History of St. Rose of Lima
1914 ~
This document incorporates several histories of
St.
Rose of Lima
a great parish with a long, and sometimes tragic, history.
Click
on any choice to go directly to that selection.
· History of Fires and Tragedies
+ Arundel Fire 50th Anniversary
·
First Sacraments Book Insert
· First Saint for the New World
· A History of Brooklyn Curtis Bays
Photos: Church roof collapse
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1914–1989
During the mid to late 1970’s, St. Rose
continued to maintain itself in a good spiritual and material condition. The weekend Mass attendance usually included
about 1800 people, and an emphasis was placed on good liturgical
celebration. Special attention was
given to the development of the Altar Boys, and our Church was always
beautifully decorated for the major seasons of the Liturgical Year.
It was during this time that the first Parish
Mission in several years was conducted at St. Rose. Also the financial structure of St. Rose was greatly solidified
in 1976 with a very successful appeal that was made as part of the new,
Archdiocesan wide Stewardship Drive.
Another important undertaking during this period
was the taking of a door to door Parish Census that was conducted by the
Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart.
The census, which took about one year to complete, gave the parish a
better grasp of its membership and brought the files up to date.
A notable event during this period was the
formation of the St. Rose Seniors organization. As the number of senior citizens in our parish continued to grow,
it seemed important for St. Rose to provide the opportunity for our older men
and women to gather for fellowship, recreation and service to the parish. The Seniors have continued to be a vital
part of our parish life.
It should also be noted that, during this
period, the parish was served by three Associate Pastors including Fr. Charles Klein, who later became Pastor,
along with Fr. Howard Boyle and
Fr. Ronald Michaud. In addition, Mr. John Poland served as the
first Director of Religious Education at St. Rose. John was later succeeded by Mrs. Geraldine Fialkowski. The Parish was well served during this time
by Margaret Neff as Secretary.
St. Rose of Lima School continued to flourish
during this period. The enrollment
usually stayed above 500 students, and the faculty included the Dominican
Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, as well as many lay teachers. It was within this period that an open-space
format was introduced for the 7th and 8th grades in the Lower Church.
In July, 1978, Fr. Charles Klein succeeded Fr.
James Hobbs as Pastor after serving here as an Associate Pastor since
1973. It was during this time that a
major effort was made to reduce the long-standing parish debt incurred during
the building of the Church in 1968. The
parish continued to progress liturgically as many more parishioners were chosen
to serve as Lectors and Eucharistic ministers.
Fr. John Moore served as
Associate Pastor during this period, and Geraldine Fialkowski continued as
Director of Religious Education.
During this time, St. Rose of Lima School began
to experience many changes.
Increasingly lay teachers were being added to the faculty as the number
of Sisters at St. Rose decreased. Also,
the School continued to decline in enrollment, with the number of students
decreasing to a level of about 215 with the start of the 1981-’82 school
year. Also, as an economy move, the 7th
and 8th grades were moved from the Lower Church to the main School
building. Sr. Joan McCann continued as Principal until June of 1981 when she
and the other remaining Dominican Sisters concluded their service to St. Rose.
On August 7, 1981, Fr. Michael Orchik was assigned as Pastor of St. Rose, after having
served as an Associate Pastor of St. Patrick’s in Baltimore and Sacred Heart of
Mary in Graceland Park.
It was during this time that the parish began to
solidify its financial structure. The
leasing of the Convent to the Benedictine Sisters in July of 1981 and the
moving of the Junior High to the School building had provided the parish with a
significant decrease in expenditures.
The Offertory collection continued to increase at a good rate, and the
fundraising income began to increase dramatically as well. As a result, St. Rose was able to meet its
ongoing expenditures while steadily reducing the parish debt.
A key event in recent parish history was the
making of the final payment on the note to the Archdiocese in June, 1983, thus
finally cancelling the parish debt. A
great celebration was held on October 30, 1983, to commemorate the event,
including a con-celebrated Mass in Church, followed by an informal reception in
the Hall.
Because of our improved financial strength, we
were able to also move ahead in the areas of staff development, adult education
and pastoral care. The parish began a
custom of special spiritual programs during the Lenten Season. In addition to our Lenten Speaker Series, we
have hosted two small group discussion programs entitled Genesis 11 and Romans
8. Another new tradition at St. Rose has been the annual “Mini-Mission” held
during the Advent Season. Also, throughout
this time, the parish has continued to offer Scripture Study and some other
adult education series from time to time.
Along with all of these offerings, the parish began in the Fall of 1985
to conduct the RCIA program, or the Rite for the Christian Initiation of
Adults.
The emphasis on good liturgical planning and
celebration has continued throughout recent years. St. Rose has been served well over the years by two fine musical
groups, our Choir and Folk Group. Mr.
Joseph Jancuk has served as Music Director since 1981, having succeeded Mr.
John Igoe. Diana Davis, Maria Bonacci
and Charles Haupt have served as organists.
St. Rose has continued in recent years to
express its concern for the poor, sick and elderly through the reactivating of
the St. Vincent de Paul Society, serving of casseroles at the Beans and Bread
Soup Kitchen, the formation of the Pastoral Visitors Program, and participation
in the Homemaker Service sponsored by Catholic Charities.
Societies that have also been reactivated in the
1980’s have been the Holy Name Society, the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality, and
the St. Rose CYO.
St. Rose of Lima School experienced even more
changes throughout the 1980’s. The
School has been staffed by a totally lay faculty and Miss Dorothy Freeman and
Mrs. Jean Delcher have served as Principal.
The enrollment, which dropped to a low of 180 in June of 1985, has
steadily increased to a level of near 250.
New offerings have included the Kindergarten, School Band, Choir and
Computer Class.
The number of students in Religious Education or
CCD has declined in recent years, with just over 100 students enrolled. However, many dedicated parishioners
continue to devote their time and talent as teachers and aids in our CCD
program.
St. Rose has developed a rather large and active
professional staff during this period.
Fr. John Lesnick and Fr. Joseph Krach have served as Associate
Pastors, while Sr. Kathleen White,
O.S.B., and Sr. Shannon Libbey have
served as Pastoral Associates. Sr. Mary Fennell, S.N.D., has been our
Coordinator of Religious Education.
Barbara Bryl and Donna Bilek both served as part time coordinators.
Bishop T. Austin Murphy, who retired in the
Spring of 1984, continues in residence at St. Rose. The parish honored the Bishop at a special retirement celebration
on October 21, 1984, and again on June 7, 1987, upon his 50th Anniversary as a
priest and his 25th year as a bishop.
A Parish Census was undertaken over a span of
four Summers, beginning in the Summer of 1982.
The Census revealed large numbers of people who, though registered at
St. Rose, seldom or never attend Mass or other parish activities. Thus, as we look forward to the future, the
parish must continue to reach out with an effective Evangelization effort to
welcome back many of our friends who were once active in our parish life.
St. Rose of Lima Parish began as a mission of
St. Athanasius Church in 1914.
The school under the direction of the Dominican
Sisters opened on September 7, 1926, with an enrollment of 170 pupils. There were four sisters and a lay
teacher. The school was destroyed by
fire in December of the same year. A
new school was built and reopened in 1927.
The school grew, by 1951, the over crowded school rooms made it
necessary to schedule double sessions.
In 1953 a nearby house was purchased to provide additional space. This was known as the “white house.”
In 1956 the cornerstone for our present building
was put in place at that time there were approximately 750 children in the old
school and some children needed to be bused to neighboring schools.
The enrollment dropped in the late 1970’s early
1980’s to a low of 172 in 1984 in grades 1-8.
Our enrollment has increased steadily since 1985. We presently have 234 students enrolled in
grades K-8.
We opened a kindergarten in September 1986. Our school is presently staffed with 10 full
time teachers, part time teachers include a librarian, a kindergarten aide,
physical education teacher, music teacher, and art teacher. We also have a full time secretary and part
time development director.
We have an instrumental band program and a
computer program available to students.
Extracurricular activities include altar boys, a
children’s choir, safeties folk group, yearbook and newspaper.
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1914–1974
The history of a church is the spiritual history
of its people. A church stands as a
mediator with towers projecting ever upward as if praying and pleading for
God’s blessing on the congregation nested at its base and extending in ever
widening circles until a fringe is reached or is enfolded by a backdrop.
St. Rose of Lima’s church has something far
greater than towers or steeples - it has a LIVING FAITH. It has a story of great love, great courage
and a great people. In the annals of
the archdiocese of Baltimore, St. Rose of Lima holds a unique place. Four times fire and disaster struck and took
their toll. Yet each time the people
and pastors have cried, “Fiat!” and started to rebuild and rebuild, like the
Phoenix consumed by fire rises in youthful freshness from its own ashes.
When land was bought along the Patapsco River
across the Bay from Fort McHenry by the Globe Shipbuilding Company of
Baltimore, later known as the Maryland Drydock Company, it requested skilled
shipbuilders to come from Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. Pioneers moved from some of our sections
nearby and also from Baltimore City.
Jobs were plentiful. The
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad needed workers.
The Coastguard Yard was looking for workers for the constant repair and
upkeep of ships. Leather tanning and
sugar refinery factories as well as farming brought further settlement of the
area.
Father Paul Sandalgi, pastor of St. Athanasius,
had already a flourishing parish for the Curtis Bay Area. The influx of so many new parishioners
expanded the bounds of the parish, making it difficult for one man to minister
to the many needs of this growing congregation. Mass was said in various homes on Sunday. Old timers recall attending Mass in
Helmstetter’s at 416 Patapsco. The Odd
Fellows Hall provided space for Sunday Mass later. Helmstetters gave land to erect a small wooden church for the
scattered settlers on the site of the present St. Rose of Lima Church. Clara Neff, recalling old times, says, “The
church was very small and rustic, with no basement and no heating
facilities. On cold winter mornings the
water in the cruets for Mass would freeze.”
New beginnings are small. So it was with this first established
church. The first Mass was celebrated
in the church in 1914. Proudly the
people led their offspring to the rustic pews.
Margaret Blank played the small organ, accompanied by the sweet voices
of young ladies, two of whom were Margaret Bemrick and Estelle Gibson. Assisting the choir with her violin was
eight-year old Catherine Fischer. Two
Fischer boys, Milton and Willy, and Francis Neff, served as altar boys to
Father Kunnecke. The boys were proud of
their Latin, having been trained by Joseph Grimm, a graduate of Loyola. At last St. Rose of Lima was a parish!
Remembered with gratitude and affection are the
Mission Helpers who taught the children Catechism every Sunday and organized
the Children of Mary Sodality. John
Seifert established the first Holy Name Society and was its first President. Catherine Fischer played “Nearer My God to
Thee” for the first funeral.
This little church of great joy to its people
was destroyed by fire on February 7, 1915.
No explanation was ever given as to the cause of the fire.
A new church of brick was started
immediately. It was dedicated February
6, 1916. The pastor and parishioners
buckled down to pay the cost. Dinner
parties, bazaars, outdoor carnivals followed in succession. People got to know each other. Togetherness, cooperation and acceptance
were as needed then as they are now.
The parish of St. Rose was putting its roots deep into the ground. In 1919 St. Jane Frances de Chantal and Holy
Trinity were missions of St. Rose of Lima until 1947 when both these missions
churches became parishes. Father
Sandalgi continued his priestly ministries to St. Rose until June 28, 1922 when
Father Leonard J. Ripple was appointed pastor.
Father Ripple was an able educator. His first priestly act was to build a
school. Dominican Sisters from
Sinsinawa, Wisconsin were requested to staff it. Four came: Sisters Elvara Dooling, Oswald Burns, Alphonsus
McNicholas, and Gertrude Thomas. The
Sisters started to teach at once. The
first three months of school passed happily for students and teachers. Christmas time drew near. Children were alive and active. Classrooms donned festive appearances. Holly, red ribbon, silver bells and creative
religious art flaunted their colors.
Each room had a Christmas tree.
Whispered secrets permeated the atmosphere. On December 21, 1926 a fire started on the first floor of the
school. The firemen called to put out
the fire were trapped by a passing freight train. When they finally arrived, the water pressure was so low only a
drizzle could reach the second floor.
Pastor, Sisters and children watched as their school burned to the
ground. The next day in the rubble and
debris Father Ripple found a part of a movie film face upward as if inviting
inspection. It said, “Keep
smiling.” Accepting this as a heavenly
message. Father decided to make it his
slogan. For the text of the next
Sunday’s sermon, he said, “We refuse to be discouraged. We will build again. Keep smiling.”
