Saint Philomena's Church (Lansdowne) Explained

St. Philomena Church
Pushpin Map:Pennsylvania
Map Caption:Location of St. Philomena Church in Pennsylvania
Coordinates:39.9393°N -75.2707°W
Country:United States
Address:41 E Baltimore Ave Lansdowne, Pennsylvania 19050
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Tradition:Roman Rite (Ecclesiastical)
Dedication:Saint Philomena
Dedicated Date:May 27, 1900
Architectural Type:Romanesque
Years Built:1898–1899; 1924–1925
Deanery:Eastern Delaware County Deanery
Archdiocese:Archdiocese of Philadelphia

The St. Philomena Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania.

History

Beginning construction in 1898, the cornerstone for the church's foundation was laid on December 4 of that year. The local congregation, who had been meeting in a rented space at the Lansdowne Hall, held a service in the rain led by Bishop Edmond Francis Prendergast as the cornerstone was laid.[1] The church was completed for the most part by 1899, although would undergo various major renovations and roof raisings throughout the early 20th century.

The church was dedicated to Saint Philomena on May 27, 1900.[2] Rev. Francis J. Markee was the rector at its founding.[3] In 1902, planning began to construct a parochial school for the congregation under lead of Philadelphia architect Rowland W. Boyle (d. 1911).[4] Construction began in 1906,[5] and it was officially dedicated on September 22, 1907, by Archbishop Patrick John Ryan.[6]

In 1924, the church rectory began plans for expansion after a donation of $70,000 ($ USD in) by Philadelphia businessman Thomas Fitzgerald.[7] In 1925, the church's convent caught fire and burned to the ground. Later in the year, the final touches on the main building were completed.[8] The convent was fully restored and blessed by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick in 1950.[9] Minor repairs were made in 1990 after a drunk driver crashed his car into the steps leading up to the church.[10] 2 months later, a gas explosion damaged the church's lower school, injuring one person.[11]

For the first 45 years of its existence, St. Philomena's pastor was Francis J. Markee (1855–1943), who served until his death in June 1943.[12] Rev. A. Paul Lambert succeeded him as priest in July 1943.[13]

In 1998, the church celebrated its Centenary Jubilee, holding a triathalon extending to the shore of New Jersey.[14]

In October 2021, the SS Cyril Catholic school merged with Saint Philomena into one Catholic school following the closure of the St. Cyril of Alexandria parish,[15] whose congregation had merged with St. Philomena's in 2013.[16]

References

  1. News: 5 Dec 1898 . Catholics Hold Service in the Rain at Lansdowne . 12 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  2. Web site: Gichon . Brian . 2022-09-20 . St. Philomena, The Daughter of Light . 2023-09-03 . Shrine Tower . en.
  3. Book: The Catholic Directory, Almanac and Clergy List . M.H. Wiltzlus Company . 1900 . Milwaukee . 128 . en.
  4. News: 27 May 1902 . The Latest News in Real Estate . 4 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  5. News: 9 Aug 1906 . The Latest News in Real Estate . 6 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  6. News: 23 Sep 1907 . Archbishop Saw School Dedicated . 3 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  7. News: 4 Jun 1924 . $70,000 for Rectory . 4 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  8. Web site: Saint Philomena Roman Catholic Church . 2023-09-03 . stphilspa.com.
  9. News: 23 Jan 1950 . Convent in Lansdowne is Blessed by Bishop . 7 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  10. News: 11 Jan 1990 . Lansdowne . 18-DC . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  11. News: Corcoran . John . 8 Mar 1990 . One One Worker Injured in Minor Blast at School . 3-DC . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  12. News: 27 Jun 1943 . Rev. F. J. Markee Dies; Founder of Lansdowne Church . 19 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  13. News: 24 Jul 1943 . Appointment Announced . 14 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  14. News: Sine . Richard . 26 Jul 1998 . Triathalon recognizes coaches and tecahers at Lansdowne school . 64 . . subscription . 3 Sep 2023.
  15. Web site: Bjorkgren . David . 2021-11-06 . Bishop Dedicates New School, SS. Cyril and Philomena Catholic School in Lansdowne . 2023-09-03 . DELCO.Today . en-US.
  16. Web site: Archdiocese of Philadelphia Announces Relegation of One Worship Site in the City of Philadelphia and One Worship Site in Delaware County . 2023-09-03 . Archdiocese of Philadelphia . en-US.