[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4084]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


IN HONOR OF THE SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH OF 
                            CLEVELAND, OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 12, 2003

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and celebration of 
the Sesquicentennial celebration of St. Patrick's Church, one of 
Cleveland's foremost Catholic congregations. During its tenure, St. 
Patrick's has served as a foundation of faith and service for the 
religious community of our Ohio City neighborhood, and far beyond.
  Irish immigrants founded St. Patrick's Parish on Franklin Street in 
1853. The church was also home to the first Ursuline Community in 
Cleveland. In 1871, the cornerstone for a new church was laid on Bridge 
Avenue. A famine struck that year, which halted construction. 
Construction resumed, yet it was arduous and long. For two years, 
parishioners journeyed to Sandusky to obtain free quarry stone and 
deliver it back to the church site. Following six years of toil, focus 
and commitment, the new church was opened during the summer of 1877.
  Since that time, St. Patrick's Church has stood as a monument of 
faith, hope and support for immigrants and generations of their 
descendants. Although the first wave of parishioners were mainly of 
Irish heritage, today, the fabric of St. Patrick's reflects a colorful 
blend of citizens descendant from all areas of the world.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in tribute to and 
commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of St. Patrick's Church in 
Cleveland. St. Patrick's Church stands as more than a stately and vital 
historical structure; rather, the leaders and members of this parish, 
past and present, reflect a lasting monument of faith and hope that has 
sustained our families, our neighborhoods, our cities and our nation, 
for more than a century.

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