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Ss. Cyril and Methodious R.C. Churchof the Roman Catholic Churches of Coaldale:Ss. Cyril & Methodius | St. Mary of the Assumption St. John the Baptist 41 E. Ruddle St. |
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The parish of Ss. Cyril and Methodious, Coaldale, Pa. was established on June 10, 1920, by the Diocese of Philadelphia. Fr. Nicholas Terna was named pastor of thie new parish. On the Feast of All Saints in 1920, the former Welsh Congregational Church building was dedicated for the use of the new parish family.
A new church building was planned, and construction began on July 23, 1923. The cornerstone was blessed by Bishop Michael Crane of Philadelphia on Thanksgiving Day, 1923. The first Mass was celebrated in the new church n Christmas Day, 1924.
Father Terna, who on December 15, 1974, became Monsignor Terna, continued to serve as pastor until 1968, when leadership of the community was assumed by Fr. Joseph F. Gasho. Fr. Gasho retired in 1982, when Fr. Paul Masiar became pastor. Fr. Francis Baransky was pastor from 1992 to September 2000. The present pastor is Fr. John Pavlosky.
The Windows
The extraordinary jewel-toned stained glass windows were designed by the Frederick Meyer Studio, Innsbruck, Austria. The large window in the east transept portrays The Crucifixion, while the Five Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary are represented in the windows of the east nave. The large window in the west transept portrays The Last Supper, while the Five Joyful Mysteries are represented in the windows of the west nave. Other windows portray Ss. Peter, Paul, Anne, Anastasia, Cecelia, Catherine of Alexandria and Mary Magdalene.
The windows portraying Ss. Cyril and Methodious are illustrated at the top of this page.
The total cost of the complete set of windows in 1924 was $9,346.00. Today, their value is estimated at three-quarters of a million dollars, though they are, in fact, irreplaceable.
The Organ
The choir loft of the church is dominated by the 1936 M.P. Moeller organ, built by the company late of Hagerstown, Maryland. It is a three division, electro-pneumatic action instrument with a traditional draw-knob console. The pipes are enclosed and shuttered, and it is voiced in the Romantic tradition. The original cost in 1936 was $3,600.
This magnificent instrument has provided inspiration for liturgical devotion, ably accompanying the choir and congregational song, as well as providing wonderful music itself. For the past 26 years, the instrument has been under the capable hands of organist and choir director Betty Vincent.
The beautiful building, grounds and cemetery have been maintained by our faithful and dedicated sexton, Joseph Derzack, since 1973.
"We are not on earth to guard a museum, but to cultivate a flourishing garden of life."--Pope John XXIII
As the Third Millenium approaches, our challenge is not to build a church of brick and mortar, but to build a community of trust and harmony, a home where all are welcome members of Christ's body. The foundation has already been laid through the years in the Christ-like faith and deeds of our parishioners. The "flourishing garden" we are called to cultivate, our interior life, will be at one and the same time both the source of grace for our community and our greatest challenge in the years ahead. With "hands to work, hearts to God", let us bring to completion the good that God has begun in us.
From: "A Parish History: 1920-1995"
Dedicated to
the Memory of our Slovak Immigrant Founders