OCTOBER 18, 1871

Father William F. McDonough celebrates his first Mass in Jefferson County.

DECEMBER 19, 1871

The city of Birmingham is incorporated.

JUNE 1872

St. Paul’s, the first Catholic Church in the area, ii completed.

BEFORE 1887

Priests from St. Paul’s say Mass in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Anthe on the Southside.

1887

Father James A. Meurer is assigned by Bishop Jeremiah O’Sullivan to establish a parish for the German-speaking workers of Birmingham.  After St. Paul’s, this is to be the second parish in the city and the second in the county to be assigned a permanent pastor.  (St. Catherine of Siena in Pratt City had been operating as a mission of St. Paul’s since 1880).  Mrs. Frank Anthe serves as first president of the Altar Society.

1889

Father Meurer builds the first Our Lady of Sorrows church on the southwest corner of 14th Street and Avenue F.

1896

School begins operation with Sister Mary Alfonso, R.S.M., as principal.  In addition to the three R’s, students are taught music, elocution and languages.

1900

The first school building is built.

MAY 3, 1903

Bishop Edward P. Allen lays the cornerstone for a new brick church, assisted by Father Meurer.  The church cost $25,000.00

SEPTEMBER 17, 1905

Bishop Allen dedicates the new brick church and blesses the copy of Michaelangelo’s Pieta.  The congregation of 1,500 hears Father Boniface Seng, O.S.B., speak on the waters flowing from the temple.  A choir of 16 and a violinist provide music.  The carved wooden main altar had been the altar at St. Paul’s.  When it was damaged in a fire, it was given to Our Lady of Sorrows and redecorated for use in the new church.

FEBRUARY 12, 1906

Father Meurer dies, Father Louis H. Galland leaves Pratt City (where he was the first resident pastor) to become the second pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows.  He continues the tradition of preaching in both English and German.

DECEMBER 7, 1906

Father Galland dies, and Father Malachi Kitrick becomes temporary pastor.

JANUARY 27, 1907

Father John O’Kelly takes over as pastor, leaving St. Aloysius parish in Bessemer.  In his announcement book, he notes that he will continue Father Galland’s Mass schedule and will keep the same Pew Rents as before.

SPRING 1907

Parishioners erect marble monuments at the graves of both previous pastors of Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery, near First Street and Sixth Avenue South, the present site of Our Lady of Fatima.

1907

Father O’Kelly notes the total number of baptisms for the first 20 years:  Children, 57; adult converts, 57; infants, 651.

OCTOBER 1911

Religious census finds 731 parishioners at OLS.

JULY 1912

Women at OLS hold a “Pic Nic” at Germania  Park (probably the present-day Fairgrounds) to raise money for needed repairs in the cemetery.

JANUARY 1913

Holy Name Society Chapter formed.

1920

Parish begins annual Bazaar held in June.  It was held for the next fifteen years.  Mrs. Warren Snead, Sr., served as Chairman of the OLS Altar Society.

1925

Red brick school and convent built on southeast corner of 14th Street and Avenue F.

1927

Financial statement shows church debt of $27,888.00.  Father O’Kelly thanks parishioners for their valued assistance through the Envelope System, the Spring Drive, the Parish Societies, Socials, Parties, Bazaar, etc., and Pew Rent.

1929

Father Edward F. Shea becomes pastor when Father O’Kelly is assigned to St. Peter’s Church in Montgomery.

1935

A census shows 225 families and 865 parishioners at OLS.

1936

Bishop Toolen approves a section of Elmwood cemetery to be used for Catholics.  All graves are moved from Our Lady of Sorrows cemetery.  Assistants in this year include Fathers Hugh J. Duffy, T.L. Flynn and Herman C. Cazalas, also Director of Missions in Central Alabama.  C.C.D. Religious Vacation School enrolls 91 children from OLS, St. George and St. Elias parishes.

NOVEMBER 1936

OLS Parent-Teacher Association formed, with Mrs. Lee Hughes the first president.

OCTOBER 1937

OLS Catholic Youth Organization, with Floyd Stephens as president, is recognized on a national radio broadcast for their monthly bulletin.

