Saint George Byzantine Catholic Church - History cont.
A third meeting in June, 1914, increased the pledges to one hundred. It was decided at this meeting that each family would contribute $25.00 and that each single man should give $15.00. The third meeting was indeed a historic meeting because it was at this time that the committee selected the name for the new church. The break with St. Mary’s occurred in April, the Feast Day of St. George, the saint who slew the mighty dragon with a thrust of his lance. With St. George for their patron, they knew it was only a matter of time until they would realize the fruits of their labors - a new Hungarian Greek Catholic Church - “St. George’s Hungarian Greek Catholic Church”.

In the interim, St. Stephen of Hungary Church on Wilson Avenue welcomed the Greek Catholics where they worshipped until they founded St. George’s in 1917.
May 14, 1914, saw the establishment of the Youngstown Hungarian Greek Catholic Parish as a result of many hours of tiring work by Father Papp.

Father Papp served as priest-adviser until May, 1917, when the eighty year old protestant church at 702 Mahoning Avenue was purchased for $10,000.00.

During the three years, from 1914-1917, the members had saved $3,000.00. This sum they added to $4,000.00 loaned interest free by banker George Hamorai, giving a mortgage note for the unpaid balance.

Sacrifice and self-denial was just the beginning for the hardy pioneers, and they responded magnificently to the challenge. The church had to be fitted with the appointments required by the Byzantine Rite. The total cost has been estimated at near $10,000.00. The courageous pioneers who labored long hours in the steel factories for $8.00 a week donated to the church the funds for the appointments.
Rev. Alexander Papp
1917-1920
The truly second historic moment came on Labor Day, 1917, when the parish members witnesssed a dream come
true - the solemn blessing of the church by The Very Reverend Michael Balogh, Dean of the Cleveland Deanery.
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