Joe Rossi and Don Reola grew up in St. Stephen’s Parish in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood, were taught by the Sisters of Charity and attended Masses celebrated by six diocesan priests.
“Back in the 1940s and 50s, Hazelwood was very busy and St. Stephen’s was one of the largest parishes in the city,” Reola recalled. “There were mills up and down the river, a couple hundred-thousand jobs. We had everything you needed—stores, restaurants, beer gardens, and two movie theaters. There was a lot going on.”
“I worked in the mill in 1961, making $6 an hour,” Rossi said. “In those days, that was pretty good money. But I kept getting laid off. So I went to work for the Post Office. It was less money, but it was steady work.
“When the mills started to close in the 1960s and ‘70s, people began to move away. Restaurants and bars shut down, then stores. It’s been tough,” Rossi said quietly.
After decades of hard times, both men were skeptical about the chances of Our Campaign for The Church Alive! succeeding at St. Stephen’s.
“I have to admit I was one of the naysayers early on,” Reola said. “I didn’t believe we could get enough gifts. We visited with people and said, ‘Give what you can.’ Some are widows, but they all were very generous.”
Father Vince Stegman, a Spiritan priest who served 40 years as a missionary in Africa, joined with Reola and Rossi, Deacon Tom Berna and other dedicated volunteers to help lead St. Stephen Parish in Our Campaign for The Church Alive!, raising 110 percent of their parish target.
“We all had great doubts about the campaign,” Fr. Vince admitted. “We have a high percentage of seniors on limited incomes. But they have a great devotion to the parish. Many were born, baptized and went to school here.”
Founded in 1871, the same year the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bought the Pittsburgh & Connellsville Railroad in Hazelwood, St. Stephen’s flourished as Europeans flocked to the Monongahela River to work in the rail yards and Jones & Laughlin steel mills.
Originally known as Scotch Bottom for the Scots who settled the area, Hazelwood also attracted river captains who built magnificent mansions. Later immigrants included Irish, Slovaks, Hungarians and Italians. The millworkers lived in Hazelwood and the railroaders in Glenwood.
For nearly a century, Hazelwood grew and prospered. But when Big Steel fell, so did the town. Still, St. Stephen’s survived.
Deacon Tom and Fr. Vince are optimistic about better days to come.
“The members of our parish are truly alive,” Deacon Tom said. “Once again they have demonstrated their love of St. Stephen’s and willingness to sacrifice for the parish and our diocese.”
Fr. Vince is looking ahead. “There are plans to redevelop the old mill site, building townhouses and office buildings, and bringing in new industry. We’re very accessible to downtown, and there’s great potential.
“Thanks to the campaign, now there’s more spirit at the parish, and hope for the future.”
