The story of our Church begins in the 1880's with the American Industrial Revolution --- in "The Land of the Brave" and with the desire of others to have the Freedom of Worship as each one chooses. At this same time, the God-fearing and God-loving, hard-working people in the already religious oppressed nation of Lithuania were longing to emigrate. America, the land of opportunity, fulfilled both their need and the need of the growing Anthracite coal industry.

In 1868, the Scranton Diocese was formed --- a separate Diocese from the original Philadelphia Diocese. Its first spiritual leader was Bishop William O'Hara. Just 18 years later, in 1886, a few dozen minority Lithuanian families in the Hazleton area, longing for their religious, educational, cultural and community identities established our Saints Peter & Paul Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, located on Laurel Street, Hazleton, Pa. Bishop O'Hara's first official priest assignment to our parish was Rev. Matthias Jodiszius. In the early years of the Scranton Diocese there were too few priests to fill the needs of the many mushrooming, newly-formed parishes --- many, like ours, without their own church buildings. So priests were requested from European countries and religious services were often conducted in cooperating neighborhood churches. We, in our early history, benefited from the use of St. Stanislaus, Holy Trinity, and St. Michael's churches in Hazleton, as well as St. Casimir's church in Freeland. A rectory fire in 1904 destroyed all our early church records. In 1911, our current church building and cemetery were consecrated. The parish of Saints Peter & Paul Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church finally was taking "firm roots."

The first 25 years of our parish, 1886-1911, was the era of the nation's Presidents Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft. The coal miner's hero, John Mitchell, founded the United Mine Workers Union in 1902. Horse and buggy, trolley cars and walking were the popular means of transportation --- automobiles were just entering the scene. A dollar a day was the miner's pay in 1911 and you could buy a loaf of bread for 4cents, although most families preferred to bake their own. Ice cream was 1cent, milk 35cents, a gallon, and butter was 35cents, a pound. If you could afford it, on the national average of $12,000.00 a year income, you could buy a Ford for $780.00, gas was 12cents, a gallon and a new house cost $3,300.00. If you could afford it or not, a complete funeral cost $236.00. An ounce of gold was worth $20.00. Few knew what the Dow Jones Industrial Average was and fewer cared that its index was 75.85. "You Made Me Love You" was a popular song and Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks Sr. were the favorites at the silent movies. It was during this era that our immigrant forefathers and their children sacrificed, saved and mortgaged their few possessions to build our church building on the corner of Diamond Avenue and Lincoln Street for $17,000.00. The Diocesan SEE was occupied by Bishop William O'Hara and later Bishop Michael J. Hoban. Our four Diocesan-assigned priests were Rev. Matthias Jodiszius, Rev. J. Kudirka, Rev. J. Masiotas and Rev. J. Delinkaites. The Justification and need of our new parish church was due to the fact that there were 622 baptisms, 126 marriages, and 162 untimely deaths during the first 25 years.

1911 - 1936

The second 25 years, 1911 - 1936 was a scene of both parish growth and hardship: 1120 baptisms, 263 marriages and 326 deaths. Bishop Thomas C. O'Reilly succeeded Bishop Michael Hoban and our parish had nine Diocesan-assigned priests: Rev. C. Inczura, Rev. V. Kundirka, Rev. J. Casminus, Rev. C. Shimaitis, Rev. J. Kelmuelis, Rev. S. Struckus, Rev. T. Zilinkas, Rev. J. Milauskas and Rev. V.J. Nanorta, the first of our American-born priests. This was the time of World War 1, 1914-1918, and the Great depression in the late 1920's and 1930's. During this time the average Sunday church collection was $15.00, mostly nickels and dimes. Few people could borrow money from the banks at 4% interest. Our five Presidents during these trying times were Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