1927 found a new school with 224 pupils, four
Sisters and two lay teachers, Mrs. M. Buchanan and Miss E. Dunn. The years following the ordeal of 1926
Father Ripple turned his attention to the growing needs of his parish:
Catechism classes for public school children demanded attention; expenses
increased as enrollment doubled; attention to church singing and liturgical
worship; altar boy training; additions to the convent in the form of a front
and back porch; administering to poor and needy and victims of war disaster and
a host of many other parish duties demanded his constant concern.
On April 22, 1950 fire and water destroyed the
brick church built in 1916. James Park,
an altar boy, discovered the fire which was said to have been caused by vigil
lights. The church was so irreparably
ruined by flames and water that it was imperative to rebuild. An American Colonial style architecture with
limestone trim made an imposing site on Fourth Street. The new church was dedicated by Archbishop
Keough on November 23, 1952. A flag was
raised outside while the school children sang, “The Star Spangled Banner.” While the machines and cranes were in
operation digging on the ground, the former rectory was moved one-hundred feet
and placed on the present site.
Mention should be made here of the devoted
housekeepers, three in number, who made a home for curates and pastors: Mrs.
Mary Ripple, Mrs. Clara Neff and Mrs. Louise Ramanauskas. Faithful choir directors and organists
through the years have included Mrs. Jean Zephir, Olive Heagy and Patti
McKewen. Margaret Clifton’s glorious
voice has added beauty and joy to numerous liturgical functions. Anna Spencer directed the first choir.
Grief and suffering came to the parish on
February 3, 1956 when a fire in Arundel Hall took the lives of eleven persons
and sent two-hundred fifty to hospitals.
The fire occurred when an oyster roast was being held in the Hall for
the benefit of St. Rose of Lima Parish by the Holy Name Society. Father Ripple died Feb. 10, 1961.
On February 7 and 8, 1967 school was closed due
to snow. On February 9 during the 8
o’clock Mass the roof of the church collapsed.
At the offertory of the Mass there were two noises sounding like snow
falling from the roof. Almost instantly
the entire roof, from sanctuary to choir, caved in. Approximately a hundred children and twenty or thirty adults were
at Mass. Some escaped via the doors
uninjured. Others took refuge under
pews and escaped injury. However,
thirty-five or so children and adults were taken via ambulances to hospitals.
The present beautiful church was rebuilt on this
spot by Bishop Murphy successor to Father Ripple. It is a masterpiece of richness, simplicity and inspiration.
Due to the pressure of work at the Archdiocesan
office, Bishop Murphy resigned as Pastor of St. Rose, and in 1972 Father James
V. Hobbs was appointed to succeed Bishop Murphy as pastor of St. Rose.
The first religious vocation from St. Rose of
Lima parish was Brother Lambert Bents, C.F.X. who made his religious profession
of vows as a Xaverian, September 19, 1938.
Reverend Ardian Ramanauskas, S.A., was ordained
a priest on June 7, 1958 at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,
Washington, D.C. He was the first priestly vocation from our parish and
celebrated his first Mass at St. Rose June 8, 1958.
Sister Louise Kvech, S.S.N.D. made her religious
profession July 29, 1961 and was the first young woman to profess vows from St.
Rose. [Note. This entry in the 60th Anniversary Booklet is
incorrect. The first young woman to
profess was Sr. Dolores Linsenmeyer, S.S.N.D., 1929.]
We thank God for all the vocations given to the
church from the good families of St. Rose parish. We implore God to give the grace of generosity to the young men
and women of our parish today so that some may continue to spread the Gospel of
the Lord through the religious and priestly life.
Churches are picturesque spots on landscapes
whose exterior generally harmonizes with the surroundings; yet the interior
artistic decor elicits exclamations of admiration. The interior of St. Rose of Lima church has an invisible tapestry
whose warp and woof have been sixty years in the weaving. Like threads of gold the names of the
forerunners of today’s parish runs through the cloth revealing a commitment to
the faith laid down in the sacramental life of St. Rose.
With this anniversary let each and every
parishioner of our parish give praise to God for His continued guidance. With a smile on our lips and joy in our
hearts let us confidently place our trust in Our Father.
Reverend F.L. Kunnecke
The parish of St. Rose of Lima was organized by
Reverend Paul Sandalgi, Pastor of St. Athanasius Church in Curtis Bay, as a
Mission to that Parish. The frame
Chapel were Mass was held was destroyed by fire and a new brick Church was
built. This Church was dedicated
February 6, 1916. Later Reverend F.L. Kunnecke
became Pastor, but established his home on Hartford Road. According to our Church records this is the
only information available on our First Pastor.
Monsignor
Leonard J. Ripple
Father Leonard J. Ripple became the second
Pastor of St. Rose of Lima in 1922.
Father Ripple was born in Baltimore in November,
1877, the son of Leonard J. and Mary K. Ripple. His parents gave two other children to the service of the church.
He received his elementary training at St. Mary
Star of the Sea School. While a student
at Calvert Hall College, young Leonard heard the call of God, and in 1896
dutifully followed the Master’s urgings and entered old St. Charles College at
Ellicott City to begin his studies for the priesthood, He graduated from St.
Charles in 1901 and entered St. Mary’s Seminary on Paca Street in the Fall of
the same year. On June 20, 1906 Leonard
Ripple reached his long-desired goal when His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons
conferred on him the powers of the holy priesthood.
In 1906 he was assigned to Our Lady of Good
Counsel Parish and then to the Catholic University in Washington. After receiving the Licentiate of Sacred
Theology, he was assigned in June of 1908 to the Church of St. John the
Evangelist as an Assistant Pastor.
In 1922 Father Ripple was appointed Pastor of
St. Rose of Lima Church which had formerly been a mission of St. Athanasius
Church. Zealous as always to spread the
word of Christ, Father Ripple soon acquired property to meet the future needs
of his parish.
While actively engaged in the pastoral care of
the souls in his own parish, Father Ripple was not unconcerned with the needs
of those in the neighboring sections of Anne Arundel County. He soon established the mission church of St.
Jane Frances de Chantal at Riviera Beach and expanded the mission ‘ of Holy
Trinity at Glen Burnie. These he cared
for many years before they were finally constituted independent parishes.
From the very beginning of his pastorate, Father
Ripple began to plan the construction of a parochial school. In June of 1926 the plans became a reality
and the school was opened to the children of St. Rose. In December of the same year the school was
destroyed by fire. Despite their
discouraging incident Father Ripple immediately planned once again for the
reconstruction of his own parochial school.
The new school was opened in the Autumn of 1927.
As the community of Brooklyn grew and new
developments sprang up in the surrounding areas, Father Ripple kept pace with
the expansion by supplying and caring for his parishioners every spiritual
need.
His zeal was once again put to the test when in
1950 the parish church was destroyed by fire.
Using the parish hall as a temporary church and a private home as his
rectory, Father Ripple kept up his untiring pace, faithfully discharging his
pastoral duties, while the new church was under construction. Finally, on November 23, 1952 the new St.
Rose of Lima Church was dedicated by his Excellency, the Most Reverend Francis
P. Keough, D.D., Archbishop of Baltimore.
In recognition of his many accomplishments for
God and souls, the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Pius XII named Father Ripple a
Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. Their honor was conferred upon him on
February 29, 1956. That year also
marked the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
Monsignor Ripple was taken ill, and for over two
years was confined to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where he died on February 10,
1961.
Monsignor Ripple will always be remembered by
the parishioners of St. Rose with much esteem for his many long and dedicated
years of service to the Parish.
Most
Reverend T. Austin Murphy
Following the death of Monsignor Ripple, Father
T. Austin Murphy who had been Assistant Pastor at St. Rose since June 2. 1951 became
the third pastor of St. Rose of Lima.
Father Murphy was born on May 11, 1911 the son of Thomas and Ella
Murphy. He was the second of five children. Father Murphy
attended elementary school at St. Martin’s and then continued his educational
undertakings at St. Charles College, Catonsville, St. Mary’s Seminary, Paca
Street, and his university training at St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park. It was on June 10, 1937 that Father Murphy
received the Sacrament of Holy Orders from the hands of His Excellency The Most
Reverend Michael J. Curley at the Basilica of the Assumption.
His first assignment brought him back to his
native parish, St. Martin’s, where he became Assistant Pastor on June 25,
1937. He spent seven years there and
then was assigned to St. Dominic’s until 1950.
He spent a short while at St. Mary’s in Govans, and then began his
tenure at St. Rose. He served first as
Assistant Pastor, then as Administrator under the ailing Monsignor Ripple, and
finally on June 24, 1961 he became pastor at St. Rose.
Father Murphy’s encounter with the Parish of St.
Rose must have been a startling one, to say the least. When he arrived he found a hole in the
ground where the church had been, the Rectory which at that time contained only
the middle section (and that was on rollers waiting to be moved), the old
school which has since been removed.
Time passed and Father Murphy not only saw a new church rise, a
renovated rectory and a new school which opened its doors in 1952 but also a
parish that was beginning to flourish.
The year 1962 was a joyful one for the
parishioners of St. Rose when the then reigning Holy Father, Pope John XXIII,
deigned to name Father Murphy the Fifth Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore and
Titular Bishop of Appiaria on May 23, 1962.
The benevolence of the Holy Father brought great joy to the
parishioners, the community and the Archdiocese. It also marked the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the
priesthood.
Then in 1972 in an unusual move, Bishop Murphy
stepped down as pastor of St. Rose. He
gave the following reason: “Due to the time I have to spend in Archdiocesan
work, I am unable to give all the time I would desire to the needs of our
parish. I have therefore asked that a
new pastor be appointed to our parish.
This decision has been made by me solely for the betterment of the
parish. I will continue to live at St.
Rose, for in all honesty I find that I cannot leave the people with whom I have
been associated for the past twenty years.”
During Bishop Murphy’s years at St. Rose he has
been largely responsible for our present church, the building of a new and
modern convent and the opening of a Junior High in the basement of our
church. The Bishop has always been a
father in spiritual matters, a friend to those in need, a source of consolation
to those in sorrow. St. Rose of Lima
parishioners fervently hope that Bishop Murphy will be with us for many years
to come.
Reverend
James V. Hobbs
Upon the resignation of Bishop Murphy, Cardinal
Shehan appointed Reverend James V. Hobbs as Pastor of St. Rose of Lima parish
on June 7, 1972.
Father Hobbs, the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Guy
Hobbs, was born in Thurmont, Maryland.
He received his early education in the local public school and later in
St.
Anthony’s School, Emmitsburg, Maryland. In 1945 he entered St. Charles College
Seminary, Catonsville, where he received his high school and junior college
education. In 1951 he entered St.
Mary’s Seminary on Paca Street in Baltimore for two years study of
Philosophy. The following September he went
to St. Mary’s Seminary at Roland Park, Baltimore, for four years of Theology.
On Saturday, May 25, 1957, Father Hobbs was
ordained to the Priesthood in the Basilica of the Assumption by the late
Archbishop Keough.
Archbishop Keough appointed Father Hobbs as
Associate Pastor to St. Mary’s Parish, Cumberland, Maryland, on June 15,
1957. Father remained in that
assignment at St. Mary’s until his appointment as pastor of St. Rose of Lima
parish.
During his stay at St. Mary’s in Cumberland, in addition to his pastoral duties,
Father Hobbs held some Archdiocesan positions.
He was Archdiocesan Chaplain to the Boy Scouts of the Western Maryland
Area for twelve years. He served on the
steering committee for the Priests’ Senate as the representative of the Priests
of Western Maryland for three years. He
was a member of the commission for total Christian education.
Father Hobbs is now a member of the Archdiocesan
Pastoral Council as the Priest representative for the parishes in the South
Suburban Area.
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* * * *
A
partial list of the saints who offered memorable service to St. Rose of Lima
appears below. In addition to clergy
officially assigned to St. Rose, many others (too many to list) gave dedicated
service as well. Most notable was Fr.
Vincent Oberle, S.S., who assisted for forty years!
