In the Spring of 1922, the
Catholics in Highland Park, most of whom were European immigrants, their
children and grandchildren, began working to raise money for a new church.
When the Parish of St. Elizabeth was officially established by Most Rev.
Denis Joseph O'Connell, Bishop of Richmond, on March 14, 1924, their hopes
became reality.
Mr. Fritz Sitterding donated the lot at the southwest corner of Second
Avenue and Fourqurean Lane for the future church building. In early
1925, the cornerstone of the church was laid. The building was
designed by William H. Rhodes, a parishioner, and by the architectural firm
who employed him. The stained glass window of St. Elizabeth of Hungary
was donated by Joseph Heye, an architect with the same firm. The first
Mass in the new church was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1925 by our first
pastor, Rev. Louis A. Rowen.
The year 1930 saw the establishment of the first school at 925 Fourqurean
Lane. This school was staffed by three Daughters of Charity of St.
Vincent de Paul. In 1936, during the Depression, the school was closed
and the children were transferred to St. Paul's School, that was located not
far away in Barton Heights. The Church purchased a school bus that
transported the St. Elizabeth children to and from St. Paul's School every
day.
However, by 1948, plans for a new parish school were coming to fruition.
It was arranged that the Sisters of Mercy of Merion, Pennsylvania would
staff the school. The rectory, at that time located on Fourqurean
Lane, was given to the sisters as a convent. The present rectory was
purchased in 1949. Ground was broken for the much needed school in May
of 1950 and classes began in the new building on January 2, 1951.
After the late 1940's, the church was painted, redecorated and modernized
several times and eventually received air conditioning and new lighting.
During 1978, under the pastorship of Fr. Michael Schmied, the sanctuary and
the church hall were renovated according to the liturgical restoration
called for by Vatican II and new parish ministries began to flourish.
The result expressed the needs of a racially and economically diverse
Catholic community in an urban neighborhood. Our parish motto of
"Unity/Umoja," which we adopted during this period, expresses our conviction
that a multiracial parish family can work together to build God's Kingdom.
Also, during this time, the St. Elizabeth Gospel Choir was formed to enhance
our parish worship celebrations. Over the years, the choir has become
an important unifying force that has bound our parish family together
especially during times of hardship for the parish.
(Continued)
