The History ofOur Church
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The History ofOur Church
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| 1925 | Members of the Meistrell family consigned two lots in Munhall to the Diocese of Pittsburgh for the sum of one dollar. The property was placed in trust for the Catholics in the Whitaker, Munhall Gardens and West Mifflin areas for the purpose of building a church on the site. The deed specifically stated that this church must be named in honor of St, Rita. At this time there was no parish, congregation, church building or priest, there was just. a group of Caholics who had to travel to Homestead, Munhall and even to Braddock to worship. They were determined to end the inconvenience and have a church of their own. |
| early 1936 | The Pittsburgh Diocese ruled that a parish could be supported in the Whitaker- Munhall Gardens area. Organizing the parish was assigned to the Missionary Confraternity of Christian Doctrine under the excellent leadership of the Reverend Father Victor Majka. |
| October 18, 1936 | More than 300 people gathered to hear the Reverend Father Reginaldld from St, Augustine in Pittsburgh celebrate the first Mass. The old Whitaker Firehouse on Cedar Street was rented for the occasion. |
| March 7, 1937 | The first Mass in the new provisional church was celebrated by the Reverend Father Fred Sauer. The "church" in the Firehouse was replaced by a provisional church when a shabby, public garage on Whitaker Street was purchased. The renovation was completed during the Great Depression and by the limited funds of the parishioners. The most these people could offer were their own muscle, craftsmanship, skill and love. |
| September 30, 1937 | The Reverend Father William Brennan was appointed first resident pastor. He served for less than a year. |
| 1938-1948 | The second pastor was the Reverend Father Paul Odelga who remained until his death in 1948. During his pastorate improvements and additions to the parish facilities continued. Overshadowing this time were significant historic events: the transition to a better economy, a six year global war and locally, the displacement of thousands of people from the lower Homestead area when their homes were procured and razed so the steel mill could be expanded. Many of these people relocated to the Whitaker, Munhall Gardens and West Mifflin areas. Because of the increased number of Catholics attending St. Rita, the provisional church became inadequate. Attending Mass by standing on the sidewalk, while keeping an eye on traffic, would not do. |
| 1948-1955 | The next pastor was the Reverend Father Thomas Harnyak. He announced, on the occasion of the parish's 15th Anniversary, that the parish was debt free and also that there was over $57,000.00 in savings for the construction of a school and temporary church. |
| June 16, 1955 | This project became the job of pastor Reverend Father John Vlha. The new facility was to be built on the two lots acquired from the Meistrell family some 30 years earlier as well as other acquisitions made since that time. |
| May 22, 1959 | The new two-story structure, with the temporary church on the ground floor and a school on the second floor was dedicated. Sisters of the Divine Redeemer staffed the school and a convent was built for them adjacent to the school building replacing the older, smaller one across the street. The school, at the height of its enrollment, had over 300 students, but declining enrollment forced the closing of the school in 1985. |
| September 11, 1972 | Father Vlha died and the Reverend Father Valentine Sedlak began his pastorate. He set for himself the goal of building a permanent church and a much needed social hall. The rectory was moved to the old convent and the Whitaker Street property was sold. Bishop Vincent Leonard granted permission for the new church to be built. A campaign to raise approximately $100,000.00 for the church succeeded quickly. |
| December 14, 1975 | Ground was broken. |
| October 10, 1976 | The new structure was dedicated just in time for the 40th Anniversary
of the parish. When the temporary church was vacated, work began on converting
it into a cafeteria for the school as well as a social hall for the parish.
Once again the muscle, craftsmanship, skill and love of the parishioners
came into use by providing almost all the help needed in converting the
building. Some of the parishioners who as youths helped to convert the
garage on Whitaker Street were now the adults who converted the church
to a social hall. The social hall has become the center for numerous activities
such as weddings and banquets as well as a meeting place for the parish
activities like the Women's Guild, Men's Club, Rosary Society, Golden Agers
Club, numerous activities and now the Christian Doctrine Program.
   
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| May 31, 1993 | Father Sedlak retired and Father Alvin J. Adams, the current pastor, was assigned to the church. |