HISTORY . . . Taken from the Golden Anniversary booklet, !960.

The marking of a fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Saint Florian's Parish, indicates a beginning in the life of a unit in Christ's Church, and stands as a notable milestone, so to speak, when we pause, as on a hilltop, to survey the work done; in retrospect reviewing this history of our parish in order that we might recognize the good work and become inspired to preserve the good that we have accomplished, as well as to increase our zeal to aspire to greater heights of perfection.

We have seen in the records of our predecessors how at the turn of the century a surge of immigration brought a large number of peoples from many countries and climes to our blessed land. Nationality groups tended to congregate in certain localities, and similarity of interests prompted them to segregate into various types of community enterprises. Thus the similarity of language and customs brought about the establishment of Saint Stanislaus Parish, on a hill adjoining the hill where Saint Florian Church stands. With the increase in numbers, both in the group of Polish speaking people and of those speaking Slovak, Saint Stanislaus church became quite crowded; and it became evident that sooner or later it would be feasible to establish a parish for those of Slovak extraction. Accordingly, a committee was formed consisting of several interested families to consider such a step. Saint Florian's parish hereby acknowledges its debt of gratitude to Saint Stanislaus Parish in all that had contributed to its coming into being as a new unit.

Some of the men under whose guidance and efforts Saint Florian's had its inception, were:

The records of our parish show that the lay founders were very careful to exercise certain formalities to insure recognition of their efforts and preserve their actions from misunderstanding.

On November 27,1909, a sworn statement was executed, authorizing certain individuals to go about prospective parishioners to gather funds with which to erect the necessary buildings.

With this beginning, several visits were made to the Chancery Offices of the Diocese (then Pittsburgh) to seek approval of the bishop for the establishment of the parish. Many meetings were held between the founding committee and the people, soon to be the charter members of the new parish. Reverend John Matejcsik, then recently arrived from Europe, was appointed to be the first pastor. From the first efforts initiated in 1909 by the committee of laymen, grew an organized effort to promote the complete unit of the parish. Money was collected from the approximate three hundred families soon to become members of the new congregation.

A document in the diocesan archives details a petition to the bishop to spend eleven thousand dollars for the erection of a church, and a home for the pastor, stating that there was in the parish treasury a total of five thousand five hundred dollars in available cash.

In the days of low income, when a laborer's wage stood at one dollar per day, the sum listed as cash on hand in the amount of five thousand five hundred dollars, indeed was a formidable amount of money. It represents a glorious spirit of sacrifice and self denial, prompted by a great love of God and His Church.

On the same day, June 10,1910, Father Matejcsik petitioned the bishop of Pittsburgh for permission to have Bishop Joseph M. Koudelka to bless the new church soon to be completed.

Letters of Incorporation were filed on August 11th 1910 in the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County

The diocesan archives hold the bishop's reply expressing satisfaction and permission. A few days later, permission was sought to have Father C. Gasparik lay the cornerstone. Again, consulting the diocesan archives, we find permission granted.

Plans were then completed for a gala celebration, to be held on September 4, 1910. As was the custom in those days, many organizations of Slovak groups, and parishes, were invited, and several attended. So that on that glorious day of September 4, 1910 fifty years ago yesterday, Saint Florian Parish took its first breath as a living unit, with its own house of God, and God's blessing on a hallowed spot, dedicated to give honor, worship, and homage to our divine Lord, and stand for fifty happy years as a reservoir of the graces of God.

St. Florian Church

Several of the men who had first initiated the establishment of the parish, continued in its service for a number of years. Others who had passed to their rewards in God, or who because of economic or other reasons, had departed to other parishes, were replaced by those who remained in the parish, or by new arrivals from other points. Some of the names listed in the records of the parish, include:

Michael Puskar, John Bator, John Ferek, Joseph Polcha, Paul Murin, John Stepanik, Joseph Petruska, Andrew Kochis, Valent Bernat, Paul Dosljak, Michael Kostelnik, Martin Clova, Michael Kapusta, John Komar, Mr. Kuzilla, John Polcha, John Plachko, John Sedlak.

