Code,127015
Speaker,"Frank Lucas, Parish Council President"
Date,9/15/2011
Interviewer,"Kenneth Valore, James Lanese"
Abstract,"This is an interview conducted with Frank Lucas, Parish Council President of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Lithuanian parish. The interview begins with talk of the formation of the parish in 1929 to accommodate the growing Lithuanian community in the Collinwood and Euclid neighborhoods. The first part of the interview traces the location of the parish in the early years along with a growing parish community. In 1953 a new church was dedicated and the school and auditorium were built later. As the interview continues talk of parish life and Lithuanian culture continues.In the later part of the interview discussion is over architectural details of the church, merging parishes and balancing Lithuanian identity."
Tags,comma-separated
Special Notes,Interview conducted in the church.
,
0,"Introductions, Mr. Lucas is the president of the parish council"
1,Our Lady of Perpetual Help Lithuanian parish formed in 1929 from St. George (Superior Avenue) to accomodate growing Lithuanian community in the Collinwood and Euclid neighborhoods.
2,First services began at the Slovenian Home on Holmes Avenue when the Bishop approved new parish.
3,Parish moved into the Hillgrove Inn and used it as their church until 1953.
4,Community was working class; impacted by the depression during its formative years. Immigrant Lithuanians were educated professionals who became tradesmen in the US.
5,The parish was the center of cultural preservation and was a priority; three Lithuanian pastors served during this time.
6,"The local community continued to greow as were communityies in Chicago, Boston, Baltimore."
7,"Parishioners helped build the current church, built in the early 1950's."
8,
9,New church dedicated in 1953. The school and auditorium were built later.
10,Mr. Lucas recalls the early days; the priest would visit parishioners at home and talk of the new church.  Early services wer in the new building which still had a dirt floor.
11,The pastor would collect everything (scrap) to fund the construction.  Huge pile of scrap on the parish grounds.
12,"Like other ethnic communities, following WWII, many young families moved eastward from the city."
13,The culture and language diminished as a result.
14,The church retained the Lithuanian language (lessons and mass).
15,"Additional culture lessons, etc."
16,"Parish is the center of Lithuanian culture: choir, dance groups, basketball, volleyball."
17,Local credit Union sets up on Sundays.
18,The local Lithuanian Club remains active and involved with the church.
19,"Lithuanian community is close and loyal, but considers themselves Americans first."
20,Added details of Lithuanian events.
21,
22,"Mr. Lucas relates personal story. Lithuanians can be found everywhere. even in Texas,"
23,Festivals and events in US and Canada draw from around the world.
24,
25,"The congregation returns for mass, however, diminished."
26,The challenge is to attract the younger parishioners back to parish.
27,"Currently, the local community resides in Euclid and Highland Heights primarily."
28,Communities are growing in Chicago also.
29,Church contains wood carvings imported by the last Lithuanian pastor.
30,Amber stone of Lithuania is depicted in statues and windows.
31,Lithuanian lore recalls raids and occupation by Poles and miraculous recovery of artifacts.
32,Stained glass is original.
33,
34,Eight statues adorn interior.
35,Angular style to art and statues.
36,St Casimir name was given (not chosen) to the church in 2008 when St. Casimir closed/merged.)
37,"Lithuanians have great devotion to Our Lady, hence parish name,"
38,"Merger plans in 2008: St George, Holy Redeemer, St. Jerome, OLPH; all were solvent."
39,"St George and OLPH were merged; some friction, some new parishioners."
40,
41,Other parishioners joined from St. William/St. Paul merger.
42,Parish is challenged with non-Lithuanian members and the desire to retain Lithuanian culture identity.
43,Language and events present challenge of isolating factors within the parish community.
44,Akward to welcome non-Lithuanian groups.
45,"The church organ is original,"
46,"St Casimir is the patron saint of Lithuania, however not parishioners' choice for church name."
47,More of the Poland - Lithuania strife.
48,School closed in the 1980's; successful day care has been operating in the facility.
49,"Parish initiatives: chior, sports, dance group, Holy Name Society, parish commissions to promote parish life."
50,Prayer hour and health ministry to serve the community.
51,Difficult to minister all plans with small membership.
52,The gradual change in the community finds greater ethnic diversity and demand to balance Lithuanian identity with changing parish membership and mission.
53,
54,
55,Church retains simple design; not indicative of Lithuanian style designs.
56,
57,"No other Lithuanian parishes in Cleveland, one in Akron."
58,
59,"Transition from 'Personal Parish"" to Territorial Parish"" raises concern of losing the cultural identity."
60,