Nomination for Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

United States Department of the Interior 1. Name of Property historic name Location Jnot for publication city, town State Ohio county Montgomery zip code 45404 3. Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property X private Structure _ objects Name of related multiple property listing: State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this Signature of commenting or other official 5. National Park Service Certification 1. hereby, certity that this property is: [Gentered in the National Register. determined eligible for the National other, (explain:) Date of Action Noncontributing National Register of Historic Places Registration Form Dayton 113 site district NATIONAL public-Federal Total National Register.

public-State public-local National Park Service removed from the National Register. Number of contributing resources previously nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the Eastern European Ethnic Community, Dayton, OH:1885-1966 listed in the National Register State or Federal agency and bureau Signature of the Keeper Number of Resources within Property (Form 10-900a). Type all entries. determined not eligible for the See continuation sheet. Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Par 60. N/ALJvicinity Signature of certitying official code OH _ buildings street & number 1924 Leo Street -does not meet the National Register criteria. soe continuation sheel.

REGISTER and areas of significance, enter only the calegories and subcategories listed in the instructions.For additional space use continuation sheets Register. See continuation sheet. 6. Function or Use Historic Functions (enter categories from instructions) Current Functions (enter categories from instructions) RELIGION/Religious Structure 7. Description (enter categories from instructions) foundation - poured concrete OTHER/Lithuanian ethnic design. The architect was a Lithuanian, John Mulokas of Chicago. The contractor was Valerian Sodeika, also of Chicago. A cartouche on the left side of the gable facade reads "Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church. Lithuania. 1914." side, the fifth bay advances and is a doorway which leads into the bay on the right side is double doors flanked by brick pilasters.

frame addition is at the rear and extends out from the left rear of brick Exterior The walls roof Architectural Classification Describe present and historic physical appearance. Lithuanian design as do the square polychromatic brick columns which band the church just above the windows and above the foundation.A the church. Materials (enter categories from instructions) The church is capped with a bell tower which also incorporates This simple rectangular gable-front church sits on a high founda- composition shingle support the heavy wooden beams which hold the wide overhanging gable center bay has glass and metal double doors with Lithuanian folk Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church was built in 1912-1915. Remodeled in 1964-65, it incorporates Lithuanian folk motifs and Basement windows are at ground level.

The building is con- The fifth LX See continuation sheet Lithuanian design. The height of the steeple is 29 feet 7 inches. tion. The advancing These doors lead into the sanctuary.Vertical brick soldier courses and has polychromatic brickwork with Lithuanian emblems. The left and right sides of the church have ten bays.Bays 1-4 and United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, Dayton, Ohio, Montgomery County The altars and communion railing were designed by John Mulokas. veneer and were fabricated by Javarauskas of Chicago. The bas-reliefs altar, and the sepulchre from the old altar of Our Lady was located on the left side of the sanctuary, and at the door on the right side was done by parishioner John Kvietys and contractor At the rear of the church are a baptistry and crying room.

On the east side of the church is the Shrine of the Three Crosses Interior National Register of Historic Places Chicago. Continuation Sheet Valerian Sodeika according to the architect's design.

interpretation of a hill in Lithuania which is covered with crosses The side windows display Lithuanian style shrines and include from France.The windows were made by the Adolf Valeska Studios of Our Lady of the Gates of Dawn and St.Casimir's altar represent landscape - the crosses which appear along the roadsides, in yards, on Shrine of the Three Crosses honor "all the martyrs for the faith in the countries occupied by the symbols such as The Holy Crown of Section number - The interior of Holy Cross is a center aisle plan flanked by wooden Behind the main altar is a faceted slab glass panorama of The panorama is a highly stylized of Our Lady of the Gates of Dawn and of Saint Casimir were made by relics from the former main altar were transferred to Our Lady's transferred to the present main altar. Jamaikis of Chicago.

The decorative woodwork at the confessional, and reflects the more than 2,000 types found in that country. The panorama is flanked by faceted slab glass vertical panels. by Lithuanian architect, Alfred Kulpavicius of Toronto. The three The Page The cross above the main altar was made by Buracas.The side altars, The pews, and kneelers are oak.The floor is covered with United States Department of the Interior National Park Service Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, Dayton, Ohio, Montgomery County Section number _ - Page - Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, in honor of the Franciscan fathers of St.