NOVEMBER 28, 1937

Father Shea dies, and Father John O’Sullivan, assistant pastor, takes over as temporary administrator.

MARCH 1, 1938

Father Timothy J. Pathe is assigned pastor, leaving St. Anthony’s in Ensley.

1939

Our Lady of Sorrws Praesidium of the Legion of Mary is organized.

JANUARY 1943

Father Pathe initiates “Sorrowful Mother” perpetual novena.

JULY 1944

Father Francis J. Foley is appointed as pastor when Father Pathe leaves to become an Army Chaplain.

MAY 25, 1945

Father Herman C. Cazalas is assigned as pastor, leaving Sacred Heart Parish in Anniston.  Father Foley becomes Administrator of St. Paul’s Parish due to the illness of its pastor, Msgr. E. L. Sands

JANUARY 1946

Father Thomas Sadler is appointed temporary assistant.

MARCH 3, 1949

On Thursday, early a.m., after Ash Wednesday services the night before, fire breaks out in the furnace room in the basement and sweeps through the church, which had been recently renovated at a cost of $15,000.  Firemen fight the blaze for five hours while parishioners work to set up the school auditorium for “Mass as usual” at 6:30 and 8:00 a.m.

1949-1950

Bishop Toolen offers Father Cazalas his choice of property in Mountain Brook or Homewood to rebuild Our Lady of Sorrows.  The Homewood site is chosen, and the first Masses are celebrated in the brown house near the present location of the kindergarten classrooms.

JULY 4, 1949

An enduring tradition begins with the first Annual Fourth of July Festival.

FALL 1951

School begins operation with Sister Nathanael as principal.

DECEMBER 2, 1951

Archbishop Toolen dedicates the first building at the new location.  It includes 9 classrooms, cafeteria, auditorium and convent.  The school auditorium serves as the church for the next eight years.

FEBRUARY 23, 1955

A four-classroom addition to the school building is blessed.

1956

Two houses are purchased on the Eastern end of the lot.  One stood where the front parking lot is now and the other is presently the church office.

DECEMBER 25, 1959

Midnight Mass is the first service celebrated in the church building, dedicated January 17, 1960.  Total cost of construction was approximately $500,000.

NOVEMBER 1960

Father Cazalas is invested with the title Monsignor.

1962

The new rectory is completed adjoining the church.

1968

Joseph Canary heads the committee which organizes the Parish Council.  William Sullivan, Jr. is elected the first president.

1969

A new addition to the school is completed, containing six classrooms and offices.

1970

The school library is completed.

MAY 9, 1971

The old church on Southside, which had been built for Our Lady of Fatima, is razed to make room for the expansion of UAB.  Msgr. Cazalas opens the cornerstone to find newspapers, coins and medals from 1905, when the stone was laid.  One medallion is inscribed “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Century” and on the reverse, “Sweet Jesus Have Mercy on Us.”

1972

The CYO House and the Herman C. Cazalas Gymnasium is completed.

MAY 1973

After 28 years at OLS, Msgr. Cazalas is reassigned to St. Stanislaus in Wylam, and Father Patrick Murphy returns to OLS as pastor.

SEPTEMBER 1981

Father Charles Bordenca and Father Matthew Brennan are assigned as Co-Pastors.

JULY 1983

Father Martin Muller, in residence at OLS for many years while on the faculty of John Carroll High School, leaves John Carroll and becomes Associate Pastor of OLS.

1985

The handmade organ is installed from the Kenneth Jones Company in Dublin, Ireland.

1987

Father Pascal A. Ferlisi, a native of Birmingham and of the Order of St. Benedict, is assigned to OLS.  He was previously a member of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Ala.

JULY 1988

Father Muller is named Administrator for the parish.

JUNE 1989

Father Muller is named pastor for the parish.

AUGUST 1989

Sister Janet Marie Flemming, O.S.B. comes to OLS from the Benedictine Sisters in Cullman and is named Director of the Spiritual Life Office replacing Sister Therese.