1936 - 1961

The third 25 years of our parish, 1936-1961, included World War 11 from 1941-1945, the Korean War, 1950-1953, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1961, the Berlin Air-Lift and the construction of the infamous Berlin Wall. Our Presidents during these troublesome times were Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy. Bishop William J. Hafey succeeded Bishop Thomas C. O'Reilly and then was followed by Bishop Jerome D. Hanon in 1954. The stability of our parish is noted by the administrators of just three Diocesan-assigned priests: Rev. V.J. Nanorta, Rev. V.J. Kupstas and Rev. A. G - Brogus. Rev. Nanorta served our parish the longest --- 27 years --- and died this year, 1986, in January at the age of 92. There were 456 baptisms administered, 312 marriages, and sorrowfully 370 deaths. It was when Father Kupstas was pastor that a banquet noting the burning of the church mortgage was celebrated. All the preceeding priests and parishioners toiled faithfully toward that accomplishment and are justly congratulated!!! Many times the $17,000.00 the church cost originally was reinvested in renovations, additions and maintenance --- thanks to the generosity of the parishioners and prudent administrations of the pastors.

1961-1986

The fourth and most recent 25 years, 1961-1986, were a continuation of stability, accomplishments and spiritual growth. The years from 1962 to the present were deeply influenced by the Church's 21st Ecumenical Council Vatican 11 which greatly changed church life as most of us know it. The greatest reforms of the council, especially Mass in the English language and the restoration of the participation of the people in the Liturgy, led to the renovation of the church by Father John Dastick to meet the requirements of the new liturgy. The role of lectors came about and now after years of adjustment, the benefits to all are being seen everyday. In 1965, Bishop J. Carroll McCormick headed the Scranton Diocese followed by Bishop James C. Timlin in 1984. Our parish priests were Rev. V.J. Kupstas, Rev. William Pakutka (Administrator), Rev. A.G. Brogus, Rev. John J. Dastick, Rev. John Doris (Administrator), followed by our current pastor, Rev. Frank P. Skitzki. Continuous renovations, maintenance and improvements were supported by these pastors and administrators. In addition, our parish exceeded its $19,000.00 goal in 1968 during the Diocesan Project Expansion by pledging $25,500.00. It was during Father Dastick's service that our present hall was constructed at First & Lincoln Streets. In just a year and a few months Father Skitzki introduced a deluge of church activities including the establishment of Saints Peter & Paul's new Family Center to be used as our parish C.C.D. center and multiple parish activities. Its current location is the newly-acquired apartment building at the south-east corner of First & Lincoln Streets, across First St. from our hall. This is the culmination of a successful request to our parishioners to pledge $300.00 each, to liquidate the total cost of $80,000.00 for this investment. The challenge was accepted by more than 200 of our parishioners and benefactors. The benefit to the church is obvious by the profit that was realized in just a few months for parish financial support and its use for the religious instruction of our youth.

Our parish societies and organizations deserve much credit for our religious and financial progress. The Third Order of St. Francis has served our parish for about 68 years. Along with its religious activities, its financial help is noted by its dinners and social activities.

The Altar and Rosary Society has been active for about 54 years. Together with its religious activities, it has been a consistent benefactor to the church by its ceaseless social activities including picnics, dinners, boutiques, and their help at the bleenie sales under the direction of Mr. Joseph Bentivoglio.

Our Holy Name Society is the male version of our women's societies. It too has supported our parish for many years and is responsible for picnics, bingo, 300 clubs, communion breakfasts, and church suppers, all for the parish's benefit.

The Knights of Lithuania was established in 1982 and has continued to encourage and keep alive our Lithuanian heritage and has helped in various parish affairs.

Our parish choir, loved and appreciated by all, is renowed throughout the Scranton Diocese for its quality and high degree of musical excellence. For many years, Mr. Michael Roland served as parish organist and was succeeded by his daughter, Mrs. Edwina Ustynoski. Mrs. Esther Kulig and Clarence Kulig have generously contributed themselves to helping all praise God in song.

We were blessed with loyal caretakers, sextants, collectors, housekeepers, acolytes, readers and parishioners throughout these 100 years.

In 1985, the Second Synod of the Diocese of Scranton was held; its resolution for our parish and diocese will serve to enhance our church life for the next 100 years.

Our Century of History was not made by just one person or at any one time. Few have lived to be part of it for more than 50 years and most for just a few years. The recognizable result is that all are important and necessary. We, because it is our time, are writing the history for the next 100 years and eternity.

Celebrate and Participate In All It's Glory