St. Vitus Church stands on Lausche Avenue in Cleveland's St. Clair Avenue neighborhood as the first American Slovenian Roman Catholic parish in the state of Ohio and the Diocese of Cleveland. Founded on August 11, 1893, by a young Slovenian priest named Vitus Hribar, the parish grew from a small wooden church serving 65 families and nearly one thousand single young men into a Roman Catholic community of seven hundred families whose Masses are still celebrated in both English and Slovenian. A "personal parish" by canon law, St. Vitus serves the unique cultural, social, and language needs of its congregants rather than a strictly geographic territory, drawing worshipers from across the Cleveland area who want to share in its Slovenian heritage.
A Personal Parish of Slovenian Heritage
Slovenian immigration to Cleveland began in the early 1880s, with Jožef Turk considered the first permanent arrival on October 25, 1881. By the end of the decade, the young men had encouraged a seminarian named Vitus Hribar to complete his studies in America. On July 29, 1893, Bishop Ignatz Horstmann ordained Hribar a priest, and on August 11 of that year he was commissioned to establish the first American Slovenian Roman Catholic parish in the state of Ohio. The first Masses were held in the chapel of St. Peter Church at East 17th Street and Superior Avenue while land was acquired on the corner of Norwood Road and Glass Avenue, a street renamed Lausche Avenue in 2001. The cornerstone was blessed on October 14, 1894, and the small wooden church was consecrated on November 4, 1894. At the request of the founders, the new parish was named for St. Vitus, the patron saint of its first pastor.
Cleveland has long been home to the largest population of Slovenians outside of Slovenia, and St. Vitus has remained a center for that heritage. The parish is well known for promoting Slovenian language, customs, and traditions, and members of the wider community participate in annual traditions such as Baraga Days, the parish picnic at Slovenska Pristava, the baking of krofe (Slovenian raised donuts), and the Slovenian "butare" palm bundles blessed at the Palm Sunday Mass.
Mass in English and Slovenian
St. Vitus celebrates Mass in two languages to serve its bilingual community. Saturday evening brings the Vigil Mass at 4:00 p.m., and two Sunday Masses follow the next morning: a 9:00 a.m. Mass in English and a 10:30 a.m. Mass in Slovenian, sung by the LIRA Choir. Daily Mass is offered Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the St. Vitus Chapel. Each Friday afternoon the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in St. Vitus Village Chapel, followed by a 4:30 p.m. Mass. The parish bulletin lists any additions to this schedule, and during Lent and Advent the times change to reflect each holy season.
The church prepares all seven Roman Catholic Sacraments. Baptism is celebrated on Saturdays after the Vigil Mass or on Sundays after morning Mass, with at least one month of preparation and a training session with the pastor. A baptismal sponsor must be at least sixteen years old, a confirmed Catholic who has received the Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith; a non-Catholic Christian may serve as a witness only with a Catholic sponsor. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are typically celebrated during the second grade year, with preparation involving weekly Mass, monthly gatherings, study of sacramental resources, and attendance in a Catholic day school or PSR. Confirmation is usually received in seventh or eighth grade, while adults who have not received formal religious instruction are directed to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Couples contact the pastor for marriage preparation, which usually requires at least six months and active registered membership in the parish. The Anointing of the Sick is offered to those who are gravely ill, undergoing a serious medical procedure, or living with a serious medical condition, and may be administered more than once.
Music, Litanies, and the Holtkamp Organ
Music has been at the heart of parish life since LIRA was established in 1912 by Msgr. Ponikvar to provide singing during Mass and other para-liturgical services. The choir takes its name from the Slovenian word for lyre and has performed at concerts, operettas, and on radio, with all of its choral directors also being organists. LIRA provides singing for the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Slovenian Mass and lends its voices at parish services such as Litanies. Membership is open to any individual willing to lend his or her voice; the parish rectory can put interested singers in touch with current leadership.
The 9 a.m. Choir began in 1968 when Kathleen Avsec and Rose Zupan started leading school children with guitars at school liturgies. Jerry Zupan took over formal direction in 1971, and John F. Srsen has led the group since 1977. The choir sings at the 9 a.m. English Mass and at other services including Tenebrae held the evening before Holy Thursday, when choir members sing in English, Slovenian, and Latin. During the seasons of Christmas and Easter the choir's voices provide harmony to many traditional sacred songs. Membership is open to anyone, including young children.
