St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Croatian Church in Millvale celebrated its 125th anniversary on June 1.
The day began with a Mass celebrated by Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik, along with other clergy.
During his homily, Zubik recognized the ancestors who brought the strength and richness of the Croatian people to the United States and especially to the Pittsburgh diocese.
“We celebrate and stand on the shoulders of giants who helped with the building of God’s kingdom,” Zubik said.
The Rev. Maurus Dolcic recited the Gospel in Croatian. He does a monthly Mass in Croatian at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Croatian Church in Millvale. Other priests in attendance were the Revs. Nicholas Vaskov, Harry Nichols, James Orr, John Getsy, Michael Ruffalo and Tim Whalen, as well as Deacons Gregory Jelinek and Michael Fekete.
There are 131 active families who belong to St. Nicholas.
A planning committee for the 125th anniversary celebration had been working for the past year to “cherish this moment in time,” the members said.
On this day, the church was full.
St. Nicholas Church is more than historic, Zubik said, when asked about the anniversary of St. Nicholas Church.
The place of worship is home to murals by Croatian-born artist Maximilian “Maxo” Vanka that depict the history of the church’s immigrant founders. Some of those first parishioners were drawn in the paintings. One is holding a replica of the church, showing that the people are the church.
Vanka immigrated to America in 1934. The following year, his work was exhibited in Oakland. Among the impressed art lovers was the Rev. Albert Zagar of St. Nicholas, who wasn’t too fond of the bare, white walls of his church. Zagar and members of his flock asked Vanka to paint murals in Millvale in 1937. He obliged, adding more works in 1941.
“Its walls portray the history of early 20th century immigrants to the Greater Pittsburgh region,” Zubik said. “The spectacular and moving murals by artist Maxo Vanka are a statement of faith, a declaration of God’s love for immigrants and a prayer for peace and justice.”
There is a group that continually works to preserve the murals — the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka. There are weekly tours at the church where its cornerstone was dedicated on May 15, 1900.
A luncheon for 209 people was held after at The Camelot Event Center in Marshall.
The menu included chicken caprese with pesto cream, three-cheese tortellini in roasted red pepper sauce, salad, fruit and roasted top round of beef with thyme au jus and oven-roasted Idaho potatoes and a roasted vegetable medley.
There was cake for dessert, and the Holy Rosary Society donated cookies with a Croatian flag detail. At the luncheon, St. Nicholas parishioners collaborated with Compass Point Coffee in Millvale to sell $20 1-pound bags of coffee. Coffee can still be purchased online at compasspointcoffee.com/shop-1, and all proceeds benefit the church.
Luncheon guests each received a 5-by-7-inch etching of the church and a commemorative book courtesy of Vaskov, director of the Shrines of Pittsburgh. St. Nicholas is one of the Shrines of Pittsburgh, which includes four other Catholic churches — St. Anthony Chapel on Troy Hill, St. Patrick and St. Stanislaus Kostka churches, both in the Strip District, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Polish Hill.
“This church has such an important place in the history of Croatian immigrants in the U.S.,” Vaskov said. “It is and has been a place to share the culture that is so important to the people of Croatia for generations.”
The anniversary organizing committee collaborated with Wendell August Forge in Grove City to create a holiday ornament of the church. The ornament is available for $20. Artist Matthew Radican drew the church image that also was used on apparel available online through June 15.
Vaskov presented a large, framed etching of the church to Zubik.
Zubik, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in September, resigned on June 4. Pope Leo XIV appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark A. Eckman as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Vaskov said he often thinks about everything that has happened at the Croatian church in 125 years.
“Think of all the baptisms and Holy Communions and confirmations and weddings,” he said. “It is fascinating.”