here - Eveleth-Gilbert Catholic Community

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I
The first Catholic Church was built in Sparta in 1901 and Masses were
said by Missionary Priests (1901-1910). Funds were raised by
John Pakich, assisted by AJ. Sullivan (one of the first collectors and
treasurer) and Frank Indihar, Sr., who collected donations of$3
per family. Other collectors were Joe Kern, John Mestnik, and
John Smerka who collected a large portion of the funds used to build
the church. Some of the many firms and individuals who contributed
were Genoa, Sparta and Malta Iron Mining Companies,
Supt. George St.Clair, Gallup Bovers Hdw. Co. and Wm. Bender
Store. John Mesnick, Sr., Frank Ulcer, Sr., Louis Starich,
Matt Malovrh and Louis Prosen, Sr. were among those who continued
to collect 50 cents per month from parishioners to pay for the upkeep
of the church. M.G. Kraker, Joseph Kern,.Mr. McGillvary and
Mr. Nosan were among the pioneers who started the church. In a joint
effort, a group of women headed by Mrs. Kate Jury and Mrs. AJ.
Sullivan raised funds at socials and suppers. Mrs. Capt. Coombe, a
non-Catholic, gave an ice cream social with half the proceeds going to
the Methodists and half to the Catholics (about $1,800 was collected).
With the exception offour months in the year 1903, when
Fr. John Hogan substituted for him, Fr. Mathias Bilban came every
third Sunday to say Mass. Fr. Bilban covered Biwabik, Mt. Iron,
Virginia and Eveleth-as well as his trips to Gilbert.
In 1904, for the first time, pews were rented. A few of the first
parishioners were Anton Bradnick, AJ. Sullivan, John Mestnik,
Ignatz Babich, Jack Omersa, Frank Jeglosky, John Mustar,
Peter Machek, Arsen Corbin, Mike Kraker and Joe Sampson.
In the fall of 1909, the mining company decided to mine the ore under
the town of Sparta. Most of the buildings were moved to the town site
of Gilbert, including the church, which was located on the southeast
corner of Ohio and Summit Street. A parish house was built late in
1909 at the New York Avenue site. In 1910, Fr. John Schiffrer
(1910-1911) was our first resident pastor. The parish had
approximately 128 families (473 souls).
In 1909, AJ. Sullivan (a trustee) aided in the purchase of six lots
located on N ew York Avenue. In 1911-12 the new church was
constructed and dedicated. Tom Gahan was the contractor. The cost
of the church, rectory and contents was placed at $13,000. The church
trustees were M.G. Kraker, A.J. Sullivan and AE. MacInnis. In 1913
the old Sparta church was sold to the Methodists and was later
dismantled for the Komatar residence.
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2
In 1928, Msgr. Bilban called a meeting to form the local
Council of Catholic Women (CCW). A short time later, the
CCW became affiliated with the national organization. The
old Bailey Block building was the location of the first CCW
meeting. Mrs. Verne Hill and Mrs. Fred Saxine were elected
as the first president and secretary. The CCW's first
contribution was the statue of the Little Flower, St. Terese,
of Liseaux, currently situated to the left of the altar. The
CCW financed the sisters, coming from Duluth, to teach
religious instructions to the children for a span of four years.
The Most Rev. Bishop McGolrick confirmed the first class
in Gilbert in 1912 in the old Sparta Church (prior to this,
confirmation was held in Eveleth). Mrs. Clyde Campbell
was the first organist. Mrs. Peter Cosgrove and Mrs.
Birmingham Skoglund were members of the choir.
In 1911, Fr. Schiffrer moved to Chisholm and Fr. A.L. Pirnat
(1911-1915), from Aurora, came to Gilbert. Fr. Pirnat took
over the pastorate until 1916. Fr. A.I. Kastigar (1915-1916)
succeeded him when he next went to St. Elizabeth's in New
Duluth.