Though Father Kunnecke was appointed the first pastor of St. Rose of Lima in 1916, the parish started as a mission of St. Athanasius two years before. Until the first church was built in 1914, the pastor of St. Athanasius, Father Paul Sandalgi, attended to the new mission by offering Mass in the homes of parishioners, principally the Helmstetters who resided at 416 Patapsco Avenue and who donated the land for the church.
|
Fr. F. L. Kunnecke |
Pastor 1916-1922 |
|
Msgr. Leonard J. Ripple |
Pastor 1922-1961 |
|
Fr. T. Austin Murphy |
Assoc. & Admin. 1951-1961 |
|
Bishop T. A. Murphy |
Pastor 1961-1972 |
|
Bishop T. A. Murphy |
In Residence 1972-1991 |
|
Fr. James V. Hobbs |
Pastor 1972-1978 |
|
Fr. Charles Klein |
Pastor 1978-1981 |
|
Fr. Michael J. Orchik |
Pastor 1981-1992 |
|
Fr. Charles O. Rouse |
Pastor 1992-1995 |
|
Fr. Joseph M. O’Meara |
Pastor 1995-2009 |
|
Fr. Robert A. DiMattei, Jr. |
Pastor 2010- |
|
Fr. Adam Wachowiak |
Associate Pastor 1926-1930 |
|
Fr. Robert J. Froehlich |
Associate Pastor 1930-1932 |
|
Fr. James H. Brooks |
Associate Pastor 1932-1936 |
|
Fr. James V. Lannon |
Associate Pastor 1933-1939 |
|
Fr. Philip J. Brown |
Associate Pastor 1936-1948 |
|
Fr. George T. Bowling |
Associate Pastor 1939-1948 |
|
Fr. John J. Murphy |
Associate Pastor 1946-1949 |
|
Fr. Stephen D. Melycher |
Associate Pastor 1948-1951 |
|
Fr. Thomas Fannon |
Associate Pastor 1948-1952 |
|
Fr. V. Herbert Howley |
Associate Pastor 1949-1951 |
|
Fr. Francis X. Wills |
Associate Pastor 1951-1967 |
|
Fr. Stanley J. Zukowski |
Associate Pastor 1952-1965 |
|
Fr. Francis O’Brien |
Associate Pastor 1962-1969 |
|
Fr. Francis X. Moran |
Associate Pastor 1966-1972 |
|
Fr. Thomas Pugh |
Associate Pastor 1967-1970 |
|
Fr. Frederick J. Dalton |
Associate Pastor 1969-1974 |
|
Fr. Howard T. Boyle |
Associate Pastor 1973-1976 |
|
Fr. Charles R. Klein |
Associate Pastor 1973-1978 |
|
Fr. Ronald N. Michaud |
Associate Pastor 1976-1978 |
|
Fr. John C. Moore |
Associate Pastor 1978-1981 |
|
Fr. John F. Lesnick |
Associate Pastor 1981-1983 |
|
Fr. Joseph W. Krach |
Associate Pastor 1983-1990 |
|
Sr. Shannon Libbey, S.N.J.M. |
Pastoral Associate 1985-1988 |
|
Sr. Kathleen White, O.S.B |
Pastoral Associate 1982-1990 1st term |
|
Sr. Kathleen White, O.S.B |
Pastoral Associate 1994- 2nd term |
|
Sr. Mary Fennell, S.N.D |
Pastoral Associate 1984-1997 |
|
Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa |
School Staff 1926-1981 |
|
Benedictine Sisters of Baltimore |
In Residence 1981-1991 |
|
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur |
In Residence 1991-1997 |
|
Br. Lambert Bents, C.F.X. |
1st Brother St. Rose Vocation 1938 |
|
Fr. Adrian Ramanauskas, S.A. |
1st Priest St. Rose Vocation 1958 |
|
Sr. Dolores Linsenmeyer, S.S.N.D. |
1st Sister St. Rose Vocation 1929 |
* *
* * * * *
* * * * * *
History of Fires and Tragedies
St. Rose of Lima Parish and School have endured four major fires and two major tragedies since it was founded in 1914:
1917 – First church burned to the ground, one year after it was built
1926 – First school burned to the ground, three months after it opened
1950 – Second church burned to the ground, caused by candles
1956 – Holy Name Society Oyster Roast in Arundel Bingo Hall, where eleven died in panic from electrical fire
1967 – Third church entire roof collapsed during Mass, with only one individual serious injured [see photos below]
1950 Church Fire Report #1 [4/22/1950]
[4/23/1950] The Sun — Fire Damages Brooklyn Church
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, at Fourth Street and Washburn Avenue, Brooklyn, was damaged extensively last night by a two-alarm fire. The Rev. Thomas Fannon, assistant to the pastor, dashed into the burning building to remove the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle and take it to safety in the rectory. The fire, apparently, started at the front of the church where the vigil lights are burned. It was discovered by James Parks, an altar boy, of the 3500 block Horton street, on his way to the rectory. The boy saw a glare in the windows and, opening a door, was met by a puff of smoke. He ran to the rectory to give the alarm and firemen were called from there. The Rev. Leonard J. Ripple, pastor, said today that the church roof and some of the walls may have to be replaced. The roof was ruined, he said, the interior of the church was damaged by smoke and water. The church was built in 1917, replacing a frame structure burned the year before. In 1926 the parish school was burned. Despite the damage, Father Ripple said, masses will be said in the church tomorrow at 5:45, 7:30, 9, 10:15, 11:30 and 12:15.
Church Here Damaged by 2-Alarm Fire
Roof of St. Rose of Lima’s Destroyed; Interior Burned. A two-alarm fire last night destroyed the roof and damaged the interior of the St. Rose of Lima Church, Fourth street and Washburn avenue, Brooklyn. No one was injured, but the Rev. Leonard J. Ripple, pastor of the church, said the roof undoubtedly will have to be torn down and rebuilt. He added that some of the walls also may have to come down. The flames started in the front part of the church, apparently right in the area where the vigil lights are burned. James Parks, of 3552 Horton road, an altar boy, was on his way to the church rectory when he noticed a flickering through the stained-glass windows.
Runs To Rectory
“I opened the door and saw the smoke and ran to the rectory,” the boy said. He told the priests and others there, William Todd, who was in the rectory, called the Fire Department. The Rev. Thomas Fannin, an assistant to Father Ripple, ran over to the church. Despite the flames licking up the north front side, he entered, removed the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle and carried it to safety in the rectory. The flames on the roof leaped into the air for about twenty minutes after they broke through. The smoke and flames could be seen several blocks away. The first alarm was sounded at 7:15 p.m. The fire was reported under control within half an hour.
Statues Carried Out
As soon as it was under control, men, boys and girls aided the firemen in carrying out the statues, stations and other devotional items. Father Ripple said he thought someone was careless with a vigil light and the flame burst forth from it. He recalled that about twenty years ago, some children were careless while lighting devotional candles and started a small fire. He put it out with a hand extinguisher, he said. The present brick structure was dedicated in 1917, replacing a frame church which was burned the year before. St. Rose of Lima has been beset by fires. In 1926 the church school was destroyed.
Tear Shingles Off Roof
Last night the firemen tore off many of the shingles on the roof to make certain no embers were smoldering. Most of the interior damage, other than at the front end, was caused by water, despite heavy tarpaulins laid down by the firemen. The parish of St. Rose of Lima consists of about 6,000 persons. The church could seat 300 at a time. Father Ripple said that mass will be said tomorrow in the church hall. The hours are 5:45, 7:30, 9, 10:15, 11:30 and 12:15 a.m.
1956 Oyster Roast Fire in Arundel Hall Report #1 [1/29/1956]
[1/30/56] The Newspost — 10 Dead In Fire Here 250 Hurt As Crowd
Panics
Flash Blaze Wrecks
Hall. 1,200 Persons Were Attending Church Oyster Roast, Dance
At least ten persons, all of them women, died
tragically last night in a fire which swept with terrifying rapidity through a
community auditorium in Arundel Park, at the city’s southern edge, where a
church dance and oyster roast was being held.
The victims, knocked to the floor and trampled by a stampeding,
panic-stricken crown of 1,200 fighting to escape from the blazing building,
were burned beyond recognition. Nine of
the fire-blackened bodies were found huddled together at one end of the smoking
wreckage about 7 P.M., nearly two hours after the fire began. A tenth body was found in another part of
the wreckage. In addition to the dead,
more than 250 persons were burned or otherwise injured as they clawed their way
to safety from flames which swept toward them with lightning-swift speed. Fourteen of those treated at 11 hospitals
were injured sufficiently to require admission, and several were reported in
critical condition. Police and firemen by no means certain that
the 10 bodies constituted the full toll of the devastating blaze, searched the
ruins this morning for other bodies.
Their search was hampered by ankle-deep water in the ruins and by the
precarious condition of concrete-block walls still standing. Bodies of the dead were taken first to a
funeral home in Glen Burnie, later were removed to the City Morgue in
Baltimore. There a list of 10 missing
persons, all women, was compiled from reports by anguished relatives and
friends. Authorities concluded the
bodies were those in the list of missing, but delayed definite announcement of
names of the dead. Two of the bodies, however, were tentatively
identified by relatives early today. Survivors, shocked by their harrowing experience and still
trembling hours after their escape, described the holocaust as “the most
terrible thing imaginable.” One said: “They shrieked, they screamed, they
cried. I’ll never forget it.” Another called his experience “a terrible
nightmare.” All agreed that the flames
spread through the wooden roof of the auditorium building with a speed that
defies description. Scene of the blaze
is on Belle Grove road, in the Brooklyn section about a half mile from the city
line. The building, owned by the
Arundel Park Corporation, was the largest structure of its type in the northern
section of Anne Arundel county. It
consisted of a large hall, in which dances, oyster roasts and bingo games were
held. The main hall was surrounded in
part by other rooms which included a lunch room, an office, and a cloak
room. Various annexes, several of frame
construction, had been built adjoining the main structure with doors leading
into them. These included a raw bar, a
cocktail lounge, a kitchen, and rest rooms.
Nearby were picnic grounds and a parking lot. Altogether the place constituted a community center which was
widely used. Yesterday the place had
been rented by the Holy Name Society of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church,
Brooklyn, for a dance and oyster roast.
Approximately 1,200 tickets had been sold. Most of those in attendance were from Brooklyn, Curtis Bay and
northern Anne Arundel county communities, but there was a sizable number of
persons from other sections of the city.
Many children were in the crowd.
At 5 P.M., four hours after the affair began, the band was playing “Tea
For Two,” and many guests were dancing.
Others were sitting at tables having oysters and beer. In the kitchen, women of the church were
busy preparing food for the multitude, and other church women were hurrying
about, serving as waitresses. Tragedy
struck in the midst of a scene of festive activity. Accounts Vary as to exactly what happened. Survivors agree that smoke or sparks were
seen in the ceiling of the building’s southwest corner, near the kitchen, and
that one or more men mounted a ladder with a fire extinguisher. Albert Evans, 900 block Pontiac avenue, one
of the survivors, said: “When the
smoke or fire was first noticed, it was announced over the loudspeaker from the
bandstand that there was a slight fire caused by a short circuit. The band kept on playing, and announcer did
not advise anyone to leave the building.
“I looked up and saw a Negro raise a ladder and climb it, carrying a
carbon-dioxide fire extinguisher.
Sparks and some smoke were visible around an electric fixture in the
ceiling. “The man placed the
extinguisher on the fire, and it seemed to die down. “Then the man opened a trapdoor in the ceiling, evidently trying
to discover if there was any more fire up there. “Suddenly There was a terrific ‘whoosh’ – not an explosion, but
a sound like a high wind. And in an
instant the ceiling was in flames.”
Evans said he grabbed the arm of his wife, Mrs. Arbutus Evans, and
started with her for the nearest exit.
Hundreds of others started a mad rush for the doors at the same
moment. In the confusion Evans and his
wife were separated and he was knocked to the floor, but he managed to get up
and flee the building. He found his
wife, alive but with a leg injury, two hours later. Other Survivors told approximately the same story as Evans,
although there was disagreement as to whether one man or more than one was on
the ladder. George Knoor, 700 block
South Clinton street, said his aunt, Mrs. Anna Brandt, and her daughter, Mary,
both of the 3200 block Foster avenue, went to the church party. It was Mrs. Brandt’s first oyster roast, he
said, and she was preparing to celebrate her sixtieth birthday today. Knorr said: “Mary told me that when the man
opened up with the fire extinguisher, my aunt said ‘Let’s get out of
here.’ “She and Mary started for a
door. As they neared it the panic
started. People began rushing for the
exits, knocking down anyone in their way.
