SAINT JOHN VIANNEY
Our Priests of Saint John Vianney
Father James J. Quinn Father Paul Robine Father Andrew Stanko
1950-1988 1988-2009 2009-Present
HISTORY OF OUR PARISH
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 fall of 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 a 30' by 75' building was constructed on the property. A Ladies Aid Society was formed and began to hold functions in the hall to raise money. By the end of the summer 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 the winter and into the spring of 1950, the Mundy's Corner delegation enlisted the help of Father James 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 of 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.
By the end of October, 1950, all outstanding bills were paid, and the parish was debt free, a policy that has prevailed through the years.
Over the next five years more land was obtained and plans were made for a rectory. Early in 1955 permission to build was granted, and construction was begun. On June 4, 1958 Father Quinn moved in to the new parish house.
Ground was broken in October 1965, for the present church building. However the road to completion was not smoothly paved. The first delay came when the steel was not delivered until mid-November. Construction did not begin until December. By spring the architect was concerned about the unusual design, and had a fear of collapse. Since Father Quinn was against pillars in the body of the church, a New York architech was consulted and changes were made to the ceciling design and wall supports. This caused a delay until special steel supports could be made. Work resumed in September, 1966, although minor delays continued to plague the contractors.
Finally on April 16, 1967, Bishop Hogan presided at a dedication ceremony and first Mass in the new church. On June 27 without fanfare, the cornerstone was set.
During the summer of 1982 the parking lot was covered in asphalt.
1988 turned out to be a year of change. Father Quinn, the founding pastor, died on September 24, and a newly appointed pastor, Father Paul M. Robine, arrived on December 14. During the next several months a Parish Council and Finance Council was elected. The Legion of Mary was established. An Adult Choir was formed. The youth group came into being. CCD classes were outgrowing their meeting places. It was becoming apparent that a parish hall was needed. Since Father Quinn had left the parish with over a million dollars, after much discussion, it was decided to build a hall.
Berkebile Bros. was selected as a contractor. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on June 28, 1992. The name of St. John Vianney Quinn Center was selected, because Father Quinn made it all possible.
Sewage proved to be a big hurdle and caused for delays from the beginning. A septic system was not an option. The alternatives were a sewage treatment plant, or a wait for the township system, which was to be ready by September, 1994. A sewage treatment plant was decided on, and it proved to be a good choice because the church property was not on the Jackson/East Taylor Sewer Sytem until November, 1998.
Bishop Joseph Adamec dedicated the hall on January 31, 1993. The first Mardi Gras was held in the hall in February of that year. In 1995 a statue of St. John Vianney, bought with donations from parishoners, was placed in the area between the rectory and the church. It was blessed on Sunday, October 15, 1995. The next year a bell was donated by Elvin Myrick in memory of his wife, Betsy--the twin sister of Marjorie Edwards.
As you know, St. John Vianny is the patron of parish priests. We give thanks to God for the two vocations to the priesthood from this parish: Father James Dugan, ordained in 1989, and Matthew Reese, ordained in 2003.
In 2009 we welcomed our new pastor, Father Andrew Stanko, to become the third priest of our parish in our community.
A future story is unfolding. The original church bell, donated by Beatrice Hartman, is being refurbished. A monument of the sacredness of life in all of it moments is at the entrance to our parish from the main road.
We hope you come and visit our parish and celebrate mass with us.
God Bless!