We would be unduly extending the list to continue additional names. Suffice it to say, therefore, that according to the records kept by various men as secretaries, we find many zealous men in the service of the parish, demonstrating sincere interest in its welfare.

On the thirtieth day of December, 1916, the young, and struggling, parish lost its founder and builder in death. His burial took place in Saint Florian Cemetery, Trauger, January 2,1917. The good Father Matejcsik, even after death, left a testimonial of his devotion to the parish, by a bequest of one thousand dollars. Later, an imposing monument was erected over his grave as a fitting memorial to his zeal.

The parish was still in the flux of adjustment, and several parish meetings were still being held to discuss and settle policies regarding cemetery, choir, personnel, and other matters. Immigration continued apace, and the problem of giving adequate service to other nationality groups applying for membership in the parish came under serious consideration. On the advice of the bishop it was thought the situation could be resolved either by the pastor acquiring proficiency in the languages, or by securing priests periodically who could hear confessions and preach in the needed language. In the interim until this problem could be adequately adjusted, several temporary pastors served the parish. Father Joseph Adamek, Father Edward Kitz, and Father Stephen Morawetz were at the helm after the death of Father Matejcsik for the first half of the year 1917, with occasional assistance by priests from Saint Vincent's Monastery in nearby Latrobe. At about this time, or possibly during the incumbency of Father Matejcsik, a five and three quarter acre plot of ground was purchased from Adam Simon for burial purposes, on a hill overlooking Trauger.

In the summer of 1917, Father Emil Sloupsky became pastor and served the parish into the fall of 1918. Father Joseph Straka then assumed the pastorship. To this zealous priest belongs a great deal of the credit for an illustrious effort in the betterment of the parish. It was under his wise inspiration that the first motivation in the education of the children of the parish came. A convent and school were begun in 1923. A splendid wooden structure, encompassing four classrooms and a large auditorium, with service areas, was erected, in a pleasing style of architecture, symmetrical, two storied, which served the needs of the parish excellently for a number of years, and still serves well together with an addition which was built many years later. A convent, in the same style, and of the same material was also built, adjoining the school building at a short distance from it. It was more than adequate for the needs of that day, and almost sufficient for the needs of the present. Prior to this arrangement, an organist-teacher had been employed to assist the pastors in the religious instruction of the children. Now it devolved upon the good Sisters to carry on the work of instructing the youth. Upward of a hundred children, the number varying slightly below and at times slightly above a hundred, received a good education. This was dependent to a great degree upon trolley service, for it was mostly those children who lived along the trolley lines who availed themselves of the services of the school. In the spring of 1923 Father Straka was transferred from the parish, and was replaced by Father Envin Emericus Gellhof. But the aging pastor was not long to remain as pastor, and was replaced by Father Paul J. Odelga in the late fall of the same year.

St. Florian Convent

For some years prior to the advent of Father Odelga, it might be said that Saint Florian Parish "came of age," so to speak, and by the year 1924 there was a mature flow of parish activity. The Sodality had been established. The Rosary Society, a zealous carry-over from the "Old Country" days, flourished as in the days of old in another clime, and so continued to this day, the sweet incense of their silent prayers, spoken while work-worn fingers passed lovingly over hallowed beads, fled like winged messengers to the gates of Heaven. Father Odelga established the Holy Name Society among the men and boys of the parish, whose membership, though fluctuating over the years, sometimes reached to nearly four hundred strong. What an inspiring sight to see long lines of devoted fathers, heads of good families, approaching the Holy Table of the Eucharist, month after month, their faithful sons by their sides, advancing and strengthening in their spiritual progress.

During the devastating Depression of the thirties, and to the mid-forties, while recuperating from the ravages of the previous decade, Saint Florian's Parish suffered equally with many another afflicted congregation. The Sisters, as well as all the other personnel serving the parish, were pinched severely in their struggle to maintain the work of the parish, and it was only under the kind hand of God that no one despaired in their efforts.

