St. Richard Catholic Community

St. Richard Church Historical Time Line

1890 Swanton Catholics petitioned Bishop Richard Gilmour of Cleveland for permission to build a church. (All northern Ohio was in the Cleveland Diocese.)

1891 Three lots were purchased on Dodge Street along with two acres for a cemetery.

1892 A 30’ x 50’ frame church was built on the three lots on Dodge Street for $1,631.

1893 the first Mass was offered for approximately 20 families on May 7. The church was dedicated on October 22, 1893.

1900 The church was enlarged, making the structure cruciform in shape with the addition of two transepts.

1908 The rectory on Walnut Street behind the church was built at a cost of $4,400.

1909 St. Richard Church became a full-fledged parish when Reverend John Berthelot was appointed resident pastor (1909-1912).

1912 Rev. John Kiebel was named 2^nd pastor (1912-1915).

1915 Rev. James Elder was named 3^rd pastor (1915-1916).

1916 Rev. Thomas Kennedy was named 4^th pastor (1916-1918).

1918 Rev. Michael McFadden was named 5^th pastor (1918-1922).

1922 Rev. Alphonse Roach was named 6^th pastor (1922-1933) during the depression.

1933 Rev. Alfred Metzger was named 7^th pastor (1933-1942).

1942 Rev. Joseph Myers was named 8^th pastor (1942-1946). The church interior was remodeled to increase the seating capacity as the parish had grown to 230 families (836 people).

1946 Rev. Matthew Clancy was named 9^th pastor (1946-1970) to some 250 households. During the next seven years Mass attendance doubled.

1953 Twenty-two and six tenths acres of farmland were purchased for $19,775 on Farner Avenue (now Brookside Drive).

1955 A building fund raised $140,000 which was $42,000 over the goal.

1956 Ground breaking ceremonies for the hall and school were held on June 17. The hall, with a seating capacity for 500, served as a temporary church.

1957 The last Sunday Mass in the white frame church on Dodge Street that served generations of Catholics in the Swanton area for 64 years was offered on April 7, 1957. A week later on Palm Sunday, a 102 car procession went from the old church (now Faith Lutheran Church) to the new site for the first Mass in the new temporary church (now Clancy Hall).

1958 The school was constructed at the same time as the temporary church. It opened for classes in September for grades one through six with 150 students. The school was fully staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania. The principal was Sister M. Rufina, OSF. The rectory, custodian’s apartment, school bus garage and convent (St. Francis Hall) were completed in 1958.

1959 Grade 7 was added to the school. Rev. Albin Radecki was the first assistant pastor to St. Richard. Following him was Rev. Albert Ottenweller (1959-1961). (He is now a retired Bishop of Steubenville.)

1960 Grade 8 was added to the school that was built for six grades. Pack 254 Cub Scouts was chartered.

1961 Rev. Roger DeBusschere was assistant pastor (1961-1967).

1962-63 A Brick-N-Motor Fund was launched to begin construction on the church.

1965 Ground was broken in March and the cornerstone laid on December 12^th. Crusaders Athletic Development Association known as (CADA); was organized Dec. 5th. by the men of the parish to renovate the hall, remodeling it as a gymnasium with a view of basketball games by our students.

1966 The first Mass was offered in the new church on May 15^th with seating capacity for 740. A dedication by Bishop Rehring was held on August 18^th. Parent –Teacher (PTO) group formed.

1967 Rev. John McClure was assistant pastor (1967-1970).

1968 Msgr. Matthew Clancy (a Monsignor since January 1964) asked for retirement for health reasons in June. He retired to an apartment in the annex (Guadalupe Hall) and continued to assist at Mass. Rev. Maurice Herman replaced Msgr. Clancy as the 10^th pastor (1970-1975). St. Richard Parent Teacher Organization was formed. The principal was Sister M. Richarda.

1969 Parish Council and School board formed

1972 Parish Board of Education was established.

1975 Rev. Paul Dorley was named 11^th pastor (1975-1977).

1977 Rev. Robert Holden was named 12^th pastor (1977-1985).

1978 Services of a Pastoral Associate and Deacons were implemented. Sr. Eve Marie Korzym was the first Pastoral Associate and James Schmidt was the first Deacon at St. Richard.

