History of St Rose of Lima

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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60th Anniversary Booklet

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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Servant Priests and Sisters

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.

Pastors

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-

Associates

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

Sisters

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

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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

By Lee Miller and James C. Mullikin

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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First Sacraments Book Insert

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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History of Odds and Ends

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. The house was renovated again and placed on the market since it was no longer of any ministerial value to the parish. In April 2007 it was sold to a private family. The convent has been occupied by an archdiocesan / College of Notre Dame program called OperationTEACH. It serves as a residence for young teachers who participate in this program for two years.

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St. Rose of Lima

1586—1617

First Canonized Saint of the New World

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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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).

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.

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.

Mr. Ross recalled that his great-uncle, Frank Speigel, would only say "the lights went out and I went through the window."

"Whenever I go to a theater or a dance, I am conscious of where the exits are," he said.