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Rev. Francis J.
Hertzog
Ordained: July 2, 1898 by the Most Rev. Richard Phelan, Bishop of Pittsburgh Golden Jubilee Celebrated: July 2, 1949 Died: January 24, 1959 Awarded the honorary degree Doctor of
Law Educated at St. Francis Preparatory
School and St. Vincent College Served 6 years as assistant Pastor at
St. Andrew's, Northside, Pittsburgh Served 7 years as pastor of St.
Francis in Finleyville Served as pastor of St. Joseph, New
Kensington, PA Fr. Francis J. Hertzog's Golden Jubilee On July 6, 1948, Father Hertzog was honored at a jubilee High Mass in tribute to his half century in the priesthood. More than 100 Roman Catholic clergymen were in the procession which accompanied Father Hertzog to the Mass.
Article from The Daily Dispatch,
New Kensington, PA : "Comparatively few men are given the opportunity to serve their fellow men for a half century. Fewer men take full advantage of that opportunity. Such a man is the Very Reverend Father F. J. Hertzog who today is being honored for fifty year's service in the priesthood. The pastor of St. Joseph's Church has used those many years in God's service to tremendous advantage on behalf of those to whom he has ministered and to the community at large. The fact that the entire St. Joseph's plant: church, parochial school, convent, and rectory were erected under his guidance, is indicative of a portion of his labors. What does not show on the surface is the tremendous job he has done in building human assets in his parish. Always modest, Father Hertzog has never sought the credit he so justly merits for his splendid work in our community. The benefits derived from his ministry have not halted at the confines of his parish. He has been tremendously helpful in a spiritual and in a civic way throughout our entire community. We are happy to state that the high esteem held for Father Hertzog likewise knows no bounds. The entire community, regardless of denomination, joins St. Joseph's parish in paying well-earned tribute to this splendid priest." July 6, 1948 Fr. Francis J. Hertzog's 60th Anniversary
Article from The Daily Dispatch,
New Kensington, PA : "Thirty-four priests, including his former assistants, held a surprise dinner Tuesday night for the Very Rev. F. J. Hertzog of St. Joseph's RC Church who on July 7 will mark 60 years in the priesthood. Bishop Hugh L. Lamb of the Greensburg Diocese and Monsignor Alphonse Mihm, pastor of Greensburg's Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, master of ceremonies, were some of the notable church leaders who brought congratulations to Father Hertzog who has served in New Kensington since 1911. Father Hertzog, who will be 88 in September, was visibly moved by the warmth of the praise tendered him for his work in New Kensington and Pittsburgh. Several of the priests were from Pittsburgh and his former assistants were from a four-county area. Several of Father Hertzog's former assistants--many of whom entered the service of the church through his teachings--described him as an exemplary priest. Some of his former students could not make it to the church school for the dinner, assignments in foreign lands making it impossible. The priest, known for his modesty, guided St. Joseph's during the erection of its church building, parochial school, convent, and rectory. Mrs. John E. Simons, a member of the congregation, presented Father Hertzog with a scrapbook about his life. Bishop Lamb, in pointing out the aged leader's accomplishments, wished him many more years of service to the church. Assisting him today are the Rev. Fathers Thomas Rinn and Robert Valor. Former members of the parish who, though they may not have served the local church, were members of Father Hertzog's Parish, are the Rev. Father David Fisher, Latrobe; John McIntyre, Philadelphia; Edwin Hoppel, member of a religious order; Harry Murphy, Palmer; Theodore Gray, Puerto Rico; Edward Higgins, Erwin; John Conway and Leonard Sanesi, both of Monessan. Thomas Bayne will be ordained next year. Father Hertzog, a native of Loretto, was ordained in 1898 at St. Vincent's College, Latrobe, together with the present Bishop Hugh C. Boyle. He was appointed assistant at St. Andrew's, North Side, Pittsburgh, and remained there until 1904 when he was appointed pastor of St. Francis, Finleyville. For that congregation he led the building of the parish church. After seven years in Finleyville, he came to New Kensington where St. Joseph was then 20 years old. The Parish school was built in 1914 and enlarged in 1939; the present rectory was constructed in 1918; the present church dedicated on August 31, 1924. The convent was built in 1939. In 1948, more than 100 Catholic clergymen helped Father Hertzog celebrate his golden jubilee with a jubilee high mass." July, 1958
Father Francis J. Hertzog Dies After Fall Article from The Daily Dispatch, New Kensington, PA : "The Rev. Father Francis J. Hertzog, of New Kensington St. Joseph's R.C. Church died in Citizens General Hospital at 9:52 p.m. Saturday. Father Hertzog had been admitted a little more than two hours previous after he fell down a flight of stairs in his church. His death was attributed to a fracture of the skull and shock. Father Robert Valor who was baptizing a couple in the church sanctuary heard a moan and investigating found the elderly pastor at the foot of the staircase. He had left the church at 7:15 to go to the parish house but returned to the church unnoticed and was found 10 minutes later. It was theorized Father Hertzog reented the church to shut off some lights. He was removed to Citizens General Hospital in the New Kensington Firemen's ambulance. Father Hertzog lapsed into a coma enroute to the hospital and never regained consciousness before his death. At 88, he was the oldest priest in the Greensburg Diocese. He observed 60 years of priesthood last July. Father Hertzog was pastor at St. Joseph's the past 48 years. Born September 2, 1870 in Loretta, PA, he was graduated from St. Francis College, Loretta and St. Vincent College and Seminary in Latrobe. He was ordained a priest July 2, 1898. Father Hertzog was appointed assistant pastor of St. Andrews R.C. Church, Northside, Pittsburgh in September of 1898. In July of 1904 he was named pastor of St. Francis R.C. Church in Finleyville and the mission in Broughton, PA. Father Hertzog came to New Kensington and St. Joseph's in April of 1911. During his pastorate at St. Joseph's he came to know thousands of persons and ministered to thousands. He was beloved by St. Joseph congregation members and others of other religious denominations. In recent years Father Hertzog had been in failing health and it was reported his equilibrium (sense of balance) was affected which could have been the reason for his fall down the stairway. Father Hertzog was a member of Knights of Columbus, Council 1381, Knights of St. George, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Friends will be received in his church where the body will lie in state after 3p.m. today. Solemn Requiem High Mass will be intoned on Wednesday at 11a.m. with Bishop Hugh L. Lamb of the Greensburg Diocese officiating. Burial will be made in Loretta, PA. No floral offerings will be accepted and in lieu of flowers friends are asked to contribute to the New Kensington St. Vincent de Paul Chapter. Father Hertzog leaves no survivors. The Rev. Father Joseph Sullivan, pastor of St. Margaret Mary's in Lower Burrell is a godson of Father Hertzog. January 25, 1959
Photos of Fr. Francis J.
Hertzog
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St. Joseph
Church
Born: September 2, 1870 in Loretto, PA