She said the lights went out, and that added greatly to the
confusion. Mary became separated from
her mother. Outside the building she
could not find her, or other members of her party. She returned home in a state of shock, and called me.” Knorr told his story at the City
Morgue. His aunt, Mrs. Brandt, was one
of the missing and was believed dead.
All survivors agreed that the speed with which the fire spread through the
composition-board ceiling was both spectacular and frightening. One man said: “It burned like an egg-crate.” In five minutes or less, according to witnesses, the flames had
raced almost across the ceiling, some 12 feet above the heads of the crowd. There Were shouts of “Fire!”, but panic did
not develop immediately. William
Walterhoefer, a survivor, said the crowd watched curiously or went on dancing
as the man on the ladder squirted the fire extinguisher on the sparks around
the lighting fixture. And when the fire
appeared to be out, he said, “everybody yelled hurray, as if it was a big
joke.” Walterhoefer and his wife were
already edging toward the outside and were nearly out of the building when the
first great flash of flame was seen. He
said even then pandemonium did not break out instantly. But before he got out, he said, he saw the
panic spread quickly and “one guy dived off a table into a crowd trying to get
out.” The building had two major exits,
one at each end of the auditorium, and at least six other smaller doors, some
of them leading directly outside and others to the adjoining cocktail lounge
kitchen or lunchroom. Those Close to
the exits made good their escape. But
others, farther from the doors, joined in a wild rush to get out. Men, women and children were swept along to
the exits some going down to be trampled by the terrified mob behind them. What had been an orderly, happy throng was
transformed into a frenzied, unmanageable rabble intent only on saving their
own lives. A survivor recalled: “They
acted like beasts. That’s the only way
to describe them.” Some of the more
courageous or cool-headed men, however, jumped on tables and tried to calm the
crowd. Their efforts were
fruitless. The rush for exits
continued. Some of those at the rear of
the mob began hurling chairs through windows.
The crash of glass was added to the screams of the trapped and the roar
of flames overhead. One man thrust his
fists through windows, slashing his wrists until the blood spurted. The larger windows, survivors said, were
framed in metal and were so designed that it was difficult to get through
them. Other smaller windows were high
up and hard to reach. Yet scores
managed to get through, some receiving severe cuts from glass fragments still
remaining in the window frames. Several
children were tossed through windows by their anguished parents. One nine year old girl is known to have been
saved in that manner. Meanwhile, one of
the large exit doors became stuck and, according to witnesses, never was used
as a means of leaving the flaming structure.
One report was that several men succeeded in lifting the garage-type
door part way, found that it stuck, then lowered it and thus prevented anyone
from leaving by that exit. Others said
the door never was opened. It was near
this door that the bodies of nine of the dead were found. Behind the maddened crowd, as they battled
to escape, the heat from the flaming ceiling increased steadily and
swiftly. Survivors told, afterward, of
feeling the hot breath of flames on the back of their necks and on their
hands. About the time the panic started
patrolman Joseph Jager, of the Anne Arundel county police, drove up in his
patrol car. He saw smoke at the roof of
the building and saw the first stream of survivors rushing out. Immediately Jager radioed county police
headquarters. As he talked with the
operator at headquarters, the policeman saw the high arched roof of the
Quonset-type building burst into flames.
He called for all available aid, then stopped his car and rushed into
the building to help save lives. Other
policemen and special guards at the auditorium also were credited with helping
many to escape. This included Sgt.
Clarence Libno of the Halethorpe police, who was a guest. Libno smashed through doors leading into the
lunchroom and thus permitted many to flee. Another was August Seifert, 600 block
Creswell road, Brooklyn, a guard, who was credited with saving many. Sgt. Milton Fischer, attached to the
Baltimore City Police Department’s Northern district, joined with special
officers in trying to calm those in the building. Fischer said: “We told the
people to remain calm and walk to the exits. They paid no attention to us. They
were wild with fear. I ran to the
cocktail lounge, at one side of the building, and warned the people there to
get out. We tried to keep them from
panicking, but it was no use. All I can
really recall, after that, was trying to help people. It was terrible. It got
so hot in there that I finally made my way to safety. I got in an Anne Arundel county police radio car and called for
plenty of help to cope with the situation.”
First fire-fighting unit to reach the scene was the Brooklyn Volunteer
Fire Department. Immediately afterward
a general alarm was sounded, bringing out every fire company in the northern
section of the county. These included
Glen Burnie, Linthicum, Ferndale, Riviera Bieach, Orchard Beach, Earleigh
Heights, Marley Park, Powhatan Beach and Lake Shore. Units from the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Baltimore
county department also responded.
Later, as the full extent of the fire became known, other county units
rushed to the scene. Equipment came
from as far away as Deale, in the far southern section of the county. Fort Meade also sent equipment, and a
detachment of soldiers from the fort was rushed to the scene to aid in rescue
work. Also, troops from nearby
anti-aircraft units were dispatched and assisted materially. Meanwhile, county police and State troopers
were converging on the scene, and at least 20 ambulances from all over the
county, augmented by three State police ambulances, were on their way. The ambulances began a shuttle service to
Baltimore hospitals. Most of the burned
and injured were rushed to South Baltimore General Hospital, nearest the
disaster scene. Ambulance driver
Frederick Evans of Brooklyn Park said that when he approached the fire grounds
he could see the sky dyed crimson long before he reached the scene. He said: “The flames were leaping high into
the air, and there were loud crashes as beams and timbers fell. “When I arrived the sights were
terrible. People who had collapsed or
fainted were all along the road. Some
were trying to start cars to take the injured to hospitals or to doctors. Some of the survivors had lost their shoes,
their hats, their coats. Many were
wandering around as if in a daze. I
began giving firs-aid to people with minor injuries as soon as I arrived. On my first trip to South Baltimore General
I took five persons. I made a total of
seven trips, transporting 35. One woman
told me she had the shoes burned off her feet.
Another said she had seen a woman inside the building with her dress
afire.” Dr. Leonard H. Flax of Brooklyn
Park arrived at the scene in a police car and immediately began giving aid to
the injured and administering morphine to those seriously burned. He was aided by a nurse, Mrs. Julia Bowen,
4300 block Cortez road, who had been a gust at the party at the time the fire
broke out. Mrs. Bowen said Dr. Flax
aided at least 75 persons. Dr. Flax
said he did not keep count of those he helped.
Throughout the fire, priests from St. Rose of Lima Church and from other
churches worked desperately to aid the injured and suffering, and in some cases
they gave the last rites of the church to those inside the building. The Rev. John Tribull of St. Michael’s
Catholic Church, Lombard and Wolfe streets, heard a radio report of the fire
and rushed to the scene. He was one of
those who aided many. In the crimson
light of flames consuming the great arched roof of the auditorium building,
parents who had reached safety outside searched frantically for their children
and husbands sought their wives. Many
families were reunited, but others did not know for sure that their relatives
had survived until they were found at hospitals. And a few, failing to find their loved ones in the crowd or at
hospitals, were faced with the tragic realization that they had died in the
flame-wrecked building. Firefighters
from 35 companies, totaling more than 300 manning some 60 pieces of equipment,
were faced with a shortage of water in their despairing efforts to quell the
flames. A fireplug installed near the
building by its principal owners, Leroy J. Helm and George Stump, was utilized,
but another plug some distance away was blocked by parked automobiles and could
not be used. Some Engines pumped water
from a arm of the Patapsco River.
Firefighting efforts were further hampered by more than 5000 spectators,
who converged on the scene in innumerable automobiles. County police, aided by State troopers, city
policemen and firemen, found it almost impossible to control the traffic and
even had great difficulty in clearing a way for ambulances to pass
through. One county ambulance, heading
for the scene on Ritchie highway, was reported to have been involved in a
collision at Furnace Branch road. At
the Hospitals – South Baltimore General in particular – the flood of burned and
injured persons taxed the capacity of the institutions to care for them. Victims and members of their families or
friends lined up in corridors and hallways at the South Baltimore hospital,
waiting patiently until harassed doctors and nurses could give them some
attention. All available doctors and
nurses attached to the hospital were summoned, and all responded. Police rushed others from Sinai
Hospital. The American Red Cross in
Washington, informed of the disaster, sent 200 pints of serum albumin, the
latter used for treating shock, to South Baltimore General by automobile under
police escort. Less than an hour after
the fire began the flaming roof of the auditorium collapsed with a roar. Soon afterward the fire fighters succeeded
in cooling the embers sufficiently to enter the steaming, smoking ruins. In a corner near the northeast end of the
building they found the huddled, charred bodies of nine of the victims. The tenth body was found at the other end of
the building, between the bandstand and the kitchen. A flame-twisted musical instrument lay beside the tenth
body. All bodies were placed in canvas
sacks and were taken to Singletons Funeral Home in Glen Burnie. Later they were moved to the City
Morgue. Then began the grim procession
of relatives and friends to the Morgue after they had failed to find their
loved ones elsewhere. Sergeant Elmer
Hagner of the Anne Arundel police and Cpl. Brack E. Testermann of the State
police set up a table at the Morgue and interviewed the visitors in an attempt
to obtain detailed descriptions, of the missing – their age, weight, height,
dental work, jewelry they had worn, and their clothing. Jewelry, medals and other objects taken from
the victims were placed in charge of Lt. Brooke Meade of the Anne Arundel
police. Dr. Russell S. Fisher, State
medical examiner, said it was likely that positive identification of the
victims could not be made until some time today. He would not allow relatives to view the charred bodies. He said that in every case the fingers of
the victims had been burned off, thus complicating the problem of making
identification.
250 Burned, Injured
List of Fire Victims Treated At Hospitals Victims who gave their names and the hospitals at which they were treated, are:
At
University Hospital
Mrs. Virginia Zilka, 55, housewife, 700 block Pontiac Ave., knocked down and trampled, multiple, contusions. ~ Mrs. Mary Hettinger, 47, 3500 block Fairfield Rd., abrasions of left knee. ~ Richard Z. Lewandowski, 21, student, 300 block Orchard Ave., injured wrist. ~ Mrs. Sophia Rogolski, 32, 100 block Bon Air Rd., a Social Security Board employee, bruises and contusions. ~ John Rogolski, 36, Mrs. Rogolski’s husband, carpenter, cuts of arms and legs. ~ Carl Anderson 50, 1100 block Sergeant St., employee of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad car shops, cuts on hands. ~ Mrs. Beatrice Rozanek, 31, a typist, 4000 block Second St., cuts of left hand. ~ Joseph Rozanek, 34, husband of Mrs. Rozanek, cuts on hands. ~ William Reed, 54, guard, 1500 block S. Charles St., bruises of leg and body and smoke inhalation. ~ Mrs. Naomi Guy, 36, barmaid, 1400 block Filbert St., left hand cut by glass. ~ Miss Lettie Andrews, 27, bookkeeper, Mill Creek Rd., Arnold, Md., bruises. ~ Carl Bostio, 25, a student 300 block S. Elrino St., cuts and burns. ~ Mrs. Marie Debus, 44, 1400 block S. Charles St., smoke inhalation and bruises. ~ George Hopkins, 43, 300 block Orchard Ave., cuts on hands and bruises.
