Bittersweet bash for St. Casimir’s

HANOVER TWP. – Celebration of the 120th anniversary of St. Casimir’s Church in Lyndwood on Sunday was bittersweet, as parishioners knew it likely would be the church’s last anniversary celebration.

Diocese of Scranton officials in January announced that St. Casimir’s is slated to close by July 2011 and consolidate at St. Aloysius in Wilkes-Barre.

“I’m very heartsick it’s going to be closed,” parishioner Amelia Nice said after greeting the Most Rev. John M. Dougherty, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Scranton, after Mass. Dougherty concelebrated with the Revs. Andrew Sinnott and Wilfredo Comellas, St. Casimir’s pastor and assistant pastor, respectively, and the Rev. Paul L. Pudhota, pastor of Holy Trinity in Wilkes-Barre.

“It’s a beautiful parish. The people here are all very cordial,” said Nice, who had been a longtime choir member until two years ago, when she could no longer climb stairs to the loft.

She has been a parishioner since the church relocated to her neighborhood in 1957.

The parish has a rich history in the area, having survived devastating events that forced the closing of churches at two previous locations, said anniversary committee member Bea Dennis.

The church was founded Oct. 24, 1889, when Bishop William O’Hara permitted Lithuanians from the Plymouth area to secede from St. Mary’s – a Polish parish in Plymouth. Lithuanian Masses were celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul’s in Plymouth until St. Casimir’s was opened Jan.1, 1891, on Chestnut Street in Plymouth Township, now part of Larksville.

In 1901, a fire destroyed the church and rectory. A large crucifix was one of the few things rescued. Reconstruction was completed Sept.15, 1902, and the rescued crucifix was placed in the vestibule. Disaster struck again in 1954 – a mine subsidence cracked the church walls and the church was condemned. Parishioners rebuilt in Lyndwood.

Bishop Jerome D. Hannan blessed the new church on March 10, 1957, and the congregation’s beloved crucifix was transferred again to the new church. The church and rectory underwent major restoration after being inundated with 7 feet of muddy river water – flooding from Hurricane Agnes in 1972.

Bishop Joseph Martino linked St. Casimir’s with St. Aloysius Church in 2007, and the Rev. Duane Gavitt pastored both churches until his transfer in July, when Rev. Sinnott became pastor of St. Casimir’s, St. Aloysius and Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Sinnott said Sunday’s Mass and a reception and dinner at the Ramada Inn in Wilkes-Barre that followed were “an excellent opportunity to celebrate the life of the parish.”

Parishioners browsed through photo collages and a scrapbook of newspaper clippings at the reception. Also displayed were a jersey from the St. Casimir’s baseball team of the 1930s and a proclamation from former Plymouth Mayor Edward Burns noting the benefits of Lithuanian culture and traditions and declaring Oct. 22, 1989, St. Casimir’s Parish Day for the parish’s 100th anniversary.

At dinner, the parish’s most senior member shared her memories of parish life.

“I was born in Massachusetts. I was 8 when I came here and I’ve belonged to St. Casimir’s ever since,” said Anna Gruzdas, 96.

“I was involved with the bazaars and pancake making. At the old church up on the hill (in Larksville), I sang in the choir and I worked at the dinners. I used to belong to the Christian Mothers until I had my last baby. I have three daughters; they all were baptized in St. Casimir’s and they were all married in St. Casimir’s,” Gruzdas said.

“I don’t like it. I don’t know where I’ll go to church now,” said Gruzdas, of Plymouth.

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Church celebrates 120th anniversary

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