St. Casimir

The history of St. Casimir church begins in late 1901 at St. Columba church where the Polish-speaking people of Youngstown gathered for the first Polish Mission, and where Reverend Charles Ruszkowski celebrated the first Polish Mass in Youngstown.  In 1902, a Polish parish, St. Stanislaus, was formed on the South Side of the city.  By 1907, a group led by Reverend Francis Siatecki sought to establish a parish for Polish-speaking people in the Brier Hill neighborhood of the city. An existing building and gardens were purchased and converted into St. Casimir Church, consecrated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Koudelka of Cleveland.  Father Siatecki became the first pastor.

 

During the 1920s, the pastor Reverend Ignatius Dembowski led the effort to build a combination brick church and school which was dedicated in 1927.  In September of that year, the first parish school was opened in four rooms, staffed by Franciscan Sisters.  In the autumn of 1950, Sisters of the Holy Ghost (later the Sisters of the Holy Spirit) took over the teaching duties. Enrollment peaked at that time but had declined so far that the school closed by 1972.

 

An Altar-Rosary Society was founded in the first year of the parish. The parish was known for its prayer life and activity including the Men’s Club, First Friday Communion breakfasts, May Crowning, and Infant of Prague League. In 1962 they built an outdoor shrine dedicated to the Immaculate Conception with a white marble statue of Mary set above a black granite altar, all imported from Italy.  There was a concrete canopy lined with blue glass mosaic interspersed with gold. Outdoor Masses were celebrated at the shrine.

 

In 1960, the parish took on a different character when it changed from a parish based on its service to the Polish heritage to become a territorial parish serving Brier Hill when St. Ann Parish, established in 1869, closed.  The parish still maintained its dedication to Polish traditions in prayer, music, food, festivals, and devotions.

 

By 2010, changes in demographics and organization all over the diocese brought changes to St. Casimir. Regionalization plans meant that some parishes would merge and some would close. In that year, St. Casimir and St. Columba merged under the name of St. Columba Parish.  The last Mass was celebrated in St. Casimir Church on February 25, 2012, and was then closed and sold.  Memories of St. Casimir are a legacy of faith and Polish traditions.