[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ST. BONIFACE CHURCH CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 1996

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues, the 100th anniversary of St. Boniface Church in Wilkes-
Barre, PA. I am pleased to have been asked to participate in the 
observance of this milestone.
  On August 16, 1896 a group of German immigrants from the Pfalz region 
of Bavaria met to form a new congregation. An executive committee of 12 
was formed to obtain permission from the bishop to build a new church. 
When permission was granted a lot was purchased on Blackman Street in 
Wilkes-Barre. Five men mortgaged their homes to provide the initial 
money to build the church. On October 4, 1896 the cornerstone of the 
church was laid by Bishop O'Hara. The original construction cost of the 
church was $4,345.
  On the suggestion of Bishop O'Hara and reflecting the German heritage 
of the majority of the parishioners, the church was named after St. 
Boniface, the apostle of the Germans as the church's patron saint.
  The first mass was held in March 1897 in the newly built church which 
still didn't have pews. The dedication of the church followed shortly 
after that. The first pastor of the church was the Reverend Charles J. 
Goeckel who lived with neighbors until a rectory could be built at the 
church.
  The church began a series of fundraising activities and parish 
socials in order to raise money for construction of facilities and to 
provide community services for the parishioners. The traditional St. 
Boniface ``Kaffee Klatsch'' is still held today on Shrove Tuesday night 
as a way for members of the parish to get together.
  Under the leadership of the Reverend Charles Von Weldon, the parish 
and community offerings of St. Boniface grew and the adjoining convent 
was enlarged.
  Mr. Speaker, every succeeding pastor of St. Boniface helped to expand 
and enlarge the property and make the parish prosper. The church today 
is an important presence in the religious life of the Wyoming Valley. 
Serving German immigrants and others for 100 years, St. Boniface has 
continued the traditions and preserved the heritage of its founders.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate St. Boniface on this 
milestone in its history and send best wishes for continued prosperity.

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