Church History
Church Architecture Our Iconographer
Remembering the very humble beginning of our parish community in the home of Mrs. Julia Drinco on Federal Street in 1927, the most difficult and disheartening final years of the Church on Vine Street, the new and wonderful construction of the Church on Hoyt Street, the beautiful Temple of God we now worship in on Reeves Road; the outstanding and most striking feature of this remembrance is that the initial spark of desire that was the motivating force to begin a parish of the Orthodox Church in Warren and to perpetuate her existence is still present today – three quarters of a century later.
"To remember with love is to truly understand that which one loves and remembers, to appropriate it as God's gift.” In the past seventy-five years, we have much to remember with love and much for which to be thankful. We especially remember with love the faithful whose sacrifices and humble commitment have helped to preserve our faith for us. God indeed was present in their midst when they began their humble effort, and He is still mystically and spiritually present here with us, continuing to act, revealing His will, and bestowing His gifts.
At our Golden anniversary in 1977, Archbishop John, of blessed memory, wrote: "King David the Psalmist explains! ‘ Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord protects the city, the guard keeps watch in vain!’ Trust in God; commend yourself and each other to Christ. In this way, as you give of yourself and your services, God's blessing will be upon you, and your efforts for the spreading of the Orthodox Faith will be crowned by the growth and progress of your parish, the diocese and the whole Orthodox Church in America."
The early years of the Church were years filled with many problems. It was a time of strife and trouble. Tremendous financial burdens faced the church, and they summarily led to the foreclosure of the parish property on Vine Street in 1936. On November 8, 1936 the first mention of the Hoyt Street property was found in the minutes. A disagreement regarding the site of the new Church seemed to be the primary reason for the present day division of the Orthodox of Russian descent in Warren.
The Church reorganized and incorporated according to the laws of the State of Ohio on April 5, 1937. The official name is "St. John's Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of Warren, Ohio.” The original incorporators were John J. Drinco, Emil Diochuk, Metro Balog, John Denovchek, Andrew Tablak, and the Very Rev. Theodore Migdal. Building of the church on Hoyt Street was no easy task, as it required much labor and sacrifice on the part of all the faithful. Led by their priest, Fr. Migdal they began to organize. Mr. John Drinco, president, was able to gain the much-needed building material for the construction of the Church and even secured a rectory, which was moved across town. A concerned parishioner even mortgaged his home to secure added capital for construction. Untold others sacrificed freely of their remaining money to help the Church keep operating. Sacrifice was at an all time high! Somehow the Church existed and began to prosper. Archbishop Benjamin consecrated the Church in 1938. In 1944 an energetic Church committee prepared a set of local parish by-laws with diligence and care. In 1946 the members of the "R" Club realized the need for a religious education for the youth of the Church and consequently organized the first church school.
Father Michael Kapral was appointed priest of St. John's on March 2, 1947. A drive to obtain stained glass windows for the Church was begun in June of 1948. The Church achieved the following year a major milestone. It was the decision to begin the use of the English language in the Divine Liturgy. At that time it was decided that two hymns would be sung in English.
Another milestone of the Church came about October 28, 1957, when the Church purchased the lots of the Reeves property. This was the first step towards making a dream become a reality - A dream of building a beautiful new house of worship.
The fulfillment of the dream was hampered by many parish problems of the 1960's. However, a visit by members of the parish to the Diocesan Archbishop brought about a return of the "Churchly conscience" that had been so apparent in the first years of the Church's existence.
On September 1, 1963, St. John's Church was assigned a new priest, Fr. Thomas Hopko. Following his arrival, serious planning began concerning the building of a new Church. On February 21, 1965, the parishioners, using mailed in ballots gave their overwhelmingly approval to the building of a new Church. From that moment on it was assured that their dream would become a reality.
The Church council appointed a special committee made up of Fr. Tom Hopko, Anthony Stanko, Michael Skovran, Peter Haley, Michael Petty and Fr. Nicholas Vansuch to finalize plans for the new building.
On March 27, 1966, groundbreaking ceremonies took place for the new Church. A year later on Palm Sunday, April 23, 1967, a solemn procession from the Hoyt Street Church to the new Church was made. There in the new church the clergy of the Ohio Deanery celebrated a Lenten Mission Vesper Service with 450 people in attendance. The first Divine Liturgy was held on Holy Thursday, April 27, 1967; the first baptism on Holy Saturday, on April 29, 1967; and the Easter Liturgy service on Sunday, April 30, 1967. The new Church was consecrated on Sunday June 4, 1967 by Metropolitan Ireney and Archbishop John assisted by Fr. Hopko and visiting clergy.
On June 12, 1968, Fr, Peter Pawlack was assigned as priest of St, John's Church, One of Fr, Peter's first accomplishments was the monthly publication, "The Prophet" which was first published in January of 1969, The same year another major change came about when the parish overwhelmingly voted to adopt the new, revised Julian calendar, It was put into effect June I, 1969, with the approval of Archbishop John.
On Sunday, October 11, 1970 the parishioners of St, John's Church were again filled with a deep sense of pride in their church as they witnessed the ordination to the Holy Priesthood of one of their own, Fr, Deacon Donat W Augusta, by Archbishop John of Chicago.
Another source of great pride for the parishioners was the Girl's Octets, which toured throughout America, including Alaska, displaying their commitment to God and to their Church, inspiring everyone who heard them.
In 1974, St. John's Church was deeply honored by the visit of His Grace Bishop Gregory of Alaska, when he bestowed to the church the relics of St, Herman of Alaska during his tour of the lower "48" with the Holy Icon of the Sitka Madonna. Shortly thereafter, during a Pastoral visitation of Archbishop John of Chicago, the relics of St. Herman were placed into the newly consecrated altar table.
In 1990, The Parish began having its annual Icon Festival. Continuing until today, held on the first Saturday in November, our parish has welcomed Bishops, Priests, monastics and many speakers and thousands of guests to this annual spiritual event.
In 2006, after 38 years of devoted service at St John's, Fr Peter Pawlack announced his retirement effective July 31, 2006. At a retirement dinner on September 17, 2006, His Eminence Archbishop Job, along with family, friends and many parishioners, thanked Fr Peter for his many years of service to the Church. May God grant Him and his wife Barbara Many Years!
Effective August 1, 2006, Archbishop Job appointed Fr Jonathan Cholcher as our new priest. We welcomed Fr Jonathan, his wife Diane and their three children as they moved to Warren from the Akron area in August. He held his first service, Vespers, on Tuesday August 1, 2006. May God bless him and his family in thier ministry to our parish. And may God grant them Many Years!
