 Frequently Asked Questions
A) WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS FOUNDATION?
1. To preserve, maintain and protect the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA (SHJC) and its contents, and other religious sites and artifacts of Slovak heritage. Initially, the corporation will fund a major capital improvement project for the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.
2. To provide services and support, such as legal representation and counsel, accounting and auditing services, appraisal services, and other professional services as may be required.
B) HOW WILL THE FUNDS BE USED?
1. Fundraising for Capital Improvements required to Repair, Restore, and Preserve the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA
a) Structural Modifications to Bell Tower
b) Masonry Repairs and Reconstruction of West Elevation (Front) and Bell Tower
c) Repair and Reconstruction of Copper Steeple
d) Masonry Repairs and Reconstruction of North and South Elevations (Both Sides of Church)
2. Project Budget
a) Scope of repairs and reconstruction prepared by local Architect with extensive experience with churches and synagogues
b) Cost estimates prepared by masonry reconstruction contractor with extensive experience.
c) Cost estimates include architectural and engineering fees, construction contingency, and escalation, assuming fundraising may require four years to complete.
d) Total Funds required for first phase: $2,055,400.
(i) Structural Modifications to Bell Tower: $ 11,600.
(ii) Repairs and Reconstruction of
West Elevation (Front) and Bell Tower: 838,300.
(iii) Repairs and Reconstruction of Steeple: 331,400.
(iv) Repairs and Reconstruction of North
and South Elevations (sides): 874,100.
$2,055,400
C) WHY ARE THESE REPAIRS AND RESTORATION REQUIRED?
1. Church is nearly 100 years old. It was built with terra cotta copings on roof. Glazing on terra cotta has worn off over the years, and is now very porous. Water is leaking into the masonry walls.
2. Bell tower, when originally built 100 years ago, lacked adequate structural support (compression ring). As a result the tower and steeple is spreading out, allowing water to enter the masonry. Freeze/thaw cycle has caused vertical cracks in masonry walls, indicating structural damage.
3. The deterioration from the water damage will not stop. There is still plenty of time to repair this damage and correct the defects. Eventually, over time the damage will be un-repairable, which will force the closing and possible demolition of the church.
D) WHY SHOULD I DONATE MONEY FOR THIS?
1. This church has been a premiere Church in Northeastern, PA.
2. This church was built by Slovak immigrants, who donated their labor excavating by hand (to save on construction costs) and donating what little money they had to build this church. The Slovak immigrants came to this country with only very few possessions and their deep Catholic faith, which was practiced and symbolized in this beautiful church.
3. This church contains valuable religious artwork:
a) Original artwork painted by the founding pastor, Rev. Joseph Murgas, who was trained in the Academy of Art in Munich:
(i) Sacred Heart of Jesus – Front Altar
(ii) The Assumption – Side Altar
b) Stained glass windows, designed and produced by the Tyrolean Artists’ Guild in Innsbruck, Austria
c) Three (3) ornate guilded altars
d) Pipe Organ, custom designed in consultation with the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, NY (refurbished in 1978 for $65,000).
(i) Two-manual and pedal instrument of 19 stops
(ii) 24 ranks of pipes – upward of 1100 in all
(iii) Electro-pneumatic action with slider chests
(iv) Mounted in specially designed sound reflecting casework.
4. The founding pastor, Rev. Joseph Murgas, is a significant historical Slovak-American figure.
a) Played a major role in the development of radio transmission. He accomplished the world’s first radio land broadcast, sent by his chief operator Gideon W. Shadie in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, PA, and received by Thomas (Tommy) Murphy in Scranton, Lackawanna County, PA on November 23, 1905.
b) Secured 17 patents for his inventions, including the “casting reel” in 1912.
c) In 1939, a set of special commemorative stamps, one a 60 Halierov Violet and the other a 1.20 Koruny Grey, were issued by the Independent Slovak Republic honoring Father Murgas for his achievement in Wireless Science.
d) Liberty Ship named “S.S. Rev. Joseph Murgas” commissioned by US Navy on October 10, 1944.
e) On Nov. 25, 1990, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission honored Rev. Joseph Murgas with a State Historical Marker erected in front of Sacred Heart Church. This plaque designates the property as a Pennsylvania State Historical Site.
f) World Communications Day (Feb. 17, 1994) celebrated in Slovakia commemorating the 130th anniversary of the birth of Father Joseph Murgas (1864 – 1929).
g) Plaque was dedicated on Sept. 20, 2006 in his honor in Bratislava, Slovakia, on the side of the entry to the Main Post Office located on Namestiesnp.
h) There is the Father Murgas and Josef Gregor-Tajovsky Museum in Tajov, near Banska Bystrica, Slovakia.
A four (4) page summary of Rev. Joseph Murgas’s accomplishments and honors is available upon request.
5. Preserving this church will allow it to continue as a premier catholic worship site for the North Wilkes-Barre area of the Scranton Diocese.
6. Failure to address the necessary repairs may result in the loss of a beautiful, priceless, historical, irreplaceable church. This is the time to act, by joining our foundation and by financially and prayerfully supporting our mission.
E) WHY IS A FOUNDATION SOLICITING FUNDS, AND NOT THE PARISH OR PASTOR?
1. According to the diocese, “the expenditure of millions of dollars to repair Sacred Heart of Jesus Church … would reflect an irresponsible use of funds” (quoted from letter dated February 14, 2007 from then Episcopal Vicar Msgr. Joseph C. Bambera, V.E to Anthony Foti, and re-quoted in a letter dated May 31, 2007 from Pastor Msgr. John Sempa to the Parishioners of Sacred Heart – St. John Parish).
2. We strongly disagree with this position, and therefore have no choice but to form a non-profit corporation to solicit funds to complete this project.
F) HOW MUCH SUPPORT EXISTS FOR THIS PROJECT WITHOUT THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE PASTOR AND DIOCESE?
1. A comprehensive multi-phase plan to address the repairs and restoration of the church and grounds and pay off the debt was presented to the parishioners over a year ago (Nov. 6, 2006). At this meeting called by the Pastor, parishioners were advised that their contributions for this first phase would be close to $2,000,000.
2. Without soliciting all parishioners, over 250 parishioners stepped up to sign a letter of support for this project to save and restore the church.
3. There is strong grass-roots support to save and preserve the church. The parishioners are looking for leadership. Our group has stepped up to fill this leadership void.
G) HOW DO YOU KNOW THE DIOCESE WILL ALLOW YOU TO RESTORE THE CHURCH, EVEN IF YOU SUCCEED IN RAISING THE REQUIRED FUNDS?
1. There are no guarantees.
2. We will continue to maintain a positive dialog with the bishop to try to convince him that this work should be completed.
3. If he still decides to close the church, we will use the funds to possibly purchase the church outright from the diocese (even though we already paid for this church once), or at least purchase and preserve all the contents.
4. Once the purpose has been achieved or all possible efforts to restore and maintain and keep open Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wilkes-Barre have been exhausted, this corporation and organization shall be dissolved. Contributors donating sums in excess of $1,000 will be contacted upon dissolution of the corporation to accommodate their wishes regarding the disposition of the pro-rata share of their contribution. After all expenses are paid, and the desires of donors of contributions over $1,000 are satisfied, all remaining funds will be donated to a catholic charity or charities to be determined by the Board of Directors.
H) CAN I MAKE A DONATION TO YOUR CAUSE?
1. Most Definitely. It would be most appreciated
2. We are a registered 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation, with an EIN# issued by the IRS. Donations may be mailed to:
Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, Inc.
770 Lantern Hill Road
Shavertown, Pennsylvania18708
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