For more than twenty years, the Christmas Concert Choir has gathered fifty to sixty singers from both parish choirs and from sister parish St. Mary Church in the Collinwood neighborhood, as well as anyone who loves to sing sacred Christmas songs. The concert is usually held on the Sunday following Christmas Day and features sacred songs of the Christmas season in English, Slovenian, Latin, and occasionally Italian, accompanied by a professional organist and string musicians. An all-parish Mass precedes the concert to bring families together in prayer after the holiday rush.
The organ these choirs accompany is itself a treasure. Built by the Holtkamp Organ Company of Cleveland in 1932, the three-manual pipe organ was among the first instruments built in the "open" style of the early 1930s, where the pipes stand out in the room rather than being hidden in side chambers. With fifteen hundred wooden and metal pipes, the St. Vitus organ preceded by two years the three instruments identified by biographer John Allen Ferguson as the first to fully embody the change. According to Chris Holtkamp, the organ is significant to the history of organ building in North America, even though it is not commonly recognized as such. The original specification was "set on the test pipes themselves," and the instrument was carefully restored to its original sound. It remains in the largest of the three choir lofts at the rear of the church.
Prayer Services Across the Year
Outside the Mass schedule, St. Vitus hosts a number of recurring prayer services. The recitation of the rosary usually occurs in May and October. Litanies are typically sung at both Christmas and Easter. The parish observes a 40 Hours devotion, a specific period of continuous prayer during which the Eucharist is exposed in a monstrance for adoration, beginning with Mass and ending with Mass and Benediction. Tenebrae, a Latin word meaning "shadows" or "darkness," is celebrated the evening before Holy Thursday with readings and psalms in English, Latin, and Slovenian while candles are gradually extinguished; the service usually begins at dusk, around 7 to 7:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross take place during Lent, usually following each weekend Mass.
The Pastors of St. Vitus
Seven pastors have shepherded St. Vitus since 1893. Msgr. Vitus Hribar, the founding pastor, served from August 1, 1893 until his reassignment in August 1907. He was succeeded by Msgr. Bartholomew J. Ponikvar, an immigrant seminarian who had studied in St. Paul, Minnesota; during his forty-five year tenure he built the present church edifice, the school, the convent, and many parish organizations. After Msgr. Ponikvar's death in March 1952, Msgr. Louis B. Baznik, himself baptized at St. Vitus, became the third pastor; he oversaw a new combined parish auditorium-gymnasium in 1957 and a new parish convent in 1963 for the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Rev. Rudolph Praznik became the fourth pastor in October 1969. He died in March 1975. Rev. A. Edward Pevec, who had been born and baptized at St. Vitus and earned a doctorate in education at Case Western Reserve University, was installed as the fifth pastor in May 1975. He was later appointed Titular Bishop of Mercia and Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, serving in that capacity until his retirement. Rev. Joseph P. Božnar became the sixth pastor in May 1979 and remained until June 30, 2021. His tenure saw the complete restoration of the interior of the church in the parish's Centennial Year of 1993, the installation of a new rose-colored clay tile roof, the establishment of the St. Vitus Alumni, the senior ministry program, the construction of St. Vitus Village in 2000, and the parish food bank and hot meal programs.
The seventh and current pastor is Rev. John C. Retar, appointed effective July 1, 2021. Ordained on May 17, 2003 by Bishop Anthony Pilla in the Diocese of Cleveland, Fr. Retar served as associate pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Berea from 2003 to 2007 and at St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor from 2007 to 2010 before being installed at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish in Lorain, a merged parish of three former Lorain Catholic parishes: Ss. Cyril and Methodius (Slovenian), St. Vitus (Croatian), and St. John Baptist (Spanish). He also served as parish administrator of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Elyria Township. Prior to entering the seminary, Fr. Retar worked as a purchasing agent in private industry.
