One hundred years is not only a long time to celebrate an anniversary, but it's a time full of civil and religious history. To place our parochial family's beginning (1889) in the civil, political arena, we find ourselves just a few years away from our Country's own Centennial birthday (1876) and, unfortunately struggling in the pangs of rebirth. The Civil War had ended little more than a decade before. Much had to be done yet to rejoin remnants of the Confederacy to the Union.
Meanwhile, political unrest and oppression in Eastern Europe against the Slavs saw a great migration of some 300,000 of them cross the Atlantic Ocean in just 40 years, between 1880 and 1920.
In 1891, Benjamin Harrison was President of the United States. It was in this year that St. Mary of the Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church was officially begun on November 22, with the blessing of the cornerstone by Father Eugene Volkay of Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, and Father Nicholas Stecovich of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. The first building was built on a parcel of land, purchased by Father Alexander Sereghy, on the corner of Hickory St. and Irving Ave. Prior to this year (1891) our people were attending our Liturgy (1889) in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church on S. Main St., attended to by Fathers Gregory Zapotocky, Alexander Dzubay and Gabriel Vislocky. Father Vislocky, who was pastor of SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Olyphant, became the first pastor of the newly-formed parish of St. Mary's. However, that same year he returned to Hungary. The solemn dedication was performed on May 7, 1893, by Rt. Rev Bishop William O'Hara.
It would seem that everywhere our people settled, their first major concern was their Byzantine Catholic Church. Somehow almost all of them, in whatever parish they would found, would suffers the same struggles and lack of money, debt, discontent over the proper location for a church, the lack of priests to serve as pastor, or the priest's too short a stay to help allay these problems. The sad, to human reaction was splintering, so that St. Mary's alone became the mother church of several others; St. John's in Scranton, St. Mary's in Taylor, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox in Scranton and St. Michael's in Dunmore.
If we look at the history of St. Mary's from the various pastors who served the parish we see the unfolding of its pages.
1891 - 1894 -- Father Alexander Sereghy -- The first parcel of land was bought at the corner of Hickory St. and Irving Ave. The first Church building was constructed. Father purchased land for a Cemetery and solemnly blessed it in October of 1892.
1894-1895 -- Father Valentine Balogh -- Discontent among many Parishioners over the distant location of the Church was unable to be solved due to the short period of his pastorate.
1895-1898 -- Father Nicephorus Chanath -- The first Apostolic Vicar for Greek Catholics of the U.S.A. Discord among parishioners reached riot point. A large number left the parish with its debt and under Father Balogh built St. John's, Broadway. St. Mary's rector was built. After Father's death (Dec. 31, 1898) there was a vacancy in the Church for 2 months.
1899-1901 -- Father Eugene Volkay -- Inherited a seemingly hopeless situation in the form of debts and the loss of parishioners over the plans and contracts of the new rectory. Father Volkay died in 1948 as the oldest pioneer priest of our diocese.
1901 -- Father George Gulovich dies of Consumption after 4 months in the Church. Nov. 13, 1901 at 31 years of age, leaving behind a widow and 2 children. Now the parish would be left without a pastor for 3 months and in serious financial straits.
1902 - 1906 -- Father Michael Lengyel -- A real father! Great spiritual and material progress was made. IN 2 years the debt was entirely erased. He further beautified the interior of the Church and erected a large granite cross next to the Church. A cross was erected in the Cemetery and an iron fence built around it. There was an increase from 40 families to over 500 families. Father died Oct. 27, 1907 at 49 years of age.
1906-1910 -- Father Michael Bendasz -- 100 families residing in Taylor left our parish to build St. Mary in Taylor, since they found the distance of our Church too far to travel. Father Bendasz missed his fatherland and returned on June 5, 1910 to Europe.
1910 - 1911 -- Father Victor Suba -- had to win over the hearts, by his tender-heartedness, since a certain group of parishioners were dissatisfied because their candidate was not appointed pastor. About 10 years later he returned to Europe where he died on Good Friday.
1911-1913 -- Father John Korotnoki -- About 70 more families leave to become members of the newly organized St. Michael's of Dunmore, Pa. Father was a zealous, energetic and disciplined man whom the parishioners learned to follow willingly. In 1912, 4 lots on the corner of Linden St. and Mifflin Ave. were purchased. The Church committee of that time consisted of Frank Penyak, Andrew Vilaczki, John Munchak, Michael Madzin, George Kozak, Vasil Dranchak and Michael Watral. Father would leave for Hungary November, 1913. No new priest was available. The debt again began to grow and grow. More parishioners were lost weekly. Finally a loveable, young pastor was assigned.
