[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1636-E1637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO ST. MARK CATHOLIC CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 1996

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate St. Mark Catholic 
Church, its pastor, the Reverend Robert P. Gehring, and the 421 parish 
families, on the celebration of St. Mark's 75th anniversary. On 
September 22, 1996, St. Mark Church, located in Gary IN, will hold a 
grand banquet at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Merriville, IN, to 
proclaim its celebration theme, ``Continuing the Mission of Christ.'' 
This banquet will be preceded by a jubilee Mass at St. Mark Church 
celebrated by Bishop Dale J. Melczek.
  I would also like to congratulate the current Pastoral Council, which 
include Maria Azcona, Richard Burgess, Joan Bynum, Pat Corgan, Jesse 
Covarrubias, Alma Erris, Maria Gutierrez, Marcia Mizen, Roni Opong-
Duah, Natalie Ousley, Felicia Flowers Smith, and Carl Terlicher. In 
1994, this council, which serves as an advisory body to assist the 
pastor in decisions concerning the operations of St. Mark Church, 
replaced the former parish council.
  Early in this century, traveling missionaries ministered to the needs 
of Catholics in the northwest Indiana area, and small parishes were 
formed in scattered villages and towns to aid the missionaries in their 
work. However, there was a strong need to establish a permanent parish. 
Without waiting for church authorities to ease a critical situation, a 
group of laymen collaborated to begin a Catholic parish in

[[Page E1637]]

Glen Park, IN. Members of that group included: J.J. Kelley, Thomas F. 
Kennedy, Maurice Cox, John B. Rockford, and John P. Churchill. These 
men purchased a building from the German Evangelical Church of North 
America on May 19, 1921, and they moved the building from 20th and 
Grant Street to a site at 39th and Broadway.
  In August of that same year, Father John B. DeVille, an assistant at 
Holy Angels Parish, told the committee and Bishop Herman J. Alerding 
that he would accept the responsibility of ministering to the spirtual 
needs of the fledgling St. Mark Parish. Father DeVille celebrated Mass 
regularly in the church on Broadway, and he taught religious education 
classes to children.
  On February 4, 1922, the first marriage at St. Mark Church took place 
between Carlo Terlicher and Aurelia Chiabai. Aurelia Terlicher, who is 
92 years old this month, is still a member of the St. Mark Parish 
family. Albert Antonio Sgambelluri was the first to be baptized at St. 
Mark on October 2, 1921.
  It wasn't until June 17, 1923, that Bishop Herman J. Alerding 
appointed Father Joseph Ryder as the first pastor of St. Mark Church. 
Within 5 years of its inception, the rapidly growing St. Mark Parish 
needed newer and larger facilities. As a result, construction of the 
combination church, school, and convent began in July, 1926, on the 
selected site at 501 West Ridge Road. The Right Reverend John Francis 
Noll presided over the dedication ceremony of the new facility in July, 
1927.
  At first, Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ gave their 
time and service to the schoolchildren of St. Mark. However, after the 
school building was completed, Father Ryder secured the services of the 
Dominican Sisters and they assumed the role of faculty at the school 
and resided in the convent on Ridge Road. The Sisters of the Poor 
Handmaids of Jesus Christ eventually replaced the Dominican Sisters in 
September 1931. In June 1986, the Sisters reluctantly announced the end 
of their ministry at the school. A new principal, Ms. Muriel Lennstrum, 
was hired along with several other lay teachers.
  In April, 1951, a new school building was completed to accommodate 
the evergrowing enrollment of schoolchildren. In the early years of the 
parish, St. Mark School originated from religious education classes. As 
St. Mark celebrates its 75th anniversary, Ms. Maria Vazquez serves as 
principal of St. Mark School, which boasts an enrollment of 149 pupils 
enrolled in the grade school. Clare Coppinger and Dorothy Pictor have 
organized an alumni association with over 1,000 members from the 
classes of 1932-1957.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in congratulating the current pastor, the Reverend Robert P. 
Gehring, and the 421 parish families of St. Mark as they celebrate the 
church's 75th Anniversary. St. Mark is a multiethnic and multicultural 
parish known for its caring and welcoming of all people. May they 
continue to celebrate for many years to come.

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