Parish History

More than 60 years ago, Holy Family parish celebrated its first Mass in the Stow Workman High School cafeteria. Fr. Howard E. Sammon led the service, attended by 68 parishioners. A cafeteria table, raised on blocks of wood, served as the new parish's first altar. Throughout the years, Holy Family has grown to become a dynamic parish, now more than 10,000 members strong. Still, to truly know Holy Family Parish, one must take a look back throughout the past 60 years.

The year was 1946 and World War II had ended. Like so many other communities of the era, Stow noted a surge in population. To meet the growing suburban expansion, Archbishop Edward F. Hoban wrote to Fr. John F. Gallagher, pastor St. Joseph Parish in Cuyahoga Falls, authorizing him to purchase property that would ultimately be used for a Catholic church, serving Stow and Silver Lake.

Within months, Fr. Gallagher purchased 19 lots on Sycamore Drive and Kent Road for $5,350.00. A sign of the times, Fr. Gallagher noted in his letter to the archbishop that he had "...kept his name out of it for the time being," an indication of the reluctance and hesitation of the Stow population about the establishment of a Catholic parish in the community.

The parish had land, but no priest.

Fr. Sammon was recently home in Cleveland from a tour as a chaplain with the U.S. Navy, when he was named the parish's first pastor. During the war, Fr. Sammon developed a particular devotion to the Holy Family. As such, he requested that the new parish so be named. His request was granted, and Holy Family Parish was formally established on Oct. 15, 1946.

Fr. Sammon initially lived at St. Joseph's Parish rectory and commuted daily, sometimes walking to the parish's new property, a low, swampy land that he affectionately called "that hole in the ground."

It did not take the parishioners long to begin raising funds — through card and garden parties, raffles and festivals, and the well-known Holy Family roast beef and spaghetti dinners — for their own parish building.

Their hard work paid off. Nearly two years later, ground for the new chapel-school-auditorium of Holy Family Parish was broken, and one year after that, on Aug. 15, 1949, Fr. Sammon celebrated the parish's first Mass in the auditorium of its new building. In September, Holy Family School opened its doors to about 100 students. Four nuns from the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, under the leadership of Sister Mary Ernestine, comprised the first faculty.

The 1950s

The parish continued to grow and thrive as it entered the 1950s. Archbishop Hoban blessed the newly created parish structure with a Mass, dinner, Benediction and reception on May 20, 1950.

Tragedy struck, however, on March 17, 1954. The parish's beloved priest of seven years, Fr. Sammon, suffered a heart attack while distributing Communion at a school Mass. He was taken to St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, where he died the next day. More than 200 priests attended to the grieving parish. He was 49 years old.

Within a month, Fr. J. Leo Brennan took over the duties as parish priest. Although poor health and a disability limited his tenure with the parish to less than a year, he spent his time wisely, continuing Fr. Sammon's work in expanding the school building. The school's first addition, a two-story structure of six classrooms at the west end of the original building, opened in October 1954.

By now the parish had grown to need an associate pastor's services. Fr. William J. Johnson assumed this position at the beginning of 1955.

Later that year, Fr. John H. Archibald succeeded Fr. Brennan. An energetic and vibrant man, Fr. Archibald lead his parishioners in the new openness, spiritual growth and collaborative spirit inspired by Vatican II. He was also known for his wide-range of interests and skills — among them flying an airplane. Each Thanksgiving, Fr. Archibald would take an often-reluctant associate pastor up in the air to bless the parish homes.

Things were about to get exciting for the thriving parish. As the decade neared its end, Holy Family's parishioners looked to the future and broke ground for a new church on Nov. 1, 1959.

The 1960s

The 1960s were marked by extreme growth in the parish. Not only was the church completed in December, a second addition to the school opened up earlier in the year in September. The new section included five classrooms above the original classroom building.

The new, contemporary church, the current home of Holy Family, was built with the pews in a semicircle, around the altar, a design most unusual at the time. Along the walls was the cast aluminum Stations of the Cross with enamel inlays, designed by Akron artist, Mary Ellen McDermott. A series of stained glass windows depicting Catholic family life in Christ and the Corporal Works of Mercy wrapped the church in beauty and inspiration.

In mid-December, Auxiliary Bishop John J. Krohl consecrated the altar of the new church and a week later Fr. Albert Shimalonis, Holy Family's second assistant pastor, celebrated midnight Christmas Eve Mass, with Fr. Archibald conducting the choir. He came down from the choir loft only to deliver the sermon and help distribute Communion.

Fitting to the parish, Auxiliary Bishop Krohl dedicated the new church on Jan. 8, 1961, the feast of the Holy Family.

Four years later, the school expanded yet again, with the addition to the east wing. The parish rectory was also opened that year.

The 1970s and 1980s

In 1971, the parish joyfully celebrated its 25th anniversary. As was the case of the previous decade, the parish continued to grow and prosper during the 1970s.

In December 1977, at the age of 70, Father Archibald ended his 22-year commitment to the parish and retired. He was named Pastor Emeritus. At the beginning of the new year, the parish embraced its newest pastor, Father Edward J. Szabo. Ordained by Archbishop Hoban in 1957, Father Szabo brought an openness and balance to his pastoral ministry. Quiet and unpretentious, Father Szabo was an effective and dedicated priest who would provide continued growth and development to the parish throughout the next two decades.

