April 29 marks 75 years since the ordination of Monsignor James Kolp. The North Canton native passed away February 6 at age 99. On his diamond jubilee, Monsignor Kolp is remembered as a humble servant of God, and a true presence in the Diocese of Youngstown. Our Dennis Biviano has more from those who knew him well.
“What I know about this towering figure, this giant of a priest, but ever so humble, is that he made an incredible impact. And truly a faithful servant,” says Bishop David Bonnar.
Monsignor James Kolp was born in North Canton, on June 11, 1925. He attended Saint Paul School and the former Saint John High School in Canton, now called Canton Central Catholic. At the age of 17 he became of Columbian Squire, the youth fraternity of the Knights of Columbus. He entered Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit Michigan in 1943 and was ordained into the priesthood on April 28, 1950 by Youngstown Bishop James McFadden in Saint Columba Cathedral. He would serve as associate pastor at Saint Columba for seven years. In 2018 with Father James Korda, he spoke about the lighting strike that caught the cathedral on fire and his actions on the night of September 2, 1954.
“And all at once there was a pound on the door. I went to the door and the church is on fire. So immediately I went to the telephone, called the fire department. We went to the altar to take out the blessed sacrament and you could just hear the crackling in the roof. And so we took the blessed sacrament out and we went over where the Sisters of Saint Paul had their apartments there near their bookstore,” says Monsignor James Kolp.
In the years that followed he was spiritual director and guidance counselor at Cardinal Mooney High School and in 1963 at and appointed to the department of theology at Ursuline High School.
“I was in seventh grade, Dennis, but I can still remember Monsignor Kolp encouraging my dad, who was still in his 30s and having seven kids, for sending his kids to Catholic school and getting them involved with the scouting, with the Catholic youth organization, the sports program. You know he, of course he was very encouraging when I decided to enter the Seminary. I know he was delighted of course.”
Throughout the 1960s he spent time as pastor at St. Philip Neri Parish in Dungannon, Pastor at St. Bernadette Church in Masury and Pastor of Saint James Church in Warren. In 1973 he was named pastor of Saint Mary in Massillon, now Divine Mercy Parish, remaining there until his retirement on July 1st, 2000. That same year he was named Prelate of Honor with the distinction of Monsignor. Monsignor Kolp also taught at Walsh College, kept his membership position with the Knights of Columbus, various councils, and Diocesan Director of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
“75 years as a priest is unprecedented. It’s a long time. The breath of his ministry speaks for itself. And all the things he was involved with. He was extremely very supportive of Catholic Television and radio. And so he was kind of an all around priest,” says Father James Korda.
“Really embraced the sacramental life of the church. One of the things that I said in the Homily at his funeral mass, was that, when he arrives at the gates of Heaven, there will probably be people waiting for him. And numbered among those people waiting for him are those who he had helped work out their salvation,” says Bishop Buckon.
“I think what we’re going to miss is the whole idea of presence. He was at every clergy event, even in his later years. He continued to come, to Masses, to funerals, to meetings. Ever so faithful, he truly will be missed, but his example will live on,” says Bishop Bonnar.
