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THROUGH THE 20 th CENTURY
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Because the size of the Croatian community in Pittsburgh was so great, and as a result of the distance from Alleghany on the North Side to Millvale, a second parish also named St. Nicholas was authorized by Bishop Phelan. In a similar time frame, St. Nicholas North Side was established along East Ohio Street on what is now Route 28.
On March 26 1921, at two o'clock in the morning, fire destroyed the church in Millvale. The organ, which had been donated by the late Andrew Carnegie, was burned to ashes. Everything wa ruined, except for a statue of the Virgin Mary, which remained standing at the altar.
Following the fire, Father Josip Gabriel Soric, in residence at the time, built a provisory altar in the hall and began holding services there until May 30 1922 when a new structure was dedicated.
A part of the $50,000 loss was covered by insurance, so plan to build a new church were drawn immediately by architect Sauer. Many parishioners were employed in the building of the new structure and about $20,000 were paid to them in wages.
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