Casimir are the symbols of the Passion - the chalice, the cross the front of the cross is a statuette of Our Lady of Siluva, a village a Pieta in Lithuanian folk style, frequently found on shrines in In memory of All living and deceased parishioners In honor of Lithuania and the other captive nations. Lietuvos Kankiniams National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Remember and pray. styles of crosses found in the three major regions of Lithuania: incorporates motifs from crosses in the region of vilnius and the Lady of the Gates of Dawn in Vilnius,the capital of Lithuania.The crosses "symbolize the three crosses that were erected on a hill in destroyed by the Communists in Vilnius, Lithuania Cross 1966: n.p.). crosses were destroyed by the Soviets in 1950 (Holy Cross 1966: n.p.). Zemaitija, Aukstaitija, and Suvalkija.

It has a plaque done in relief of Our The martyrs for faith and freedom in 1965. The Lithuania.

the patron saint of Lithuania.On the sides and back of the statuette who were martyred for the faith in the fourteenth century."These The shrine displays the following inscriptions: southern parts of Zemaitija.The upper statuette is of the Meditating Christ or Christ of Sorrows.The lower statuette is of The style and ornamentation of each cross include ornamentation and third cross has the motifs of a part of Lithuania called Dzukija.On with crown of thorns and the monogram of Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructiona) Period of Significance - ETHNIC HERITAGE/Other: Lithuanian Architect/Builder John Mulokas (1963-1964) For a time, the Lithuanians living in North Dayton vorshipped at the territorial parish, Holy Rosary, and then, later, at St. Adalbert Polish 1965 RELIGION industrial base.

SOCIAL HISTORY ARJ industrial district, these Eastern European immigrants found jobs in the in North Dayton, an industrial suburb bounded by the C&o Railroad on the Significant Person immigration contained numerous Eastern European groups, but those which Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church is eligible for the Europeans introduced new peoples with unfamiliar ideas and customs and Considerations (Exceptions). had the heaviest impact were the Hungarians, Lithuanians, and Poles, most 1894,there were twenty-four Lithuanian families and about fifty single Applicable National Register Criteria National Register under Criteria A and C.This Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

The first Lithuanians in arrived in Dayton in 1886.By north, the B&o Railroad on the west, the Mad River to the east and south Europeans, the Germans, Irish, and English had blended to form a Holy Cross Lithuanian Catholic Church is one of five ethnic parishes also contends that it is eligible under A and G of Criteria of whom vere Roman Catholic. Significant Dates See continuation sheet William Jaekle (1912-1915) Until the arrival of the Eastern Lithuania or from other American industrial cities.The majority settled character of Dayton's population. in Dayton which document the immigration of Eastern Europeans into the completed the formation of Dayton's white cultural mosaic.This "new" city between 1885-1915.

These immigrants transformed the ethnic men totaling about 125 persons.By circa 1917,there were 140 fami1ies United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Section number _ 21, 1915. organizations included the Knights of Lithuania Council 96, the Knights Page Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church, Dayotn, Ohio Montgomery County National Register of Historic Places culture.

Continuation Sheet John Lithuanian architect from Chicago.The contractor was institution for the preservation of Eastern European language and Today, Holy Cross continues to preserve Lithuanian culture and adjustment to the sometimes bewildering and even hostile urban "the center of and patriotic activity for the honored the many churches closed by the Soviet Union and the The church took on its present appearance when it was remodeled in tract of land acres)at the southwest corner of Leo and Rita 19ll.The parish was not officially established until May Through regular monthly payments by some members, fundraising activities William L. Jaekle was engaged as the erected in celebration of the parish Golden Jubilee.

of Lithuania Juniors, the Lithuanian Roman Catholic Alliance of America Lodge 191, the lithuanian Anglers Club, the Lithuanian Social Club, the In addition, their Lithuanian folk dance group and the Lithuanian The "ethnic" or "nationality" parish was perhaps the most important Lithuanians of Dayton and vicinity" (Holy Cross 1964: 76). These architect. the construction of the building. streets, but permission to establish the parish was not granted until these organizations are still active.

