Parish With A Rich Heritage"

In the closing days of the war, with the parish debt $117,000, a complete renovation of the church was undertaken and work was completed in time for the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee Mass on October 21, 1945.

In retrospect, those years between 1929 and 1953 were difficult ones for the parishioners of St. Bonaventure's. Soreley beset by a depression, a war and a hugh parish debt, the parish nonetheless managed to pay that debt by 1953. It was not until 1959 that another debt was undertaken, and that amount, $10,000 was paid by 1963. Since then the parish has been free from debt until recently.

It is interesting to note that a study of the financial reports shows that the Spring and Fall Festivals, and especially the weekly Bingo gatherings, were almost solely responsible for the ability of the parish to pay its tremendous debt.

How quickly the years flew by! How may souls have been born, lived and died in the ever-loving arms of St. Bonaventure's since those pioneer days when Father Jacob dreamed ob building a parish for the people of Lick Run.

Now moving toward its Centennial year, the parish could look back with pride at its man, many accomplishments. It was prophetic that as the parish prepared to stary on its second hundred years, Pope John XXIII would inaugurate his no famous aggiornamento - renewal.

For renewal it was under Father Jerome Kircher, O.F.M., in perparation for the Centennial Improvement Fund was inaugurated in October, 1965. In February of 1966, there was a $20,000 major overhauling of the pipe organ. Then the Rose Windows on the east and west side of the church were repaired and storm glass was installed on them.

In the spring of 1968, a major renovation of the sanctuary was undertaken. A new Marble Altar of Sacrifice was installed and the Communion railing was lowered two steps, in keeping with the recommendations of Vatican Council II. The altar of the Blessed Mother was moved to the place formerly occupied by the St. Anthony altar, and the altar of St. Joseph ws moved to the place formerly occupied by the alter of Our Lady of Lourdes. The marble statues of St. Teresa and St Ann replaced the statues of Our Lady of Fatima and of the Infant of Prague,which were moved to the rear of the church. The St. Anthony statue was placed on the east wall of the transept. The floor of the church was raised and secured with concrete pillars. The entire sanctuary was covered with gold carpeting, and a new public address system was installed.

In 1968-1969, under the present pastor, Father Benjamin Roebel O.F.M., the exterior of the portico of the church was cleaned and tuckpointed, and its interior painted and vents installed. Extensive repairs to concrete on the property were undertake. The sisters' residence was tuck pointed and waterproofed. The stained-glass windows in the church were repaired and strengthened and storm windows were installed on the west windows to preserve them. The just completed redecoration of the church interior gave a tremendous boost to the centennial spirit of the parishioners. Through the generosity of the good people of St. Bonnie's  these improvements have all been paid for. Just recently, however, it has become necessary to contract a debt of $65,000 for the work that is being done to the rear of the church and rectory to prevent these building from being destroyed by the sliding hillside.

As the parish adopted each Vatican II recommendation, the people of God were becoming more and more involved in a new and exciting kind of participation in their church.

The Mass became more meaningful as always beautiful Latin words became real when spoken in English. "I will go to the altar of God," echoing through the church brought all a little closer to God's altar.

Ecumenism became a byword when put into practice as illustrated on Thanksgiving Eve, 1967, when a joint Thanksgiving service was held at the Immanuel United Church of Christ on Queen City Avenue. The Reverend Jerome Kircher, O.F.M. Pastor of St. Bonaventure's, delivered the sermon. The following year, the second annual South Fairmount Union Thanksgiving Service was held on Thanksgiving Eve at St. Bonaventure Church.

The Choir

Christmas Day, 1939, marked the beginning of a new generation of outstanding  singers who, in the next 25 years, would bring national and even international fame to the choir and to St. Bonaventure Church.

Next Page