Three years later, Holy Family's first permanent deacon, John Paroff, was ordained. A second deacon, Philip Kamlowsky, followed suit in 1985.

The 1990s

More and more children were attending the school, necessitating the need for yet another addition to the facilities. Ground was broken for the school's fifth and most vast addition — nine new classrooms, a full-size gymnasium, an expanded library-learning center and a newly remodeled Parish Center. Bishop Anthony M. Pilla dedicated the building in January 1994.

As the school was welcoming growth, sadly the students, faculty and staff said good-bye to the Sisters of Charity a year later. The sisters concluded their ministry at Holy Family after 46 years of service at the end of the school year in 1995.

In 1996, the parish marked yet another milestone — it's 50th anniversary. The congregation celebrated with a Mass lead by Father Szabo.

Three years later, they would say good-bye to their pastor. Father Szabo succumbed to cancer in July 1999, and Father Joseph Lieberth, associate pastor, was named pastor in November of that same year. Fathers James Flood and Neil Crosby served as associate pastors.

The turn of the century

Early into the new century, Holy Family's two associate pastors were reassigned, Father Flood to The Village at St. Edward and Father Crosby to nearby St. Eugene's Parish. Father Mike Ausperk joined the parish in 2001 as Holy Family's sole associate pastor.

It was also this year that the parish established an Endowment Fund and Development Office to support the school financially.

Earlier in the year, Bishop Pilla presented a Pastoral Letter entitled "Vibrant Parish Life". This began a major diocesan movement that serves as the framework for an evolving "pastoral plan." The implementation included training parish leaders, educating parishioners, conducting parish self-studies and networking among other parishes to explore further opportunities for collaboration and common interests.

In the spring of 2002, Father Lieberth was put on administrative leave, and Father Thomas Dragga was named as temporary administrator, a position he would hold for nearly seven months until a permanent replacement was found. In November, Father Paul J. Rosing became Holy Family's Parochial Administrator.

Father Rosing brought a new sense of strength and faith to the parish. Under his guidance, the parish has implemented myriad of new programs, including a senior adult ministry, Generations of Faith and Stewardship, the Honduras mission, and Just Faith, among many others.

The following year, the parish experienced one of its most memorable events yet.

In July, Stow and its surrounding communities were hit with heavy rainstorms. Floodwaters filled the Lower Church Hall and Rectory, causing extensive damage. While no one was hurt, the building did suffer a lot of damage. It took three months of extensive work to undo the damage.

At the same time, the church underwent a makeover as well. New kneelers and carpeting gave the building a refreshed look.

By now, a portion of Holy Family's buildings and facilities were in need of upgrades. In October 2003, a sound amplification system was installed in 29 classrooms. Spearheaded by Joanne Hass, the new system allowed students with hearing problems to understand their teachers more clearly. In June 2004, the school's computer lab was refurbished and two months later, Phase I of the school's window replacement project began.

Other upgrades to the school's heating system, parking lots and sewer system were made in 2005. One of the more notable projects of the time was the Robert Gibel Technical Center, which was dedicated in March 2005. A committed member of the parish, Bob volunteered many hours to build the technical resources of the parish before his death in 2003.

Change was not limited to the physical aspects of the parish at this time. The parish entered Phase II of Vibrant Parish Life. In 2005, the parish implemented the Generations of Faith program, a new path to faith formation that involves those of all ages — from children to seniors. Diane Hurtuk oversaw the development of the program and continues to serve as the director.

Father Ausperk, fondly known as Father Mike, revealed the parish's generosity to the people of Honduras when he lead a medical mission to the country in June 2005. For nearly a year, parishioners donated a myriad of medical supplies — from aspirin to skin ointment — in anticipation of the event. Several people with medical backgrounds traveled to Honduras with Father Mike to administer the medical supplies and to provide much needed medical attention to the people.

Excitement once again surrounded the school when preschoolers hit the halls. The half-day, three- and four-day-day a week program kicked off at the beginning of the school year in 2005.

In June of 2006, Father Mike left Holy Family for a new assignment as associate pastor at St. Vincent DePaul in Cleveland, and the parish welcomed newly ordained priest, Fr. Joseph Mamich. At the time, Fr. Mamich was the youngest priest in the Cleveland Diocese.

Fr. Mamich embraced his new assignment with warmth and a keen sense of humor. He quickly immersed himself in his duties as Parochial Vicar.

In October, Holy Family celebrated its 60th Anniversary. We commemorated our special year with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Richard Lennon on Dec. 16, 2006.

Over the years, the parish's buildings have served the people well, but time had taken its toll. In 2007, Holy Family embarked on a capital campaign to restore and renew the buildings. In "Building our Family, our Faith, and our Future," the parish seeks to the provide important upgrades, as well as, improve accessibility to our church and to create a place for both gathering before and after Mass and a Blessed Sacrament Chapel for both Eucharistic Adoration and daily Mass.

Looking back throughout the years, Holy Family Parish exudes a rich history. Still, one thing has remained constant — the parish is truly a family in and of itself. There may have been some disagreements along the way, but what is more important is the fact that we, the people of the parish, have stood together in good times and bad, lending a shoulder when solace was needed, offering a hand when help was sought and celebrating each other's many joys and blessings. And that is what makes our parish strong.