Part 7: Renovation of the Church, a Ministry Center, and the Sesquicentennial Celebration (1974-1995)*

Religious Instruction Improves; Church Is Renovated

By 1974 the Richmond Diocese contained approximately two hundred and fifty thousand Catholics, about half of whom were concentrated in the twenty-one counties of northern Virginia. These were assigned to the new Diocese of Arlington. At the same time, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel having recently been constructed, the Eastern Shore counties were returned to the Richmond Diocese. Also, the boundary between the Dioceses of Wheeling and Richmond was redrawn to conform to state lines, resulting in a reconstituted Diocese of Richmond which extended five hundred and thirty air miles from the Eastern Shore to its southwestern tip.

The Reverend William O’Brien served as pastor from 1975-1981. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but moved to Waynesboro in 1941 and then to Fishersville to 1945. He attended St. Francis School. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania he worked as an accountant before studying for the priesthood. On May 25, 1969, he said his first Mass in St. John’s Church, Waynesboro.

When Father O’Brien arrived at St. Francis, he found a disillusioned congregation. Rapid turnover of priests, dissatisfaction with the previous pastor, the closing of the school, and tension between conservatives and liberals created quite a challenge for the new pastor. He was an excellent manager, however. During his tenure he created a sense of optimism in the parishioners. He introduced communal anointing of the sick and penance services. He built a spirit of community and helped the members to participate better in the liturgy through singing and saying the responses, assisted by the St. Francis Folk Group, which flourished under Father O’Brien’s encouragement. The Folk Group, which had been under the direction of Thomas J. and Woody Czelusta since 1973, had become well known in Staunton as it played for the WTON Radiothons.

In 1975 the Sister personnel was reduced to two positions, a minister of religious education and a pastoral associate/social minister. Mrs. Jane Witherow, a teacher at the nursery school, became its administrator. Under Father O’Brien’s direction adult education and the role of parents in the religious education of their children were stressed. The high school religious instruction program was redesigned. It was a well-balanced program leading to Confirmation which received full accreditation from the Diocese. He started the Catechumenate. He considered redesigning the religious instruction program one of his greatest achievements.

By 1979 there were 241 families, and 97 pupils were enrolled in religious education. These numbers increased to 262 families and 145 pupils by 1980. Debts were paid and the parish was made financially sound through the generosity of the Men’s Club bingo and the investment of donated monies.

In 1981, Father O’Brien was transferred to St. Andrew’s Church in Roanoke. He now serves as pastor of St. John’s Church in Waynesboro.

The Reverend Hollis Gregory Dean Dodge succeeded Father O’Brien and remained until 1989. He had studied sign language while a seminarian at St. Mary’s Seminary University, Roland Park, Maryland, and he helped establish Chapter 105 of the International Catholic Deaf Association in Richmond. Parishioners and visitors at St. Francis were fascinated to watch him sign his sermons while he preached.

In 1983 the last remaining Sisters, Sister Rose Marie Bryant, minister of religious education, and Sister Anne Joseph Edelen, pastoral associate/social minister, were relocated. They were replaced by Brother Charles W. Warthen, who came as Pastoral Associate in charge of Religious Education and Social Ministry. He was a member of the Xaverian Brothers.

After Tom and Woody Czelusta left in 1984, John M. Karaffa took over the direction of the Folk Group, which had now added blue grass and gospel to its repertoire. Choir members were Lorraine Conca, Paula Homes, and Elaine Taetzsch. Don Roe was the accompanist. In 1986 John Karaffa received a plaque commemorating ten years of service in music. He remained the director until 1989.

On May 18, 1986, the Rev. James M. Cowles, son of Edward and Elizabeth Cowles of this parish, said his first Mass at St. Francis Church. He and his family had moved to Staunton in 1978. Father Cowles did his theological studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, and was ordained on May 17, 1986, in Richmond, Virginia. He is presently the campus minister at Virginia Polytechnic Insitute and State University.

Much of Father Dodge’s tenure was taken up with repairing and renovating the church. The finials fell down on Palm Sunday, 1982, and were replaced according to the recommendations of Joseph Johnson, Jr., grandson of T. J. Collins. Then in 1988 and 1989 the church was extensively renovated. The restoration was carried out by J. B. Wine and Sons under the direction of architect Don Swofford, of Charlottesville. It included a new roof, extensive plastering and painting, a heating-cooling system, improved lighting and amplifying system, the addition of a large baptismal pool, the elevation of the sanctuary floor, a new altar of sacrifice, and the restoration of the chapel, which had been used for many years as a storeroom. In addition some improvements were made on the former school building.