JANUARY 1990

The Our Lady of Sorrows School Foundation was established to assure the survival of the Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School.  The school is a regional school dedicated to academic excellence and serves Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Peter’s, Prince of Peace, St. George and St. Elias Parishes.  The goal of the school is to provide students with a special kind of education, one that not only recognizes and meets the needs of the individual but also teaches through example and experience the ideals of the Catholic faith.

JULY 1990

Father Jeffrie Reynolds is named associate pastor for the parish.

JULY 1990

The Botti Studios of Evansville, Illinois begins installing the stained glass in the church.  The various windows depict the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

MARCH 19, 1991

Bishop William Dermott Molloy, of Huancavelica, Peru dedicates the 500 seat Church of St. Joseph the Worker in Bellavista, Lircay, Peru.  The church was built entirely with the donations from OLS parishioners and proceeds from the OLS Fourth of July Festivals.  Father Juan Jose is the pastor.

MAY 1991

Sister Margaret Liang, O.S.B., the Director of Religious Education, leaves OLS to work in the missions in China.  Sister Janet Marie Flemming, O.S.B., head of the Spiritual Life Office, leaves OLS to be appointed Sub-prioress with the Benedictine community.  Father Muller hosts a reception for both Benedictine Sisters thanking them for all their contributions to the parish.

JUNE 1991

Mrs. Patricia Higuera returns to OLS as Director of our Parish School of Religion beginning in September.  She had previously served as the PSR Director from 1978 to 1980.

SEPTEMBER 15, 1991

Bishop Raymond J. Boland, D.D. dedicates the new stained glass windows on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.  A reception was held following the dedication honoring the donors.  Father Muller writes in his weekly letter to the parish, “Deacon Bill Hanks and the altar servers, Robert Sullivan and his music ensemble, the Altar Sodality’s lovely reception, and the Knights of Columbus all added to the solemnity and success of the celebration.”

FALL 1991

The Knights of Columbus donated $30,000 toward the new “Knights of Columbus” building used by the school during the week and by the Parish School of Religion and A.A. during non-school hours.

DECEMBER 1991

The parish, the Birmingham Catholic community and the entire city mourn the loss of Angelo and Lee Bruno.  They are remembered for their smiling faces, wonderful optimism, love, and concern for people and their dedication to God and their families.  Father Muller writes “The Bruno brothers were a legend in their own time.  Of the many charitable acts by the Bruno family, Lee Bruno offered matching funds up to $100,000 for all donations made during a designated time for the OLS School foundation.”

DECEMBER 20, 1991

Father Muller announces that Lee Bruno’s challenge to the parish to match funds to $100,000 has been achieved.  An anonymous donor offers to match up to $25,000 to of additional donations made by parishioners.

AUGUST 1992

Sister Thomas Jude is named the new Minister to Sick & Shut-Ins and organizer of Bible Groups.  She is a Trinitarian nun and the parish is delighted she chose OLS for her new apostolic ministry.

AUGUST 15, 1992

Under the leadership of Ida Wilker and Mary Claire Brouillette, Perpetual Adoration started on Saturday 15, 1992 at 9:00 a.m.  In the previous months, parishioners signed up for at least one hour each week in the Chapel of Our Savior for a devotion to our Lord’s presence in the Eucharist.  The chapel is located on the side of the church office facing the church.

JUNE 1993

Father Thomas Kelly is assigned associate pastor for the parish.  Father Muller writes in his weekly letter to the parish, “He (Father Kelly) has been ordained for 2 years, comes from Ireland and is an accomplished musician.”

NOVEMBER 1993

The choir, under the leadership of the Director of Music Robert Sullivan, makes a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy.

AUGUST 1994

Father Muller announces that the parish will be getting a second Trinitarian Sister with the arrival of Sister Pat Sullivan as the head of the Ministry to the Sick while Sister Thomas Jude moves to be the Director of Religious Education.

DECEMBER 1994

The choir loft (now called the balcony) is extended adding 100 seats of pew space in the choir loft.  At the same time, the Ave Maria Shoppe is enlarged providing additional room for religious materials and items.

MARCH 1995

The OLS School Foundation, established in 1991, has grown to $800,000.  Father Muller announces another individual has agreed to match donations collected up to $100,000.