A serious automobile accident severely incapacitated Father Odelga, and the youthful Father Louis P. Hohos, in the summer of 1935, came to his aid as the first appointed assistant in the parish. Ably directed by the veteran hand of Father Odelga, and himself an apt pupil, Father Hohos quickly adapted himself to the task of giving eminent service to the parish, until the pastor was able to recover and gradually resume his duties. Together, then, they both labored assiduously in this small portion of God's Vineyard.

The Depression had seriously hampered such things as celebrations, what with vital needs depending so heavily on the meager resources at hand. But Saint Florian's Parish still felt that even with little at their disposal, God should receive His portion. A modest commemoration was, therefore, made, of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the parish, thus making the Silver Jubilee stand out as the first great milestone in the history of the congregation. It was, so to speak, a definite pause to take a breath and review the formative years of the youthful unit. There was vigor, there was resolve, there was determination. No doubt this occasion came as a blessing in the dark days of the Depression, and by the grace of God, the good parishioners took heart and inspiration, for the progress of the parish went on, held firm to its purpose, and emerged at its end a few years later strong and sure, to go on to the destiny for which it had been marked. We salute the courageous and zealous Father Odelga, and his able assistant, Father Hohos, in their constancy under the trying circumstances of those days.

In late spring of the year 1938, Father Odelga was appointed pastor to Saint Rita's Parish, Whitaker, where he served ably until his death in the month of March, 1948. It is heartening to hear many of the "old-timers" speak in high praise of the several pastors, even from the very first years of the founding of the parish. And the nearer the years approach today, the greater the swell of the voice of love and appreciation of the zeal and devotion of all the pastors who were privileged to serve this admirable parish.

With the departure of Father Odelga, the parish devolved upon Feather Hohos, who became its next pastor. To these years, roughly speaking, which preceded the rumblings of the second World War, it seemed that Saint Florian's Parish linked itself quite prominently with the past, which had its roots in the traditions of Europe. But there was gradually developing a new spirit. The old traditions were slowly supplanted by the newer generation, and it became more and more apparent that the old languages would not be needed much longer, and that the language of America would, in the not too distant future, finally supplant that of the first founders. There had to be used, therefore, a double approach; the Slovak for those who immigrated, and the American for those who had been born into the present. Some time previous to this arrangement, those of Hungarian extraction had established the Parish of the Forty Martyrs, in Trauger, so that there no longer existed a need for languages other than those two above mentioned.

The ravages of the Depression had brought debt, and long needed attention to costly repairs and improvements. With economic conditions improved, due to a considerable extent to Government assistance in the myriad agencies of the Depression days, the financial situation of the parish gradually improved, and under the wise guidance of Father Hohos, and indefatigable efforts, a spectacular surge of progress took place. The improvements and repairs so sorely needed, were made. The societies of the parish took on new impetus. A more generous spirit of giving took place. All the buildings of the parish plant were covered with inselbrick, the parish house took on a new look. Much needed replacement of parish furnishings made living for the pastor more attractive. Likewise, the other living quarters for the parish personnel were improved. The sanctuary came in for more fitting circumstances to beautify the holy of holies. New vestments and antependia made their appearance.

In spite of these multitudinous expenditures, it soon became possible to lay aside a tidy sum for a "vision splendid" which fired the mind of Father Hohos. This was the desire to expand the school facilities, with more classrooms, so that all the children of the parish might be housed, and thus receive the tremendous benefits of a complete Catholic education. But Father Hohos was not to see this work completed. With consummate administrative skill, he not only performed all these seemingly miraculous tasks, but during the world war, and in the few years following, amassed into the parish treasury the comforting sum of forty-three thousand dollars. The choir had also seen a period of good training, and with material surroundings beautifully arranged, the liturgy of the Church found a fitting expression about which to echo its inspiring chants.