The renovation process caused much conflict and unrest. So-called liturgy experts advised the parishioners that under the current norms many of the church furnishings would have to be removed, such as the side altars and the beautiful triumphal cross. Informed members of the parish objected; as a result of their actions, St. Francis’ Gothic atmosphere was not completely destroyed. Trinity Episcopal Church, under the auspices of its rector, the Reverend John David Lane, graciously opened its facilities to the congregation during the ten-month renovation process.

The renovations were completed for Mass on Palm Sunday, March 19, 1989. This event was celebrated with the first Palm Sunday procession starting at Trinity and ending at St. Francis. Members of both congregations carried palm branches during the procession. Upon entering the church the parishioners were pleased but somewhat confused by the juxtaposition of old and new. The beautiful high Mass candlesticks were returned to the old main altar, but the view of the magnificent cross was partially blocked by the new sound and light system. Most surprising was the large baptismal pool near St. Joseph’s statue.

On May 24, 1989, Bishop Walter F. Sullivan presided over the rededication of St. Francis Church. Preceding the service the Staunton Ovation Singers gave a sacred concert of works of Brahms, Hayden, and Zengarelli. The concert was under the direction of Ray Hoaster and accompanied by Don Roe. Father Lane and members of his parish were special guests.

During Father Dodge’s pastorate much growth took place. Nearly $1 million of property improvements had been made, $500,000 of that during Father Dodge’s last year. The membership over the eight-year period had increased from 235 families to 485 families. On June 1, 1989, Father Dodge received permission from Bishop Sullivan to become a rehabilitation counselor at Mountain Wood Hospital in Charlottesville.

St. Francis Today

[1995, the year of publication of the book on which this history is based]

Father Dodge was succeeded by the Reverend John A. Abe, our present pastor. A year later Brother Charles left. To show their appreciation the parishioners gave him a surprise farewell party. He was succeeded by Dan Kalas.

Colonel Dan Kalas, USMC retired, is from central California. A naval aviator, he holds an MA in Religious Studies and is responsible for Christian Formation programs and Justice and Peace activities.

During the past five years Father Abe has continued to bring growth to St. Francis. The number of Catholic families has grown to 612. The Offertory collection has almost tripled. Extensive restoration has been completed on the former convent. The beautiful walnut and pine staircase has been restored. In addition, the tin roof has been replaced with copper, and the brick exterior repointed, sealed, and painted. The building is now called the Ministry Center and houses the parish offices on the main floor, classrooms, library, a Catholic bookstore on the top floor, and the Mustard Seed Pre-School on the lower floor. The Ministry Center was rededicated on October 4, 1990, with the Most Reverend David Foley, Auxiliary Bishop of Richmond, presiding. Improved lighting around the parish hall, rectory, and ministry center has enhanced the use and appearance of the buildings at night. High-pressure sodium lights turn on automatically, increasing security. A new copper roof has also been put on the rectory; the exterior has been repainted and the kitchen modernized. The rectory was rededicated on January 3, 1993, by Bishop Sullivan.

Beginning in 1988 each Mass had separate musical programs under the direction of Christopher A. Bono and Don Roe. Then in 1990 under the direction of Don Roe, the music coordinator, all of the choirs were combined. As a result the congregation was provided with a consistent blend of music which combined traditional, contemporary, and folk music. Currently the choir members are Harry Alden, Jim Armstrong, Lauren Armstrong, Bernie Bekken (recorder), Christopher Bono, Christina Campo, Mary Copsey, Kathleen Crump, Nancy Hanna, Shawn Hanna, Louise Harrison, Beth McDonald, Guillermo Mendez, Millie Mendez, Don O’Connor, Brenda Pennell, Connie Roe, and Joan Van Vliet.

In 1989 Christopher Bono began rebuilding the 1910 Carl Barckoff tracker pipe organ. In this project, which extended over six years, he was assisted by Stephen McGrew, Scott Laflamme, Richard Maryman, David Elphee, Theodore Henderschott, and others. The repair was carried out at the very minimal cost of thirty thousand dollars, approximately one-fifth the cost of hiring outside organ builders. The original organ had 1095 pipes. The rebuilt organ, currently valued at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, contains 1565 pipes, 995 of which are new. The organ was rededicated on January 2, 1994, with an hour-long concert of Christmas music. After all of these renovations the debt was very nearly the same as when Father Abe arrived, approximately sixty thousand dollars.

