Sadness, anger, resignation mark last Mass at St. Elizabeth’s in Campbell

By SEAN BARRON

news@vindy.com

CAMPBELL

After nearly 89 years, thousands of Masses and countless baptisms and confirmations, St. Elizabeth’s Church has closed its doors for good.

Sadness, anger and looks of resignation were evident on the faces of the hundreds of parishioners who filled the pews for Sunday’s 9 a.m. Mass, which was the final liturgy at the church. St. Elizabeth, 124 Keystone St., celebrated its first Mass in April 1922.

For many people such as Diane Michelini, the church’s closing was comparable to losing a family member.

“It’s like a death in your family,” said Michelini, who became a member in the late 1960s.

Michelini, of Campbell, recalled having been ill and on bed rest after a pregnancy. During that difficult time, she watched on TV Monsignor Cyril Adamko celebrate Mass and pray, then she decided the church was the right fit, Michelini said.

Adamko was pastor from 1967 to 1995. He also offered words of reassurance to the congregation Sunday.

St. Elizabeth’s was an anchor for the Michelini family during other difficult times, such as her husband’s job loss when many of the area’s steel mills closed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. At that time, the family developed a close relationship with the church, many members of which helped, she recalled.

“It’s kind of like there’s no place like home. My heart hurts today,” said Michelini, adding that the Nov. 21 baptism of her 3-month-old grandson, Rocco S. Michelini, was the church’s last.

Accompanying Michelini at Sunday’s Mass were her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Ron Osiniak; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Suzanne Michelini, Rocco’s parents; and grandchildren Carli Osiniak, 6, and 7-year-old Isabella Michelini, who helped decorate the church for Christmas.

The church’s closing is part of the Roman Catholic diocesan Parish Implementation Plan in the Diocese of Youngstown.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.