We might say, then, that Saint Florian's Parish, with all these factors of growth, with constant forward effort, generously endowed with the graces of God and the protective influence of its revered patron, blossomed into a model parish, which richly merited the encomium, almost envy, of many of its observers. It was almost possible to say that Saint Florian's Parish was sometimes, in some quarters, looked up to as a sort of measure, by which, at least in a few cases, others compared themselves to this. Certainly, the name of Saint Florian was spoken with a tone of respect, and is so spoken today. With Saint Paul, we will not speak of praise for ourselves; it is, rather, what others speak, from what they may hear, or seem to see by their own observation. If the good people of Saint Florian's Parish have responded sincerely to the graces of God, let it be in humility, with a prayer that we might deserve the favor of God, that we hope to merit place in the great family of God, in all worthiness. We, too, find inspiration in the advancements of others.

St. Florian Rectory

It was into this admirable parish that the present pastor, Father Joseph Kovalik, came in January of 1948. To some it may have appeared that there was no more to be desired. But in God's kingdom, progress is as essential as life itself. Certainly, there were new vistas to be seen, and new goals to be accomplished. And alas, all material and temporal things being subject to destruction, some major needs had to be met shortly after the new pastor took over his duties. The school building was found to be in need of extensive repairs. This was accomplished in 1949. With a daring stroke, and the whole­hearted support of the loyal parishioners, a series of bingoes was instituted, which came to be called The Big Four Bingo. From the first one held in the summer of 1948, sufficient income was realized to cover the school repair outlay. Subsequent efforts in this field, made it possible to put a macadam pavement on the church parking lot, which gave the children a splendid playground and furnished good parking for the automobiles of those who drove their cars to the church. The cemetery road was also paved. The driveway into the parish grounds was widened and regraded. A one lane driveway was built skirting one side of the property, opening onto the parking lot, so that one way flow of traffic could be maintained and quick and efficient movement of vehicles accomplished when large numbers made such movement necessary. New roofs were put on all parish buildings. Again, the devoted parishioners showed their love and loyalty by nearly doubling their contributions. The church was re-decorated, but not on any elaborate scale.

Then an event occurred which practically forced the accomplishment of the long-held dream of the former pastors as well as his own. The clamor had been increasing for more classroom space, with the frequent urgings of Father Kovalik that all the children of the parish attend the parish school. But sometimes it seems that it needs a decisive occurrence to bring into sharp focus a good thing which appears remote without that additional impetus. This was the discontinuance of trolley service. More and more people owning and using automobiles, forced the abandonment of this public conveyance. It was necessary to turn to bus service to bring children to the school. Now there would be no point in adhering to a habit such as long available trolley service. If bus service were to bring those who had formerly used the trolleys, why not cover the entire area of the parish. Accordingly, consulting with the incumbent members of the church committee, then with the parishioners in general assembly, it was decided to take the step for which there had been many years of preparation. Permission was secured from the bishop to build an addition of four classrooms, and other facilities, at a cost of ninety thousand dollars. Meantime, the basement of the church was subdivided into classrooms, seats procured from several abandoned schools, and other accoutrements added, and in the fall of 1953 eight separate classrooms began to serve a much larger enrollment of pupils than had ever been served before. To the staff of four Sisters was added one more Sister, and after expenditure of great effort, three lay teachers were found. At first, there was not as complete a response as had been desired, but new departures from long-established habits many times require patient waiting and finally come to full fruition of the goals desired. But the grace of God can accomplish its purposes in its own good time. And here it did not fail, either.

In the summer of 1954, the year dedicated to Mary, ground was broken, in an inspiring ceremony, for the new brick wing of the school. By winter, the structure was under roof. By Easter of 1955 the building was almost ready for use. Shortly afterwards, the glorious day arrived when some adults and the school children moved the accessories from the basement classrooms to the classrooms in the new school wing. It did not take long to integrate half the school's population coming from public schools, with those attending parochial school for from one to seven years. In a short period of time, all were as one unit. The splendid accomplishments of all the pupils, soon inspired assurance in those who might have been somewhat diffident, and enrollment increased at a rapid pace. It attained the high peak of 366 in the past scholastic year. The praises in behalf of our school work, fired persons of neighboring parishes to seek admission for their children to our parish school. Mindful of God's generous blessings to us, we could not refuse to admit others to share the good things God so kindly gave to us. But it became necessary finally to refuse further admissions, because of the increase of the school population in our own parish.

