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In the early 1960s, our faith – and the community of West Mifflin – were booming. New homes were popping up throughout the borough that were filled with young families strong in their Catholic beliefs. With the surrounding local churches overflowing, it soon became evident that a new parish needed to be formed for those living in West Mifflin near the Allegheny County Airport. Accordingly, with the approval of the diocesan consulters and the pastors of the adjoining parishes, Bishop John J. Wright decreed the establishment of the new district parish of the Holy Spirit, West Mifflin Borough, effective Monday, May 20, 1963. This new parish – the one we’ve grown to call our home – was created from St. Elizabeth, Pleasant Hills, and St. Paulinus, Clairton.
In a letter dated May 9, 1963, the Bishop informed Fr. Thomas J. Horner, who had been serving as the assistant pastor at St. Agnes Church in the Oakland section in Pittsburgh, that he had been chosen to be the first pastor of the new parish and would have the task of opening this “new frontier.” When the letter of
the appointment arrived, Fr. Horner said that he had to pinch himself to make sure it wasn’t just a dream. He knew deep within himself that what would become Holy Spirit Parish was bigger than he was and he was honored to lead this new parish.
The diocese had purchased about 11 acres of ground on Old Elizabeth Road with an entrance from Lebanon Church Road opposite the county airport. There were no buildings on the property, so arrangements would have to be made for living quarters and a place for the celebration of Mass.
No time was lost as Monsignor Henry Immekus, pastor of St. Elizabeth Parish, welcomed Fr. Horner to live at St. Elizabeth Rectory until arrangements could be made for Holy Spirit Parish. Michael Calabro granted the use of his hangar at the county airport for the parish Masses. Fathers David Crowley and Walter Benz provided vestments and other articles for the sanctuary. Cal Chesleigh, a janitor at St. Elizabeth’s, set to work constructing an altar, while Andy DeBaldo had his carpenter make two large kneelers that would serve as a communion rail.
On Monday, May 20, 1963, Fr. Horner arrived at his new parish. At that moment, the parish consisted of a plot of ground, a chalice, and an altar stone. Although its material resources were minimal, it was rich in enthusiasm and eagerness. The men of the parish immediately rallied behind the pastor to prepare for the first Masses, which would be very soon because the upcoming Thursday was a Holy Day, the Feast of the Ascension. Will Kampas offered his truck, and men borrowed chairs from the neighboring parishes in West Mifflin – including St. Agnes and Resurrection – and on Wednesday evening, a section of the Calabro Hangar at the airport was converted into a church. A group of women took over the work of preparing the altar and sanctuary. And, on Ascension Thursday, May 23, 1963, the first Masses were offered within the confines of Holy Spirit Parish. About 350 people attended that first Mass, with John and Daniel Flynn serving as altar boys. About 700 attended the evening Mass, with Thomas and John Riedl serving as altar boys.
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