sts. cyril and methodius church Background

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church, 252 E. Wood St., Youngstown, celebrated its 120th anniversary April 16. In 2012, the church became part of the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish with Holy Name of Jesus Church, 613 N. Lakeview Ave., and St. Matthias Church, 915 Cornell St., both Youngstown. All the parishes have a Slovak heritage. Bishop George V. Murry of the Diocese of Youngstown celebrated a Mass at the church. The Rev. George Franko, 91, a “son of the church” who has been a priest for 66 years, gave the homily on the Gospel of the Good Shepherd. Also participating were the Revs. Melvin Rusnak, a former church pastor, and Marian Babjak, a native of Slovakia, who serves at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Boardman. The Rev. Martin Celuch, a native of Slovakia, is pastor. The priests have help preserve and promote the traditions and heritage of Slovak Catholics. Representatives of church organizations made the presentation of the gifts including Mary Lou Hluchan of the Altar and Rosary Society, Tom Rovnak of the Cy-Me Men’s Club, Paulette Chiarello with the Infant Jesus of Prague Guild and Kay Kalischak representing the Our Lady of Sorrows Seniors Club.

The beginning: The church was founded in May of 1896 by members of St. Martin’s Lodge. It was established to serve the needs of the growing Slovak Catholic community in Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. In May of 1899, the church bought property at the corner of Watt and Wood streets in Youngstown; the Rev. Aloysius Kollar was the first pastor. Through the efforts of its early members, the Romanesque-style church was completed by February, 1901. The ethnic church became the hub of activity for Slovak families and individuals. The church not only served the religious needs of the Slovak community, but also fostered its educational, cultural and social advancement. A school, which opened in 1907, was staffed by the Ursuline Sisters, who helped immigrant and first-generation Slovaks integrate into American society. The facility continued this tradition of Catholic education for many subsequent generations until 1985.

The building and more: The church building has been updated with an entrance ramp, elevator, handicap accessible rest rooms, new lighting and mosaic tile. The ornate stained-glass windows, fabricated in Slovakia with leaded glass, are a legacy of the vision, sacrifice, commitment and faith of the early members. The building includes a towering dome, life-size statuary, numerous frescos and murals. It was through the efforts of Father Franko that the Youngstown Chapter of the Slovak Catholic Federation began almost 25 years ago. He recently stepped down as chaplain, a role now filled by Father Rusnak. A nearly life-size indoor Nativity remains a central feature of the church Christmas d cor.

Celebration dinner: Deacon Robert Friedman was master of ceremonies at the anniversary Mass. A dinner took place at Father Snock Center at St. Matthias Church with almost 300 people attending. The gathering represented members of all three churches in the parish. Individuals from numerous other congregations, many of which had their early start in Sts. Cyril and Methodius, such as the Hungarians of St. Stephen of Hungary, Italians of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Croatians of Sts. Peter and Paul. A commemorative mug with an image of the church was given to many of those in attendance. The Rev. Andrew Hvozdovic, national president of Slovak Catholic Federation, sent prayer cards depicting the Chapel of Our Mother of Sorrows at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Photographer Joseph Rudinec, through his company, Rudinec & Associates, printed bookmarks with a photograph of the main altar of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church with a prayer to the saints, which were distributed at the Mass and dinner.

Organizations: The congregation continues to serve the broader community as a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society parish conference. Our Lady of Sorrows Seniors Club has 102 dues-paying members from 24 parishes and churches. The group has a monthly luncheon and various day trips and activities. The Cy-Me Men’s Club, which dates to the 1930s, continues to meet monthly, with the mission of providing practical and financial support to the parish through various work projects and fundraising efforts. Other groups are the Altar and Rosary Society, Infant Jesus of Prague Guild and various branches and chapters of the Slovak Catholic fraternal organizations. A monthly social after Sunday Mass takes place. Various Slovak customs, such as the blessing of Easter baskets, a monthly Mass in Slovak at St. Matthias Church and special events as holubky dinners and Mahoning Valley Slovak Fest, help promote and preserve the faith and heritage of the Slovak Catholic community.