At South
Baltimore General Hospital
William F. Augustine, 28, 927 Jack St., minor injuries. ~ George Bergling, Jr., 32, 907 Herndon Ct., burns of the face. ~ George Bullard, 29, 1004 S. Light St., burns on face. ~ James Babizky, 68, 4351 Sixth St., first, second and third degree burns of both ears, neck and hands. ~ J. T. Booker, 25, 947 Jeffrey St., hand injuries. ~ Edward J. Beck, 37, 603 Riverside Rd., member of the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Department, burns on hands and face. ~ Francis Berndy, 5703 Phillips St., burns of the hands. ~ Andrew Brady, 57, 5713 Magie St., admitted to hospital. ~ Dorothy Bigalke, 35, 1958 Victory Dr., admitted to hospital. ~ Lois E. Crosby, 38, 3211 Magnolia Dr., abrasion of the head. ~ Edmund Czajkowski, 41, 3112 Evergreen Ave., minor injuries. ~ Elaine Carmeal 25, 803 Jack St., lacerations ~ Charles DiGulio, 104 W. LaPaux La. ~ John Durkin, 27, 4209 Ritchie Hwy., burns of the neck and forehead. ~ Arbutus Evans, 38, 900 block Pontiac St., injuries to leg, chest and ribs. ~ Mary Fitzgerald, 75, 3536 Fourth St., admitted to the hospital. ~ June Fickles, 31, 3502 Fulton Ave., lacerations. ~ Mrs. Elda Fararonie, 3700 block Overview Ave. ~ John Fitzgerald, 41, 3805 Tenth St., lacerations and abrasions. ~ Austin Fisher, 44, 5523 Windsor Mill Rd., burns on the neck, and hit on the back of the head. ~ Albert O. Gast, 25, 3804 Tenth St., abrasions both hands. ~ Barbara Gutridge, 27, 908 Fitting St., bruises. ~ Virginia Gerluck, 3621 Fourth St., chest pains. ~ John Grelli, 7231 Bridgewood Dr. ~ Clarence Gilligan, 37, Green Haven, lacerations. ~ Mabel J. Gregory, 27, 2427 Bank St., admitted to the hospital. ~ Robert M. Hercet, 47,Canbria St., injuries to left arm. ~ Marie Higgins, 921 First St., contusions and abrasions. ~ Albert O. Hasse, 45, 281 Stanley Ter., lacerations. ~ Leona P. Helsetter, 49, 4009 Sixth St., burns and lacerations of the arm. ~ Elizabeth E. Hooper, 69, 608 Patapsco Ave., shock. ~ Daniel M. Householder, 56, 9 Bristol Ave. ~ Carrie Hall, Riviera Beach, bruises. ~ William Hooper, 55, 608 Patapsco Ave., admitted to hospital. ~ Kathleen Johnson, 18, 1341 Hull St., burns and lacerations of hands and arm. ~ Rose Kane, 5310 Ritchie Hwy., wrist injury. ~ Alice Kozlauski, 132 Meadow La., left leg injury. ~ John V. Koch, 36, 18 Thomas Ave., burns of the nose. ~ Joseph Kirby, 1042 Patapsco Ave., abrasions and burns. ~ Andrew Kasubinski, 37, abrasions. ~ Liston Kelly, 957 Jack St. ~ Maude Lemaster, 3558 Horton Ave., fractured arm. ~ Catherine B. Lane, 26, 23 Wallman Ct., injured legs. ~ W. J. Leinbeck, 319 E. Fort Ave. ~ Mildred Lanskis, 42, 155 Filbert St., burns leg, shoulder and arm. ~ Walter G. Myers, 2542 McHenry St., fingers and arm injury. ~ Mary A. Murphy, 1336 Hull St. ~ Joseph T. Maockowski, Pasadena, burns of the face and hands. ~ Mrs. Joseph Maockowski, Pasadena. ~ Albert Merchant, 28, 3706 Colbourne Rd., lacerations face and legs. ~ August Marcellino, 46, admitted to the hospital. ~ Vivian McLean, 28, 215 Laurel Ave., hand injuries. ~ Sophie D. Novak, 34, 3716 Fleetwood Ave., leg injuries. ~ Joseph R. Newman, 28, 212 Meadow Rd., lacerations. ~ William Nelson, 38, 3823 St. Margaret Ave., lacerations. ~ Clara Neff, 54, 3605 Nineteenth St., bruises of the back and legs. ~ Mary C. Owens, 47, 30 Old Annapolis Rd., arms and head burns. ~ Leo O. Stamms, 3821 Patapsco Ave. ~ Wood Sisk, 1510 Sycamore St., lacerations. ~ Cecilie Strzegoski, 307 River View Rd. ~ Kenneth Smith, 28, jumped out of a window, leg injuries. ~ Stanley Sczepucka, 1252 Augusta Ave., lacerations. ~ Betty M. Stewart, Riviera, Md., burns of the shoulder and arms. ~ Mary A. Sienkilewski, 3923 Brooklyn Ave. ~ James W. Shaw, 39, 3821 Patapsco Ave., lacerations. ~ Eileen M. Shaw, 32 3821 Patapsco Ave., burns. ~ Concotta Strauss, 33,50 Pebble Dr., shock. ~ Andrew Twomey, 42 1263 Riverside Dr., burns neck and hands. ~ Thomas Nelson, 824 Jack St. ~ Mrs. Thomas Nelson, 824 Jack St. ~ Elizabeth Ulua, 1516 Elmtree St., burns of the face and shoulder. ~ Virginia Vogel, 46, 1442 S. Charles St., admitted to the hospital. ~ William J. Welsh, 22, 3610 Ninth St., burns of the fingers. ~ Howard W. White, 20, 807 Stoll St., abrasions of the leg and arm. ~ Bernard E. Wolfe, 23, 1022 Jack St., lacerations. ~ James Yirka, 3815 Eighth St., smoke in chest. ~ Francis Youngbar, 817 Stoll St., burns of the head and ears. ~ Mrs. Alice Youngbar, 3706 Ninth St., left arm injury. ~ Eleanor Obzut, 40, 114 Ninth St., admitted to hospital. ~ Charles G. Schmidt, Jr., 31, 8 Patapsco Ave., burns and lacerations of the face and hands. ~ Norman M. Boies, 32, 1713 Belt St., burns of the left hand. ~ Dorothy Jones, 35, leg injury.
St. Agnes
Hospital
Stephen Synowski, 46, 1700 block Sulphur Springs Rd., lacerations of the fingers and smoke inhalation. ~ Mrs. Grace Synowski, same address, lacerations of the fingers and smoke inhalation. ~ Agnes Daus, 3900 block Brooklyn Ave., mild shock. ~ Dorothy Osborne, 3600 block Ninth St., abrasions and contusions of left knee. ~ Catherine Sweeney, 20, 4100 block Orchard Ave., contusions of the back. ~ Francis Cadagan, 31, 200 block Washburn Ave., minor abrasions and contusions of left knee. ~ Shirley Lombardi, 28, 1400 block Light St., mild shock. ~ Mrs. Nettie Lee Simon, 46, 2000 block Hollins St., mild shock.
At
Lutheran Hospital
Frank Bernschein, 34, 202 Hillcrest Rd., injured ankle.
At Johns
Hopkins Hospital
Clarence Gibbs, 29, 316 Herring Ct., bruises. ~ Mrs. Lillian Gibbs, 28, 316 Herring Ct., bruises. ~ Ernest Amy, 54, 121 S. Chester St., burned arm. ~ Mrs. Antionette Markiowcz, 44, 821 Lynore Ave., cuts and bruises. ~ Howard Pyle, 28, 4804 Liberty Heights Ave., cuts of the face and right leg. ~ Mrs. Ruth Baumann, 38, 527 Freeman St., burns of the back of legs and side of face. ~ Brice Keys, 42, 1016 W. Thirty-eight St., injuries to the left knee and smoke in lungs. ~ Mrs. Diris Herbert, 28, 3703 Leo St., cuts to the foot. ~ Miss Carol Choplick, 18, 117 S. Washington St., cuts on hands and feet. ~ Mrs. Alma Tabor, 29, 117 S. Washington St., cuts to the face, hands and suffering from shock. ~ Thomas Janaskie, 24, 117 S. Washington St., burned face and hands. ~ James Tabor, 39, 117 S. Washington St., cuts to hands and right leg hurt.
At Church
Home and Hospital
Mrs. James Dullen, 52, 2105 Moyer St., treated for shock and released.
At Mercy
Hospital
Mrs. Elizabeth O’Connor, 56, 400 block S. Washington St., leg cuts. ~ John Neuser, 3700 block Fairhaven Ave., burned face and hands. ~ Miss Eleanor Cronin, 19, 3800 block Fifth St., cuts on hand and foot. ~ Mrs. Irma Smith, 25, 1400 block Hull St., burns on hip and leg. ~ Mrs. May Jones, 57, 1000 block Bristol Pl., burns on arms and face. ~ Miss Helen Waithee, 45, first block E. Barney St., cuts on hands and legs. ~ Miss Jeanette Falkenstein, 31, 2000 block Portugal St., burns and cuts on arms. ~ Fred Knofski, 38, 1300 block Andre St., injuries of left leg. ~ Charles Ecker, 29, 3500 block Horton Ave., burns on face and neck. ~ Alfred Bibo, 36, 7200 block Gough St., burns. ~ Mrs. Veronica Bathon, 38, 100 block Fifteenth Ave., Brooklyn. ~ Frederick Bathon, 39, same address, burns.
At St.
Joseph’s Hospital
Mrs. Eileen Taylor, 35, 3300 block Echodale Ave., burns cuts and shock. ~ Joseph Taylor, 38, her husband, same address, burns and shock. ~ Helen Wunner, 40, 1700 block E. Lafayette Ave., burns of both hands and multiple cuts and bruises.
At Bon
Secours Hospital
Sylvester Silver, 52, 3000 block Abell Ave., injured right shoulder.
At Sinai
Hospital
Peter Grelli, 29, 400 block N. Bradford St., abrasions of both knees.
At
Franklin Square Hospital
Claire Connin, no address, minor lacerations.
Well over 250 persons burned or injured in the Arundel Park fire were treated at eleven hospitals or at the scene, police reported today after a partial tabulation of figures. A total of 140 victims were listed by name on hospital records, 14 of them with injuries sufficiently serious to require their admission to the hospitals. The others were treated and sent home. In addition, many others were given emergency treatment at hospitals but left without being listed by name. The exact number was not known. At the fire scene at least 100 persons were given emergency treatment. South Baltimore General Hospital treated the greatest number of listed casualties, 84. Six other hospitals treated victims, as follows: University Hospital, 14; Mercy, 13; Johns Hopkins, 13; St. Agnes, eight; St. Joseph’s, three; Lutheran, one; Church Home and Hospital, one; Bon Secours, one; Franklin Square, one, and Sinai, one.
Scene of Agony, Despair
Loved Ones Sought By Kin In
Hospital.
By Joyce Pocklington.
Corridors at South Baltimore General Hospital were jammed. John Franczkowski, 400 block South Washington street, leaned against an operating table sobbing: “Where’s Josie?” His brother, Zigbund Franczkowski, 200 block South Chapel street, with eyebrows and hair singed, ear cut and salve on his face, stood nearby and patted John on the shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he said, “we’ll find her.” But John Franczkowski, rocking to and fro, kept murmuring: “I can’t find her. I’ve been looking everywhere.” Leo Rust, one of the calmest in the receiving ward, rubbed his injured back while waiting for X-rays. Shaking his head, he said: “I’ve seen a lot of fires. We’ve had all kinds at oil refinery where I work. But this is the worst I ever saw.” In a matter of minutes, in Brooklyn where the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church was holding its benefit oyster roast. George Berling, 900 block Herndon drive, remarked: “First, it was smoke. Then, a big ball of fire. The ceiling burst into flames. Lots of people were saying, ‘Keep calm.’ But they started screaming and running. Some tried to get through the windows.” Nurses, calm and efficient, hurried about. Transfusions were given in the hallway. Quietly, the women in white led weeping relatives away. Extra nurses and doctors came to the hospital and quickly donned white coats and uniforms. Sitting on a chair was Mrs. James Owens, Old Annapolis road. Her arm swathed in bandages, she gave her account of the fire: “I was in the rest room. A man dashed in and a woman shouted, ‘Hey, you’re not allowed in here.’ He replied, ‘I can’t stand on formality. There’s a fire.’ “Before we knew it, the place was an inferno. The smoke got me and I fell. I don’t know how I got out.” On a nearby bench sat Miss Geraldine Cook, 1000 block Church street. Her blonde hair was tousled and smoke smudges covered her face. Dazed and shaking, she was waiting for an X-ray of her back. Near her sat Mrs. Mary Snow, 300 block Cedarhill Lane. She had heard from her daughter about the fire and had rushed to the hospital forgetting about the pins in her hair. Her son had gone to the oyster roast and she hadn’t seen him since. She said: “I’m just quivering. We don’t have a telephone at home and I don’t know where my son, Billy, is.” Another call came in that 25 more victims were on their way. Donald Mills, hospital director, was making up admission sheets. The corridors were filled, but Mills instructed: “Admit them. We can take care of them.” Upstairs on the third floor lay a retired fireman, Andrew A. Brady, 5700 block Magie street. He had been assigned to the oyster roast as special policeman. Not until he had helped others to leave and his uniform caught fire did he leave. His face, hands and back were severely burned. Outside, hundreds of people had gathered. Traffic was at a standstill on Wall, West and Light streets around the hospital. A special detail of police had been assigned to keep the crowds back. Some in the crowd were shouting: “We’ve got relatives in there.” Inside, men and women waiting to be treated were on their knees praying. Several priests arrived to administer the rites of the church. Marie Haggins, 900 block First street, who had cuts about her hands and legs, said: “They were fighting to get out the door. Some fell. Men standing near the doorway tried to help them to their feet. It was so horrible that it can’t be described.” For hours, victims and relatives filled the hospital corridors, and staff members couldn’t do enough to help patients and their families. Anxious requests for names of those treated were answered innumerable times. Coffee and sandwiches were served. Doctors, nurses, technicians and orderlies hurried about seeking those who needed help and calming others. It was not cold efficiency but a warm desire to help. Extra people were called in and doctors rushed from other hospitals. Mr. Mills, the hospital director, was here and there, giving instructions. Red Cross and civil defense people came to the hospital immediately. Two truckloads of soldiers pulled up in front of the hospital. They wanted to give blood. Glen Burnie police called to say they had 25 donors on hand. A helping hand was extended everywhere.