The year 1994 was also the beginning of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of St. Francis Church. To prepare for this event the Jubilee Committee was formed on Septemer 21, 1993, with Beverly Roach serving as chairperson. Many projects were planned for the year-long celebration. Plans were made for a parish pictorial directory and the sale of prints of the church, coffee mugs, t-shirts, plates, and Bibles. Among the activities included were organ recitals, special speakers, a Tridentine Mass, and dances.

An effort was made, but not successfully, to restore the marble angels to the high altar. These angels had been removed from the tabernacle area by Father O’Brien because the underpinnings had been weakened when the new boiler was installed. However, these underpinnings had been strengthened during the renovation under Father Dodge. The altar and angels were a gift from Catherine Hurley Burns, in memory of her family, and, according to her obituary, her prize gift. Her spirit is still present in the descendants of Michael Kivlighan, who married Catherine’s cousin, Mary Wholey. Besides serving on the building committee of 1895, this well-known first graduate of Dunsmore Business College and very active church member and civic leader was affectionately called “Uncle Mike.”

On Sunday, October 2, 1994, the Jubilee Year began with a Mass of Jubilee. The Mass was celebrated with the Most Reverend Walter F. Sullivan, D.D., Bishop of Richmond, presiding. The concelebrating priests were the Reverend John A. Abe, Pastor; the Reverend Donfred Stockert, former assistant; the Reverend Tom Pietrantonio, OFM Capuchin; and the Reverend Gerald Fogarty, S.J., the Diocesan historian. Among the distinguished guests were the Reverend Michael Turner of Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Reverend Lance Braun of Faith Lutheran Church, Elder Preston Hippeard (and his wife Tabitha) of Second Presbyterian Church, Mayor John Avoli, Councilman Roy Stephenson, and City Manager Bernard Murphy. The Mass was followed by a reception in the parish hall.

Also during Father Abe’s tenure the sanctuary lamp was restored to the sanctuary. The baptismal pool was removed due to its poor construction and the high cost of operation. The sound and light system was reworked so that it no longer blocks the view of the magnificent crucifix which hangs behind the altar. The Knights of Columbus and the Altar Servers have been reestablished.

First Fridays and the Rosary have been reinstated. The Nocturnal Adoration Society and the Ministry of Praise have been initiated. Through the Ministry of Praise homebound and other older Catholics offer their prayers and suffering for all special needs (intentions) of the parish family.

Fellowship has been increased. Dinners and receptions are provided by the women of the newly-formed Kitchen Committee. Annual picnics and Mass are held in the park. A carnival is held each spring.

On February 28, 1995, a Chapel of Perpetual Adoration was inaugurated. Bishop Sullivan celebrated the Votive Mass of the Holy Eucharist and congratulated the parish on its commitment to adoration twenty-four hours a day, seven days each week. The Chapel of Perpetual Adoration now houses the marble matching adoring angels given by Catherine Burns.

With this very busy schedule, Father Abe has had only temporary assistance. The Reverend Brian Rafferty served as a deacon for a few months before his ordination. More recently the Reverend Francis P. Ernst, S.J., served as a temporary assistant while he was between assignments.

Currently, Father Abe is setting into motion a plan for a modern facility for multiple ministries. This is necessary because of the growing population as the parish carries out the education of the parishioners, the evangelization of others, works of charity, and stewardship.

During the past 150 years the strong constitutions and undaunted spirits of the dedicated priests and devout members of St. Francis parish have developed a proud tradition. Like the saint for whom the church is named, the parish has served the needs of its members and has reached out to others. St. Francis Church holds an important place in the community as a bulwark of spiritual service because of its integrity to Christian principles. It is important also because of the members who have served the community well in civic and professional roles.

Fittingly located high above downtown Staunton, this beautiful historic church sits proudly on its magnificent foundation as a testimony to the dreams of its ancestors and to its faithfulness to the eternal God. May this celebration of our proud tradition awaken in us renewed enthusiasm as we face the religious and social challenges of the next century.

_______________

*This history of Staunton’s Catholic parish is taken from A History of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Staunton, Virginia: Celebrating 150 Years, 1845-1995 by Hampton H. Hairfield, Jr., Elizabeth M. Hairfield, and Jane E. Smith (published in 1995) and used with permission.

top of page