Cultural Council continue their efforts to preserve the language and Construction began in 1912,and the church was blessed March of whom still have family in letters and publish articles to bring the plight of Lithuania into the public United States Department of the Interior National Park Service the ethnic parish and its ability to preserve Old World culture while Eastern European churches constructed during the 1885-1915 period of immigration, it also documents the continued importance of cultural from generation to generation.

Because it contributes significantly to our understanding of the Eastern European ethnic community, the remodeled church is being informed, dispassionate judgment possible." Accordingly, the "National "exceptional," but it does state that: we should be settled in our belief that they will tions, appearance, or information potential." National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Holy Cross Lituanian Roman Catholic Church, Dayton, Ohio, Montgomery County "In nominating properties to the National Register, significant historic resources that by appearance or association with Holy Cross, with its stylized interpretation of Lithuanian Catholic Preservation Act "Specifically encourages the recognition of locally model which states that assimilation was completed by the second symbols, possesses high artistic merit and is a valuable record of seventy-seven years of the Lithuanian presence on Dayton's urban scene.

The Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic in nominated under the criteria set forth in Bulletin 22:"Guidelines for persons or events provide communities with a sense of past and place." Section number _ 8 the best possible documentary artifact of the strength and durability of to our understanding of the importance of this plurality in the formation of American life and culture. It clearly negates the old assimilationist generation Instead, it documents cultural persistence past the first displaying Lithuanian motifs and symbols, it is a permanent record of the amazing vitality of this small parish which has now endured for over three-quarters of a century.

The fact that this church was remodeled to Register Criteria for Evaluation encourage nomination of recently possess enduring value for their historical associa- Within the Last Fifty Years." The National Register Criteria for Evaluation does not describe This bulletin states that "Fifty years is plurality in American society throughout the twentieth century and adds 1912-1914and remodeled in 1963-1964,isa standing record of Page 2 United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service Section number - American church design of the 1960s serves to document cultural Crosses, designed to reflect the three provinces of Lithuania, is further George's and Our Lady of Perpetual Help are located in Cleveland: Holy Cross is the only parish in southern Ohio and is therefore the center of Despite its present vitality, however, it is a fragile resource increasingly difficult for Holy Cross to maintain a separate parish.

are the most visible reminders of these immigrants' contribution to nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but of the importance of this cultural plurality. As time passes, however, it seems likely that this best record of their ethnicty and its contribution to the history of an Al though commerative in nature, the Shrine of the Three Crosses meets the regulrements it with the Lithuanian ethnic experience and thereby posses historical signficance. immigrant nation. language. Continuation Sheet Page National Register of Historic Places ability to continue the preservation of Lithuanian traditions and persistence past the first generation and adds to our understanding of not only of the Eastern European immigration which occurred in the late Holy Cross is one of only three Lithuanian parishes in Ohio.St.

reflect Lithuanian folk art and culture instead of following typical evidence of close ties with a homeland left behind many years ago. When the current priest retires, it it unlikely that they will be able to secure the services of another nationality priest, which will weaken its Holy Cross stands as a reminder ethnicity, so much a part of the fabric of American urban life, will Holy Cross Lithuanian ROman Catholic Church, Dayton, Ohio, Montgomery County for its future is uncertain. As the doors close forever on more and more week. Dayton's history and cultural diversity.

our national history as an immigrant nation.The Shrine of the Three "Holy Cross Lithuanian Catholic Church, Dayton, Ohio, Primary location of additional data: -State historic preservation office previously listed in the National Register Other State agency previously determined eligible by the National Register recorded by Historic American Buildings * University Survey # *Other ]recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 10.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Geographical Data Acreage of property - 1.22 acres Verbal Boundary Description Beginning on the southwest corner of Leo and Rita streets, 11. Form Prepared By organization Montgomery County Historical Society street & number _ 7 North Main Street . telephone (513) 228-6271 _ state _ OH _ zip code 45402 Easting Local government Northing 1914-19898."1989. Federal agency UTM References Boundary Justification See continuation sheet with the property. has been requested designated a National Historic Landmark Specify repository: The boundary includes the property which has historically been associated Holy Cross Parish. a north-south alley.Then proceed north for 189'to the southern curbline 1914-1964. Chicago, 1964. Chicago, 1966. Previous documentation on file (NPS): -preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) of Leo Street. Then proceed east 256' to the point of beginning.