When the building of the new school wing began, it was found that the parish property was not held in clear deed due to a reversion clause which made it possible to revert to original owners if and when the property ceased to be used for the purpose for which it had been first secured. No loan could be made against the property. His Excellency, the late Bishop Lamb, generously underwrote the mortgage, and progress on the building was resumed, and finally the work was completed. Let it suffice to say that the united efforts, and the increase in contributions of the devoted members of the parish, soon made it possible to repay the sum of forty-five thousand borrowed in October, 1954. The last payment was made in July, 1959. Some outstanding obligations prompted us to delay for a few months a fitting celebration of this comforting event On Saint Valentine's Day, February 14th, 1960, in a raging blizzard, about three hundred joyful parishioners assembled at a sumptuous dinner to "Burn the Mortgage." This was all the more pleasant, in view of the fact that Father Kovalik had succeeded, in October of 1958, in securing clear title to the parish property, with no encumbrances whatever Indeed, this was a happy occasion, as happy as any parish could wish to see.

It should not be overlooked that in the fall of 1955, shortly after the full school year assembled in the entire school, new and old, it was seen to be advisable to add to the convent building, both for facilities for living quarters, and for a chapel, since no such room had been built in the old building. A tiny room, used as a meditation room had served for some years as a make-shift chapel. A new wing, therefore, was built onto the existing convent, containing a chapel on the first floor, with the cells for the Sisters on the upper level. The chapel was tastefully constructed and decorated, being in great party a copy of Mexican style, dedicated to our Lady of Guadalupe, and in design carrying a mofit resembling old Aztec and Indian ideas. An exquisite statuette of our Lady of Guadalupe was procured from Mexico City. Father Hildebrado Garza-Gonzales, O.S.B., of Colegio del Tepeyac, Mexico City, sent a fragment of stone from the sacred hill on which our blessed Lady appeared to her beloved protege, Juan Diego. This fragment was embedded in the base of the statuette, and it might be said that she stands, still, on her own ground which she hallowed by the imprint on her feet.

More than a year prior to these heart-warming events, plans were begun to be laid for an appropriate commemoration of the approaching fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the parish. Many conferences were held with a committee established for the purpose of bringing such an event to pass. It was decided that a complete redecoration of the church would be a fitting tribute to the house of God in which to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary in His honor. Accordingly, a beautiful new floor of selected oak was laid, with imitation terrazzo linoleum covering in the aisles. The seats were renovated in a lighter finish. New wainscoating in oak plywood was applied. The walls were painted in pleasing pastel colors. The oil portraits were brightly repainted. The beautiful gothic type altars, considerably damaged by many years of cleaning and accidental breakage, were divested of their superstructure, and a new baldachino erected over the main altar. The quiet dignity of this canopy gives a prayerful repose in its simple lines. His Excellency, the most Reverend William G. Connare, second bishop of our diocese, graciously consented to celebrate the Jubilee Solemn Pontifical Mass on September 5,1960.

We must pause here to record a beautiful occurrence in June 1955: the first Mass of the first ordained priest from Saint Florian's Parish, Father Thomas Holoman who was ordained for the Lincoln, Nebraska diocese. Father Holoman studied at Saint Vincent's Seminary, and at the Benedictine Seminary at Conception, Missouri, where he completed his studies. It was a gala occasion, and a very happy one, not only for him and his family, but for the entire parish as well. May this first fruit for the vineyard of our Lord inspire others to follow in his footsteps, so that in the years to come, many more young men may join the illustrious ranks of the holy priesthood.

