Nearly 110 years ago, St. Matthias was established on the southeast side of Youngstown, Mahoning County, to serve the area’s growing Slovak population.
The mostly Slovak residents of the Lansingville area petitioned the Bishop of Cleveland in 1913—30 years before the Diocese of Youngstown was established—for the right to form their own parish. In June of the following year, St. Matthias was born and Father John Gerenda was its first pastor.
Construction of the frame church began in September 1914, and it was completed on July 4, 1915. Its original location was the corner of Homewood Avenue and Harmon Avenue. But as the city’s Slovak population continued to grow, parishioners realized they needed a larger church. Construction of a brick Romanesque church began in June 1925 on the corner of East Indianola Avenue and Homewood Avenue. It was completed and dedicated in June 1926.
The St. Matthias church that still stands today, at the crossroads of Shady Run Road, Cornell Street and Zedaker Avenue, was actually the parish’s third and final construction. The parish purchased 7.5 acres of land in August 1948 for the church. The first building constructed was St. Matthias School, which was completed in September 1952. The convent was added in November 1957 and the rectory was added in July 1968.
The present church was the last building completed on the property in April 1973. It is a contemporary style brick building with seating for nearly 600 people in a semi-circle arrangement. The stained glass rose window from the original church on Homewood Avenue is set in the rear wall to form the backdrop of the tabernacle, and the original pipe organ was also installed.
The church merged with Holy Name Church on Youngstown’s west side and Sts. Cyril and Methodius downtown. The combined church became known as Our Lady of Sorrows Parish—a merger that happened under the guidance of the parish’s sixth pastor, Monsignor Peter Polando.
Father John Jerek was installed as the parish’s eighth pastor in June 2017. With the recommendation of the Presbyteral Council, Bishop David Bonnar closed both Holy Name and Saints Cyril and Methodius, making St. Matthias the sole worship site for the combined parish.
Parishioners celebrated the 50th anniversary of the church building earlier this year. For more information on the history of St. Matthias, visit their website: ourlady915.org.
