WHITING – The St. Adalbert Parish Hall in the northern part of the Diocese of Gary was built in 1927. The building, which is separate from the Church, has been the location of many parish activities and events throughout the years. Although the physical structure is scheduled to be torn down within the coming months, many will continue to remember the site for all the fellowship and joy that occurred there.
Parishioner and Finance Council Member Laura Wright explained that the building’s roof has been deteriorating over the last few years. Because the replacement would be costly, in good stewardship, the decision was made to demolish the hall.
Reflecting on her own times within the building, Wright said, “My memories are of the school, Christmas plays, rummage sale volunteering and working with the fun group that organized these events – Jean Springer, Jean Blahunka, Ann and Stan Matusik, Shirley Cap, Bernadine Cusson, Genevieve and Mary Swierc and Artie Bakos.”
Sister Connie Bach, a Sister of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, noted, “A church is more than a building. It is the Eucharistic people who share the light of Christ and build community together. And the hall is an extension for celebrations and meetings and all manner of events which strengthen and help form a parish, a family of believers.”
Sister Connie shared that there is not a time when she drives by St. Adalbert and isn’t flooded with wonderful memories and a heart of gratitude that helped form her as a child. She remembers being at the parish with her family as far back as she can remember. As a young girl, Sister Connie would often attend Mass with her grandparents, Nellie and Cletus Bach, who were also her godparents.
“I am grateful for the times I spent with my grandparents at Mass, followed by conversations with my grandmother, who encouraged and supported my decision to become a Catholic Sister 33 years ago,” she said.
Her grandfather was proud and pleased to work at the parish as a custodian for many years. He was a carpenter and loved fixing and creating things with his hands, and made the stable that is still used today at the church during Christmastime.
Sister Connie also remembers a picture that was in the newspaper of her grandfather on a tractor pushing snow after an incredible snowstorm, clearing the parking lot and sidewalks as he worked at St. Adalbert.
“He loved his work, and sometimes my mother would take me there to visit him,” she said. “I picked up on his strong work ethic.”
Sister Connie attended many events at St. Adalbert Hall. One of her fondest memories was the wedding of her aunt, Patti (Randall), and uncle, Ron Bach, in 1972. Like other events she attended, they enjoyed a top-notch meal and experienced all the wonderful traditions of any wedding, including the special family bonding and connections with relatives.
“I have very fond memories of my parents and my aunts and uncles dancing together on the checkered floor of the hall led by the magical bands that played on the huge stage through the night.” Sister Connie said. “I am grateful for the memory of dancing with my father with my feet on his! And, like all children, I remember running around and chasing and playing tag with all my cousins, with whom I remain quite close to this day.”
Bernadine Cusson attended the wedding of her aunt’s sister when she was age 4. At that time, the original wooden church had been torn down and while the new church was being built, the hall was used for Mass, weddings, funerals, Holy Communions, baptisms and confirmations and other activities in 1950.
All the wonderful activities that took place in the hall made it a very special place with concerts, piano recitals, bingo, bunco parties, grade school recitals, plays, dances, boys CYO basketball games, HNS meetings, Altar & Rosary society meetings, celebration dinners as 11 priests and 12 nuns got their early religious formation at the parish.
“The hall was the center of the St. Adalbert's church community and there wasn't a week that went by that something wasn't going on in the hall,” said Bernadine’s husband, Gilbert Cusson.
The couple selected the hall for their own wedding venue because Bernadine Cusson’s parents Carl and Stephanie Cada were married at St. Adalbert's in 1933 and used the hall for their wedding reception and later for their 50th wedding anniversary party. The hall had a history of hosting weddings, parties, fundraisers and dinners, and it could accommodate 600 guests.
Gilbert Cusson became a member of the Holy Name Society (HNS). He noted that members always helped the church with whatever jobs they could do instead of hiring contractors, such as painting, light carpentry, upkeep of the church properties, lawn cutting and snow removal.
In addition, the HNS sponsored many fundraisers, including spaghetti dinners, chicken dinners, Las Vegas nights, bingo, pancake breakfasts, and an annual Christmas brunch, and in turn donated some of the proceeds to help the church. Over the last 15 years alone, he stated, the HNS contributed more than $30,000 to help pay for expenses such as the parish building fund, CSA, painting the sacristies and more.
Gilbert Cusson also recalled how sixteen members of the church, including some HNS members, gave their lives in WWII and Don Kulpa, past president of the HNS, would write our HNS members letters and let them know what was going on in our church and they would let us know what was going on in the war at that time.
“What wonderful memories we all have of our hall and all of our wonderful church members,” he said.