List of
Missing
Those reported missing in the Arundel Park fire, as listed by relatives and friends who visited the City Morgue early today, are as follows:
Mrs. Frances Cooke, forty-eight, first block Seward avenue, Brooklyn. ~ mrs. Frances Obzut, eighty-one, mother of Mrs. Cooke, same address. ~ Mrs. Gladys Mckay, forty-one, 800 block Drill court, Brooklyn. ~ Esther Dougherty, fifty, Manhattan Beach, Anne Arundel county. ~ Mrs. Anna Brandt, fifty-nine, 3200 block Foster avenue. ~ Stella Kozlowski, forty-five, 5600 block Sagra road. ~ Mrs. Goldie Otto, thirty-eight, 8100 block Liberty road, Rockdale. ~ Josephine Franczkowski (or Franklin), thirty-four, 400 block South Washington street. ~ Mrs. Stella Cavanaugh, forty-two, 900 block Pontiac avenue. ~ Theresa Kelly, twenty-eight, 900 block Jack street, Brooklyn.
Mrs. Cooke was identified tentatively, by means of jewelry and cloth from her dress, by her son Robert. Mrs. McKay also was identified tentatively by a daughter. Mrs. Cavanaugh was said to be a widow with four children ranging in age from twelve to twenty-two.
In Fire
Girl Thrown Out Window. Nine-year-old Monette Obzutg survived the fire because her mother had the presence of mind to throw her out a window. The child, suffering from shock, was taken to University Hospital by Mrs. Mary Brandt, 3200 block Foster avenue, who was seeking relatives known to have attended the oyster roast. Monette said her mother picked her up bodily and threw her out a window as flames raced through the building roof. The mother was reported burned and under treatment at South Baltimore General Hospital. She and Monette live in the 100 block Ninth avenue, Brooklyn Park.
Funeral Home Is Morgue For Charred Bodies
By Roy Gregory
It was quiet. Even for a funeral home it was quiet. But this was a different sort of silence. Even for a funeral home it was a different sort of requiem uneasiness. In fact, for the moment it wasn’t a funeral home at all but a temporary morgue so designated to receive 10 charred bodies that only a few hours before were living, happy people enjoying themselves at a church social. Newspaper men, steeled for tragic reporting, exchanged bits of information in hushed tones. While they paced heavily carpeted floors waiting for official notification, police and medical authorities went about the grim duty of identification in the Singleton funeral home at Glen Burnie. It was conceded in advance that personal identification would be impossible until at least hours of exploratory work had been accomplished. Immediate task was to make a preliminary identification as to sex and age. After what seemed like endless waiting – it was only an hour – Anne Arundel county and State police issued a statement. All 10 bodies were those of females. Three at first were said to be children ranging in age from fifteen to six. In making the report to the newsmen, State Police Capt. Martin Puenke said, “You might be interested in knowing that a little girl was still clutching a toy dog.” He wasn’t trying to be dramatic. There was no need for dramatics. “Are there any further questions?” the captain asked. “How was identification made?” this from a curious newsman who had noted the bodies that were carried into the morgue in heavy canvas sacks. “From buttons, jewelry, shoes – from any clue we could salvage.” The captain answered. “Anything else?” he asked. There were no further questions. There wasn’t any need for any more. Later the bodies were ordered removed to the Baltimore city morgue, where the tremendous task of personal identification was launched this morning. The victim clutching the toy dog was still shrouded in mystery.
50 Volunteers Aid Red Cross In
Tragedy
More than 50 volunteers joined the regular staff of the local Red Cross chapter last night in giving aid to injured persons after the Arundel Park Auditorium went up in flames. Headquarters of the chapter, which takes in the city, Baltimore county and Howard county, remained open throughout the night with three telephone operators answering inquiries about the dead and injured. One hundred pints of whole blood and 100 units of serum albumen, rushed here from Washington, were being distributed by the Red Cross from South Baltimore General Hospital. In charge of Red Cross efforts were Frederick L. Wehr, chairman of the local chapter, and Gen. William C. Purnell, head of the chapter’s disaster service.
Doctor Treats 75 At Blaze
Dr. Leonard H. Flax, 100 block Seventh Ave., Brooklyn Park, one of the heroes of the fire, was so busy treating the injured at the scene that he was unable to keep count of them. But a nurse, Mrs. Julia Bowen, who assisted him, said he treated at least 75 persons. Dr. Flax, a resident surgeon at Mercy Hospital, was at home shortly after 5 P.M. when he heard the sound of fire sirens. He had a premonition of disaster, hurried to the street, and flagged down a county police car. The car’s crew told him of the big fire. Without hesitation Dr. Flax ran back into his home, snatched up his physician’s bag, returned to the police car and was sped to the fire scene. There he treated victims of burns, cuts, bruises, and shock in what amounted to assembly-line fashion. Mrs. Bowen, who lives in the 4300 block Cortez Road and who had attended the oyster roast, volunteered to aid Dr. Flax. She said later: “He was wonderful. He should be given all the credit in the world.” Mrs. Bowen said she was standing outside the hall when the fire started. She told of hearing screams of those trapped within, saw people fighting to get out the jammed doors, and saw survivors stagger out and collapse on the ground.
Sign of Cross
Priest Blesses Victims Taken From Fire Scene
By Edward Bertsch
An ambulance backed up to the ruins. Firemen gently lifted several canvas bags into the rear of the vehicle. The door was shut. Before it left, a priest, wearing a fire helmet, opened the back door, and leaned in, making the sign of the cross. Requiescat in Pace! A huge carton, filled with partly melted nickels – silent symbols of the county slot machine operation – was taken into the Ferndale Station along with all other valuables unearthed from the ruins, including several bottles of champagne. Edward Campbell, 1908 Collington Ave., and Charles Clark, 1010 Rockhill Ave., both from Baltimore, still visibly shaken, watched the fire. Campbell said, “It happened so quickly. Seemed like a huge puff of flame enveloped the whole place at once." When it was learned that 10 bodies had been identified as women, the news spread fast and within moments anxious people were calling the Ferndale police asking if they had names. Authorities conceded that the bodies would be most difficult to identify. Bridge dental work, jewelry, shoes, scraps that might even seem unimportant were carefully put into a bucket in hopes that such items would aid in the grim task. Military personnel from the area reached the scene moments after alarm was sounded. First aid crews from Fort Meade, Friendship, Catonsville and Glen Burnie antiaircraft installations aided in treating more than 100 injured persons. Fire fighters formed a human chain to pass valuables dug from the ruins to a truck. The valuables were then taken to Ferndale Police Headquarters. County Police Officer John Terbe was charged with the task of making the official on-the-scene police report. Special Investigator H. Charles Robinson and State Police Sgt. Thomas Smith paused early in the morning to change clothes before continuing an investigation into the cause of the fire. The building, a mecca for bingo fans three nights a week, is owned by Leroy Helm, George Stumpt and Robert Middlecroft, police reported. Witnesses all agree that the orchestra was playing at the time the flames enveloped the building but no one could recall the tune.
1967 Church Roof Collapse Report #1 of
2
2/9/1967
The Sun — Headlines: Church roof
collapses on 120 at Mass here. At Least
13 injured; children swarm out of debris.
At least thirteen persons were injured early
today when the entire roof of the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Fourth
street and Washburn Avenue, collapsed with a mighty roar on approximately 120
persons attending a children’s Lenten mass.
An eyewitness said that the children “swarmed like ants” out of the
wrecked church as rescue workers converged on the scene. Deep drifted snow on the roof was blamed for
the collapse at the church built shortly after World War II. Seven ambulances carried the injured, about
half children in grades two to eight, to three nearby hospitals. It was not immediately determined how
serious their injuries were. South
Baltimore General Hospital reported that the following children were admitted
following the accident: Kathleen
Soboleski, 7, of the 5400 block Chatham road, who is in satisfactory condition
with a cut lip. Robert Antonio, about
14, who is in serious condition resulting from probable head injuries. Gary Dungan, about 12, who has an injured
left wrist. Timothy McGahagan, about
12, who has probable back injuries. The
children were taken to St. Agnes Hospital.
They are: Timothy Reagan, of the
700 block Old Riverside road, under 10
Michele Feeley, of the 4100 block Doris avenue, under 10, cut on
chin. An eyewitness account came from a
third grader identified as George Feeley, 7, of the 4100 block Doris avenue,
who said he was sitting a few pews from the alter when the roof collapsed. The boy said he heard a sound “like a door
being slammed.” He saw “a part of the
ceiling fall.” It missed him and he
dashed out a side door.
Treated At School
An emergency first-aid station was set up by the Fire Department at the church school to treat dozens of these who escaped with scratches and bruises. Every clock in the church stopped at exactly 7:50 A.M., proof of the time of the sudden crash. The last person brought out at 8:57 A.M. was a 14-year-old boy. He was brought over a still-standing wall on ladders. Firefighters said he was conscious although grimacing with pain. He was not crying. Pastor of the church is the Rev. T. Austin Murphy, Auxiliary Bishop of the Baltimore diocese, but he reportedly was not conducting the morning mass. The celebrant was identified as Father Francis O’Brien.
Pleads For Friends
An 8-year-old girl who arrived late for the mass, Susan Brandner, stood outside the church during rescue operations pleading with firefighters to save her friends. Neighbors said the roof collapse sounded like an explosion. No fire was reported, however. As the children and about twenty adults scrambled to safety witnesses said it “looked like a giant hand had pressed down on the roof” and left the walls standing around piled-up debris. It was this rubble that blocked some exits and forced rescuers to bring survivors over the walls. One observer said it was “a miracle” that nobody was killed in the crash.
Second Disaster
It was the second disaster to strike St. Rose of Lima in eleven years. On January 29, 1956, eleven persons, ten women and a fireman – died in a fire that swept the Arundel Park Auditorium minutes before the oyster roast they and some 1,200 other persons were attending was scheduled to end. Nine of the victims were found huddled in the northwest corner of the structure, one clutching a scorched toy dog. Two other bodies were discovered in another part of the auditorium. Investigators attributed the fire to either a short circuit or spontaneous combustion. According to their report, the fire probably burned more than three hours before being discovered.
Retired Fireman
The eleventh victim and the only man to die as a result of the fire was a retired fireman who had stayed to the last moment, helping rescue people. Six days before his death he had been assigned to the St. Rose of Lima Church oyster roast as a special policeman, one of two on the scene. Eyewitnesses said the fire started in a kitchen at the east side of the huge Quonset-hut-shaped structure.
Hysterical Crowd
As many in the crowd hysterically bolted for the doors others courageously tried to gather their families together. Although there had been many reports that one door of the building was jammed, the great bulk of the crowd had been able to fight its way to safety through numerous other doors and windows. The victims had apparently tried to get as far away as possible from the source of the fire in the kitchen at the opposite end of the building. They were about 30 feet from a door. Nearby were windows, but there had been no visible attempt to break them open.
“Men Beating Women”
An eyewitness had reported: “I saw men beating women to get to a door or a window.” Even some of the people who saw the fire begin, he had reported, were more curious than alarmed. At first, the eating and drinking and dancing went on. An orchestra was playing as the fire broke out. Although the music stopped quickly, musicians tried to calm the crowd over a loudspeaker. But their panic, the delay in evacuating the hall, a delay in calling firemen and a combustible attic were all re-ported as factors in the total loss of eleven lives.
