History of St. Mary's

Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page

The history of our parish began in 1920. Many of the faithful gathered together to form a fraternal society under the patronage of St. Nicholas of Myra. Prior to 1920, parishioners had to travel to Mingo Junction or Toronto, Ohio in order to hear Mass. Severe weather and lack of transportation often prevented many from attending services. The society gathered together once a month in a borrowed hall (Finnish Hall in North Weirton) to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The Liturgy was offered by a traveling priest from Pennsylvania (Rev. George Simchak).

As the population of Weirton increased, the faithful made plans for the erection of a church of their own in order that their heritage of faith and traditions might not be assumed into other rites and areas. By 1924 they had built the first Byzantine Catholic Church in Weirton, St. Mary of the Assumption(at that time called "Greek Catholic". It had 75 members.

Some of our parishioners remember playing while watching their parents break the ground for the church.

The new church was completed in 1925. It was then dedicated by Bishop Most Rev. Basil Takach, D.D. to the Most Blessed Virgin of the Assumption. He named Rev. Michael Warady as its first pastor. Next came Rev John Zavalla who had the parish house built and affiliated St. John's in Mingo Junction with our church. Rev. Joseph Shakaley came next and through his untiring efforts extensive repairs were made to the church and the church mortgage was burned.

The church had approximately 200 members (not including children) in 1946. Rev. Kurty added our stained glass windows at this time for the dedication celebration. The church was dedicated as newly decorated on June 2, 1946 with a grand banquet following the Liturgy and dedication ceremony. Many people of the town offered money, prayers and good wishes to our parish. 9 priests offered remarks and invocations at the banquet. Sermons during the Liturgy were given in Russian and English. Church officers at that time were: John Petranich, Kantor: Peter Walko, President: John Kosch, Treasurer: John Suray, Jr. Treasurer.

On November 9, 1949, the church celebrated her Silver Anniversary. Again a grand celebration was held with Thanksgiving services, banquet and dance. Most Rev. Daniel Ivancho.D.D Bishop celebrated the Mass and gave the Sermon in Russian, with many other priest making remarks and speeches to bless the parish. Rev. Kurty was still pastor. Parish life was flourishing, with the Altar and Rosary Society, the Kurators and Altar Servers, the "Y" Club, the Senior Sodality and the Junior Sodality.

Two years later, a fire damaged the church interior and , while the damage was significant, Fr. Kurty continued to celbrate the liturgy amidst repair work. In the meantime , the church continued to flourish and grew to 500 souls.

In 1959, Parishioners organized a Passion Play which was performed annually on Palm Sunday for the next 25 years at the Weirton Community Center. The play was in pantomime while the narration was handled by then pastor Father George Billy in conjunction with a Werton Latin Rite priest and members of other local Catholic Churches. St. Mary's parishioners made all the props, scenery and costumes as well as acted in this drama.

In 1974 the church celebrated its Golden 50th Anniversary. The interior of the church remodeled at that time to mark this great occasion. Rev. Archbishop Stephen Kocisko celebrated the Liturgy with many of the former pastors and friends. A great Banquet followed.

By 1975, Father Michael Kushner was pastor. The church re-established its choir and commenced broadcast of Sunday liturgies on Weirton Radio Station.

In 1978 a great blaze again ravaged the church and nearly destroyed the rectory. It was right after this that Msgr. Andrew Pataki was assigned as pastor. He led the remodeling and rebuilding of both buildings.

In 1989, The St. Mary's saw the blessing of the new iconostasis which is still present.. Letters and Blessings poured in from many different parts of the United States from former pastors to mark this occasion. Fr. Daniel Magulick as pastor.

1999, the 75th Anniversary of our Church! The occasion was marked with the Thanksgiving Liturgy and a Banquet following. Many priests and Bishops attended and addressed the parishioners. Fr. Ed Lucas Pastor. (see our photo album)

St. Mary's has had 12 pastors up to this present year 2001, The Altar and Rosary Society, choir and activities still going strong! The town of Weirton has been through many phases, some good, some bad, the people of the parish have persevered in their endeavor to maintain their heritage of faith and traditions in their holy rite. Three Vocations have been developed here, one to the priesthood, Fr. John Dorich, and two to religious life, Sister Euphemia, and Abbess Michael. This page is dedicated to the people of St. Mary's Parish who carried on and are the bedrock of generations to come. Pray for us!