The Angelo Bruno Family agrees to donate $1,500,000 if the parish raises $500,000 to completely renovate the OLS School.  With the renovation of the Homewood Library, Father Muller discusses purchasing the former Electrician’s Union building to obtain additional parking space.

MAY 1995

The Parish School of Religion (PSR) building is to be built next to the Knights of Columbus Building.  It will provide additional classrooms and office space for the 450 students on Sundays and the 50 catechists.

SEPTEMBER 1995

Father Muller announces that funding for the OLS School renovations is complete and the project will be finished in the summer of 1996.

OCTOBER 1995

The OLS School Foundation reaches the $100,000 matching fund goal and the anonymous donor agrees to match all new donations until the end of the year.

DECEMBER 1995

The Parish School of Religion (PSR) building is completed next to the Knights of Columbus Building providing additional classrooms and office space.

JANUARY 1996

Father Muller announces the parish raised $128,282 in 1995

And the anonymous donor matched that amount bringing the OLS School Foundation total to $1,131,000 since 1991.

MAY 16, 1996

Father Ferlisi, O.S.B. celebrates the Silver Jubilee of this Ordination to the Holy Priesthood by inviting the entire parish to participate in a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving.  A reception is held in the Parish Hall following Mass.

MAY 1996

Father Muller blesses the newly completed Our Lady of Peace Patio in the back of the CYO House.  The Our Lady of Peace Guild developed the area as a Shrine to Mary.

JUNE 1996

Father Muller announces the parish will be adding an elevator to the northwest corner of the church to accommodate the elderly and handicapped of the parish.

JULY 1996

Sister Thomas Jude dies after 53 years as a nun with 13 different assignments.  Father Muller writes, “She had as her basic thrust in life to bring people to Jesus.  She had a great sense of mission and a sense of humor that mixed the Irish wit with the New York twang.”

OCTOBER 1996

The parish purchases the former Electrician’s Union building and parking area to obtain additional parking for the parish.

NOVEMBER 12 - 21, 1996

The choir goes on their second pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. 

NOVEMBER 1996

The parish gave Father Muller a surprise birthday party in the Parish Hall to celebrate his 65th birthday.  Every family received an invitation in the mail.

DECEMBER 15, 1996

Bishop David E. Foley blesses and rededicates the newly renovated OLS School.  The new elevator is now operating and being used by the parish.

JANUARY 1997

Father John Delchos from the Archdiocese of Baltimore conducts his firth mission at the parish.  As always, he fills the church each night with his spiritual energy and love for God.

MAY 18, 1997

Father Muller celebrates 40 years as a priest without public celebration.  In his letter to the parish he writes, “There will be no public celebration in that you, the parishioners, already gave me a most fantastic surprise birthday party 6 months ago; and it is too soon to have another party.”

JULY 1997

Father Kelly is assigned to be pastor at St. Williams in Guntersville, Ala.,  and Father Sean Merino is named associate pastor.  Father Kelly reluctantly agreed to a fond farewell with a reception as long as there would be no roast.  Father Sean, a native of Decatur, comes to OLS from Holy Spirit Church in Huntsville where he has been a priest for 3 years.

AUGUST 15, 1997

The parish celebrates the fifth anniversary of Perpetual Eucharist Adoration on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament from the chapel to the church.  The event includes the Knights of Columbus Honor Guards, OLS choir and a Mass.  An appreciation dinner was held for everyone in the Parish Hall following the Mass.

JULY 1998

Father Sean Merino is assigned to be associate pastor at St. Peters in Hoover, Al and newly ordained Father Gerald Holloway is named associate pastor.

AUGUST 6, 1998

During the traditional “Appreciation dinner” for those who worked the famous Fourth of July Festival, Harriet Bischoff was given a surprise appreciation for her sixteen years of service in the church office.  Father Muller wrote, “Harriet’s years of service to our parish will never be forgotten and forever appreciated.”

OCTOBER 1998

Bishop Foley dedicates the renovations to the Chapel of Our Savior (Adoration Chapel) and the gym.  The gym has installed a new wooden floor and added two meeting rooms.  The church office is also renovated.

