In the year of our Lord 1892, Mr. George Gulick moved to Marblehead, Ohio from Kelley’s Island and happily discovered 40 families of his countrymen. He soon founded Branch Lodge #58 of the Greek Catholic Union of the United States of America, the largest and oldest fraternal and insurance organization of Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants to come to America. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the GCU was responsible for helping our Slavic ancestors establish and organize Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic parishes.
In 1897, the exact date is unknown, these Byzantine people newly arrived from Austria-Hungary (now Slovakia) banded together to fulfill a dream. They established a parish – a congregation founded by: George Boytim, John Dziak, George Gulick, Michael Hitraly, John Juby and Michael Sotak. These men worked in the local stone quarry, which was the primary reason for settling in Marblehead. This new country offered these immigrants, who were not proficient in English and did not possess any special skills, the opportunity to earn a decent living. Those from European villages and towns with limited freedom or opportunity came to America to fulfill a dream.
The first parish location (actual build date unknown) was on Main Street but was destroyed by fire. In 1904, a new church rose from the ashes and was built on the same location. This new church building was blessed by Most Reverend I. F. Horstmann, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. The Byzantine Ruthenian Church had no bishop in the United States at this time. Thus, Bishop Horstmann was assisted by Byzantine Catholic Father John Churgovitch, Father Gabriel Martyak and Father Eugene Volkay.
The little white wooden church on Main Street with the adjoining cemetery and rectory served the parish for many years. One of the earliest pastors was Father Nicholas Stecovich who was laid to rest in the parish cemetery as was Mike Meterko a cantor for more than 30 years. Although St. Mary Church has had many pastors, the late Father George Simchak served the parish the longest. He served from 1928 to 1930, then resumed his duties from 1934 until his retirement in 1970. More recent pastors, include Monsignor Frank Korba, Father Dennis Hrubiak, Monsignor Basil Smochko, Father Joseph Radvansky, Father Basil Hutsko, Father Bryan Eyman, Father Robert Kelly, Father Andrew Nagrant and Father Joseph Repko.
In the 1930’s, the Ladies Aid was founded. Through the years the ladies gave enormous amounts of time and energy to the parish. The Parish Council has been maintained until this day and is advisory to the pastor.
Special tribute must be given to the cantors and Choir Directors of the parish. Mike Batcha formed the choir in 1938 and was Choir Director until 1982. When he was no longer able to direct the choir, Helen Jean Cooley became directress. She used her talent in singing and directing to carry the choir forward. We also graciously acknowledge past cantors: Mildred Boytim and Helen Danchisen. Joanne Sauvey is the newest cantor who primarily leads the congregation at the Saturday Divine Liturgies. Acknowledgement must be given to Eleanor Batcha, who was the past coordinator of Religious Education.
In 1973, Bishop Emil J. Mihalik, Bishop of Parma, visited Marblehead and St. Mary Church. He met with Father Frank Korba and council members. Bishop Mihalik gave permission to proceed with the building of the new church at the new location of 506 East Main Street next to the Marblehead Lighthouse. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1976 with a full, standing room only congregation. The church building was officially dedicated on Sunday, April 24th, 1977, which was the fulfillment of a dream.
In June 1983, ground was broken for the new social hall. The hall was dedicated on June 9th, 1985. The social hall serves for a multitude of activities, both parish and civic: banquets, wedding receptions, high school award dinners, etc.
The parish has had two vocations to the priesthood: Father Edmund Jadwisiak, ordained in 1979; and, Father David Hannes, ordained in 1983. Both were ordained by Bishop Emil J. Mihalik.
As we celebrate 125 years of faith, love and service to God and our neighbor, we look to a positive future. Our parish is open to all who might visit and join us on our spiritual journey to God’s kingdom … the path home!
In 1897, the exact date is unknown, these Byzantine people newly arrived from Austria-Hungary (now Slovakia) banded together to fulfill a dream. They established a parish – a congregation founded by: George Boytim, John Dziak, George Gulick, Michael Hitraly, John Juby and Michael Sotak. These men worked in the local stone quarry, which was the primary reason for settling in Marblehead. This new country offered these immigrants, who were not proficient in English and did not possess any special skills, the opportunity to earn a decent living. Those from European villages and towns with limited freedom or opportunity came to America to fulfill a dream.
The first parish location (actual build date unknown) was on Main Street but was destroyed by fire. In 1904, a new church rose from the ashes and was built on the same location. This new church building was blessed by Most Reverend I. F. Horstmann, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. The Byzantine Ruthenian Church had no bishop in the United States at this time. Thus, Bishop Horstmann was assisted by Byzantine Catholic Father John Churgovitch, Father Gabriel Martyak and Father Eugene Volkay.
The little white wooden church on Main Street with the adjoining cemetery and rectory served the parish for many years. One of the earliest pastors was Father Nicholas Stecovich who was laid to rest in the parish cemetery as was Mike Meterko a cantor for more than 30 years. Although St. Mary Church has had many pastors, the late Father George Simchak served the parish the longest. He served from 1928 to 1930, then resumed his duties from 1934 until his retirement in 1970. More recent pastors, include Monsignor Frank Korba, Father Dennis Hrubiak, Monsignor Basil Smochko, Father Joseph Radvansky, Father Basil Hutsko, Father Bryan Eyman, Father Robert Kelly, Father Andrew Nagrant and Father Joseph Repko.
In the 1930’s, the Ladies Aid was founded. Through the years the ladies gave enormous amounts of time and energy to the parish. The Parish Council has been maintained until this day and is advisory to the pastor.
Special tribute must be given to the cantors and Choir Directors of the parish. Mike Batcha formed the choir in 1938 and was Choir Director until 1982. When he was no longer able to direct the choir, Helen Jean Cooley became directress. She used her talent in singing and directing to carry the choir forward. We also graciously acknowledge past cantors: Mildred Boytim and Helen Danchisen. Joanne Sauvey is the newest cantor who primarily leads the congregation at the Saturday Divine Liturgies. Acknowledgement must be given to Eleanor Batcha, who was the past coordinator of Religious Education.
In 1973, Bishop Emil J. Mihalik, Bishop of Parma, visited Marblehead and St. Mary Church. He met with Father Frank Korba and council members. Bishop Mihalik gave permission to proceed with the building of the new church at the new location of 506 East Main Street next to the Marblehead Lighthouse. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Christmas Eve 1976 with a full, standing room only congregation. The church building was officially dedicated on Sunday, April 24th, 1977, which was the fulfillment of a dream.
In June 1983, ground was broken for the new social hall. The hall was dedicated on June 9th, 1985. The social hall serves for a multitude of activities, both parish and civic: banquets, wedding receptions, high school award dinners, etc.
The parish has had two vocations to the priesthood: Father Edmund Jadwisiak, ordained in 1979; and, Father David Hannes, ordained in 1983. Both were ordained by Bishop Emil J. Mihalik.
As we celebrate 125 years of faith, love and service to God and our neighbor, we look to a positive future. Our parish is open to all who might visit and join us on our spiritual journey to God’s kingdom … the path home!