Saturday, April 22, 2006
The congregation of Church of the Beloved Disciple is moving from its longtime site at 321 N. Broad St., Grove City, Pa., to a new church building on Route 208, less than a mile west of town. Dedication of the new church will be Saturday.
The beginning: Catholics first moved here in 1872 seeking jobs in nearby coal mines. A convert to the faith, a Maj. Thompson, offered his home where Mass could be said, and a Mass was said there in 1898. When Thompson left Grove City, he donated a two-room building to be used as a church. As the years passed, the congregation outgrew the building.
Founding: The Rev. Cornelius T. Cooney was appointed pastor Feb. 27, 1925, and that date is used as the founding of the church. Groundbreaking for the church took place April 18, 1926. The building cost was some $70,000. The church was distinguished by its hand-painted dome and stone edifice. The cornerstone was laid July 18, 1926, and the formal dedication took place Oct. 2, 1927.
Other projects: In 1950, the niche in front of the church was filled with a marble statue of St. John, the Beloved Disciple, that was imported from Italy. A new rectory was built in 1960 for $74,000 and an education building added in 1971 for $180,000. In 1970, the church underwent an extensive renovation.
More changes: During the 1970s, the position of the altar at the church was changed so the priest faced the congregation. The church was growing. A live audiovisual setup was established so the overflow of parishioners could sit in the lower level and participate in Mass.
Looking ahead: In late 1990s, Monsignor Edward Zeitler became pastor. The church conducted a study and a decision was made to build a new church. The groundbreaking took place June 12, 2005.
Source: Church of the Beloved Disciple