www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall St. Michael's Byzantine Church South Hadley, MA

I was hoping somebody here may have some history/pictures for St. Michael's Byzantine Church in South Hadley, MA. The internet's seemed to come up short, but some of the information I was able to gather was from here.

I was baptized there shortly before it closed and would love to know more of it.

Thanks in advance,
Gene

Gene,

Welcome to the forum.

St Michael's was founded on May 1, 1928, with the purchase of a church building in Holyoke, MA. After the first 6 years of its existence, during which Father Ivan Romza, of blessed memory, was its pastor, it was served from various of the Connecticut parishes with intervals during which it had a resident pastor for brief periods.

In 1956, property was purchased in South Hadley and ground was broken in May 1959 for construction. The new temple was dedicated on April 23, 1960, a bell tower was added in 1966 and some further construction was done in 1970. It was renovated in the early 80s and re-dedicated on Feb 7, 1982 by Bishop Michael Dudick, of blessed memory.

The parish was still active in 1999 but was suppressed by 2002 - not sure of a precise date. There is an old thread here somewhere which indicates where some of the church furnishings, including the baptismal font were relocated (the font is in one of the CT parishes, as memory serves). I have a black and white interior photo from the 1999 Directory of the Metropolia, but my scanner is not working at present. As soon as I get it functional, I'll add the photo to the historical entry for the parish in our directory.

The sacramental records are located at the Eparchy of Passaic.

Many years,

Neil

From the 1949 25th Anniversary Book of the Pittsburgh Exarchate: (The church was previously located in Holyoke MA). "Founded in June, 1917, by a group of twenty families under the leadership of Reverend Michael Prodan. A private home was used at first asa church. In 1931 the present church was erected and dedicated by the Reverend Michael Kaimakan as the bishops's delegate. Approximate value of property $35,000. Population145 souls."

Somewhere in my collection of parish histories (which has now passed the 1500 mark ! ) I have a history of St. Michael's which mentions that the church was served by both Catholic and Orthodox priests. It was the only Rusyn Greek Catholic church in MA.