www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization PARISH HISTORY-Former Sts Peter & Paul Church Struthers Ohio

+Glory to Jesus Christ!

I am trying to do some family history connected with the former Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Frank St. Struthers Ohio.

Only information I have gathered is that it was founded in 1907 and that church was completed in 1917. And the last parish priest was Fr. Petro. If any one has any detailed early history of that parish then I would appreciate your help.

Thank You
David

Here's a little info from the 1949 Pittsburgh Diocese Silver Jubilee book.

Struthers, Ohio

SS. Peter and Paul

Rev. Emil Mihalik, Pastor

The land on which the church is erected was purchased early in 1907, but the church was not erected until 1917. The Rev. Peter Racz came to the parish in 1921 as it's first resident pastor. SS. Peter and Paul gave one vocation to the Sisters of St. Basil the Great and is the home parish of Mr. George D. Tablack, State Representative of Ohio.

Approximate value of property $75,000. Population 610 souls.

Novak,

Welcome to the forum. In 1970, under the pastorate of Father George (Petro), Ss Peter & Paul Byzantine Church was relocated to Boardman, OH, and was renamed as Infant Jesus of Prague Byzantine Church.

The Sacramental Records of Ss Peter & Paul are in the custody of Infant of Prague. Contact information can be found here and at the parish website [infantjesusofpraguebyz.org]. Hope this helps.

Many years,

Neil

Neil,

Doesn't that name strike you as really odd? A Byzantine Catholic church named after a 16th century Czech Roman Catholic statue (and devotion). I wonder what the story is behind this one? Any ideas? Still shaking my head . . .

Rybak,

Not the only one that does (although the issue does not come up as often in regard to Ruthenian parishes, as it does in those of some other of the sui iuris Churches). According to news articles at the time the new parish was erected, and confirmed in the parish history, Father George (Petro), pastor at the time, had a deep personal devotion to the Infant of Prague, therefore the decision to place the parish under His patronage.

Many years,

Neil

addendum: Father George was very possibly ethnically Czech, as the surname appears on ancestry sites with origins in the Czech/Hungarian regions - that may account for his devotion to the Infant.

Despite it very Latin name, Infant Jesus of Prague Church was until recently, the only Ruthenian church in the Youngstown OH area with an iconostas. St. Mary's (F: 1900) installed one in 2011.

I passed your note to Mike Vasilchek who is with the Youngstown chapter of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society and a a native soon of the Struthers parish which moved to Boardman in around 1970.

I have some 1300 parish histories and I do believe SS. Peter and Paul's never published one

Mr. Novak
I have from my Father's collection of Sts. Peter&Paul Byz. Church, Struthers,OH "Byzantine Slovonic Rite Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Silver Jubilee 1924-1949" book with history. Land purchased in 1907 but church not errected until 1017. Rev. Anthony Mhley was first pastor. In 1921 Rev. Peter Racz was first resident priest. In 1949 Rev. Emil Mihalik was the pastor and later became Bishop of Parma Diocese. Rev. Mihalik remodeled the church and promoted the establishment of BCC School. Under Rev. George Petro, assigned in 1958, a new church was built in Boardman,OH,named Infant Jesus of Prague Church by Rev. Petro and dedicated in 1970. The church supported (BCC) Byzantine Catholic Central Grade School. Rev. Petro taught Latin in the fist years to nineth graders. Mike Vasilchek 330 755-6883

David, I belonged to that church in Struthers, and was wondering if you have ever completed your research on it and if you have any more history to it than posted here? I knew a lady from the church, Ann Novak, might that be a relative of yours?