jennifer won $1,500 in prizes, a jeweled crown, and round trip air fare to the Czech-Slovak National Pageant in Wilbur, Nebraska on August 5th and 6th. The Ohio State Queen will represent the Czech and Slovak Communities in parades, fairs and festivals.
Suzanne Bures of North Royalton was first runner-up.
Maria Pinizzatto of Garfield Heights was second runner-up.
Jennifer won the talent contest and Suzannne won the costume contest.
The American Slovak Cultural Association of the Mahoning Valley, Youngstown, Ohio was formed on July 5, 1976 to participate in America's Bi-Centennial Celebration. This date coincided with the Centennial Anniversary of the arrival of Slovaks into the Mahoning Valley. The Association continued to meet and on June 27,1991, presented Articles of Incorporation to the Ohio Secretary of State. The incorporation was finalized on September 2, 1993.
The Association's purpose is to display and nurture the cultivation of Slovak cultural and to preserve and pass on the traditions of their heritage. During the Youngstown Bi-Centennial "Grand Parade" our float won the premier prize. It was entitled "From Slovakia to the Moon" and on the float was Astronaut Captain Eugene Cernan who on three occasions commanded flights to the moon. He is of Slovak descent, his grandparents were born in Vysaka, Slovakia.
The Association's specific purposes are to promote and preserve the Slovak language, heritage, cultural and civic activities through the dissemination of literature, music, history ideals and to implement scholarship grants.
In 1976 the association published a documentary entitled, "History of Slovaks in the Mahoning Valley--1876 to 1976."
The association meets 4 times a year: February--May--August--November. Membership dues must be paid by February 1 of each year and are valid until the end of that year.
The Association has a Slovak Display Booth at the Canfield Fair, a Slovak Scholarship Picnic with all proceeds going towards Scholarship grants to students of Slovak descent of the Mahoning Valley and a Traditional Slovak Vilija Dinner on the second Sunday of December.
We encourage all Slovaks in the Mahoning Valley to join us in carrying on our Slovak Traditions and pass them on to our children and grandchildren. As the first line of the Slovak National Anthem states "Hej Slovaci! este nasa slovenska rec zije", (Heh, Slovaks! our Slovak language still lives). So its up to us to see that it continues to live.
The present Saint Matthias Roman Catholic Slovak Church is located on the southeast side of Youngstown, which was called Lansingville in the early 1900’s.
In 1913, a handful of Slovak families from Lansingville, who attended Saints Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Slovak Church, met regularly and with the assistance and advice of the pastor of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Reverend Oldrich Zlamal, petitioned The Most Reverend John Farrelly, Bishop of the Cleveland Diocese, to authorize the establishment of the Saint Matthias Parish in Lansingville. In 1914, permission was granted and the Slovak people of Lansingville enthusiastically and gratefully received the newly ordained Father John Gerenda, shown at the right, as their first pastor.
Minutes of a July 5, 1914 meeting of the new church, indicated 35 families in attendance and a week later, 52 families attended another meeting indicating their strong support of the new parish. Construction of the new church, a wooden frame structure began and was dedicated on July 5, 1915. During construction of the church, masses were offered in the “Gergus family home” on Homewood Avenue shown at the right in a 1914 photograph. Financial assistance and other support was generously offered by Saints Cyril and Methodius Church.
In 1917, a rectory of red brick was constructed and in September of that same year the first parish school was opened in the basement of the church, consisting of grades one through four. The remaining grades, students went to Adams School. The Slovak Vincentian Sisters of Charity from Perrysville, Pa. were in charge of the parish school and a convent for them was built in 1921.
The Reverend John M. Gerenda served the parish until February 4, 1922, at which time The Reverend Francis Kozelek, shown at the right, was appointed pastor. In the 1922 Census of Slovak People Living in Mahoning County, a list of 276 different Slovak surnames in the Lansingville area are noted. The parish grew so rapidly that the church was found to be too small to serve its needs and on June 18, 1925, a new church of red brick with sandstone trimming was begun to replace the wooden church. It was built on the corner of Indianola and Homewood Avenues. On June 13, 1926 the new church was dedicated by The Most Reverend Joseph Schrembs. The wooden church was then remodeled and grades five and six were added. Grades seven and eight were then opened in the basement of the new church. Some of the students that went to Adams School after the fourth grade returned to the Saint Matthias School. The first eighth grade class, graduated on June 19, 1927. There were 13 girls and 12 boys in the class.
Rectory and Brick Church - 1925
In 1929, marble altars were installed in the new church and consecrated in 1932 by The Most Reverend James A. McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland.
