Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, September 27, 2002 Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration By Joanne Malene Staff Associate CANTON – Every hour on the hour, the bells of St. Joseph Church ring out, reminding residents on the west side of Canton that it is time to pray. This year, the parish is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The culminating event will be a Mass and dinner Oct. 6. The 3 p.m. Mass will be concelebrated by Bishop Thomas Tobin and (retired auxiliary) Bishop Benedict Franzetta; former pastors, Father Arthur Nist and Msgr. David Rhodes; current pastor, Msgr. Frank Carfagna; as well as the four “sons of the parish,” Msgr. Robert Sabatino, Father Ronald Klingler, Father Thomas Cebula and Father Edward Beneleit, associate pastor. St. Joseph Parish was founded in 1902. In 1901, several families petitioned Bishop Ignatius F. Horstman, then the Bishop of Cleveland, to establish a parish on the west side of Canton because of the growing Catholic population there. “They bought land on the corner of W. Tuscarawas Street and Harrison Avenue,” said Msgr. Carfagna, “but it wasn’t big enough for a church and school. Eventually, they bought this property, where the church is now, with the help of a Quaker and sold the other lot.” The first pastor was Father Clement Treiber, who had been pastor of Canton St. Mary. St. Joseph Parish used a combination chapel and school from 1903 to 1918, until the downstairs of the church hall was completed. Construction for the current church was begun in 1928, just before the start of the Great Depression. “They had a difficult time paying for the church,” Msgr. Carfagna said. “But, Father Treiber was in his late 70s, so he resigned, and an interim pastor, Father Anthony Mechler, was appointed.” The church construction was completed in 1932. In April 1933, Father Ralph Kotheimer, who had been pastor of North Canton St. Paul Parish, was appointed pastor. In 1967, Father Arthur Nist was appointed, following the retirement of Msgr. Kotheimer. Father Nist retired in 1979 as pastor emeritus, and Msgr. David Rhodes served for the next 11 years. Msgr. Carfagna, a Canton native who attended St. Peter and St. John schools and Canton Central Catholic High School, was named pastor in 1990. Today, St. Joseph is an active, vibrant parish with about 1,770 registered families. There are 232 children in the parish school, from pre-kindergarten through grade eight. Msgr. Carfagna is justifiably proud of his parish. “I would say one of the strengths of this parish is the volunteerism,” he said. “The people always respond generously and readily in volunteer ministry, in the school, liturgically and in fund-raising activities. People have always come forward and have been very generous with their time. Those who come to Mass support the Church very well.” Joan Harold and her husband, Fred, have been members of St. Joseph since 1949. The couple has 12 children, all of whom graduated from St. Joseph school. “It is a very traditional parish,” Mrs. Harold said. “We have always found it to be friendly and active. It is a busy parish. There are some days of the week when there were six different things going on, all at the same time. There are always a number of things where people will feel welcome. “I am so proud of St. Joseph Parish,” she continued. “I personally think Msgr. Carfagna’s sermons are so good. He is very strong on the liturgy, both musically and the written word. He is very committed to that. We have a group of ladies who say the rosary every morning after Mass. Monsignor calls them the Ladies of Jerusalem. They pray very hard.” The pastor said the parish encompasses a wide range of ages. “I think if we were to put it on the bell curve, the vast majority of parishioners are in the 35 to 65 age group,” he said. “We also have a number of elderly and a number of young people. “We have many people who have moved out of the area, but have continued their membership here, because of the beauty of the church and the liturgy. They have very close ties. We have a lot of people from Jackson Township, North Canton, Louisville, Bolivar and Minerva. Thirty percent of our parish registrants are from out of our parish boundaries.” Wilbur Bagley and his wife, Nancy, have been parishioners for 37 years. The couple has two sons. Bagley has been a permanent deacon at St. Joseph for 19 years. “I was ordained in 1983,” Deacon Bagley said. “I think it was one of those gradual processes that you go through. I was active in church life and it seemed to be a natural calling… St. Joseph has really become my home. The people here are wonderful, middle-class American people. They are very dedicated, very giving. They are the ones who ‘fight the wars and pay the taxes.’ This parish has been very welcoming, very supportive of me and of my ministry. I can’t say enough good things about them. Monsignor has been very supportive of ministry. He has been, I think, our leadership. He is very caring.” The pastor spoke about the friendliness of the parish. “We have a remarkable esprit de corps,” he said. “There is a good mixing of the age groups.” Eileen Sellers, 25, is one of the younger members of St. Joseph Parish. The daughter of Brad and Heidi Sellers of Canton, Sellers was baptized at St. Joseph, went to the parish school, then on to Central Catholic High School and John Carroll University. Now, she is back at St. Joseph School, teaching first grade. “I think it is so neat that I went to school here and now I am back teaching here,” she said. “I still have younger brothers and sisters who attend school here. … I love this parish and the families I work with here at school and the families I knew growing up. I am a Eucharistic minister, and I help with the mission week and other activities. Monsignor is great. We go to Mass with the children’s liturgy every Wednesday here and his homilies are so interesting. Also, our church is so beautiful. I think it is the prettiest church in Canton, by far.” M.J. Albacete, director of the Canton Museum of Art, also thinks St. Joseph Church is beautiful. In his book, “Historic Architecture in Canton,” Albacete commented on the interior and exterior of St. Joseph Church: “It’s architectural style is Italian Romanesque Revival. Patterned after St. Andrew’s Church in Orvieto, Italy, St. Joseph’s reveals distinct Italian Romanesque characteristics with its basilica floor plan and its impressive campanile, or bell tower.” The distinctive bell tower, which is visible for blocks around the church, has an open belfry with a balcony on each side. Supporting corbels or stone architectural brackets, built into the wall, project out from it to support the weight of the tower. It all ends in an elaborate parapet. At the front of the church, over the recessed portico, a large stained glass rose window fills the nave wall. The interior of the church is filled with stained glass windows, rounded Roman arches, architectural and religious murals, frescoes, stenciling, tromp l’oeil and other decorative finishes. “When the church was built, it won a lot of architectural awards,” Msgr. Carfagna noted. “I think that we have one of the most beautiful churches in Northeastern Ohio.” Many parishioners sing the praises of Msgr. Carfagna and Father Edward Beneleit, the associate pastor of St. Joseph, who has been at the parish since August 2001. For Father Beneleit, being assigned to St. Joseph, his home parish, was a blessing. “There is such a strong faith here among the people,” he said. “People I knew when I was in grade school are here, still faithful, worshipping at St. Joseph. It is such a good parish and the liturgy and faith have a lot to do with it.” Faith is part of what draws Stephanie Kirkpatrick, 18, to St. Joseph Parish. The daughter of Kathy and Tom Kirkpatrick, Stephanie graduated from Central Catholic and is now a freshman at Miami University of Ohio, studying speech communication. “I have been at St. Joe’s since I started kindergarten there,” Stephanie said in a telephone interview. “I love knowing everybody there. I have grown up there – it is like a second family. There are a lot of people I can go to and talk to like my family. They have watched me grow up. I was an altar server for seven years, so I really got to know all of the priests very well. You can always talk to them.” “Going to St. Joseph has been the best experience of my life,” she said. “St. Joseph’s has given me a good foundation and taught me about my faith. I have such an awareness of my beliefs and faith at my young age and I think going to St. Joe’s has had a lot of to do with that.” Steve Roof, 18, a senior at Central Catholic, was also baptized at St. Joseph and attended the parish school. The son of Pam and Terry Roof of Canton, he is the middle child of seven siblings. He is president of the senior class at Central. “When I was little, obviously my parents took me to church and told me to go there,” Roof said. “But now that I am older, have gotten confirmed and can make my own decisions, I still go to church there. It meets my special needs, my spiritual side. “It’s like home to me, very welcome. I know everyone, know who is there – it really creates a good atmosphere. I have grown close to Monsignor and to the other priests who have been there. “When I pay attention to the homilies, they are very rewarding,” Roof said with a big grin. “I really like Msgr. Carfagna’s and Deacon Bagley’s talks. They do a good job explaining things, like how Jesus wants us to act. The choir is good, too. It sings at 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays. Everything I want from church is there.” The Raphael Choir is just one of the many draws of this very active parish. Begun in 1934 by Msgr. Kotheimer as a men’s and