Father Kremer
Father Kremer succeeded Father Rath as pastor. He was a very devoted man who worked zealously for the spiritual growth of the parish. Ever since he had been a small boy watching the Forty Hours processions in the streets of Maria Stein, Ohio, he had wanted to become a priest.
If we were to look for one man who uniquely shaped the destiny of the Good Counsel community it would have to be Father Sebastian J. Kremer, C.PP.S. The many years of his pastorate (1918-1947) and his personality were factors that guided the parish in some difficult years. In 1930, during the time of the Great Depression, the upper church was completed under his guidance. Through sheer faith and sacrifices, the parishioners and their pastor met their financial burdens.
But Father Kremer’s greatest influence was in the spiritual. A gregarious and out-going man by nature, he put great emphasis on the spiritual. In those pre-Vatican II days, the Liturgies were enhanced with respectful pomp and devotion. Societies and parish organizations were active. The pastor’s influence was strongly felt outside the parish; he was Diocesan Holy Name Moderator for several years. People today, who knew Father Kremer, still speak of him with respect both as a man and as a dedicated priest and pastor.
(Father Sebastian J. Kremer, C.PP.S.)
It was during the time of Father Kremer’s pastorate that the yearly festivals began. They were a source of extra income for the church, sometimes netting as much as $5,000 profit, and served as a place for friendly gathering for parishioners. Father Kremer was also responsible for the first Catholic Parent-Teacher Association, the parish bowling alleys, and the Sunday bus service to church. A round-trip to Mass and back cost ten cents.
In the first five years that Father Kremer was here there was much work done. The church space in the school building was remodeled into four additional large classrooms in order to help accommodate the 1,126 children attending the school. The auditorium on the fourth floor was made into five classrooms and new heating and plumbing systems were installed in the building. A large gully behind the school was filled in and made into a playground for the children. The Sisters’ residence was also enlarged, remodeled, and provided with a private chapel in 1921. A large part of the debt on the church was also paid.
Many young men of the parish saw military service during the war, eight of them making the supreme sacrifice. A familiar sight at wartime parades and patriotic celebrations was Father Henry Post’s Band of fifty boys from the parish school.
On April 12, 1922, Father Kremer was appointed Diocesan Director of the Holy Name Society by Bishop Schrembs. His constant attention and devotion made our Holy Name Society unit among the largest in the diocese.
On April 11, 1923, a division of the parish was made and Father Nicholas Monaghan was appointed Pastor of the new Saint Charles Parish on Ridge Road, Parma. All parishioners living south of Brookpark Road, about 150 families, were assigned to the new parish.