Tn 1932, Fr. Patrick Ryan (1932-1933) was assigned to assist
Msgr. Bilban. Fr. I. Durkin (1935-1938) took over as
assistant pastor in January of 1935. With Msgr. Bilban's
failing health, Fr. Durkin's assistance was very welcome.
Fr. Francis Schweiger (1937-1954) became the fifth pastor
ofSt. Joseph's with Fr. Durkin staying on as assistant. The
Right Rev. Monsignor Bilban passed on January 17, 1937.
Fr. Mathias Bilban (1916-1937), an early missionary in
Northern Minnesota, came to Gilbert in the autumn of 1916.
He served the church for 21 years. On July 29, 1924, he was
invested with the robes of a monsignor by the most Rev.
John T. McNicholas, Bishop of Duluth.
During Fr. Schweiger's time, many remodeling projects took
place-including
the Msgr. Bilban Memorial Hall in the
basement of the New York Avenue Church. The garden at
the back of the church was dedicated to Donald Kraker,
who was killed December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor.
In 1938, the CCW sponsored the first senior high school
girls graduation breakfast. This breakfast, which later
included all graduates, boys and girls, is still held to this date
by the women of St. Joseph's for graduating seniors.
Study clubs were formed and headed by Miss Magdalene
Feyereisen, Mrs. JJ. McCann, Mrs. AJ. Erchul,
Miss Mae Noland, Helen Shuster and a Slovene group led
by Mrs. Barbara Kolar. One very prominent local educator
belonging to our parish, and a member ofthe CCW,
was Miss Nelle Shean.
The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary was organized with
Josephine Indihar the first moderator. In 1939, Fr. Durkin
was assigned to Kelly Lake.
3
Fr. Leo Hannan (1938-1943) came to Gilbert as the assistant
pastor. Fr. Hannan enjoyed decorating the interior of the
church, especially for Christmas, Easter and other festive
occasions. Fr. Hannan enlisted in the Navy, as Chaplain,
in 1943.
Under the guidance ofFr. Kausek, the parish began a drive
in the early 1960s to construct a new church.
Fr. Patrick Coyle (1960-1962) came in as our associate
pastor in 1960. Knights of Columbus 5031 was chartered
at St. Joseph's parish in 1961.
On June 7, 1941, Rudolph B. Faith, son ofMr. and Mrs.
John (Sadie) Faith, was ordained to the Holy
Priesthood-the
first young man ordained to the priesthood
from this parish. He said his first Mass in this parish on June
8, 1941. Other young people from this parish in religious
orders are Fr. David Tushar; Sisters St. Regis OSB and
Sister Amelia OSB, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. John Faith;
Sister M. Cyril OSB and Sister Barbara Ann OSB,
daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tushar; Sister Mary David
OSB, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gruden, Sr.;
Sister M. Adnives OSB, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Matt Marolt, Sr. and Sister Jean Marie Egger, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Egger.
In 1963, the building of the current St. Joseph's Church
began atop Louisiana A venue on Summit Street. Built on a
400' by 600' lot purchased from the City of Gilbert, with an
exchange of the six lots on New York Avenue, the new
church was constructed. The grassy part, in front of the
church, was purchased sometime in the 1970s.
The parish, led by general building chairman Dr. FJ. Zallar,
dedicated the new home of St. Joseph's Catholic Church on
February 2, 1964. Shortly after moving to the new church,
the old St. Joseph's was destroyed by fire while in the
process of being razed.
Fr. Leo Bartley (1962) served the parish as assistant pastor.
In 1949, Fr. John Doisina (1949-1950) served as assistant
pastor. In 1951, Fr. Schweiger was honored-being
selected
as best citizen of Gilbert.
Fr. Kausek retired in 1972 when his mission of building the
new church had been completed and Fr. John Sustarsic
(1972-1981) returned to Gilbert as pastor.
Fr. John Sustarsic (1952-1953) was assigned to Gilbert as
assistant pastor and continued through 1953.
