[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1820-E1821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO HOLY FAMILY PARISH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 1997

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Holy Family 
Parish for its 100 years of providing spiritual guidance, counseling, 
and education to the south Bronx community.
  On September 20, the parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in my 
south Bronx congressional district. On this joyful occasion, Archbishop 
John Cardinal O'Connor officiated at a Thanksgiving Mass. Parishioners 
joined together in prayer to thank the Lord for the parish's 100 years 
of fruitful service.
  Holy Family Parish has a long and inspiring history of perseverance 
and commitment to making a difference in the south Bronx. Through the 
years, the church has served a vibrant community of people from many 
ethnic backgrounds.
  In the late 1890's, Rev. Joseph S. Mechler saw the need to serve an 
emerging community in the Bronx. In the fall of 1897, the cornerstone 
for the new church was laid, and by Christmas of that same year the 
congregation celebrated their first mass in the new building.
  Archbishop Michael Corrigan dedicated the church in 1898. He lived in 
the basement of the parish and served his community until his final 
years.
  Since 1903, eight pastors have faithfully served the parish. Among 
them was Father Urban Nageleisen, who served the church for 37 years, 
until his death in 1949. He was a friend and spiritual adviser to the 
growing German immigrant community of the time. Under his pastorate, 
the church also established a school for children with the help of the 
Sisters of St. Agnes.
  During the difficult years of the Depression, the church continued 
serving the faithful and the congregation actually grew in numbers.
  With the passing away of Father Nageleisen, Father John Mechler 
assumed the leadership of the church. During those years, the church 
and the convent that housed the Sisters of St. Agnes were both very 
deteriorated. Pastor Mechler proposed and raised the funding to build a 
new convent and a new church in the south Bronx. The new parish kept 
the original cornerstone.
  Throughout its history, the Holy Family Parish has been responsive to 
the changing needs of its community. In 1981, the parish celebrated 
their first mass in Spanish in recognition of the growing Hispanic 
community, which had become an integral part of the church. In 
addition, the lower part of the church has been transformed into a 
meeting place for senior citizens, where hot lunches, recreational 
activities, and medical services are provided.
  Today, Father James D. Flanagan leads the church. After 100 years, 
the church continues to be a catalyst of positive change in our 
community. Over 700 children are currently enrolled in the school, 
which educates students from kindergarten to eighth grade. In addition, 
hundreds of members of the community have grown in their faith.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Holy 
Family Parish for its 100 years of history at the service of the south 
Bronx community.

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