|
1967-1992 1967 - With the death of Msgr. Mullen, Father Augustine Marzhauser was named pastor.
1968 - Parish celebrated its 1Oath Anniversary. In response to Bishop Connare's wish that Church Committees become an executive committee to guide the formation of a Parish Council in each parish, a Parish Council was esfablished. The first annual parish picnic was held at the Elks. The first Folk Mass was celebrated in the Parish Hall.
1973 - The Immaculate Conception float depicting events in the life of pioneer church-woman, Mother Elizabeth Seton, (canonized Saint, September 17, 1975) took second prize over-all for originality and historical content in the North Huntingdon Bicentennial parade.
1974 - Father Leonard T. Sanesi was appointed Auxiliary Vicar.
1975 - In cooperation with the Norwin Council of Churches the parish offered housing and utilities (second floor of "White House") as their contribution in the sponsorship of a Vietnamese family.
1976 - Golden Echoes formed. July - new pipe organ installed. Kindergarten opened, P.T.G. (Parent Teacher Guild) was formed.
1978 - Due to continued growth the parish was again divided. Parishioners were drawn from St. Agnes and Immaculate Conception churches to form the new parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
1979 - First meeting of the Seton Group. Funeral Choir was formed. Golden Boosters Club organized.
1980 - Monsignor Marzhauser retired and Father Sanesi was named pastor. On May 3, Michael Crookston, lifelong member of the parish, was ordained a priest.
1981 - The cemetery was enlarged and on May 25 (Memorial Day) the new chapel building at the cemetery and the new sections of the cemetery were blessed. The Cross Shrine, donated by the Holy Name Society, was dedicated to all parishioners that have served in the armed forces. The Ministry of Lector was opened to all members of the parish over 18. Volunteers began assisting wheelchair patients to chapel for Sunday Mass at Westmoreland Manor. First Annual Lenten Fish Fry began.
1983 - Monsignor Robert Shuda was named pastor.
1984 - The Ministry of Cantor was formed. The kitchen in the hall was renovated.
1985 - The Ministry of Eucharistic Minister for lay people, R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, and a support program for separated and divorced Catholics were established.
1986 - A new church sign was erected at the front entrance to the church.
1987 - On March 25th, Father James Gaston was named pastor. For the new pastor to meet parishioners on an informaf basis, twenty Neighborhood Meetings were held during June, July and August. Nine R.C.I.A. candidates were received into the Church at Easter, and a Marian Year Program beginning on December 8th and extending through August 15th was held.
1988 - Thirteen outdoor Home Masses were celebrated throughout the parish. An All Souls Memorial Liturgy for parishioners who died during the past year, and a Thanksgiving Eve Liturgy followed by a social hosted by the Social Committee were begun. The first issue of the parish newsletter, FOCUS was published. Bishop Anthony Bosco was installed as Bishop of Greensburg. Since there were no sisters to replace the five who were leaving, the convent was closed.
1989 - A barrier free access was built which included the reconstruction of the whole side entrance of the church, sidewalks and landscaping. Pre-school program for three and four year olds began, and a Pre-Baptism Preparation program using team couples as instructors was initiated. The Project Self-Esteem program of Immaculate Conception School was featured on "Real to Reel", the Diocesan Office of Communication television program. The Lenten Fish Fry was reorganized under direction of the Social Committee of Parish Council.
1990 - The Parish Hallwas closed due to a separation of the brick facade from the building. This necessitated sending grades 6,7 and 8 to St. Agnes and holding religious education classes for grades 6 and 7 in small home groups. An Inter Parish School Study, comprised of members of St. Agnes, St. Barbara, Elizabeth Seton and Immaculate Conception, was formed to study the most efficient manner in which to present Catholic education at grades 6, 7, and 8. A Religious Education Task Force was appointed to evaluate current programs, research alternate programs and make recommendations. A Handbell Choir was formed and a Church Cleaning Ministry, an aid to the custodial staff, was begun. Fourteen new members were welcomed into the Church at the Easter Vigil. A Year-round Giving tree (Easter, July, Thanksgiving, Christmas) was initiated under the direction of the Apostolic Life Committee of Parish Council. A Facilities Needs Study was begun. James Reiter, life-long parishioner, was ordained a priest for the Ukrainian Eparchy of Toronto Diocese.
1991 - In response to the Inter Parish School Study, Bishop Bosco made the following statement: "Retain current programs 1991-1992. Diocesan Office of Education will continue the study, results in my office in the Fall of 1991." Diocese enlisted Tri-State School Study Council at University of Pittsburgh to assist in the school study. With the acceptance of the recommendations of the religious education Task Force, Children's Liturgy of the Word on Sunday replaced Saturday religious education. Ministers of Care, a ministry of the shut-in/homebound, was formed. Fifteen new members were welcomed into the Church at the Easter Vigil. "White House" offices of Music Director, Youth Ministry and Liturgy Coordinator were moved to the third floor of the school, former convent. On June 12, the parish mourned the death of Msgr. Marzhauser, pastor 1976-1980.