A second young man from our parish, David Tushar, son of
Mr. and Mrs. William (Julie) Tushar, was ordained into the
priesthood. David began his first senior year at Holy Cross
Seminary at Notre Dame in 1966. As a seminarian and a
deacon, he served at Resurrection Church in Eveleth during
summer vacations. Fr. Tushar graduated with many honors
and was ordained into the priesthood on Apri124, 1976. He
celebrated his first Mass at Resurrection Church. Following
his graduation from Notre Dame, he studied in Rome.
In 1954, Fr. Michael Popesh (1954-1956) succeeded
Fr. Schweiger. At that time, with the help of the CCW, he
instituted the First Friday breakfast-which
has encouraged
the children to receive Holy Communion. With the release
of public school time to teach religion, Fr. Popesh interested
the women in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
Educational Program. To this date, parishioners still aid in
the teaching of catechism classes. Fr. Popesh became pastor
ofSt Martin's Church, Tower, in April of 1956.
In 1956, Fr. John Kausek (1956-1972) came to us from
Sacred Heart Church in Virginia. He introduced fall
festivals, guilds, choirs for children, women and men. In
August of 1958, he helped us celebrate our parish golden
jubilee with celebrations and ceremonies. Church trustees
at that time were Dr. FJ. Zallar and Judge Carlo Paciotti.
In 1958, the total Catholic population was 476 families for
a total of 1835 souls.
4
In 1981, Fr. Steven Savinshek, OFM, Conv. (1981-1982)
succeeded Fr. Sustarsic. Fr. Francis Gaber (1982-1983)
became pastor in 1982 upon Fr. Savinshek's departure.
Fr. Joseph Valliyamthadathil (2006-current) became the next
associate pastor, also residing in the Gilbert rectory. At this
time, the rectory flooring and decor were updated.
In 1983, Fr. Frank Perkovich was administrator until
Fr. Dennot 0 'Doherty (1983-1985) was appointed our next
pastor. Fr. O'Doherty dealt with the repair of some cracked
beams in the church.
In 2007, beautiful statues of St. Joseph, the Sacred Heart,
and the Virgin Mary were refurbished. Parishioner
Ed Kodunce built stands matching the wood of the altar and
podium, and the statues were placed back on the altar.
Fr. Hastings, working with the financial council, came up
with a five year plan for needed church updates. Starting
with the front entrance, necessary changes were made to the
steps. New steps, rails and needed work to the base where
they connect to the church were made. In 2008, a statue of
St. Joseph was installed near the front entrance--dedicated
to Joseph A. Kodunce, a faithful parishoner and parish
gardener, by Edward and Rosemary Kodunce.
In 1985, Fr. Frank Perkovich (1985-2004) became pastor.
During his 19 years of service in Gilbert, Fr. Perkovich
initiated many church renovations. Included in these updates
were the expansion of the altar by moving the choir to the
back of the church and relocating the sacristy. Later he
started a fund to purchase the current pipe organ. After
moving the tabernacle to the right of the altar, he had
starbursts of gold placed above the tabernacle and behind
the crucifix. Wonderful new stained glass windows dress
the church depicting the seven sacraments. A special
dedication of Mary, with an icon picture commissioned by
Fr. Perkovich, was set to the left of the altar. Installation of
new carpeting, an elevator, air conditioning, ceiling fans
and many other improvements were made to our
beautiful sanctuary.
On July 17, 2008, Fr. Hastings left, being assigned to service
in Proctor. Fr. Charles Flynn (2008-current) became the next
pastor ofSt. Joseph's and Resurrection parishes. He started
a pastoral council and appointed Mary Jagunich as our
parish nurse.
With the list of updates needed, Fr. Flynn continued the
work by initiating a "Doors and Floors and More" fund
campaign to raise money. Projects being undertaken were
the restoration of terrazzo floors, replacing all exterior doors,
sound systems improvements and updated lighting, inside
and out. Other projects that are currently, or will be,
undertaken are updates to windows, the furnace system and
many smaller maintenance projects.
