Happy New Year! 2017 In Review

Happy New Year to our St. George Family & Supporters!!

Please note that the 2017 St. George Family Cards for the Heinz History Center are now expired.To get a new card for 2018, please visit the St. George Store.

Once again in 2017, hundreds of individuals, organizations and businesses have supported our efforts.

To see the list of our supporters, click HERE.

We would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the significant progress in our mission to reopen & restore the former St. George Church. With the help of our St. George Family, alumni, SJV parishioners, neighbors and our supporters, it has been a productive year.

Recap

On August 25, 2016, the Vatican revoked the decision to close St. John Vianney Church (consecrated as St. George Church). They indicated that the church continues to be “a consecrated edifice......would retain it's sacred character”.

Because the church is still a consecrated edifice, it is not to be sold or cannibalized for salvage value and the stained glass windows are protected. The church is under the jurisdiction of St. Mary of the Mount Parish. The liabilities and debt of the former St. John Vianney Parish were forgiven after the parish was divided. The liabilities and debt were never an obligation of the church building.

Parishioners and the St. George Church Preservation Society (SGCPS) are now immediately prepared to care for the church and to begin the restoration work.

2017 in review

January

Since the Vatican revoked the decision to close the church, the planning process and dialog with Diocese and St. Mary of the Mount Parish continued.

February

A detailed plan was presented to the Parish where the Church would serve as a ministry base to serve Allentown and the surrounding neighborhoods at no cost to the Parish. The restoration of the church would be accomplished over five years by SGCPS.

Sadly, in February, we lost Gary Lindner. Gary was a founding member of the St. George Church Preservation Society and dedicated much effort and determination to our mission.

April

On April 23 (the feast day of St. George) a capacity crowd filled the Linden Grove Nightclub in Castle Shannon as the St. George Family and supporters gathered for a fun filled evening of dining and dancing.

May

A presentation was made to St. Mary of the Mount Parish Pastoral Council to give a detailed outline of the proposal to reopen and restore the Church. In addition, a detailed lease and business plan was provided to the Diocese and Parish to define the proposal to operate and restore the Church at no cost to the Parish.

We welcomed a graduate of the Catholic University of America in architecture to join our planning committee.

June

Unfortunately, on June 18, the Diocese issued a new decree to keep the Church closed. This new decree includes the removal of the stained glass windows, sacred items and anything of salvage value. In response, the procurator for our parishioners initiated the appeal process to suspend this new decree.

Our committee welcomed another new member with experience in mechanical engineering and project management.

July

Our procurator met with Bishop Zubik and his staff to provide details of our proposal to reopen and restore the Church and discuss the proposed lease and business plan. Unfortunately, this viable proposal was declined. As a result, parishioners will again appeal this issue to the Vatican court system.

SGCPS joined the Sen. John Heinz History Center affiliate program (HCAP). This affiliation provides benefits to the St. George Family and resources for SGCPS.

A security camera system was installed to monitor activity around the Church.

August

The appeal documents with 30 attachments were sent to the Congregation for the Clergy at the Vatican.

September

Our Fall event was held at the historic Teutonia Mannerchor as the St. George Family, guests and supporters celebrated St. George Oktoberfest. The large crowd enjoyed dinner and some great German music by the Barons.

November

We received a response from the Vatican that indicates that our appeal documents were received and are in order. We expect a decision in a few months.

The St. George Store was launched. Our on-line store included calendars, Christmas cards, aprons and sketches that feature St. George Church. Purchases can be made on-line, by phone or by mail.

December

With the help of our CPA firm, we moved forward with transferring our financial records from spreadsheets into Quickbooks.

The successful Christmas Card and calendar sales resulted in hundreds of St. George Church cards being sent to friends and family everywhere.

During 2017, SGCPS continued to network with these organizations to support our mission:

Allentown CDC, Allentown Senior Citizens' Center, Brashear Association, German American Chamber of Commerce, Hilltop Alliance, Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, Preservation Pittsburgh, Young Preservationists Association, Teutonia Mannerchor and now the Sen. John Heinz History Center.

Looking Forward

In 2018, efforts will continue to reach an arrangement with the Diocese and Parish to reopen and restore the Church in order to avoid additional appeals. With the help of the St. George Family and supporters, we are ready to provide for the care and restoration of the Church. There are over 60 Catholic churches in other dioceses that are being cared for by similar organizations.

In the meantime, while we wait for the decision, we'll continue to keep our 1200 contacts updated and we'll bolster the resources of the St. George Church Preservation Society. Events and fund-raisers will be planned to keep the St. George Family together and support our mission.

For all of the latest news and updates from us, join our email list HERE.