NOVEMBER 4, 1998

Father Pascal A. Ferlisi, a diabetic since early childhood, dies.  During his ten years at OLS, he lost both legs and his left arm, but never was he deterred from continuing his priestly ministry and duties at the parish.  His determination, spiritually and religious knowledge are missed by all.

MARCH 1999

Renovations begin to modernize the CYO House and the Bruno Room.

APRIL 1999

Bishop Foley grants his permission for the parish to purchase a new “mini bus” for the church’s disabled parishioners to use.  The van is also used by other organizations at the church.

JULY 3, 1999

The parish celebrates the 50th Annual OLS Fourth of July Festival and raises $39,000.  The proceeds go to the Knights of Columbus charities (10%), the OLS School (45%) and parish (45%).

NOVEMBER 1999

The One Voice reports the parish leads the diocese in pledges to Catholic Charities with an incredible $455,000.

DECEMBER 13, 1999

Bishop Foley writes a letter to the parish stating “It is great joy for me to name The Perpetual Adoration Chapel at OLS as a pilgrimage site for the Great Jubilee Year, beginning December 25, 1999 and ending January 6, 2001.”  Father Muller writes; “The Jubilee Year is a year of forgiveness of debts and sins, and the chapel is a place for visits, prayers and the gaining of an indulgence.”

APRIL 2000

Renovations are completed on the modernization of the CYO House and CYO basement.

JULY 4, 2000

The parish donated all proceeds, totaling more than $45,000 from the 51st Fourth of July festival to go toward purchasing materials for three new chapels in three Catholic communities in Matamoros, Mexico.  Father Michael Seifert, who grew up at OLS and is the son of OLS parishioners Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Seifert, spoke at each mass thanking the parish on behalf of all of the 6,000 families he works with in Mexico.

AUGUST 2000

New stained glass windows were installed in the Chapel of Our Savior and were designed by Diane Meyers from Statesville, North Carolina.

A new handicapped restroom was installed in the church.

OCTOBER 2000

The parish completes its latest modifications to the campus after borrowing $400,000 for the following:  renovation of the parish hall kitchen, the new women’s and handicapped restroom in the church, the renovation of the kitchen in the nursery and the new Catholic Learning Center on the other side of the CYO House, as well as a new storage room for the Ave Maria Shoppe.

JANUARY 2001

The tabernacle is moved from the front, right of the church to a more prominent position  behind the main altar.

FEBRUARY 2001

The church installs the Divine Mercy painting of Jesus along with a painting of the Assumption of Mary.  These paintings are hung on either side of the church at the front of the sanctuary.

JULY 2001

Father Thomas Ackerman leaves OLS to become the pastor at St. Williams in Guntersville, Ala., and Father Joseph Palathingal leaves St. Francis in Mountain Brook to become the associate pastor at OLS.

SEPTEMBER 2001

Father Joseph Palathingal leaves to study in California and Father Jose I. Manjaly comes to Birmingham to be the associate pastor of OLS.

JULY 2002

Father Jose I. Manjaly leaves OLS to become the pastor of St. Frances of Assisi in Talladega and Father Michael Deering accepts his first assignment as an ordained priest to become the associate pastor at OLS.

AUGUST 15, 2002

The parish celebrated with great joy and thanksgiving the 10th anniversary of Perpetual Eucharist Adoration.  The celebration was held on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mother.  Celebrating the Mass with Bishop Foley were Father Muller, pastor; Father Deering, associate pastor; Father Emmanuel, in residence and Father Ed. T. Hartel, a visiting priest from Washington, D.C.  A covered dish dinner was held in the parish hall after Mass.  The Chapel of Our Savior  reopened at 9:00 p.m.

MARCH 20, 2003

Father Muller learns that Rome has conferred the title of Monsignor to him.

JUNE 8, 2003

Newly anointed Monsignor Muller reluctantly agrees to allow the parish to host a congratulation party in the Parish Hall only after Bishop Foley has a friendly talk with him.  There was a huge turnout by the parish, former students and many others to celebrate his new honor.

OCTOBER 2003

Deacon Joe Lody was ordained on October 4, 2003 and conducted his first Mass on October 5, 2003.

