AN HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE | ||||||||||||||||||||||
As more Greek Catholic faithful were drawn to New Britain both from Europe and from other Carpatho-Rusyn communities in the United States by the manufacturing jobs available in the area, the parish began to gather sufficient resources to rebuild the church on a larger and grander scale. With the advent of Father Ivan Romza and the collective efforts of the faithful, the present structure of steel and brick was built at the cost of $125,000 in the year 1928. It was designed by the Hartford architect Frederic C. Teich and raised by the Harry J. Battistoni Construction Company of New Britain. The Rambusch Company of New York executed the stained glass and rose windows. The parish at last could worship in a beautiful and permanent church building.
With a scarcity of priests in the Eparchy following the departure of Father Michael in 1939, it became necessary that the pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Bridgeport again serve the needs of Holy Trinity Church. Through the sacrifices of Father Daniel Mackov and through his conscientious efforts, the parish grew spiritually and materially. In October of 1940, his brother, Father Alexander P. Mackov who served the parish for thirteen years, the longest of any pastor, replaced Father Daniel. Father Alexander was much loved and fervently worked to unite the parish. During his pastorate, the mortgage was liquidated in March of 1946, thanks to generosity and sacrifice of the parishioners. Additional alterations and repairs were also made at this time to the front façade of the church adding to its beauty. Father Ivan Tylawsky was assigned to Holy Trinity in 1953. He undertook, with much labor and devotion, the redecoration of the church interior during his two-year tenure. The D’Ambrosio Ecclesiastical Art Studio of New York City was contracted to execute this project. A solemn rededication of the church followed.
He was followed by Father, now Monsignor Robert Moneta. During Msgr. Moneta’s pastorate, plans were drawn and construction was begun on a new rectory. Monsignor was transferred prior to completion of this project and it became the task of Msgr. John Kallok to finish construction of and to furnish the new rectory. In spite of sickness, Msgr. Kallok reached this goal and new rectory was dedicated in 1963. During this time, the Byzantine Franciscan Friars from New Canaan helped with administration of the parish. In 1969, Father Benjamin Worlinsky was assigned as assistant pastor. Father Eugene Fulton arrived as the parish’s second assistant pastor in 1970. He was made pastor in 1971 upon Msgr. Kallok’s retirement. During Father Gene’s tenure, the parish began plans for the 75th anniversary of its founding. The church was updated and an iconostasis was installed. Additional updates and repairs were made to the church. Upon Father Gene’s departure in 1977, Father John Cigan was appointed pastor. In 1979, Father Richard Klopf arrived as pastor. He also did much to foster Holy Trinity’s outreach and involvement in the community of New Britain and beyond. His untimely death in 1989 was a loss to the parish. Father Michael Kerestes served from 1989-1992. During this time, the pastor of Holy Trinity Church also began to administer St. Michael the Archangel Church in South Hadley, MA. Father Constantine Brown served for an interim period followed by Father Alan Kapron. Father Alan also did much to spiritually renew the parish. The exterior of the church was re-pointed and sealed during his pastorate and a fully appointed chapel was constructed in the basement of the rectory for weekday Liturgies.
The momentum raised by the preparations for the Centennial has not ended with conclusion of the festivities. The committee has been renamed and has moved on to formulate long-range goals for the parish and for future growth. A gardening group has been formed to maintain and beautify the grounds, thereby enriching the entire Beaver St. neighborhood. Plans are underway to make the church handicap accessible and to make needed repairs and updates to the rectory. Lastly, on June 19, 2000, the newly created Holy Trinity website on the World Wide Web expanded the boundaries of the parish out into cyberspace, making the us known throughout the whole world. Holy Trinity parish is most grateful to God for all the blessings that He has showered upon us over the past 100 years. With our eyes fixed on God and His plan for us, we move forward with renewed commitment to begin the next 100 years of faith and service to Him and all His people. Church choir circa 1934/35 - Father Michael Krivonyak, Pastor; Prof. George Remecki, Cantor |