Baldwin church's founding pastor went beyond call of duty

The past is an important part of the Rev. Dale DeNinno's present.

"It's important to look at history, where you came from and who the individuals were that set a course and set a way and said, 'This is how we're going to get there,'" said DeNinno, pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Baldwin.

For DeNinno and the 2,890 families in his church, one of those individuals was the late Monsignor Henry Immekus.

The founding pastor of St. Elizabeth, who died in 1981, is being recognized for his efforts through a memorial plaque, which will be placed at the church in his honor.

When St. David's Catholic Church on Springdale Drive, which seated roughly 150 people, became overcrowded with the growing population of the church in Baldwin in 1942, St. Elizabeth was formed, and Immekus was given the responsibility of overseeing its founding, DeNinno said.

"This parish was growing so rapidly at the time. I think this entire area saw an explosion of growth," DeNinno said.

Yet, the responsibility went beyond that of daily pastoral duties. Immekus, before his retirement in 1971, oversaw construction of the parish's seven buildings and finding a way to raise the money.

"It's amazing to me that one man, in 25 years, could put all of those buildings up. He was a pretty tireless individual with a lot of zeal," DeNinno said.

The seven buildings include the school, church, rectory, convent and bell tower -- the last structure to be built and future location of the plaque.

DeNinno wanted to make sure he got the best when it came to remembering Immekus -- he chose a 36-by-30-inch bronze plaque with Immekus' picture, inscribed with "The Builder."

"Obviously he wasn't literally 'the builder,' but he did build a faith community that is still here today," DeNinno said.

The pastor hopes the plaque brings back memories for those who were at the church when Immekus was there.

Rita Saltzman, secretary at St. Elizabeth School, knew Immekus well.

"He was just a fantastic man. He just loved this place. He was a people person, he just loved to be with the people," she recalled. "I think anything to help people remember him is great and for the ones that don't have the memories of him. They'll see it and they'll ask -- because they will ask -- and we'll be able to tell them about him." Additional Information:

You can help

Donations for the memorial can be sent to St. Elizabeth's Church, c/o the Rev. Dale DeNinno, 1 Grove Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15236.