- date May 1, 1991 Doren, Alice. "Foreigners in Dayton: An Investigation." Young Women's proceed in a southwesterly direction for 207' to the northern edge of the Then proceed west along the alley 275' until the alley intersects with Zone Drury, Rev. A. W. History of the City of Dayton. Chicago, 1909. Holy Cross Parish. "Shrine of the Three Crosses." alley. Holy Cross Parish."Holy Cross Parish, Dayton, Ohio, Golden Jubilee, Library, Uhiv. of Dayton, Wright State, Holy Cross United States Department of the Interlor National Park Service PHOTOGRAPHS - Holy Cross Lithuanian Catholic Church 1. Gable-front facade. Gable-front facade and west elevation. Showing plaque on left side of gable-front facade. 15. Showing St. Casimir's alter. Looking west-southwest. Looking southwest. Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places Section number of church.

12.Interior view showing stained glass panorama of Lithuanian The following photographs document Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church: 11.Memorial plaque at base of Shrine of the Three Crosses. 14.Showing Our Lady of the Gates of Dawn 10. Showing detail of Shrine of the Three Crosses. crosses, carved altars located at each side, floor Rear elevation. Looking northwest. OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior European Ethnic Communities, Dayton MPS Montgomery County, OHIO 1. Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church 2. St.

Adalbert Polish Catholic Church Page COVER Continuation Sheet National Register of Historic Places Section number Date Listed National Park Service Substantive Fevley 12191 Np Form 10900a NATIONAL PARK SERVICE EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET NAME : DATE OF 45TH DAY: NOMINATOR: STATE PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: COMMENT WAIVER: N ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS : DISCIPLINE Historian 10/25/91 11/07/91 REJECT 9/23/91 DATE PROPERTY RETURN REVIEWER PDIL: OTHER: PERIOD: Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church DATE RECEIVED: NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES REASONS FOR REVIEW: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: LESS THAN 5O YEARS: European Ethnic Communities, Dayton MPS LANDSCAPE: N REQUEST: Y SLR DRAFT: Y RECOM./CRITERIA AUÇI MULTIPLE APPEAL: NATIONAL: SAMPLE: DATA PROBLEM:N DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR _count _resource type STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION -current _descriptive text _summary paragraph _completeness _clarity _applicable criteria -justification of areas checked _relating significance to the resource _relationship of integrity to significance _justification of exception _other GEOGRAPHICAL DATA _acreage _verbal boundary description _boundary justification ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTATION/PRESENTATION _sketch maps - photographs -presentation OTHER COMMENTS FUNCTION materials context DESCRIPTION BIBLIOGRAPHY historic SIGNIFICANCE Period Date CLASSIFICATION Signed Phone architectural classification Specific dates Builder/Architect Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Areas of Significance--Check and justify below Statement of Significance one paragraph) USGS maps UTMS STOP 1914 LITHUANIAN CATHOLIC ROMAN CHURCH HOLY CROSS IN MEMORY OF ALL LIVING AND DECEASED PARISHIONERS COMMUNISTS IN VILNIUS, LITHUANIA PARISH GOLDEN JUBILEE 1964-1965 THREE CROSSES DESTROYED BY THE AND FRIENDS OF THIS PARISH Multiple Property Name County, State Roman Catholic Church Dayton Multiple Property X Photographs ( #3; 14; 17) Submission USGS Map The following Core Documentation is missing from this entry: Holy Cross Lithuanian Missing Core Documentation Nomination Form Reference Number Property Name Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: _64500477 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property