[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 19929]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



         STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS CHURCH CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2000

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
enduring faith of the parishioners of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church 
in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania, which will celebrate the centennial 
anniversary of its founding on October 22, 2000.
  The parish has its roots in the immigration of people from Slovakia 
who began to settle in the Wyoming Valley in the late 1870s and early 
1880s. They came to the area upon hearing of the abundant work in the 
coal mines. At that time, there were no churches specifically for 
people of Slovak descent, so they attended churches where most of the 
members' first language was English.
  Around 1885, a Slovak parish, St. Stephen's Church, was founded in 
Plymouth and many people from the Edwardsville area traveled there on 
foot for services on Sundays and other holy days. However, this travel 
was difficult, especially in the winter months, and so the Slovak 
people of Edwardsville joined together and began work to build their 
own church.
  In September 1900, Bishop Michael J. Hoban officiated at the 
dedication of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church on Grove Street in 
Edwardsville. Until the winter of 1901, the pastor of St. Stephen's 
Church in Plymouth also served as their pastor, when the arrival of 
Father John Jedlicka gave the parishioners of Sts. Cyril and Methodius 
Church their own clergyman.
  Father Jedlicka oversaw several modifications to the church 
structure, including the tower and much of the interior, at a cost of 
$1,400, quite a sum at the time. During his tenure, the parish also 
purchased land on Pringle Hill for a cemetery and started a four-
classroom school in the church basement.
  In 1904, Father Jedlicka was replaced by a newly ordained priest, who 
had to leave because he could not find a place to live. The 
parishioners borrowed $3,000 to build a rectory, which was completed in 
1905, and Father Jedlicka returned. That building still stands today on 
the corner of Grove and Hurbane streets in Edwardsville.
  The following year, the parish tragically lost its church building, 
dedicated only six years before, in a fire. The current church on 
Zerbey Avenue was built in 1907 to replace it.
  In 1921, Father Jedlicka died and was replaced by Father Edward 
Bellas, who served the parish for about eight years. He in turn was 
replaced by Father Stephen Gurcik, who was pastor until 1943, guiding 
the parish during the difficult years of the Great Depression. Many 
events were held to raise money, notably parish picnics, and finances 
began to improve in the 1940s. Father Gurcik loved the outdoors and 
often took the alter servers camping. During his tenure, the parish 
also sponsored a baseball team.
  Father Joseph Podskoch served as pastor from 1943 until his death in 
1949. He held bingo and other events to reduce the church's still-
considerable debt. He was well-known in Edwardsville and would often 
walk up and down the streets to meet the people.
  Father Michael Harvan, who became pastor in 1949, instituted a 
``day's wage'' collection. During his pastorate, a few parishioners 
made sizable donations to the parish, and many improvements to the 
church were made. It also became possible to pay all existing debts. 
While pastor at Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Father Harvan was honored by 
becoming a Monsignor, or Prelate of Honor to the Pope. Upon his 
retirement in 1985, he left the parish with a sizable amount in its 
savings account.
  In 1985, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church was joined with St. Anthony 
of Padua Church in Larksville, and both shared the same pastor, Father 
Joseph Ziobro. Since Father Ziobro lived at St. Anthony's Rectory, the 
one at St. Cyril and Methodius was sold at that time. Father Ziobro 
worked hard to bring the two churches together as one parish family.
  In 1990, Father Ziobro was transferred and Father Andrew Strish 
became pastor of the two churches until he was transferred in 1996. 
Father Bernard Evanofski then became pastor of the two churches. Upon 
his arrival, it was obvious that Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church was in 
need of a new roof and other repairs. Through a capital fund campaign 
and the generosity of the parishioners, all needed repairs were made, 
including a new roof.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Sts. Cyril and Methodius church continue 
to be active and strongly supportive of all parish functions as they 
celebrate both the centennial of the church's founding and the Great 
Jubilee of the Year 2000. I salute them on the occasion of this 
milestone anniversary, and I am pleased to call their faith and service 
to the attention of the House of Representatives.

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