APRIL 2004

The CYO house closed on April 4, 2004 and demolition began in May, 2004.

JUNE 2004

A farewell reception was held on June 4th for Fr. Deering who is leaving OLS to pastor St. Elizabeth Seton in Gardendale, Ala.,  and Fr. Lody who was assigned pastor to St. John the Baptist Church in Huntsville, Ala.

Fr. Jim Hedderman joined the Diocese and was assigned to OLS.

Fr. Don Bosco Forsythe joined OLS.

Construction begins on the new Family Life Center and parking deck.

MAY 2005

Construction on the new Family Life Center and parking deck as well as the new “facelift” for the church office is completed.

JUNE 2005

Bishop Foley offers Mass and blesses the Family Life Center and parking deck.

FEBRUARY 2006

Fr. Don Forsythe leaves OLS to be the Administrator of St. Francis of Assisi in Talladega, Al.

Fr. George Vattappara joins OLS.

MARCH 2006

The new Parish Library opens in the Family Life Center.

JUNE 2006

Farewell reception is held for Fr. George who is leaving for Holy Spirit in Huntsville.

JULY 2006

Welcome to Fr. Larry Schinnick who is joining OLS.

OCTOBER 2006

The Atrium and Catechesis of the Good Shepard Program, an approach to the religious formation of children ages 3 – 12, was developed.

MAY 2007

On May 20th a Mass of Thanksgiving commemorating the Golden Anniversary of the priesthood of Monsignor Martin Muller is celebrated followed by a reception in the Family Life Center.

JUNE 2007

Fr. Heddermann leaves OLS to be full time in education at Catholic High in Huntsville, Ala.

Fr. Shinnick leaves to pastor at Demopolis, Ala., with three missions.

JULY 2007

Welcome Fr. Jim Booth and Fr. Jose Chacko as new Associate Pastors.

AUGUST 2007

Blessing is offered for the new door for the Chapel of Our Savior. The door was purchased by families of Ida Wilder and Mary Claire Brouillette  in their honor.  This was the 15th anniversary of the Chapel.

Announcement of our new Bishop, Robert Baker, is made.

OCTOBER 2007

Installation of Bishop Robert Baker is held.

Discussions of the building of the new Columbarium begin.

MARCH 2008

Permission was granted from Bishop Baker to build the Columbarium.  The proposed cost is $300,000.

JUNE 2008

Fr. Jose Chacko leaves OLS for Our Lady Queen of the Universe with the Mission of Sacred Heart in Collegeville.

Fr. Jim Booth will no longer be teaching at John Carroll and will now be full time at OLS.

JANUARY 2009

Construction begins on the new Columbarium and the Memorial Wall.

MAY 2009

Retirement celebration is held honoring Sister Joan Harrington and Mrs. Diane Zicarelli.

Construction is completed on the Columbarium and the Memorial Wall.

AUGUST 2009

Fr. Jaya Reddy joins OLS.

PARISH FIRSTS

FIRST BAPTISM

Caroline Therese Krackenberger, November 23, 1887

FIRST MARRIAGE

John Kremser and Julie Busenlehner, April 23, 1888

FIRST ORDINATION

Father John J. Fox, at St. Paul’s, May 22, 1941

FIRST ORDINATION IN OUR LADY OF SORROWS CHURCH

Father Michael Seifert, as a member of the Marist Order, March 9, 1985

ORIGIN OF CHURCH NAME

Observance of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, also known as the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dates back to 1668, when the Servite friars, who were especially devoted to the sufferings of Mary, were granted a feast on the third Sunday in September.  The feast spread to the whole Roman Church in 1814.  The Servites have established many churches named Our Lady of Sorrows, but the founder of our parish, Father James Meurer, did not belong to any order.  Thus, it is not clear how this name was chosen for our parish.  The seven sorrows, symbolized by the seven crosses on the back wall of the sanctuary, are as follows:

1)  The prophecy of Simeon

2)  The flight into Egypt

3)  The disappearance of the boy, Jesus

4)  The progress to Calvary

5)  The crucifixion

6)  The taking down of the cross

7)  The entombment