Parish Staff and Pastoral Care
Alongside Fr. Retar, Sister Mary Avsec of the Sisters of Notre Dame serves as Pastoral Minister. A Sister of Notre Dame who previously taught at schools in the Diocese of Cleveland, she has served St. Vitus since 1990 and continues to lead the parish's senior ministry, visiting the homebound and assisting with sacramental needs. Three parish secretaries keep the rectory running. Joanne Celestina has been a parish secretary since 2019 and is a member of the 9 a.m. Choir and a founding member of the St. Vitus Christmas Concert Choir. Marge Kuhar has been the parish secretary since 1993, responding to inquiries, helping organize parish events, and producing the weekly bulletin. Betty Svekric, the Saturday secretary, is the lead coordinator of the parish food bank program and has served on the pastoral council and the Mother's Club.
Stane Kuhar serves as Parish Finance Director, having joined the parish in February 2003 after twenty-six years in northeast Ohio banking operations, retail banking, and corporate banking; he holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Ohio University, earned cum laude, and is a certified Para-Financial Planner. Joseph V. Hocevar is the parish Business Manager, holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from John Carroll University and serving as a National Board Director of the American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ). Mark Torres has served as manager of St. Vitus Village since May 2025. John F. Srsen has been the choral director of the 9 a.m. Choir since 1977 and also teaches music at the Saturday Slovenian School. His son John V. Srsen is the organist and choral director of LIRA, the parish choir at the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Mass.
Councils, Societies, and Parish Organizations
Following the directions of the Second Vatican Council, the St. Vitus Pastoral Council was established in 1988, although the parish has had lay "church councilmen" assisting pastors since its founding. The council is composed of the pastor, one staff member, one representative of the parish finance council, and eight to twelve elected representatives-at-large, with at-large members typically serving three-year terms and meetings held once a month on a Wednesday evening. The Parish Finance Council, one of the first in the Diocese of Cleveland, was established in February 1987 to advise the pastor on temporal matters.
The St. Vitus Holy Name Society was organized in 1934 under the spiritual direction of Msgr. Bartholomew J. Ponikvar, with nearly five hundred men joining at its founding. Open to any Catholic man or woman, the Society promotes reverence for the Sacred Names of God and Jesus Christ, obedience and loyalty to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, and the personal sanctification of its members. It assists in parish ministries by performing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and gathers once a month for a corporate Mass and meeting.
The St. Vitus Altar and Rosary Society was established in 1914 by women of the parish for spiritual formation, fundraising, and social interaction. The Society places special emphasis on praying before and promoting the Blessed Sacrament. It is responsible for the baking and selling of krofe, Slovenian raised donuts, six to eight times per year, as well as an annual benefit dinner, with all net proceeds donated to the parish.
The Senior Ministry began in 1985 when a retired parish volunteer began assisting seniors with forms, transportation, and visits, including reception of the Eucharist by homebound members. Sister Mary Avsec has led the ministry since 1990, providing assistance to older seniors without nearby family, including those in assisted living, and administering the Anointing of the Sick. During the Christmas holidays, shut-ins receive a visit, the Eucharist, and a small gift.
Slovenian Heritage: Baraga Days, Slovenska Pristava, Kres, and Krofe
St. Vitus Parish continues to foster Slovenian heritage through a number of cultural institutions. Baraga Days, held over a two-day period each year, promotes the cause for the Venerable Frederic Baraga toward sainthood in the Catholic Church. Cleveland has hosted Baraga Days several times, with St. Vitus and St. Mary the Assumption parishes serving as primary sponsors.
Slovenska Pristava is a Slovenian Catholic organization in Geneva, Ohio that serves as a recreational venue for its members and friends, often referred to as "a little piece of Slovenia" in the USA. The parish holds its summer picnic at Slovenska Pristava each July, featuring outdoor Mass, live polka music, čevapčiči and other traditional foods, and family activities.
The Kres Slovenian folklore dance group was founded on November 15, 1954, with its auspicious beginning at 6116 Glass Avenue, later renamed Lausche Avenue. About seventy-six young men and women performed that day and decided to form the new group, taking the Slovenian word for "bonfire" to reflect the historical signal fires lit to warn of Turkish raids into Slovenia during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Members have ranged from pre-K children to college students, instructed by adult former members.
Krofe, the Slovenian raised donut, is baked from a recipe of yeast, water, sugar, flour, eggs, milk, cream, butter, salt, lemon, and sometimes vanilla. Six to eight times a year, batches are baked fresh in the parish auditorium beginning in the early morning hours, so they can be boxed and sold around 8 to 9 a.m. until noon. Proceeds support the work of the parish, and at one time the donuts were reserved for special occasions and Holy Days.