1992 - On January 10th, the parish mourned the death of Father Leonard Sanesi, pastor from 1974-1983. A public meeting was held at St. Agnes School to discuss: "A proposal to establish a regional family-centered Catholic education program." Queen of Angels Regional School was formed from the merger of St. Agnes and Immaculate Conception schools, with Sr. Grace Hartzog, S.C. as principal. A tree-planting ceremony marked the closing of Immaculate Conception School in May. Michael E. Ripple, a life-long parishioner, was ordained to the priesthood. Father James Gaston was appointed Executive Director of Education and Spiritual Formation for the Diocese of Greensburg. The parish published its first Pictorial Directory. Monsignor John L. Conway was installed as pastor on June 18. |
|
|
1953-1967 , 1948 - The parish celebrated its eightieth anniversary and in the anniversary booklet there were listed twenty two active groups/organizations.
1950 - To make room for the new school and convent, the old convent was razed and the rectory moved across the street to be used as a custodian's home (the "White House", razed in 1991). The former home of the superintendent of Westmoreland Coal Company was purchased and became the rectory now in use.
1951 - The Pittsburgh diocese was divided and the Diocese of Greensburg formed from the counties of Westmoreland, Indiana, Fayette and Armstrong.
1952 - The new school was opened in September with an enrollment of four hundred seventy students. Once the new schoolwas opened it had been planned to raze the old schoold and build a playground, but with increasing enrollment the plan was dropped, and seven of the eight rooms in the old school were remodeled for additional classroom space.
1953 - Father James O'D. Hanlon was named pastor. The growing size of the parish necessitated the addition of a second assistant and Immaculate Conception became a three-priest parish.
1957 - Confraternity of Christian Mothers was chartered with Mary Dale as first president. On July 2 the parish was divided to form the new parish of St. Agnes, with 564 Immaculate Conception families.
1958 - On May 31, Thomas J. Bertolina, a life-longmember of the parish, was ordained a priest. Father Francis Mullen became the pastor. The V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) building was purchased and converted into im auditorium for extra Sunday Masses, a hall on the first floor, and six classrooms on the second.
1961 - First D.E.D. (Diocesan Expansion Day) collection. C.S.A. today.
1963 - CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) was organized.
1964 - The Immaculate Conception float captured first prize in the religious division of the parade marking the Irwin Community Centennial celebration.
1965 - First use of Lectors at the participated Mass. C.Y.O. was organized. The new altar was installed. |
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 19 November 2007 )
|
|
|
1937-1953 1937 - With the death of Father Murphy, Father Vincent Burks assumed the duties od pastor and enkindled a great spirit of kindness and understanding among the townspeople of all faiths. During his tenure he became a well-loved member of the community and made the parish better known and understood among the non-Catholic people in the community.
1939 - The electric organ was installed.
1940 - The TICOM (The Immaculate Conception of Mary) Club, a social and intellectual organization open to all unmarried members of the parish, was begun.
1941 - The Immaculon Club, a parish social society for married couples, was formed. It was ecumenical in nature in that it provided non-Cathlic husbands and/or wives an opportunity to share in social and spiritual activities.
1943 - Father Alphonse Mihm became pastor.
1945 - A concerted drive for pupils for the parish school was made. As a result of a religious vacation school held in July 1945 some 1e one hundred fifty public school children enrolled. The following September classrooms were jammed beyond capacity.
1946 - In keeping with the 6-3-3 system of the school organization, 9th grade was added to the school permitting pupils to go right into the 10th grade. It was dropped in 1949 due to lack of space. Catholic students at the public high school were released each Wednesday at 11 :00 to come to the parish for religious education instruction.
1947 - St. Vincent dePaul Society was formed. |
|
|
1910-1937 1910 - Rev. Edward Murophy was named pastor. Yearly bnefits called "tea Parties" were begun and held until the war years of 1917-1918. They were a grate sourse of revenue for proceeds seldom went below $1,000.
1911 - The first parish women's organization, the L.C.B.A (ladie's Catholic Benevolent Association), an insurance societty for catholic women was organized
1915 - Ladies' Auxiliary Knights of St. John, First District of Western Pennsyvaina, a beneficial and fraternal society of Catholic women was organized.
1923 - Farther Murphy was a good manager and perferred to save money in advance of the project. Thirteen years after hs appointment he had raised the necessary funds to erect the present church building - debt free. He eas famous for his "dime-at-the door" collection each Sunday. He also had a good crew of workers who visited the homes of the parish on schedule to take up the "monthly collection" normally a doller a month for each family. These dimes and dollers built our present church. Cornerstone for the new church was laid May 23.