During the incumbency of the present pastor, the women of the parish, several of whom had already been members of the Rosary Society, had been organized into an active Altar Society. Like the women of old, spoken of so highly in holy Scripture, they have unobtrusively served the needs of the sanctuary and the altar, performing their humble tasks as did the earnest Martha who served our Lord in a similar manner centuries ago, and as did the many holy women of whom Saint Paul writes that their names are written in the Book of Life. Under the guidance of the pastor, the Holy Name Society and the other parish groups, received new impetus in their organization. In 1957, sparked by Father Kovalik, under the direction of the dean of the Mount Pleasant dis­trict, and with the help of neighboring pastors. Catholic baccalaureate Mass and Prom, were instituted. In a similar manner, released time was secured from the local high school in accordance with the program of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, to give much needed religious instruction to students attending the public high school. The first sessions were opened in the fall of 1958, with over 350 students attending. The highest praise and profoundest gratitude is well deserved by the numerous lay people, men and women, from neighboring parishes, including those of Mount Pleasant, as well as our own parish, who gave generously of their time to act as moderators in the discus­sion groups which formed the units of operation. Truly, the apostolic mandate was well served by these co-workers of the first Teachers of the Church.

(The foregoing history of the Parish was taken from the 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee booklet of St. Florian's Church as compiled by Fr. Joseph Kovalik.)

On March 22,1962 the newly-appointed pastor, Rev. Fabian G. Oris, arrived from St. Hedwig in Smock, Pa. It was quite apparent to him that a new rectory and new convent were needed in the near future, for both wooden buildings were beyond further repair, and a long range program for replacing the wooden church should be initiated. Consequently with the cooperation of the parish council and with the consent of Bishop Connare plans for a new rectory and new convent were made by the pastor. Thus the service of Richard Benn, a Pittsburgh architect, were contracted and within a few years, the new rectory and convent were a reality, and provision for the site of a new church were made. Unfortunately at the time there was a desire to possibly join with two other Churches in the area, Saint Stanislaus and Forty Martyrs, which made it all but impossible for Father Oris to complete his dream of building a new Church. As things turned out the jointure was never made and each parish decided to stay independent as long as possible. Father Oris was transferred to another demanding job as pastor of Holy Rosary, Republic and is presently pastor of St. Mary Church, Uniontown.

In the merry month of June, the llth to be exact, a break was made with tradition and Bishop Connare appointed the Reverend Robert E. Feeney, an Irishman by nationality, as pastor, thus, for the first time a priest of non-Slavic lineage was to be the spiritual director of the Parish. True to the beautiful tradition and fidelity of the people of the Parish he was welcomed as no stranger and made to feel at home in innumerable and comforting ways for which he shall be forever grateful. During Father Feeney's pastorship the Parish Council was greatly enlarged and strongly encouraged to assume more responsiblility for the management and operation of the Parish. It was through the strong dedication of the many members of the Parish Council in the past ten years that the Parish has continued to move forward into the future with strong faith and trust in the guidance of the Lord. A thirty thousand dollar kitchen and cafeteria was installed in the Parish School with the government contributing twenty one thousand dollars toward its installation. Likewise there were many improvements made to the School itself both inside and outside with major construction costs of almost eighty thousand dollars being spent in an effort to update the Parish grade school. When it appeared that there would be no joining of the three Parishes at this time, the Pastor and Parish Council petitioned the Bishop and requested that they be given permission to plan on building a new Church. With the Bishop's approval and the grace of God a new church has become a reality. This reality could never have come about if it were not for the remarkable leadership exhibited by the Parish Council, the New Church Building Fund Drive leaders and workers, and those who gave so unselfishly of their talent, time and treasure; and since our Lord has promised that He would never be outdone in generosity, you, my dear friends, have a great deal to look forward to. As we approach the day of Dedication of our new Church let us pray that the future history of our Parish will be bright, filled with peace and joy, and lead many to the blessedness our Father has prepared for them; and let each of us take comfort in the knowledge that we helped prepare the way.

(The foregoing history of the Parish was taken from the Saint Florian Church Dedication, August 9, 1981 booklet.)

Web Page Updated: 12/1/2009