Code,127018
Speaker,"Fr. Michael Franz, Pastor of St. Stephen Church and Lorraine Mielnik, Parish Secretary"
Date,9/27/2011
Interviewer,Kenneth Valore and James Lanese
Abstract,"This is an interview with Father Michael Franz Pastor of St. Stephen Church and Lorraine Mielnik, Parish Secretary. After introductions there is some background history of  St. Stephen's Church. It was established in 1873 to serve the German speaking Catholics of the community. The founding pastor was Father Stephen Falk from Switzerland and a German presence was prevalent until World War I. Next there is discussion about the architecture of the church and parish population. The German identity is now gone and there is some ethnic mix. Neighborhood outreach, community service and the school is discussed. Mielnik discusses the architecture and gives tours. The church is on the city tour. There is some talk about saving the church from closure and what the future may hold for the church."
Tags,comma-separated
Special Notes,"notes about high points, audio quality, etc..."
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0,"Introductions, Fr. Michael Franz, pastor for 23 years."
1,St Stephens established in 1873 for German speaking Catholics west of the 44th street 'frontier'.
2,There was a heavily German population in Cleveland (not Ohio City).
3,Founding pastor was Fr. Falk a German speaking priest from Switzerland. German was prevalent until WWI.
4,Church structure: German Gothic with high arches. Interior is dominated with carved wood and stained glass windows.
5,"Original windows were replaced with current windows in 1911 from Munich for about $11,000.."
6,Organ was a Johnson pipe reworked by Holdcamp and maintained for past 23 years.
7,Mr. Kolecki plays the organ.
8,Highest parish population was 1200 to 1500 fmailies; currently 800 families.
9,"The German identity is now gone (moved west), however a monthly German mass is offered."
10,"Also, a Latin mass attracts suburban visitors as do St. Coleman and St. Patrick in the near neighborhood."
11,"St., Stephen High School was offered until 1971 on the premises."
12,"Currently, three parishes utilize the facilities as Metro Catholic School in two buildings."
13,Sister of Notre Dame staff the K-8 school.
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15,Community services teamed with St. Bernadette. Active youth group works to maintain the church and neighborhood.
16,"Also, provide social opportunities."
17,A garden program for neighborhood outreach is held in greenhouse on the grounds. Neighborhood safety has also been an initiative.
18,Neighbor houses many renters and much transience; constant flux of members.
19,Crime has diminished in the neighborhood.
20,"Few black, many Spanish-speaking, and some Vietnamese comprise the neighborhood. Vietnamese 'center' did not materialize at St. Stephen."
21,The school represents a larger ethnic mix of students than does the parish.
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23,A tornado in 1953 shifted the church roof and shattered windows; the church closed for a year.
24,A parishioner convinced the pastor to insure the church--fortunately.
25,Munich company sent staff (original artist) to restore damaged windows. Two altar windows were boarded.
26,"Later, Altar windows were replaced when St.Joe's (on Woodland) closed and two similar windows were relocated to St. Stephen."
27,Third parish cat resides there since the 50's.
28,First pastor disliked cats; later Fr. Franz found a cat sitting on his portrait!
29,Cat patrols church during mass sometimes.
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31,"Lorraine, parish secretary conducts church tours."
32,"She is struck by the beauty of the carved wood. German carved, hand fitted without high tech measurements. All carvings are free standing."
33,The carved canopied pulpit is set in the pews for sound management.
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35,Lower statues in the pulpit are of great preachers.
36,Several city tours stop at the church.
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38,Appeal from alumni parishioners and a local protestant community saved the parishes. Artistic and architectural assets were noted.
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41,The issue will be revisited in one year.
42,German presence is finished; a parish in Valley City is current German culture parish.
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