1924 - The church was dedicated on September 21 by the Most Rev. Hugh C. Boyle, Bishop of Pittsburgh. The high altar, of camara marble, was Farther Murphy's personal Gift to the congregation
1930 - The Holy Name Society was chartered.
1931 - Catholic Doughters of America (CDA) Court #1170 was organized in the Moose Hall with Mrs. Pearl Mitchell as the first Regent. |
|
|
1871-1910 1871-1910 - On October 15, Rev. Michael Murphy, first resident pastor, arrived and in the first volume of baptisms there is a note signed by Father Murphy, "I took charge of this church October 15, 1871". Below his signature he wrote, "Immaculate Conception Church", the title under which the church has since been known. On the same day he performed the first two baptisms: James Langin and Anna Johnson. On November 26 he performed the first wedding between John Clark and Marie Murry. The place of the groom's birth was recorded as Hibernia.
1872 - Records who should be show ten weddings and sixty-eight infant baptism that year.
1873 - Land was purchased from William F. and Martha Caruthers for a parish cemetery which served as burial ground for Catholics of Immaculate Conception and neighboring parishes.
1875 - In April a frame house and lot adjoining the Church was purchased for a rectory and later used as a convent. The original parish plant was situated on the location fronting Second Street, bounded by Walnut and Maple Streets.
1876 - A frame building was erected and used for meetings and parish events. Father Murphy had future plans for the building as his notation in the records reads: "paid Fulton Brothers for building a hall, $693.18 - or school if we can start one".
1878 - The parish hall, was converted into Immaculate Conception School with lay people serving as teachers. 'Immaculate Conception parish was blessed in having as its first resident pastor a priest who realized the prime importance of Catholic education, and a people who were willing to undertake the extra burden of a school. At this time there were not many Catholic schools in the country, and certainly not in small towns such as Irwin.
1882 - In the summer of 1882 the Sisters of Charity acquired the Jenning's farm in Greensburg and Seton Hill became a reality. Father Murphy immediately requested that two Sisters begin parish work in Irwin. Sisters Rose Marie Maher and M. Raphael Kane traveled daily by train from Greensburg to teach in the Irwin school.
1883 - The school building which we know as the "old school" was moved to the site where it still stands today. a rectory was built and a sacristy was addec to the church
1884 - The former rectory was made ready for use as a convent and on January 5th, five sisters of Charity arrived on the 6:00P.M. train. St. Mary Electa Boyle, S.C. in her book, Mother Seton's Sisters of Charity in Western Pennsylvania, gives the following account: "The sisters were greeted at the station by Father Murphy, his Church Committee, the Great Western Band and Prectically all the parish. The entire group marched up the main street of town and then to the convent. School statistics for this early period: 3 rooms(well crowded) one hundred fifty children, 8 grades."
1891 - Following the Pastorates of Rev. William Graham and Rev. James McDonnell, Rev. Thomas McEnrue was named Pestur. Durring his tenure he freed the parish debt and saw the congregation grow to more then one thousand members.
1905 - Ground was purchased for a new church, the school was enlarged and encased in brick.
1906 - School was Temporarily closed until 1910. |
|
|
1862-1871 1862-1971 - Two years before the town of Irwin was incorporated, the few Catholics of the area celebrated the first Mass in the home of a miner in "Coal Hollow". The name of the celebrant is not known, but it probably was one of the two Benedictine priests who served as pastor of what is now known as the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg. During these first years, according to tradition, Mass was often celebrated in a boxcar on the siding of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
1867 - On April 1O, when the number of Catholics reached 175 families, the parish was formally established. On July 27 land was purchased for a church site from John and Mary Irwin. On August 15, Rev. T. Mullen laid the cornerstone of the church.
1868 - On May 21, Ascension Day, the church was dedicated under the title, St. Mary of the Assumption. Most of the organization of this early period was done under the leadership of Father Otto Kopf, O.S.B., who at the time was pastor of the church at Greensburg and, also, in charge of the missions at Irwin and Penn. Prior to the arrival of the first resident pastor, all records for the Irwin church were kept in Greensburg and are indistinguishable from the local records of the Cathedral parish. The following excerpt from a book by Rev. A.A. Lambing, A History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, published in 1880, does shed a bit of light on our pioneer parishioners: "The members of the congregation are engaged almost to a man in mining, which is known, here at least, as a very uncertain kind of employment, depending in part on the iron trade, to some extent on the caprice of the operators of the mines, and no little on the strikes of the miners themselves: hence it is almost impossible to estimate the numerical strength of such a congregation. A single week may effect as great a change as a year would accomplish in other places. But the congregation is the largest in Westmoreland County, and as near as can be estimated may be put at one hundred seventy-five families who are almost without exception natives of the Emerald Isle." |
|
|
History 