1913- 1915 -- Father Michael Korba -- Under Father Korba, the transition was made from the old Church to the new majestic edifice on the corner of Linden and Mifflin Ave., on July 4, 1915, with a beautiful procession along the streets of Scranton. But the debt grew and Father Korba was reassigned to St. Mary's in Whiting, Indiana. He died in 1938.
19-15-1916 -- Father Augustine Komporday -- Although much effort was made to pay off the parish debt by parishioners and pastor, they were unable.
1916 - 1920 -- Father Alexander Kossey -- With the hard work of the various parish organizations, 3 new altars were purchased and then dedicated by Very Rev. Nicholas Chopney, dean, on September 2, 1918. At this time a newly organized choir under the direction of Michael Lemesh sang the Liturgy. It was under Father Kossey that a plan was introduced toward financial stability, namely, to change the bank loan into a loan borrowed from the parishioners.
1920 - 1951 -- father Nicholas Patrick -- With Father Patrick the Church became truly blessed in many ways. His pastorate would extend to 31 years of truly fatherly service and fruitfulness. The parishioners noticed the sacrificial love he held out to them and cooperated most generously. The Church interior was beautiful with magnificent paintings executed by Father himself, and by Father Anthony Kubek, his brother-in-law; the exterior improvements included crosses atop the 2 towers, new sidewalks, a beautiful mosaic crucifix, with a bust of the Sorrowful Mother beneath, placed on the granite cross (1933) in front of the Church. The parish debt was reduced from $41,000 to $10,000 in a ten year period (1920-1930).
The weekly envelope system was introduced (1927) and a cross and altar were erected at the Cemetery (1928). Although the parish enrollment continued to grow during this period, insurrection was still in the air among some parishioners who wanted to change the deed of the properties and make an independent Corporation of the Church. Thirty-seven families would leave and break from Rome to establish their own parish.
The rectory was remodeled in 1938.
The old hall was remodeled (1926) to accommodate classrooms for religious instruction for the parish youth, since plans for a modern school building never materialized.
On January 21, 1945, a tragic fire struck the Church caused by faulty wiring to illuminate the Christmas Crib. After much repairs on the roof, and faulty heating system, restoration of the Church was begun. All wooden constructions in the towers were eliminated and replaced with aluminum and steel.
World War II ended with the loss of 269 parishioners who died in that war.
In September of 1949 a project was begun erecting 2 new aluminum towers, installation of aluminum roofing on the Church, rectory and auditorium, plastering and remodeling of the Church interior, all new paintings placed in the Church and the Church floor carpeted; the interior of the hall was repainted and the rectory remodeled.
Tragedy struck again! November 2, 1951, 2 days before the scheduled dedication of all the refurbished Church properties and celebration of the 60th anniversary of the parish, Father Patrick died in his sleep. Everything was postponed till the following year.
Father Patrick, the father of 7 children, including 3 physicians was laid to rest in the parish cemetery alongside 3 of his predecessors, Father Michael Lengyel, Father Nicephorus Chanath and Father George Gulovics.
1951-1955 -- Father William Lesko -- The dedication and 60th Anniversary of the Church was observed on March 9, 1952. The Most Rev. Daniel Ivancho, Bishop of Pittsburgh, blessed and dedicated the Church.
Father Lesko was confronted with a huge debt. Foreclosure was threatened by the First National Bank of Scranton. On April 7, 1953, Bishop Hafey, acting as a trustee of St. Mary's, petitioned the court for the right to borrow $125,000 from the Emigrant Discount Savings Bank of New York City to pay off the original bank loan as well as the one due to the parishioners. The court granted the right.
1955 -1989 -- Rt. Rev. Msgr. John K. Powell -- $92,000 of the loan made in 1953 was still outstanding. In 8 years the mortgage was liquidated. During this time (1955-1963) the Cemetery was renovated with a new priests' shrine in memory of the deceased priests and parishioners of St. Mary's.
In 1966 a new mosaic crucifix was purchased to replace the old worn one on the granite cross in front of the Church and 2 mosaics for the interior of the Church were ordered.
