Keeping up with past and present happenings in a remarkable small town.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Dedication of St.Paul Church ~ September 10, 1911
It was a glorious day 100 years ago today. St. Paul Church Dedication September 10, 1911
6 comments:
Anonymous
said...
This church had the first folding alter in the United States. The steeple is 108 feet high and they purposely made the cross at the top small to make the steeple appear even taller. St. Paul's was created because of the large increase in the amount of German speaking people in Butler.
This is the second St. Paul's church. It was torn down to build this beautiful catheral inspired church. The Peter Duffy family, were great contributors of the building of this Church. His son Charles Duffy started the Duffy Department Store, where the current Dollar Store is located. It was Charles Duffy land that the Catholic part of the North Cememetary now sits.
Charles' great-grandson (Peter's great-great-grandson) is a partner in a New York fashion design company and is worth more than a 100 million of dollar.
It is hard to fathom that St Paul church wasn't always there. So much of my life revolved around the community that worshiped there. My Dad,Mom uncles,aunts,siblings and cousins all were baptized at the church. All the first communions,confirmations. Most of us went to St Paul's school. I remember the beautiful inside,the awe inspiring midnight masses at Christmas and easter,the dread in a young boys heart at the fearsome confessional. Remember the festivals at the school grounds? Most of all Msgr. Spiegal,who worked tirelessly to make the parish and school so successful. It will always have a special place for me inside myself. I can(and do) walk through that church and recall so many wonderful people and events.
To really appreciate the beauty of the art work and stained glass windows. Climb the spiralling staircase of 29 steps to the choir loft. What a sight. I have sung in St. Paul's beautiful choir for almost 40 years and enjoy every minute of it.
I remember many days walking in the snow or blistering heat to Mass at St. Paul's from St. Paul's school. I graduated from St. Pauls in 1955 & still quiver at the houghts of Sister Sebastian & Msgr. Spiegel. My mother & sister also both taught at the school. Many vibrant memories especially of the May Days & our crowning of the Blessed Mother's statue with a halo of flowers!
St. Paul's has what are possibly the most beautiful stained glass windows of any Catholic church in the USA. They are every bit as fine as Tiffany stained glass wndows and maybe even more so because they capture the color and glow of Medieval stained glass. They were made in Munich, Germany. I hope someone has the resources to create a book about the history of St.Paul's and hires a good photographer to document this beautiful church. My mother converted to Catholicism in 1960 and I remember being baptized when I was 12 years old by Msgr Spielgel along with my 2 year old sister. John Magee Waynesburg, PA
6 comments:
This church had the first folding alter in the United States. The steeple is 108 feet high and they purposely made the cross at the top small to make the steeple appear even taller. St. Paul's was created because of the large increase in the amount of German speaking people in Butler.
This is the second St. Paul's church. It was torn down to build this beautiful catheral inspired church. The Peter Duffy family, were great contributors of the building of this Church. His son Charles Duffy started the Duffy Department Store, where the current Dollar Store is located. It was Charles Duffy land that the Catholic part of the North Cememetary now sits.
Charles' great-grandson (Peter's great-great-grandson) is a partner in a New York fashion design company and is worth more than a 100 million of dollar.
It is hard to fathom that St Paul church wasn't always there. So much of my life revolved around the community that worshiped there. My Dad,Mom uncles,aunts,siblings and cousins all were baptized at the church. All the first communions,confirmations. Most of us went to St Paul's school. I remember the beautiful inside,the awe inspiring midnight masses at Christmas and easter,the dread in a young boys heart at the fearsome confessional. Remember the festivals at the school grounds? Most of all Msgr. Spiegal,who worked tirelessly to make the parish and school so successful. It will always have a special place for me inside myself. I can(and do) walk through that church and recall so many wonderful people and events.
Bob Dorcy
To really appreciate the beauty of the art work and stained glass windows. Climb the spiralling staircase of 29 steps to the choir loft. What a sight. I have sung in St. Paul's beautiful choir for almost 40 years and enjoy every minute of it.
Vince
I remember many days walking in the snow or blistering heat to Mass at St. Paul's from St. Paul's school. I graduated from St. Pauls in 1955 & still quiver at the houghts of Sister Sebastian & Msgr. Spiegel. My mother & sister also both taught at the school. Many vibrant memories especially of the May Days & our crowning of the Blessed Mother's statue with a halo of flowers!
St. Paul's has what are possibly the most beautiful stained glass windows of any Catholic church in the USA. They are every bit as fine as Tiffany stained glass wndows and maybe even more so because they capture the color and glow of Medieval stained glass. They were made in Munich, Germany. I hope someone has the resources to create a book about the history of St.Paul's and hires a good photographer to document this beautiful church. My mother converted to Catholicism in 1960 and I remember being baptized when I was 12 years old by Msgr Spielgel along with my 2 year old sister. John Magee Waynesburg, PA
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