Not unlike Ars, a township in France, where John Mary Vianney spent most of his priestly life, the villiage of Mundy's Corner sits amid rolling hills in southwestern Pennsylvania. Here too, a young priest, James J. Quinn, began his nearly 40-year ministry.
In the fal lof 1948 three parcels of land were donated for the purpose of establishing a church for the local Catholic commuunity. Would-be parishioners who lived nearby diligently went about clearing the land. They were able to break ground, without fanfare, so construction could begin. An early winter preceded by an inclement fall halted any progess until spring.
By mid 1949 at 30' by 75' building was constructed on the propert. A Ladies Aid Society was formed and began to hold functions in the hall to raise money. By the end of the summ,er enough money was available to add a room in the back for a furnace and restrooms, and in front a vestibule with a bell tower was added. Since no furnace was installed, all activity in the hall ceased in the winter; however the quest to become a parish continued.
During th ewinter and into the spring of 1950, the Mundy's Corner delegation enlisted the help of Father Hames Quinn, administrator of nearby St. Mary's Church in Nanty Glo. The group wanted Bishop Guilfoyle to give permission to form a new parish and to appoint a pastor. Then a strike by employees of the Johnstown bus company paralyzed the area. A cry went out to the chancery office from the people of Jackson Township. The responsibility of alleviating the problem was given to the aministrator of St. Mary's Father Quinn. Acting on his newly appointed task, Father Quinn asked for and received permission to celebrate Mass in the "Mission" Church.
On May 14, 1950, Mother's Day, the bell in the tower rang out, calling the faithful Jackson Township to the first Mass. Attendance was 189. The bishop now referred to the building as Chapel of Ease.
Two weeks later the Bishop, having recognized the needs and desires if the people, gave permission to formally announce that the Mission had been granted indepedent status. The newly formed parish was named after the patron of parish priests: St. John Mary Vianney. Thus, like John Mary Vianney, whose only appointment in his 41 year ministry was to the little village of Arts, Father James Quinn was appointed to the village church in Mundy's Corner to begin his nearly 40 year ministry.
Once the church building was furnished with donations from nearby churches, summer CCD classes were held, and the new pastor began working on a census. Since there was no parish house, Father Quinn continuted to reside in Nany Glo until the next spring when a house nearby became available to rent.
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