Fr. Powell became Monsignor, named a Domestic Prelate by Pope Paul VI. During the years of Msgr. Powell a number of events transpired among which were:
Msgr. Powell celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Ordination and his 32nd year at St. Mary's. His was the longest period of any pastor to date. To his credit, St. Mary's became financially very stable and, physically, the "garden spot" of Scranton, a beautiful property admired by all.
1988 -- Father Leonard Hollick was welcomed to the Parish. He succeeded Msgr. Powell. Fr. Hollick began his duties as pastor on June 12, but took a leave of absence on October 16 of that year and was replaced by Father Eugene Fulton who was warmly welcomed by the Parishioners on October 23. Father Fulton announced the furnishing of liturgical booklets for all "major feasts and celebrations."
New festive pew candles were purchased to adorn the main aisle of the Church for great feasts. The new bulletins were introduced which followed the Liturgical Calendar of our Byzantine Rite.
Father Gene invited the choir from St. Mary's in Mahoney City, Pa. to sing a traditional Christmas Carol concert which was gratefully received by the parishioners.
Contracts were submitted by Father Gene for the interior painting and wall coverings of the Parish center. Carpeting crowned the beautification. A new roof on the Center made it complete.
1989 -- Father Eugene Fulton took a leave of absence as of the first of the year. Father John Levko, S.J. and Father Thomas Sable, S.J. of the University of Scranton, served St. Mary's in the interim. Father Sable had the Saturday Liturgy and Father Levko had the Sunday Liturgy. Because of their teaching commitments they were unable to have a daily Liturgy. Father Michael Yurista from St. John's Byzantine Catholic Church, Scranton, extended an invitation to members of St. Mary's for daily Liturgy.
Msgr. Stephen Zajac, pastor of St. Nicholas, Old Forge, and dean, took over temporarily till the bishop sent a pastor.
1989 -- Father Francis M. Twardzik, SDB, a bi-ritual priest of the Salesians of St. John Bosco, a Religious Congregation, was assigned by Bishop Michael on June 13 of that year.
On July 9, the parishioners extended a warm welcome at a reception after the Sunday Liturgies held at St. Mary's Center.
The first thing Father began was a youth Religious Education program taught in the rectory. This program extended from September till the first week of May, and was held every Saturday morning. Classrooms were set up in the rectory basement, living room, sacristy of the Church and kitchen itself. With the help of dedicated parishioners as teachers, the program eventually extended a welcome to the children of our sister Church, St. Johns. It was quite a picture to see 27 people on Saturday morning take over the rectory. A holy "madness!"
The Deanery Choir held its first Christmas Concert at St. Mary's on January 7, 1990. During this year a Video Library of Faith educational materials, including the lives of Saints and matters Byzantine, was established for the Parishioners as a home entertainment/inspiration/education method to compliment the study of our Faith from the pulpit.
It was also during this year that the St. Mary's Ladies' Society was established and shortly after the Quilting Ladies' Club.
The restoration of the parish family picnic on September 9, at Wimmer's Grove proved a great success.
With the upcoming Centennial of the founding of the parish, plans were drawn up for the total restoration of the interior Church to the Byzantine look.
In preparation for the Centennial (1891-1991) a vast amount of work was undertaken during this year necessitated the transfer of the external observance of the jubilee to the following year, August 16, 1992.
1991 -- During this year with the blessing of Bishop Michael, under the superb charism of Christina Dochwat, iconographer, and the incredible cooperation and generosity of the beloved parishioners a massive transformation of great beauty began to unfold within and outside the Church temple.
The front and inside towers of the Church were lit up at night giving the Church a mystic beauty. A new sign for the Church was erected on the lawn matching the brick of the Church and lit up at night. The beautiful mosaic crucifix on the lawn alongside the Church was likewise lit.
A wonderful gift of Centennial Carillons from Mass-Rowe Co. were installed in the towers sending out the stirring symphony of bells in hymns of our tradition. During this year the interior Church walls were fiberglassed and then painted exquisitely, by the Smith Co. owned by Mr. Joseph Dotzel, under the guidance of Miss Christina Dochwat. The stained glass windows were totally restored and repaired, with new vent-windows installed to allow fresh air. The 2 mosaics in front of the Sanctuary became shrines in the vestibule where the woodwork about them was completely redone to the color the pews.
