History of Holy Resurrection Church
Compiled and submitted by Nicholas Grabana
January 2001
Reverend John Kluchko
Father John graduated from Christ the Savior Seminary in Johnstown, PA in 1960 with a Licientate in Theology. He finished his Bachelor of Science in 1961 and continued further studies at St. Tikhon's Seminary graduating May 1962.
On June 9, 1062, he married the former Mildred Seymour and was ordained June 25th of that same year. He was first ordained a Deacon by Metropolitan Leonty on June 24th and later priest by Bishop Dimitiri of North Eastern Pa. diocese of Philadelphia.
His first parish was in Bethlehem, Pa. at St. Nicholas Church from July 1962 until May 1963. He then went to Holy Trinity parish in Elmira Heights, New York serving from May 1963 until 1966.
He started graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh September 1966 and graduated with a Master of Social Work in April 1968.
As the result of love and faith, a group of dedicated Orthodox realized the need of a congregation to serve the people in the Belle Vernon-Fayette City area. A small group of people petitioned the Reverend Vladimir Soroka to organize a parish in Belle Vernon. With cooporation and encouragement of the membership of Holy Trinity Church of Charleroi, Father Vladimir began the initial plans. Rev. Ronald Johnson and his congregation of Lynnwood Lutheran Church offered the use of their annex to serve as an Orthodox chapel. On November 1, 1964, the first Orthodox service was celebrated in Belle Vernon Chapel along with members of Holy Trinity Church.
Interest in the chapel grew and on December 30, 1965, a special meeting was held to decide the organization of a new parish. Present at the meeting were: Rev. Vladimir Soroka, John Ferencz, John Yuschak, John Monita, Samuel Zabowsky, Daniel Schuresko, Walter Trembach, Peter Honchalk, Elmer Shlanta, Michael Karbowsky, and Metro Dudick.
The early months of 1966 were used to locate land and area needed for potential members. Services continued at the chapel on a regular basis.
By July 1966, a number of members expressed interest in continuing the expansion. The congregation met and sent a letter to Metropolitan Ireney requesting that a priest be assigned to the new parish. During this meeting, the name of the parish was decided and the first church council elected. Members choses were as follows: Church Elder: Daniel Schuresko, Vice Elder: Joseph Krill, Financial Secretary: Michael Karbowsky, Treasurer: Metro Dudick, Secretary: Gloria Yuschak, Committee Men: Elmer Shlanta, Samuel Zabowsky, Walter Trembach, John Ferencz, Arthur Steiner, Peter Honchalk, and John Monita.
It was announced at this time that Mr. and Mrs. Walter Rusyniak had donated four lots of land located on Mary Street, Belle Vernon and that the parish was negotiating to purchase five additional lots, which were later purchased from Frank Masteriano and Andrews Estate.
On August 29, 1966, a resolution was received from His Eminence, Metropolitan Ireney that Father John Kluchko was assigned to serve the needs of the parish and that he was to assume duties effective September 4, 1966.
The parish was incorporated on December 19, 1966 as Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church of the Belle Vernon Area.
The Church Council in combination with Father John organized the Building Fund. Its first goal was to raise money to be used toward the purchase of land. The Building Committee was chosen and Mr. Benjamin Trnasky was appointed architect. The Building Committee member were Father John Kluchko, Chairman, and Peter Honchalk, Co-Chairman. Committee members were Michael Karbowsky, Nicholas Grabana, John Ferencz, and Daniel Schuresko. Details were proposed, a special parish meeting was held on May 21, 1967, and a motion was carried unanimously to continue work.
In December, 1967, a bank loan from Charleroi Federal Savings and Loan was received and plans were sent out for bids. The first bids received were higher than approved and the Building Committee submitted new plans for re-bidding. On January 3, 1968, new bid were opened and the contract to construct the new parish church was awarded to Henry Motycki for construction.
The construction began in March, 1968 and one year later, the first service was held in the new church on March 30, 1969. Holy Trinity Church of Charleroi joined Holy Resurrection Church as Father John Kluchko and Father Vladimir Soroka officiated at the Minor Blessing and celebration of the first Divine Liturgy.
Chairman Peter Honchalk and the Building Committee made regular inspections. The cupola and cross were installed at additional cost. As the church neared completion, stained glass windows were installed February 1969 and flooring and pews March 1969. The altar was built and installed by Daniel Schuresko. As time progressed, the interior and exterior of the church was completed.
In 1967, Anthony Miralles was appointed permanent choir director and still continues at the present time. The choir provided numerous gifts to the parish is performing beautiful hymns of the church even to the present time.
The Holy Resurrection Church mad their first bank payment on the church loan April 1968 at Charleroi Savings and Loan Association account # 6688.
A memorial fund savings account # 14258 was begun at Western Pa. National Bank of Belle Vernon and received its first deposit in July 1968.
