He was succeeded in later years by 7 other pastors.Ī school was added to the second floor of the original church building, but with the growing population, they could barely facilitate students.

Chaloupka took over leadership in 1909, and would continue to lead the parish for the next 47 years, until his death in 1956. Many priests came and went over the first 6-7 years, as most of them lacked fluency in the Slovak language. Finally, come Decemthe community had built and consecrated its first church. Before the construction of the first church, rooms were rented to members to hold mass. During this time, $2,500 was not easy to come by, seeing as most of the members were working 12 hour days for $1.25. $2,500 was paid out by founding members of Nativity to establish the parish. By 1902, they had found and petitioned Cleveland Bishop Ignatius Horstmann to establish the parish. It was difficult at this time due mostly to scarcity of priests who could minister to them in their native tongue. Eventually much of the Slovak population had joined together to petition to establish a Slovak Roman Catholic parish in the Newburgh area. 93 rd St.įor some years, families would walk to worship at St. At this time, immigrants were living 3 or more families to a house, primarily along E. During these years, Cleveland’s industry was still growing rapidly. plant, among other surrounding foundries and the like. Many immigrants had found work in the nearby American Steel & Wire Co. Ladislas in 1885, it would see rapid growth with the incoming Slovak population into the surrounding neighborhood. This was the time when Slovak immigrants were still arriving in Cleveland.

However, we can look back as far as to 1885 for a bit of history prior to its initial construction. Eventually, the historic Cleveland church we see today would be rebuilt for the growing population. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s history spans back to its initial construction on December 6, 1903.

Abandoned life church