boy’s choir, the choir now includes men and women of all ages. Directed by Lynn Frey, the 57-member choir was invited to perform in Rome. The parish also has a children’s choir, a men’s quartet, a girls’ ensemble, a men’s chorus and a handbell choir. Brooke Benko, 21, is a senior at Kent State University, majoring in magazine journalism and French. She has been attending St. Joseph Parish almost her entire life, although she just went completed the RCIA program five years ago. She is the daughter of Brad and Linda Benko and graduated from Canton South High School. “I studied in France last year,” Miss Benko said. “The sound of the Raphael Choir and just the look of the [St. Joseph] church itself are so European. I felt a connection, just like I have seen and heard in Europe.” A CD commemorating the 100th anniversary of the parish has been produced, featuring the music programs of the parish. Titled “100 Years of Faith, Worship and Service: A Musical Celebration,” the CD is available for $10 by calling the rectory at (330) 453-2526. General chairpersons for the parish centennial celebration are Frances and Charles Kramek. “The biggest strength of the parish is the friendliness of the people and their willingness to help,” said Charles Kramek. “This has been a year-long celebration and so when the call went out to help, people stood in line to help.” Janet and Dick Jenkins has been involved in a variety of parish activities, including scouting and St. Vincent DePaul, for more than 38 years. They have six children and 11 grandchildren. “We started out in scouting with our own kids,” Dick Jenkins said. “Now our grandchildren are in there. St. Joe’s offers a good Christian foundation. Father Carfagna and Father Beneleit give good sermons that incorporate everyday life.” “Also, St. Joe’s has a lot of different programs,” Janet Jenkins said. “We know everybody and usually, when someone has a project – a fish fry or something – we all know who we can count on and ask for help. We enjoy working with the parish.” “Since Vatican II, over the years, we have become more a part of the parish,” Dick Jenkins said. “By being Eucharistic Ministers and part of the service, we are part of the liturgy, not just spectators.” Leo Koller, 75, has also been active at St. Joseph. He and his wife, Dorothy, have been parishioners for 48 years. He is also a Eucharistic Minister, an altar server, a member of the parish finance committee and is chair of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and Campfire. “We are a family at this parish,” Koller said. “We have been blessed with good pastors and good assistant pastors. We have a good school, a good principal. “I think, when you distribute the Eucharist, and you see the older people coming forward and then you see younger families with their children, coming up for communion, it is great. It says a lot about our parish.” Jim Boylan agrees with Koller. Boylan has been a parishioner since 1928. He and his wife, Angela, have three children. Retired from Ohio Bell, Boylan is an usher and is chairman of the parish finance committee. “I do whatever Monsignor wants me to do,” he said. “I used to run the festivals and did a lot of work in that nature, but we don’t have festivals anymore. So now, I work with anything concerning finances.” “I think the strength of this parish is the willingness to serve,” Boylan continued. “We have a lot of younger families who are still coming in. Distance doesn’t seem to make a difference; they still participate. “The Church isn’t a building, the Church is the people,” he said. “I would never leave here. The only time I will leave is when they carry me out, feet first.” Among the staff members of St. Joseph Parish not mentioned above are: Greg Jackson, parish director of religious education; Lynn Frey, minister of music; and Linda Preece, school principal. For many years, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cleveland staffed St. Joseph School. The Catholic Order of Foresters Court 1358, a fraternal insurance organization which has been part of St. Joseph Parish since 1902, will have Mass at the parish at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28. Afterward, the Court will host dinner for each member and a guest at the Executive Event Center, 5211 W. Tuscarawas St., beginning at 6 p.m. Regular meetings of the group are held October through May every second Thursday at 7 p.m. in the church hall. Summer meetings are held at the 38th Street Shelter in Arboretum Park. Members are involved in various parish activities throughout the year, including the parish festival. This year, Foresters raised $1,000 for the parish from a national matching fund program; the monies will be used for more than 300 religious education students in the parish. New members are welcome. John A. Danner is the Chief Ranger.   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001