1967 Church Roof Collapse Report #2 of
2
5/24/1967 The
Sun — Report Calls Church Roof
Substandard. Bad Materials, Building
Code Violation Cited at St. Rose Of Lima (John E.
Woodruff).
Forces released when a single, substandard 2-by-4-inch board snapped brought the St. Rose of Lima church roof down on more than 100 parishioners last February 9, a city report said yesterday. The 2-by-4 broke long before the roof actually collapsed, but the roof structure was so shot through with deficiencies that it eventually gave in to the pressures resulting from the broken board, the report said. The roof collapse injured 48 persons but the church’s pews protected most of the congregation, and no one was killed. The report, made after a fourteen-week study ordered by Mayor McKeldin immediately after the roof collapsed, makes no effort to put the blame for any of the deficiencies on any of the individuals or organizations involved.
Weaknesses Listed
But it lists a series of weaknesses in the roof, including:
1. Unseasoned lumber where seasoned lumber was specified.
2. Lumber of a grade lower than was specified – with too-large knots and grain running at the wrong angle.
3. Absence of as many as 25 per cent of the “split rings” – joining devices described as “critical” in the report – which were called for in splices of some of the roof’s trusses.
4. Metal washers smaller than specified.
5. Badly split and shrunken wood members, especially at many of the joints.
6. Lack of bracing between the wood trusses which could have helped to distribute the load among them when the collapse started.
Code Violation
The report also documents “a violation of the Baltimore city Building Code” which it says could have led to the building’s collapse in a high wind if the roof had not come down first. This violation was the result, the report says, of a decision to substitute wood trusses for the steel trusses specified in the original design. Because the wood trusses had to be closer together than the steel ones, the report says, it became impossible to provide the masonry reinforcing piers called for in the plans without eliminating windows, so the piers were not built into the church walls.
Events Traced
The result was a church with walls which were “theoretically inadequate in (their) ability to withstand lateral wind forces,” the report says. But the report rules out this weakness as even a contributing factor in the February 9 roof-collapse, on the grounds that the blocks of one wall or another would have fallen inside the church if the building had been blown over by the wind. Instead, the report pieces together a series of events in which:
1. The 2-by-4, which had a grain running at too great an angle for the supporting job it was doing near the center of the church, snapped along its grain near a joint.
2. Deprived of the support this member was designed to give, the roof’s remaining underpinnings resisted for a long time, assisted by the wooden sheathing which lent support and unity which was otherwise lacking.
3. But the forces eventually proved to be too much for a splice in one of the trusses near the center of the building, and it finally gave way at 8:10 A.M. February 9.
4. As the broken truss fell, it released forces which burst the tops of the walls on both sides of the church.
5. The failure of the first truss passed its burden on to the trusses flanking it, and they were unable to withstand the sudden 50-per cent increase in their loads, thereby beginning a chain-reaction from truss to truss with the roof lying atop the pews.
Preventive Steps
Included in the report is a letter from E. George Stern, a professor of wood construction at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, which outlines three steps which could have precluded installation of the deficient lumber, deficient joining rings and undersized washers. The steps that Mr. Stern said would have prevented these deficiencies include “careful inspection,” specification of machine-graded lumber for trusses and “certification that the required number of fasteners was installed.”
Reports Distributed
The report, dated May 10, was prepared by W. Worthington Ewell, president of Ewell, Bomhardt and Associates, a Baltimore engineering firm. It is addressed to Robert G. Deitrich, the city’s building inspection engineer, who was vice president of J. L. Faisant and Associates when that firm designed the church roof. Other reports have been prepared independently for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese; Gaudreau and Gaudreau, the architects; and E. Eyring and Sons, the contractors.
Fault Not Mentioned
Mayor McKeldin sent the report to the city’s Law Department immediately after it was received and said he wanted advice on possible repercussions from its release. When he released it yesterday, however, his staff insisted that it had not been censored in any way and had been cleared by the Law Department for release. “I am also pleased to report that our investigations failed to discover any evidence of intentional misconduct by any of the parties involved,” the Mayor added in a prepared statement issued when he released the report. He said that a “thorough investigation” by the Bureau of Building Inspection has shown there are no other buildings in Baltimore with similar deficiencies “to the best of their knowledge.” The report points out that “a lack of knowledge” of many of the deficiencies in the roof precluded routine maintenance procedures which could have helped to strengthen the roof.
Unseasoned Lumber
For example, it points out that when unseasoned lumber is used, it normally shrinks so much that it is “essential” to tighten all bolts within six months after construction and again within the first year. “The completed structure withstood all natural and man-made loads for nearly fifteen years without visible signs of distress,” Mr. Ewell’s report says. “In fact, the Building Committee of Saint Rose inspected the building in December of 1966 and one contractors in the group reported that there were no noticeable cracks that needed repair,” it adds. “Two months later the entire system, carrying less than its total design load, collapsed with verve and finality. The report lists several possible causes which Mr. Ewell’s investigation ruled out.
Sabotage Ruled Out
Sabotage was ruled out because the wood showed no sign of saw cuts or powder burns; inferior masonry blocks were ruled out after scientific tests, and rotted wood was ruled out after a laboratory inspection, the report says. But it says that during the fifteen years the church stood, “the debilitating effects of long term loading, shrinkage, splitting at joints, missing split rings and poor gradation reduced the factor of safety against failure to a point far below the designer’s expectations.” The fact that the 2-by-4 did not snap just before the roof came down is made clear, the report says, by the discoloration of the wood on the broken surface of the board. Mr. Ewell supports his sixteen-page analysis of the roof collapse with thirteen photographs, three diagrams and a report by the city’s Bureau of Tests in addition to the letter from Mr. Stern. [Click here for photos] Church roof collapse
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Title
Page of Sacraments Book #1:
This is a transcript of hand-written notes that appear on the next two
pages. Some spelling and punctuation
has been corrected but, otherwise, an effort has been made to present the notes
as they are.
This parish of St. Rose of Lima was organized by
the Rev. Paul Sandalgi, pastor of St. Athanasius, Curtis Bay, as a mission to
that parish.
The frame chapel was destroyed by fire on February 7, 1915 and the present church
of brick was built and dedicated on February 6, 1916, Rev. D. J. Kennedy, O.P.,
preached. Later, Rev. F. L. Kunnecke
became pastor but established his home on Hartford Road opposite Erdman
Ave. In May 1922, Rev. L. J. Ripple was
appointed pastor and assumed charge, June 28, 1922. The Rectory was in course of construction and was not occupied
until September 12, 1922. Holy Trinity
Church was established as a mission to this parish in 1919. First Mass, Town Hall, April 27, 1919. First Mass, basement Church, March 14, 1920
by Rev. Fr. Kennedy.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church at Riviera
Parish was built in 1924 and dedicated by Monsignor Dogherty, vice Rector of
the Catholic University, June 28, 1925.
The sermon was preached by Very Rev. J. J. Ripple O.P. National Director
of the Holy Name Society and brother of the Pastor.
St. Rose of Lima School and Convent was built in
the Fall of 1925 and completed the following Spring. Ground for Chapel at Shipley Heights was purchased from Mr. F. J.
Stockett, Hammonds Ferry Road, 1924.
Rev. T. A. Boeman, of the Diocese of Savannah,
Ga., acted as assistant at St. Rose of Lima, June 1923–September 1924. Assistance was rendered by Rev. H. Nogengast
1921–1923 and by Rev. T. J. McKew 1924–June 1926. Assistance was also rendered by Rev. L A. Brown, Spring, Summer
of 1925.
Rev. Adam Wachowiak was appointed assistant,
June 1926. St. Rose of Lima School was
opened September 1926 in charge of the Dominican Sisters (motherhouse at
Sinsinawa Wis.) with 180 pupils. Sister
Gertrudis, principal, Sister Oswald, Sister Alphonso and Sister Elvena. On December 21, at 1 a.m. fire was
discovered by Sister Elvena in the school room occupied by the 1st grade, by
the Sister who brought the alarm to the rectory. Three alarms were sounded bring nineteen pieces of apparatus to
the scene. Due to lack of water and
delay at Railroad crossings the fire got beyond control and wrecked the school
building. No damage was done to the
Sisters house or other property. The
children of the school were taken over by the public schools in Brooklyn and in
the county. Work on reconstruction was
begun at once and provisions made against a similar catastrophe by making the
building fire proof. The school
reopened for classes September 1927.
Same Sisters in charge. The
school and convent was solemnly blessed February 19, 1928. Bishop Shahan of C.U. substituted in the
blessing for Archbishop Curley who was ill in the hospital with pneumonia. A fine delegation of Fourth Degree K of C
were present as guards of honor. The
school now has 240 pupils. Monsignor
Cunnance and Murray and about 22 parents attended the dedications
ceremonies. Addition to Sisters house
in Summer of 1929. Rev. Robert Froehlich appointed assistant June 5, 1930.
Ground was broken for new Holy Trinity Church
Glen Burnie, July 18, 1930. New Church
dedicated on Monday, December 14, 1930 by Bishop McNamara, V.G.–L. J. Ripple
celebrant of Mass, G. A. Rankin Deacon, and J.J. O’Connor S.D.–Very Rev. M. J.
Ripple, O.P. National Director of H.N.S. preached. 5 Monsignors and 35 priests
attended the dedication.
Rev. James H. Brooks appointed assistant, July
1932.
Rev. Jas V. Lannon appointed assistant July 1,
1933. The Parnel home, 401 Washburn Ave., purchased 1933 and used as school
annex 1934. The Rev. Philip J. Brown
appointed assistant June 26, 1936 to replace Fr. Brooks appointed to Middle
River, 1949. Pastor East Riverdale Washington, D.C.
List of assistants 1922–1946 acquired additional
ground at Riviera Beach Frontage at Church 75x150 and 5+ acres of land for
school, etc.–Donation of Mrs. Pumphrey.
Fr. Negengast, 1922–1923 ~ Fr. Tom Boeman, Sept 1924–1926 ~ Fr. Thomas McKew, helper from S.C.C. ~ Fr. Wachowiak, 1926–1932 [should be
1930] ~ Fr. Froelich,
1930–1932 ~ Fr. Lannon,
1930–1935 ~ Fr. Oberle, S.S., 1935
– ~ Fr. Larry Brown, S.S., 1935 – ~ Fr. Phil Brown, 1936–July 1946 appointed
Pastor of Barnesville ~
Fr. G. T. Bowling, 1939–1948 transferred to Towson ~ Fr. Murphy, 1946–Feb 1949 appointed Pastor
of Glyndon March 13, 1949 ~
Fr. Stephen Melyche,r 1946–June 2, 1951 to Westminster ~ Fr. Thomas J. Fannon, 1948–January 26, 1952
appointed Archdiocesan Director of Television
~ Glen Burnie and Riviera Beach separated as distinct pastorates,
November 1947. ~ Fr. Raymond Kelly Pastor
of Riviera Beach–St. Jane Frances deChantal
~ Fr. Arthur C. Slade Pastor of Holy Trinity, Glen Burnie ~ Fr. V. Herbert Howley 1949. ~ April 21, 1950, Friday 7:15 p.m. fire
discovered in Church St Rose, alarm sounded 7:15 p.m., church practically wrecked. ~ Fr. T. Austin Murphy June 2, 1951 ~ Fr. Francis X. Wills June 2, 1951 ~ Fr. Stanley J. Zukowski January 26,
1952 ~ Fr. Francis C. O’Brien
June 9, 1962
Razing of old church, July 1950. Mass celebrated in temporary church
hall. Contract awarded to Gaudreau and
Gaudreau Architects, March 10, 1950.
Contract awarded to E. Eyring and Sons Construction Engineers, February
15, 1951
New Church dedicated by Most Reverend Francis
Patrick Keough, November 23, 1952.
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* * * * * *
Church.
The church, at 3801 4th Street, is the fourth church since the inception
of St. Rose of Lima in 1914. Many know
that one of the churches burned to the ground in 1950. But many have forgotten that its predecessor,
built in 1917, also burned to the ground.
The Klu Klux Klan, who were active in the area at that time, were reputed
to have done the deed! But this
is almost certainly just folklore.
Tragically, the third structure, built in 1950, was destroyed when the
roof collapsed under heavy snow. This
occurred the day after Ash Wednesday during morning Mass. Structural engineers said the building was
so poorly constructed that strong winds could have blown in the sides of the
church if the roof had not collapsed.
