The 1930s
Holy Cross had gotten off to a wonderful start, growing quickly and establishing itself in its first six years of life, but the initial success was followed by a series of setbacks that threatened the future of the parish and challenged the faith and perseverance of its members.
The Great Depression hit Holy Cross particularly hard. The number of families in the parish began to drop in the early 30s as rising unemployment took its toll. The ones who remained were barely getting by and weekly contributions began to dwindle. The parish had come into the depression carrying a large debt and was no longer generating enough income to meet expenses.
The low point came in early 1936 when a representative of the Union Trust Company wrote to James McFadden, the auxiliary bishop of Cleveland in charge of finances, complaining that Holy Cross had failed to pay the interest on the loan for the month of December. The bank was willing to waive any payment on the principal for the time being but they insisted that the interest still be paid. When the banker called to inquire about the missing payment, Dr. Kirby informed him that he was having difficulties that he did not care to discuss- and hung up. The banker was shocked. He felt Dr. Kirby was "procrastinating for a purpose" and asked the Bishop if there was anything he could do. It turned out that in order to pay the interest for the past several months, Dr. Kirby had been forced to cut the sisters' salaries, in violation of their contract. When it was brought to his attention, the Bishop ordered Dr. Kirby to increase his revenue.
Money had always plagued Dr. Kirby. He was not much of a fundraiser; in fact he disliked it very much. But now the situation was grave. Unless a solution could be found, the school was in danger of closing. To their credit, parishioners responded to the financial crisis by rallying together and throwing themselves wholeheartedly into the fight to save their school. They threw parties at Euclid Beach Log Cabin and Bill Fayen's dance hall to raise money. As great as their own needs were, they sacrificed both time and money to provide breakfast for the students and to buy First Communion outfits for the needier children. In time, their heroic efforts paid off and they were able to keep the parish going until economic conditions improved.
In 1938, parishioners were confronted with the heartbreaking loss of their assistant pastor, Fr. Gail Hull, who contracted pneumonia while in the hospital and died unexpectedly at the age of 38. Archbishop Schrembs celebrated a solemn Requiem Mass in his honor. In a talk after the Mass, he consoled the mourners by telling them, "Let the thought of the fruits, the sweet and good fruits of his ministry, remain with you and encourage you. …It is difficult to estimate the influence and the blessings that come from the priesthood, and yet, when I see this great crowd gathered to honor him, I can get some idea of what dear, good Father Hull meant to you whom he served."