Formation: Saturday Slovenian School and the Mihevc Grant Program
The St. Vitus Saturday Slovenian School has been teaching children the Slovenian language, customs, and traditions for more than sixty years. Classes are typically in session from the third Saturday in September to the third Saturday in May each year and are open to any child willing to accept the curriculum. The school also welcomes adults in a separate program that meets twice a month on Saturday mornings from fall to spring, suitable for new learners or those returning to the language.
The Mihevc Grant Program has provided scholarships to registered parishioners attending tuition-paying schools since 1989, thanks to the generosity of the late Mr. Edward L. Mihevic Sr. and his family. Eligible schools include primarily Catholic elementary and secondary schools and both private and public universities up to senior year. Participants must be bona fide registered parishioners at St. Vitus for a minimum of two consecutive years, and as part of the program, qualifying parishioners participate in service opportunities around the church.
St. Vitus School Alumni
The St. Vitus School Alumni organization was founded in 1987 for individuals who attended or graduated from St. Vitus Elementary School, the St. Vitus Saturday Language School, or both. The organization meets quarterly, elects officers in the fall, and inducts into its Hall of Fame individuals who have made significant contributions to the parish and society. The Society also provides a scholarship for approved high school freshmen entering a Catholic high school. The annual St. Vitus Alumni Homecoming Mass and Dinner is a parish tradition, with the Mass celebrated by Fr. John Retar and dinner catered by Joe Tavcar and staff in the St. Vitus Parish Hall, followed by a short program.
The Building, the Village, and the Parish Grounds
The church building of St. Vitus is constructed in the Lombard-Roman style with pale yellow Falston brick. It measures one hundred forty-one feet long and one hundred feet wide, with two Romanesque bell towers reaching one hundred ten feet into the sky. The rectory is attached to the west side of the church and serves as the parish office, open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The new Parish Hall, built in 2020, is a modern facility for parish fundraisers, presentations, dinners, watch parties, and Sunday donuts, with up to four side classrooms that can be opened up for larger events and a sizable kitchen that meets a wide range of event needs. The Hall is also available for rental.
Across the street from the church, St. Vitus Village is a senior citizens apartment building built in 2000 and operated by St. Vitus Development Corporation for persons fifty-five years or older who can live independently. Each apartment has a large kitchen with refrigerator, stove, microwave, and garbage disposal, a spacious main living area, and handicap accessible bathrooms. The village features a landscaped courtyard and a chapel open twenty-four hours a day, with full security, fire protection, and surveillance cameras.
Community Outreach
St. Vitus Parish runs a food bank program and hot meal programs, both begun under the spiritual direction of Fr. Božnar. Betty Svekric serves as the lead coordinator of the food bank program. Through Joseph House of Cleveland Inc., the parish performs the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, and through the Mihevc Grant Program, registered parish households may attend a tuition-paying school with parish support. Online giving is available through PayPal, with donors able to direct their gifts to Sunday Donation, Endowment, Heart of the Shepherd, the Parish Hall, Flowers and Decorations, Christmas, Easter, or Maintenance.
The Saint Behind the Name
The veneration of St. Vitus goes back to very early times, with his name appearing along with those of Modestus and Crescentia in the martyrology of St. Jerome. Vitus, also called Guy, belonged to an illustrious family and was instructed in the faith by his Christian nurse Crescentia and her husband Modestus. When his pagan father Hylas learned of his baptism, he tried by stripes and punishments to make him renounce Christianity, and eventually delivered his son to Valerian the Governor. Vitus escaped with Modestus and Crescentia to Lucania in Italy, where his holiness became famous enough that Diocletian the Emperor sought him out to deliver his demon-tormented son. Vitus cured the boy, but Diocletian was ungrateful and tried in vain to induce him to worship the Roman gods. The three were subjected to cruel tortures at Rome but refused to renounce their faith. An angel brought them back to Lucania, where they died of the tortures around the year 303, when Vitus was about twelve years old. St. Vitus is depicted near a kettle of boiling oil from which he miraculously escaped unharmed, is invoked against mental and nervous disturbances, and is celebrated on June 15.