A bell fund was begun June 1968. Bells were installed by I. T Verdin Co. A church dome was completed the same year.
In September 1966, Father John Kluchko and the ladies of Holy Resurrection Church of Belle Vernon met and organized a ladies guild, the St. Barbara's Altar Guild. The women worked very hard and were very successful, completing many projects for the church. The Guild furnished a kitchen in the church basement and were providers for many remodeling projects for the church. The church basement was remodeled in 1969.
The parish rectory fund was established October 1971. The dedication was on October 12, 1972 at 5:30 P.M. with His Grace Bishop Theodosius as celebrant. A banquet followed in the church hall. In the thirty years that the Altar Guild has been established, they have helped to furnish both the Church and the rectory and are still working fervently with the church providing monetary gifts at Christmas and Holy Pascha.
On May 1969, Julian Wolaniuk was commissioned to do art work for the Desis Cycle in the altar and later painted icons for the iconostas. The iconostas was build and installed by George Kostelac in July 1970.
As the interior of the church neared completion, L.C. Miller, contractor, began work on the exterior of the church. The landscaping and park lot excavation began September 1970 and was finally completed in 1971. Bashada Garden Center provided the grass and shrubs around the church, Bellmar Nursery did the landscaping, and Dravo Corp. completed the concrete walks around the church.
The parking lot construction was completed a second time by George Frich, contractor, in 1984 with Gable Creative finishing the landscaping.
The plachenitcha was first built by John Monita and later redone by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Morozik in 1984. Belle Vernon Door Sales Inc. installed a new garage door November 1985. In the same year, a new air conditioning unit was installed.
During the next few years, several projects were funded by the Building Fund including the center church chandelier. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Krill donated the icon of the Nativity which was installed on the bottom of the chandelier in 1988. All new lights were installed in the church in 1990 with the use of a church lighting fund.
Father John and members of Holy Resurrection Church started an endowment fund in 1989 to provide the parish with a source of income to supplement the general fund. Only monetary gains by interest, dividends or capital gains of the previous three years could be used. The principal would remain intact and the church council would have authority to direct the use of fund earnings. Should a catastrophic incident occur, only then can the principal be used.
In 1993, the church began a second flooring fund to provide new carpeting. In 1994, new carpeting was laid in the entire church.
A new concrete driveway was installed at the rectory in 1995 and outdoor lights added to the front and side of the church. The church basement was painted and the bottom of the front stairwell refurbished by John Leavor. Mr. Leavor als completed work at the rectory. The church purchased a new amplifier for the public address sound system in 1995.
Charles Urdenis thanked Father John for his spiritual guidance, Matushka Millie, Father Deacon and Matushka Daniels, the church choir director Anthony Miralles and the church choir, St. Barbara's Altar Guild, Mary Braddock, Peter Honchalk, and Walter Kuch for work around the church. A thank you was also given to Margaret Krill for her janitor work.
The council president honored Nick Grabana as he retired for his work of recording church contributions since 1966. Beth Saul has resumed the position doing a remarkable job.
The By-Law committee has reviewed the property and all is in order.
For Father and Matushka Kluchko's 35th anniversary, a monetary gift was given.
Walter Kuch spent many hours working around the church grounds. His death was a great loss to the church and he will be greatly missed.
Walter Tembach is the janitor and doing a fine job for the parish. The church and parish was to thank John Costello, Charles Yesconish, and Joseph Krill for installing a ramp in front of the glass doors at the church entrance. The rectory roof was replaced in 1997.
A church Fall Festival has been done since 1997 with Peter and Stephanie Mirella leading the team. Joe Perun, financial secretary and Nick Grabana have worked together for many years providing records for the church's income.
The church pews were re-upholstered in 1999. A handicap elevator was installed in the church basement in May 1999.
In the year 2000, with the rekindle of the light fund, a new cupola made of gold fiberglass construction was installed on the church. On the day of the installation, September 18, 2000, Father John and the parish celebrated vespers at 7 P.M. ending with a procession with the cross and prayers around the church. God Bless.
On a personal note, I want to thank our Council President Charles Urdenis, the church council members, Father John and Matushka Millie, Father Deacon Larry and Matushka Sophie Daniels for their support, Anthony Miralles, Peter Mirella and the choir, St. Barbara's Altar Guild, Mary Peffer for religious article sales, Mary Braddock for the coffee hour, and Margaret Krill who is doing a fine job as janitor. To Peter Honchalk, John Karbowsky, John Costello, and Charles Yetsconsih, thank you for the various work around the church. Thank you to Walter Trembach for doing a fine job of cleaning around the church and also Samuel Zabowsky, who was our reader in the church. To countless other people, thank you.
"Glory Be To Jesus Christ"
Compilled and submitted by Nicholas Grabana
January 2001