Three new marble altars were designed by Miss Dochwat from bottoccini marble and the work was executed in Italy. The five foot square main altar would rest under a totally restored baldacchino whose arches and 4 columns together with the dome were marbeleized as were the 8 large columns in the nave of the Church. The whole Church was painted in teal, antique gold, tans, lambs wool, pale sky blues and highlighted in 23kt. gold.
The sanctuary, aisles, front and back of the Church were newly carpeted in teal. New book racks for the pews had been installed allowing greater comfort for seating. The walls of the sacristies and choir loft, as well as the stairwells to the choir loft had been fiberglassed, painted and all areas carpeted. The Sanctuary furniture was reupholstered in an oatmeal color, while new chairs with teal colored cushions were purchased for the choir loft.
On Sunday, August 12, 1991, Bishop Michael Dudick celebrated Liturgy to inaugurate St. Mary's year long Centennial Celebration followed by a buffet breakfast at St. Mary's Center. Many spiritual activities would be undertaken to prepare the parishioners for an interior refurbishing of faith even as the temple itself was undergoing physical transformation. Later that month, August 25, the union at the Annual Parish Family Picnic, restored the previous year, took on greater meaning as excitement and service pulled the people together in their venture that year.
The late Anna Malaski left her estate and trust to St. Mary's in the amount of 137,000. May her memory be eternal.
New candle stands were gotten for the newly refurbished shrines.
The Scranton Diocesan Blue Army held an all-night vigil at St. Mary's on October 4! Many parishioners joined a large group from other parishes in this Eucharistic vigil to beg God and our Lady for interior transformation and conversion personally and for our parish life.
Sister Marilyn Schipp, O.S.B.M., a parish vocation, celebrated her 25th year of Religious Profession that year.
The Deanery Choir held a third Christmas Carol Concert at St. Mary's with a historic first presentation of our traditional Byzantine Carols in St. Peter's Cathedral televised live. The Choir had also made its second professionally taped cassette of Carols which were widely distributed even to radio stations. This year concluded with a New Year' Vigil of adoration at St. Mary's in reparation for sins of the parish over the years.
1992 - Three new bottoccini marble altars were installed during the week of January 20-25.
The new Cantor's stand arrived after the choir balcony was totally renewed with new wooden panels and stained to the color of the pews. Two new benches were added to the three existent ones and all were cushioned. Ten new teal cushioned chairs arrived for the choir loft.
The original corner stone of the 1891 Church on the corner of Hickory St. and Irving Ave., was removed from the bushes in front of the Center and placed visibly and lovingly in a little garden in front and to the right of the Church on Linden St. as a memory to our ancestors and a witness to us of the future -- to build on the rock-faith of those who preceded us so that there will be a tomorrow worth remembering. The marble tiled walls and floor in the vestibule were regrouted and polished, the external front floors of the Church were recaulked, the front stairs of the Church repointed and the Church towers and front were steam cleaned.
A new bronze iconastas was installed with marble foundations under the main icons to support the eight foot royal doors.
The icons of Christ the High Priest behind the main altar, Our Lady of the Sign over the baldacchino in the ceiling, of Abraham and Isaac over the altar of preparation and of Melchizedec over the right side altar, as well as the large icons of the Nativity of Mary to the left of the Sanctuary and of the Dormition of Mary to the right were superbly the work of Miss Christina Dochwat, a well-known, truly gifted woman and artist of our tradition who has done more than sixty Churches and Cathedrals. She likewise designed the large beautiful bronze tabernacle which was made to look like a miniature of St. Mary's -- towers and all.
When we review the incredible history of St. Mary's Parish we are amazed at the sufferings and struggles of a people whose faith pulled them through some great trials! They were a people for whom God came first and their sacrifices of body, soul and money were placed at His disposal and for the Glory of the Byzantine Catholic Faith!! They brought a rich culture and an ancient tradition in the Byzantine Rite and were understandably proud in humble gratitude or all this.
Today we, their children and grandchildren, reap the beauty of this Holy Place -- this sacred Ground, this Wonderful Patrimony and we are privileged to see One Hundred Years!
If only the awesomeness of their generous struggles can teach us the reverence they always had for their treasures of faith, Rite and culture, and that if that reverence for the faith can lead us to shine as holy examples of Sacrifice and Service to family and Church, then we will be rich indeed -- and one day, our memory will be held in eternal benediction by those who will follow!