The fourth church was constructed on a much larger scale than the
previous one to accommodate the great number that were parishioners at that
period of its history. However, the
structure proved to be much larger than needed. Migration to Anne Arundel County had already begun some years
before and began to increase substantially in the late 60s. By the time the new church was dedicated its
seating capacity was already overextended.
School.
The official address for our School on the land records of Baltimore
City is: 3811 4th Street. That’s
because the original school, which burned to the ground six months after it was
built, and the building that replaced it until 1956, were located at the corner
of 4th and Jeffrey Streets, with the front of the building on 4th Street. By the time the new building was constructed
there was a greater need for parking and playground space. The new school was pushed back to 410 Jeffrey
Street to allow for these developments.
Rectory. Not to be outdone by the school, the rectory was also moved back
from its original location to where it is now situated. The original front of the rectory was
aligned with what is now the side door at the front of the church. When the rectory was first built it was only
one-third the size it is now. What is
now the dining room was the front and the kitchen was the back. To accommodate more priests and a growing
parish, two rooms were first added to the front and, eventually, two more rooms
and a bath were added to the back. Comparable
rooms were also added to the second floor.
House at 3808 5th Street. The following history of the parish-owned
house at 3808 5th Street was placed in our bulletin [7/2/00].
According to official Land Records of Baltimore
City, the house at 3808 5th Street, in the section known at the time as “Curtis
Heights,” was first owned by a Grace L. Wellmore. In 1922 Miss Wellmore sold
the property to William & Mary Fogle and on May 10, 1955 the Fogles gave
the house to the parish (legally to Archbishop Francis Keough, Archbishop of
Baltimore at the time). This took place
at the time Monsignor Leonard Ripple [1922-1961] was pastor of St. Rose of
Lima.
Some time later Bishop Austin Murphy convinced
Clara Neff, who was his housekeeper at the time, to sell her home on 9th Street
and move into the parish-owned house at 3808 5th Street. When she retired, in a gentleman’s
agreement, Bishop Murphy guaranteed Clara, and her daughter, Margaret who was
parish secretary for nearly forty years, occupancy of the house as long as they
so desired.
Though they settled in for life, they eventually
moved to another location on Patapsco Avenue in order to enable the few
remaining Dominican nuns to move from the convent to the smaller house. At the time there were only three Dominican
Sisters of Sinsinawa left in the convent and it seemed too unmanageable for
just three. It was not very long before
these remaining three were reassigned, leaving the house vacant. Father Ronald Michaud, who was serving as an
assistant at St. Rose of Lima at the time [1976-1978], was very involved with
youth and initiated using the house as a youth center for a few years.
Eventually the house became the center for the
Scouts. One Summer evening a
disgruntled scout set a fire in a second story closet and then left. On her way out from a meeting in the Rectory
with Father Klein [1973-1981], Bernice Fiori noticed smoke billowing from the
roof and quickly called the fire department.
Though the house survived the fire it was
severely damaged by smoke and water.
Father Klein, who was pastor at the time, engaged a contractor to repair
the damage. After the renovations were
completed, Father Klein encouraged Clara and Margaret to resume occupancy which
they did until they went to glory, Clara in February 1990, and Margaret in July
1999.
Once again the house had been renovated in June
2000. Until July 2006 it was occupied as
a rental by a family that was extensively involved with Father Blair Raum in
the ministry of Project Rachel which occupies the Convent for a few years until
2005 when Fr. Raum went to be with the Lord.
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1586—1617
Some time ago we had a visitor at our church—a
woman from Lima, Peru! She made a
special trip to come to our church while she was visiting Baltimore because it
was the church of “her saint.” I was
quite touched to see the woman’s reverence for St. Rose.
St. Rose is “our saint” too since she is the
patroness of our parish. Although she
was from a different time and culture (Peru had been colonized by the Spaniards
only about 50 years before St. Rose was born in 1586—a world far different from
ours!) there is a lot in St. Rose’s life that can serve as model for us.
St. Rose deeply wanted to consecrate her life to
God. Her parents resisted this and
hoped she would marry, preferably someone rich! St. Rose eventually prevailed, however, and she lived as a Third
Order Dominican in a hut in her parents garden. Her life was marked by penance, prayer, and concern for the
poor. St. Rose had a strong sense of
social as well as personal sin. She
undertook many penances, some of which
may seem strange to us today, especially in a culture which tries to
eradicate all pain and suffering. And
she suffered many illnesses. But St.
Rose knew that sufferings endured for the love of Christ don’t come without the
graces necessary to endure them.
Her life of prayer led her to concern for the
poor—she provided food and medicines (in the form of herbs!) from the garden
which surrounded her. All who
encountered St. Rose said that she seemed to glow with the love of God. When she died at the age of thirty-one she
was revered by the entire city of Lima and later became the first canonized
saint of the New World.
Dedication to Christ, prayer, penance, concern for the poor—what a good combination for a Christian life! On her feast day, let us ask St. Rose to pray for us and for our parish. O that we might become more like “our saint” and glow with the love of God!
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A
History of Brooklyn – Curtis Bay
(July 4, 1976)
“St. Rose of Lima Church
Brooklyn, Md.”
[excerpt from pp. 66-67 & 121]
The
parish of St. Rose of Lima was organized by Reverend Paul Sandalgi, Pastor of
St. Athanasius Church in Curtis Bay, as a Mission to that parish.
Father Sandalgi had already a flourishing parish for the Curtis Bay area.
The influx of so many new parishioners expanded the bounds of the parish,
making it difficult for one man to minister to the many needs of this growing
congregation. Mass was said in
various homes on Sunday. Old timers
recall attending Mass in Helmstetter’s at 416 Patapsco Avenue.
The Odd Fellows Hall provided space for Sunday Mass later, then
Helmstetter’s gave land to erect a small, wooden church for the scattered
settlers on the site of the present St. Rose of Lima Church.
New beginnings are small, so it was with this first established church.
The first Mass was celebrated in the church in 1914.
This little church of great joy to its people was destroyed by fire on
February 7, 1915. No explanation
was ever given as to the cause of the fire.
A new church of brick was started immediately.
It was dedicated February 6, 1916. The
first pastor was Rev. F. L. Kunnecke. The parish of St. Rose was putting its roots deep into the
ground. In 1919 St. Jane Frances de
Chantal and Holy Trinity were missions of St. Rose until 1947 when both these
mission churches became parishes. Father
Sandalgi continued his priestly ministries to St. Rose until June 28, 1922 when
Father Leonard J. Ripple was appointed as St. Rose’s second pastor.
Father Ripple soon acquired property to meet the future needs of his
parish. He began to plan the construction of a parochial school.
In June of 1926, the plans became a reality and the school was opened to
the children of St. Rose. In
December of the same year the school was destroyed by fire.
Despite this discouraging incident, Father Ripple immediately planned
once again for the reconstruction of his own parochial school.
The new school was opened in the Autumn of 1927.
As the community of Brooklyn grew, and new developments sprang up in the
surrounding areas, Father Ripple kept pace with the expansion by caring for his
parishioners and supplying every spiritual need.
On April 22, 1950, fire and water destroyed the brick church built in 1916.
The church was so irreparably ruined by flames and water that it was
imperative to rebuild. An American
Colonial style architecture with limestone trim made an imposing sight on Fourth
St. Dedication was held on November 23, 1952.
Following the death of Msgr. Ripple, Father T. Austin Murphy, who had been
Assistant Pastor of St. Rose since June 2, 1951, became the third pastor of St.
Rose, June 24, 1961.
On February 9, 1967, during the 8:00 o’clock Mass, the roof of the church
collapsed. Approximately a hundred
children and twenty or thirty adults were at Mass. Some escaped via the doors uninjured. Others took refuge under pews and escaped injury.
However, thirty-five or so children and adults were taken via ambulance
to hospitals.
The present, beautiful church was rebuilt on this spot by Bishop Murphy.
It is a masterpiece of richness, simplicity and inspiration.
During Bishop Murphy’s years at St. Rose he has been largely
responsible for the present church, the building of a new and modern convent and
the opening of a Junior High in the basement of the Church.
In 1972, in an unusual move, he stepped down as Pastor.
Cardinal Shehan appointed Rev. James Hobbs to succeed him.
Father Howard Boyles is Assistant along with Fr. Klein.
The first
religious vocation from St. Rose was Brother Lambert Bents, C.F.X., who made his
religious profession of vows as a Xaverian priest on June 7, 1958, and Sister
Louise Kvech made her religious profession July 29, 1961 and was the first young
woman to profess vows from St. Rose of Lima (correction: Sr. Dolores Linsenmeyer,
S.S.N.D. was the first in 1929).
“Churches are picturesque spots on landscapes whose exterior generally
harmonizes with the surroundings; yet the interior artistic décor elicits
exclamation of admiration. The
interior of St. Rose of Lima church has an invisible tapestry whose warp and
woof have been sixty years in the weaving.
Like threads of gold, the names of the forerunners of today’s parish
runs through the cloth revealing a commitment to the faith laid down in the
sacramental life of St. Rose.” (Printed
from St. Rose of Lima Church Anniversary Book, 1974).
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See also: http://arundelburning.com
Arundel Park Fire: 50 years later
The Maryland Gazette, 1/28/2006
By Penny Riordan, Staff Writer
Harry Ziotowski had no idea the biggest call of his life would come six months into his career as an Anne Arundel County firefighter.
Fifty years ago tomorrow, however, the then-18-year-old and his colleagues pulled up to an inferno of fire and smoke on Belle Grove Road and a building with hundreds trapped inside.
"I said, 'Boy, this is it,' " Mr. Ziotowski recalled of the blaze that destroyed the Arundel Park Auditorium, a popular banquet hall where church dinners and other social events were held regularly.
Eleven people died and an estimated 250 were injured in the blaze, one of the deadliest in state history. The fire broke out just after 5 p.m., in the midst of an oyster roast sponsored by St. Rose of Lima Church.
What happened in the next few hours haunts survivors to this day. Flames on the inside ceiling created a mass panic and the crowd of roughly 1,200 stampeded for the exits.
Frank Kvech III said he and his friends were lucky enough to be near one of the exits, but others struggled to get through other exits that were locked. When it was all over the bodies of 10 women were discovered inside the remains of the charred building, nine of them near one of the exits. One person died later due to severe burns.
"My father seldom talked about it. He would change the subject or leave the room," said Mr. Kvech, who is now 70. Mr. Kvech and his father, Frank Jr., were inside the hall that day. Frank Kvech Jr., who died in 1986, was credited with helping people escape the burning building, but also had the grim task of notifying some of the families of the dead, his son said.
The fire started in the roof of the building's kitchen, and burned for a while undiscovered before a trap door was opened to reveal the flame, according to newspaper accounts.
"It was like someone ignited a gasoline rag and it just went 'whoosh' across the hall," Mr. Kvech said. "We were out the door in seconds. We were pushed out the door whether we wanted to go or not."
Part of the problem, Mr. Ziotowski said, was that the smell of smoke was common in the area because of the frequency of events being held in the auditorium.
"There was always an odor of smoke over there and around the building," he said. "It may have been one of the reasons that people didn't leave the building right away."
When Mr. Ziotowski arrived, crews immediately put hoses on the structure, enveloped in thick, black smoke. A lack of water pressure also hurt the efforts.
"We really weren't making that much headway," he said.
County officials launched an investigation into the cause of the fire as a result. Questions of locked exits and a late warning were raised by those who were at the scene.
A month long investigation by a team of state and local officials found the fire was probably caused by an electrical short circuit, according to newspaper accounts. The report released to the County Commissioners also suggested that a spontaneous combustion could have occurred. The women who were found inside of the building were not burned or trampled, the report found, but instead died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The mystery of the fire has long piqued the interest of Linthicum resident Joseph Ross Jr., a retired county firefighter. Mr. Ross remembers watching the fire from his Fifth Avenue house in Brooklyn Park.
"I was seeing things from a distance and always wondered what was going on behind the flames," he said.
In the years since, Mr. Ross has slowly gathered information and interviewed people who remember the blaze. The one thing that almost always comes through is how traumatized people were.
"A lot of people didn't want to talk about it anymore," he said.
Mr. Ross recalled that his great-uncle, Frank Speigel, would only say "the lights went out and I went through the window."
To this day, Mr. Kvech is a little more cautious when he is in large rooms.
"Whenever I go to a theater or a dance, I am conscious of where the exits are," he said.