[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 143 (Friday, September 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN HONOR OF THE 160TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. MICHAEL CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 23, 2011

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 160th 
anniversary of St. Michael Catholic Church in Independence, Ohio.
  St. Michael Catholic Church was founded in 1851 when Bishop Amadeus 
Rappe commissioned Father Nicholas Roupp to begin celebrating Mass in 
Independence, Ohio. There had recently been an influx in the area of 
Catholic Swiss and German immigrants. After operating for several 
decades as a mission church, in 1888, the Cleveland Catholic Diocese 
raised the community to parochial status and Father Peter Scerer became 
St. Michael's first pastor. After two pastors in just a couple of 
years, St. Michael Parish reverted back to a mission and was served by 
the Jesuit Fathers of St. Mary Parish.
  Throughout the 20th Century, St. Michael Parish experienced many 
renovations and expansions. In 1900, the congregation welcomed its 
third pastor, Father Albert Aust. Under the leadership of Father Aust, 
St. Michael Parish thrived and added a new rectory, school, and in 
1908, teachers from the Notre Dame Sisters. The parish later added a 
sister's residence in 1934, built a new school in 1950, erected a new 
church in 1955 and new rectory in 1968. In 1990, a new social hall and 
gymnasium were constructed and named Rappe Hall, in honor of Bishop 
Amadeus Rappe. Most recently, in 2001, St. Michael completed an 
interior renovation of the current church on Chestnut Road.
  The St. Michael congregation will celebrate its 160th anniversary in 
conjunction with the annual Feast of St. Michael. This year's 
celebration will include an Oktoberfest dinner, arcade games, and 
donations will be collected for both the St. Michael School Student 
Council's ``Jeans for January'' drive and St. Vincent DePaul Society's 
Food Pantry.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the 160 years 
of service that St. Michael Catholic Church has provided to the 
parishioners of Independence, Ohio.

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