In 1986, the women ofSt. Joseph's installed a plaque
dedicating the kitchen to Rosalie Godich. Rosalie spent
many years taking care of the kitchen and hall for functions
held in our parish.
Fr. Perkovich retired to his childhood home of Chisholm
in 2004. Fr. Joel Hastings (2004-2008), while residing at
the parish house in Eveleth, became the joint pastor of
St. Joseph's Church in Gilbert and Resurrection Church
in Eveleth. A short time later, Msgr. Aleksander Suchan
(2004-2006) joined us as associate pastor, residing in the
rectory at St Joseph's.
On May 6, 2009, we will celebrate the 100th year of this
beautiful Parish. The weekend of May 2, 2009, welcomes
back many past priests and parishioners. With the hard work
and dedication of parish members, 300 families, a total of
550 souls, many of the projects have been completed.
We could not have done this without the generous support
of dedicated parishioners.
Fr. Hastings reinstated the finance council. He encouraged
and built upon the participation of parishioners in the parish
and in the Mass. Trustees were Paul Haverkamp and Donald
Bellerud. In 2008, Paul Haverkamp stepped down and Pat
Gentile took over as his replacement.
Thank you to all who have made these-ltn) years
so memorable.
By Barbara Lyons, with the help of previous histories,
and many parishioners, January 22, 2009
In 2006, Msgr. Suchan left to take a three-parish assignment
in nearby communities.
Cover photo taken by Joseph Bozich, in memory of Marge (Sarge) Bozich
5
+
Msgr. John Schiffrer
1910-1911
Msgr. A.L. Pimat
1911-1915
Fr.AJ. Kastigar
1915-1916
Msgr. Mathias Bilban
1916-1937
Fr. PJ. Ryan
Assistant, 1932-1933
Fr. 1. Durkin
Assistant, 1935-1938
Fr. Francis Schweiger
1937-1954
Fr. Leo Hannan
Assistant, 1938-1943
Fr. John Dolsina
Assistant, 1949-1950
Fr. John Sustarsic
Assistant, 1952-1953
Fr. Michael Popesh
1954-1956
Fr. John Kausek
1956-1972
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Fr. Patrick Coyle
Asistant, 1960-1962
Fr. Leo Bartley
Assistant, 1962
Fr. John Sustarsic
1972-1981
Fr. Steven Savinshek, OFM
1981-1982
Fr. Joel Hastings
2004-2008
Fr. Francis Gaber
1982-1983
Fr. Dermot O'Doherty
1983-1985
Fr. Frank Perkovich
1985-2004
Msgr. Aleksander Suchan
Associate, 2004-2006
Fr. Joseph Valliyamthadathil
Associate, 2006-
Fr. Charles Flynn
20087
Fr. Rudolph Faith
Fr. David Tushar
Son of Sadie and John Faith
Ordained June 8, 1941
Son of Julie and William Tushar
Ordained April 24, 1976
Sr. Sylvia Tushar
Sr. Barbara Ann Tushar
Sr. Marian Faith
Sr. Ameila Faith
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tushar, Sf.
Final Vows July 11, 1935
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tushar, Sf.
Final Vows July 11, 1944
Daughter of Sadie and John Faith
Final Vows July l l , 1934
Daughter of Sadie and John Faith
Final Vows July 11, 1941
Sr. Mary David Gruden
Sf. M. Andives Marolt
Sf. Jean Marie Egger
Daughter of Frances and Frank Gruden, Sr.
Final Vows July II, 1945
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Marolt, Sr.
Final Vows August 15, 1936
Daughter of Joe and Mamie Egger
Profession of First Vows August II, 1979
8
St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Summit Street & Louisiana Avenue West
Gilbert, MN 55741
Office: 218-741-9551 Mon-Thurs
Fr. John Kausek Hall: 218-741-1624
e-mail: stjosephs@mchsLcom