1979 The new $180,000 Parish Life Center was dedicated.

1982 Timothy Worline became a Deacon and serves at St. Richard.

1983 Christopher Vasko, baptized and educated at St. Richard, became a priest and offered his first Mass at St. Richard.

1985 Rev. Steve Cairns was named 13^th pastor and Sister Diane Skubby Pastoral Associate.

1988 The pre-school was opened in the old convent building (St. Francis Hall).

1989 Sister Marguerite Lamberjack became Pastoral Associate.

1992 School Endowment Fund was established. $106,000 in donations was raised for Church renovations.

1993 The Parish Centennial was chaired by Norma Jean Taylor. Various events took place throughout the year. Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence J. Hallett was the honorees at the Sweethearts Mass on Valentine’s Day.Retreat in March. Michael Kennedy organized the 10-K run and 5-K walk in May. In August a St. Richard School reunion and Mass held, with Fr. Christopher Vasko as celebrant. Fr. Vasko is the only parishioner in St. Richard’s 100 history to become a religious. A centennial Mass was offered on October 17^th by Bishop James R. Hoffman.

1997 Rev. Daniel Zak was named 14^th pastor and Bev Bingle became Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education.

1998 Youth Quest, Appalachian Experience and the Memorial Tree Program were implemented. Pre-school rooms were remodeled at a cost of $19,000. $100,000 in capital improvements were completed, including the computerization of all the buildings.

1999 During May, there were several “listening sessions” held with dinner to survey the parishioners on the feasibility of conducting a capital campaign. In June, the decision was made to go forward with a campaign under the direction of Mrs. Susan Smith from the CYSS offices of the Diocese of Toledo. An executive committee was formed and the process began.

2000 Throughout February and March our campaign name, “Remember the Past-Envision the Future”, and our case statement were developed. During August, the silent phase of the campaign began. Potential “pace-setting” donors were contacted to launch the campaign by making a pledge/commitment.

2001 The second phase of the campaign (contacting lead donors) began in April with the 3^rd and final phase being launched in May (presenting the campaign to the entire parish). The results of the campaign were $1,162,708.35 in pledges made by 227 donors. Two projects were completed. New windows were installed in the rectory/offices and in the preschool.

2002 On May 19^th St. Richard Parish and Faith Evangelical Lutheran Parish formally signed a Covenant of Cooperation. As of June 9, 2002 $439,876.58 has been collected. After campaign and development expenses were deducted, $66,961.30 was placed in the School Endowment (which brought the balance to $232,631.85). On June 10^th we began our first phase of capital improvements. Asbestos was removed from the school, boys and girls restrooms were made handicap accessible. New ceilings, lighting, and windows were installed in the section where the asbestos was removed.

2003 In May a 110^th Anniversary celebration was held starting with a Mass at 5:00 pm followed by dinner at 6:30 pm and music provided by DJ Tommy Ray. Sister Bernarda Breidenbach, OSU was hired as principal for St. Richard School. Mary’s Chapel for Eucharistic Adoration was completed with funds from the capital campaign and dedicated On December 8^th.

2004 The Parish Life Center was renovated into the kindergarten and preschool (which was moved from St. Francis Hall to the school building). On September 11^th storage facility, built by many volunteers, was constructed behind the maintenance garage.

2005 The loft above Clancy Hall was enclosed and renovated, which will serve as a meeting space for the youth of the parish. New windows were installed on the north-side of the school. The Memorial Gardens, on the west side of the church, took shape with a Moses Rock of flowing water, Resurrection Grotto, many shrubs, flowers, statues, wind chimes and a columbarium. Several benches are placed throughout for people to sit, pray and meditate. This garden was built in honor and memory of Monsignor Clancy who is buried in the Rose Garden.

2006 January 8^th St. Richard held its first Life Teen Mass. On May 21, 2006 the Memorial Gardens was officially dedicated. Appreciation was extended to all persons who make this on going project possible through their generous contributions. Frederick A. Tiller retired as Business Manager and Joseph F. Panning was hired. Miss Beverly Will was hired as principal at St. Richard School. Volunteers remodeled the parish kitchen located in the school. The Edge Program, for junior high students, began in September.

2007 The 36^th graduating class from St. Richard School took place in May. Fr. Daniel J. Zak celebrated his 40^th year of ordination on May 27^th at a Mass and dinner for parishioners and guest. In July, Sr. Bernarda Breidenbach, OSU, was rehired as principal of the school. Parish census is 660 active families and a total of 1,855 souls. Fall school enrollment for K-8 is 90.

2008 St. Richard School celebrates their 50^th anniversary. The school official opened in September, 1958. A

dinner is being planned for April 2009 and many other activities throughout the school year. A new stained glass window was installed on October 16, 2008 in Mary’s Chapel and will be dedicated on the fifth anniversary of the Chapel on December 8, 2008.

2009 St. Richard School welcomes a new principal Mrs. Susan Richardson. On October 1^st we received a new Deacon, Rev. Michael Sarra. The parish had to repair the heating system, set up in three phases with a total of approximately $250.00. Phase one was started in October and the estimated cost will be $167,000.