1953 - Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Glassport, Pennsylvania
Posted by: 
sherpes
N 40° 19.572 W 079° 53.418
17T E 594272 N 4464554
Large and majestic catholic church in an economically-distressed community with rich industrial history
Waymark Code: WM6WHY
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 07/28/2009
Views: 2
Large and well maintained church in a thick residential community with rich history in industrial production.
in 2009, the EPA released data that describes the community as having the worst air pollution in the US.
From the diocese of Pittsburgh website:
Holy Cross was established in 1904 as a Polish parish. The origin of the parish can be traced to the rise of industry in Glassport and the arrival of Polish immigrants to work in those industries. Before Holy Cross was founded, local Poles traveled to McKeesport to attend Mass at St. Mary. Early in the century, a group of local Poles petitioned the bishop for permission to establish their own parish. In response to this petition, the bishop sent a Polish priest to Glassport to organize a new parish.
Until a church could be built, Mass was celebrated either in the territorial St. Cecilia Church in Glassport or in a rented facility. In 1905 work began on a church. The new church was dedicated in 1906. Unfortunately, the parish did not have long to enjoy their new church. On January 21, 1907, a fire broke out in the church and completely destroyed it. Mass again moved back to a rented hall as the parish rebuilt. The cornerstone of the new church was laid on March 10, 1907, and the completed church was dedicated on November 27, 1907.
The church was repaired and renovated in the 1920's and 1930's. However, by the early 1950's, the parish needed a new church. Ground for the new church was broken on May 18, 1952. The cornerstone was laid on May 10, 1953, and the completed church was dedicated on November 14, 1954. The old church was then converted to a parish hall.
As the rise of industry at the beginning of the century led to the creation of the parish, the loss of industry near the end of the century led to its suppression. In 1994, Holy Cross merged with St. Cecilia to form the new Queen of the Rosary parish. Holy Cross Church remains open and serves the new parish.
Year of construction: 1953
Full inscription:
Holy Cross R.C. Church 1953
Cross-listed waymark: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
When logging a visit to a waymark in this category, please provide one or more photos taken by yourself, and note down your impressions and any background information you may have.
Recent Visits/Logs:
| There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|
|