Church history on display in narthex

Original St. Paul Church under construction in 1919

A display on church history is being presented each week in the narthex as part of the upcoming 90th anniversary celebration of the parish in October.

Bob Capanna, who handles parish archives, stands behind the display for this week which includes a photo of the first church just after construction before landscaping was completed. You can compare it with the 1919 photo above of the church under construction. Also in the display this week will be photos of the first two pastors:


























The first Mass was celebrated on Columbus Day, Oct. 12, 1919 in the auditorium of the Firestone Park School

Fr. James Hanly, the first pastor, was appointed in September 1919 and died May 25, 1920 of pneumonia just six weeks after the first Mass was celebrated in the new church on Easter Sunday, April 4.

Fr. Thomas A. Kirby served from December 16, 1920 until September 18, 1924.