Title
Proclamation celebrating the 75th Anniversary of St. Valentine's Parish, located in Bethel Park, County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
Body
WHEREAS, St. Valentine Parish began as a mission of St. Anne in Castle Shannon in 1923, with the formal establishment of the Parish in September of 1931 with Reverend Joseph Pikutis as the first pastor; and
WHEREAS, the Parish's roots go back well before its formal establishment in 1931, with a growing Catholic population, when Italians, Poles, Slovaks and Lithuanians began moving in to work in the mines; and
WHEREAS, in July 1942, tragedy struck the Parish when a fire broke out leaving the church building in ruins, and despite the restrictions of World War II and other difficulties, the Parish pulled together to build a new church, and the first Mass was held on Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943; and
WHEREAS, to meet the educational needs of the youth in the community, the Parish built St. Valentine School and welcomed students for the first time in 1953 with eight classrooms. Due to tremendous growth, an eight-room addition was completed in time for the opening of school in the fall of 1954; and
WHEREAS, in 1965, the convent, now known as Newman House, was built and ground was broken for the present church building. The church, which utilized symbolism throughout the new building, was formally dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, 1967; and
WHEREAS, St. Valentine's Parish, located in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, will celebrate its 75th Anniversary this year;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Allegheny County Council does hereby congratulate St. Valentine's Parish upon the momentous occasion of its 75th Anniversary and joins in celebrating the Parish's rich history and tradition which has enhanced the quality of life for residents in Bethel Park and Allegheny County.