The Ceremony
July 31, 2004 • 2:00 o'clock
SS. Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Church
252 E. Wood Street
Youngstown, Ohio
The parish was formally established in 1896. Property was obtained at the corner of Watt and Wood Streets on May 15, 1899 for the building of the church. The cornerstone was blessed on September 23, 1900. A brick church of Romanesque design was built.
Inside, the church is a wealth of artistic, architectural and musical treasures. Images of saints and angels in stained-glass windows cast reds, yellows and blues on the church's wooden pews. Intricately detailed paintings and statues depicting religious scenes line the walls, and an organ with painted pipes rests in the balcony. Above it all, in the church's high, arching ceiling, is a circular stained-glass portico with a sky-blue and cloud-white center.
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The Reception July 31, 2004 • 6:00 o'clock in the evening
Built at a cost of less than two million dollars, the Auditorium was intended to be used for the enjoyment, pleasure, entertainment andeducation of the community. Henry Stambaughˆs will specified that control of the auditorium be in the hands of a Board of Trustees made up of local business leaders, a practice that continues to the present. Architecturally, Stambaugh Auditorium is a free rendition of the classic as a exemplified in the Italian Renaissance. The structure was modeled after the public auditorium in Springfield, Massachusetts, which in turn was designed from the Pantheon in Paris. Helmle and Corbett Architects of New York City were the creators.
Dedication and opening ceremonies were held Sunday, December 5, 1926, at 3 p.m. Catholic, Protestant and Jewish clergymen joined judges David G. Jenkins and J. D. Kennedy in accepting the building for the citizens of the area. Architect Harvey Wiley Corbett described the auditorium, and the Masonic Glee Club and Mrs. David Stambaugh provided special music. Highlighting the afternoon was a tour of the entire building opened to public. The opening concert was held Monday December 6, 1926. Sponsored by the Monday Musical Club, the program featured world-renowned humorist Will Rogers and the DeReszke Singers. The Monday Musical series that season also included soprano Marion Talley, the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra with pianist Margaret Hamilton, tenor Giovanni Martinelli and Rosa Ponselle. Along one side of the main floor is a hallway featuring artists who have graced the stage since that first season. Another hall contains memorabilia gathered since 1926. |
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Originally intended to be erected either downtown or at the center of Wick Park, the 300 by 70 site at 1000 Fifth Avenue proved to be a wise choice, one which was enlarged to provide for parking areas when more land became available. Indiana limestone was used for the exterior walls. Inside areas feature top quality oak paneling, marble benches and again Indiana limestone.
