ASSUMPTION of B.V.M.
340 Second Street
Conemaugh, Penna. 15909
The first chapel (Kaplica) erected in 1910.
The history of the Polish parish in Conemaugh, near Johnstown
in south central Pennsylvania is so typical. Polish immigrants found
work in the steel mills and local foundaries & living in this nearby
Boro, walked to St. Casimir church in Johnstown for spiritual needs.
By, 1910, a strong request by the people caused Rev. Dembinski to
purchase property on 5th and Main Streets in East Conemaugh and
erect a 'kaplica'. He and I or his assistants celebrated Holy Mass and
the sacraments for the Polish speaking as a 'mission' to St. Casimir's
parish. In 1922 the Bishop of the Altoona Diocese raised the mission
to full parish status and assigned Rev. Francis Pilz as the first Pastor
with 130 families. A school for the parish children was in operation
since 1913 with Franciscan Sisters of Blessed Kunegunda as teachers.
They commuted daily from Johnstown. At first 45 children, then 70,
then 98, then in 1920 there were 180 pupils and 4 nuns. Despite the
unsteady employment, Rev. Pilz was able to dig the foundation of a
Patroness of the Conemaugh Parish
new church on lots purchased by and donated by the P.N.A.
# 1569 located on Second Street. Only the foundation could
be completed. Rev. Chraca came in 1928 facing the
Depression and increased unemployment. Using his
administrative skills and his deep, vibrant faith, he guided the
parishioners for twenty years. While the Sisters taught the
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children Polish History and Bible stories, reading, writing
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and new songs for patriotic occasions, Rev. Chraca preached
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the Word of God in Polish, conducted May & October devo-J Nanty r y ^ ^ a i C , ADMIRAL
4 PCARf^lOV,
tions,
Gorzkie Zale in Lent, blessed homes and food baskets
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for Easter. The people were so proud of their parish, their
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faith and their precious heritage. Nieszpory or Vespers were
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sung with fervor and hymns to Mary, Jesus and the beloved
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Koledy were memorized with affection. This spirit was translestown
ferred to the next generations, and promoted by the next
Portage
pastor- Rev. Walter Kurdziel who came in 1948.
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Map indicating the Conemaugh Boro
near Johnstown, Penna.
The parish dream of a new church was his top priority.
After years of gathering needed funds, construction began on
March 4, 1955. The gothic edifice of native stone and Indiana
limestone costed $275,000. The seating capacity is 570 with a
tall bell tower, choir loft and cry room. Bishop McCormick of
Altoona came on May 2, 1955 to bless and dedicate the
church. The Polish Band of Conemaugh greeted the dignitaries before the Mass with pride.
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First Pastor
Rev. Francis Pik
1922-1928
Second Pastor
Rev. John Chraca
1928-1948
Third Pastor
R*,. Walter M. Kurdziel
1948-1982
Rev. Kurdziel also saw the construction of a new rectory in
1962 for $100,000.00 debt free. He also planned to build a new
convent. However unemployment increased and enrollment
dwindled to 87 pupils in 1966. Even with a consolidation, the
Conemaugh Catholic school lasted only until 1969, and the
Sisters relinquished the mission in 1970. The parish is proud that
7 daughters joined the Franciscan Sisters, while 2 others joined
two other Religious Communities.
The present parish church on Second St.
1 he interior of the Conemaugh Polish church
The parish numbered over 500 families, not all living in the
Boro. Rev. Kurdziel kept alive the treasured customs of the
founders. He even saw two sons of the parish ordained as priests Rev. Bernard Guzik, T.O.R. and Rev. Joseph Gaborek, and his
nephew, Rev. Dennis Kurdziel as a priest, who would later on
serve as Pastor of the Conemaugh Polish parish. In 1972, the
parishioners proudly gathered to note the Golden
Jubilee. On the feastday of the parish-the Assumption
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, hundreds gathered to sing
a Mass of Thanksgiving on August 15, 1972. Roman
Catholic Bishop Hogan Q f the Altoona-Johnstown
Diocese lead the festive event for 309 families and
1,227 members. Unexpectedly, Rev. Kurdziel died on
September 27, 1982. Rev. Dennis Kurdziel, nephew to
Father Walter was assigned to the parish and served
well for nine years. He was young, energetic & focused as he lead the parish. Rev. Neil Dadey came as
Pastor from 1992-1995 when the present Pastor-Rev.
Bernard Grega came to serve the parish of 324
families, soon to be merged. The Diamond Jubilee,
with Polish hymns was noted on Sunday, September
7, 1997.
Such Franciscan Sisters
of Blessed Kunegunda
taught the parish childr
and attracted 1 vocation
First Holy Communion Class of 1968
KUNEGUNKI