The Reverend Francis Kozelak resigned on May 1, 1938, and Bishop Schrembs appointed a native son of the parish, The Reverend John G. Hamrak, shown at the left, as Saint Matthias’ new pastor. Under his guidance, the parish advanced in spiritual strength, increased in membership and more frequent reception of the sacraments. Saint Matthias School increased in enrollment to nearly 400 students.
In August 1948, the parish community had increased to 625 families and it was decided to purchase 7 ˝ acres of property bordered by Shady Run Road, Florida and Cornell Avenues, and Zedaker Street. This property was located more in the center of the parish population. The parishioners were unanimous in building a new school on the new property.
Saint Matthias School - 1952
Approval to build the school was given by The Most Reverend Emmet M. Walsh in October 1950. Ground breaking for the school took place in February 1951 and was completed on September 8, 1952. The new school was a vast improvement for students and teachers. The enrollment at this time had reached 463 students.
Saint Matthias Convent - 1957
In November 1957, a new convent to house 16 sisters was completed on Cornell Avenue. This new building was a vast improvement in living quarters for the sisters, who for 40 years lived in limited facilities.
In May 1961, Saint Matthias Parish was honored as The Reverend John Hamrak was rewarded for his priestly work by being made a Domestic Prelate with the title of “Right Reverend Monsignor” by His Holiness, Pope John XXIII.
Monsignor John G. Hamrak was called to his eternal reward by the Heavenly Father on February 18, 1965. The Reverend George Winca, shown at the right, a former associate pastor at Saint Matthias, became the parish pastor on March 25, 1965.
In 1966, the parishioners of Saint Matthias became separated from Rev. George M. Winca their church by the construction of Interstate Highway 680 , causing many parishioners on Homewood and Taylor Avenues to move elsewhere. The interstate dissected the parish, causing the church and rectory to be east of the freeway and the school, convent, and a majority of the parishioners west of the freeway. The only solution to the problem was to construct the rectory, offices, and church on the new property. Permission was granted by the bishop to build the priest’s rectory and office facilities on the Cornell Avenue and Zedaker Street location. On July 1, 1968 the buildings were completed.
Saint Matthias Rectory - 1968
For the parishioners it was a dream to have all the parish facilities at one location and this dream became a reality when the construction of the church began on November 6, 1971 on the corner of Cornell Avenue and Zedaker Street next to the rectory.
Saint Matthias Church - 1973
On April 8, 1973 dedication of the church was held. The church is of contemporary style and seats 582 parishioners in a semi-circular arrangement. Many of the new church items were salvaged from the old church. The rose window that graced the back of the old church is now a backdrop to the tabernacle in the front of the new building. All of the stained glass windows were worked into the new structure. Other items that are used in the new church is the organ, part of the old altar, and the huge crucifix which is suspended by black chains and hangs over the sanctuary. On the outside, the huge copper bell and the cornerstone of the old church is encased in a special-designed encasement.
In the spring of 1974, The Reverend George Winca retired and The Reverend Francis Snock, shown at the left, former assistant pastor to Monsignor Hamrak, was appointed pastor.
From 1975 to 1987 there was continual renovations and remodeling to modernize the facilities, including the school kitchen, auditorium, renovation of the 62 year old organ, new roofs on the school and convent and landscaping the entire property.
In May of 1988, the Marian Shrine, on the northwest portion of the property, was dedicated and in September 1988, the Kindergarten was added to the curriculum.
The Reverend Francis Snock retired in August 1994 and The Reverend Peter M. Polando, shown at the right, was appointed pastor. In addition to being pastor of Saint Matthias, he serves as judge in the diocesan tribunal. On March 23, 1997, Saint Matthias Parish was again honored, as The Reverend Peter M. Polando was rewarded for his priestly work by being appointed “Chaplain of His Holiness”, by Pope John Paul II. His title now is Rev. Monsignor Reverend Monsignor Peter M. Polando Peter M. Polando
Renovations and repairs continued to the property and computers were added to the school.
Today there are 1127 families registered at Saint Matthias. The school is the only Slovak school in Youngstown with 164 students and is the only school that requires its students to attend daily mass before school.
Saint Matthias continues to be a vibrant parish community and many of its members are first and second generation American-Slovaks who treasure the heritage of their Slovak ancestors. Saint Matthias Slovak Parish community is proud that it has been able to continue its positive influence on the upper south side of the City of Youngstown (Lansingville) and hopes to be a visible presence there for many more years to come.
Aerial View of the Parish Community:
Rectory-Church-Convent-SchoolWritten by George Malinich - June 24, 1997
Edited by Reverend Monsignor Peter M. Polando September 1, 1998
Information was obtained from:
The History of the Slovak People of the Mahoning Valley by The Slovak Bicentennial Committee
The Saint Matthias 75th anniversary booklet
1921 Encyclopedia of Youngstown
1922 Census of Slovaks in the Mahoning Valley
Bernie Demochko
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