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Honoring the 50th Anniversary of Father Judge High School.
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WHEREAS, Father Judge High School was established in 1954 by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a school for young men in the Holmesburg area of Northeast Philadelphia. It was entrusted to the administration of the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales and a dedicated faculty of lay men and women; and
WHEREAS, A great population growth so dramatic began after World War II that the need for a diocesan Catholic high school for boys became apparent. The Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity graciously donated part of their Motherhouse and Noviate grounds to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to realize this need. To acknowledge the sisters’ generosity, the new school was named after their founder, the Reverend Thomas A. Judge, C.M. The school, surrounded by Pennypack Park, was placed under the direction of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales; and
WHEREAS, A Mass was offered in the auditorium at Northeast Catholic High School on September 8, 1954, which signified the official opening of Father Judge High School. The celebrant was the Reverend Thomas O’Connell, O.S.F.S., the first principal of Father Judge High School. The original enrollment consisted of 1,015 freshmen and sophomores; and
WHEREAS, On September 13, 1954, the new school opened its doors for the first time at Solly and Rowland Avenues. The school building was still under construction and the stories of those days were centered largely on mud and building problems; and
WHEREAS, On September 10, 1955, John Francis O’Hara, C.S.C., Archbishop of Philadelphia, dedicated the school building, and
WHEREAS, In the 1950’s the school seal and colors were selected, as was the school motto, “Non Excidet”, which translates “he will not fall away,” and organized sports became a vital part of Father Judge High School with football, soccer and swimming teams being formed and the yearbook The Quest published, winning three national awards. Father Judge was formally accredited by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education in 1957 and also held the first Senior Prom, and
WHEREAS, In the 1960’s the school’s enrollment reached 3,475 students and the National Honor Society inducted Father Judge students for the first time. The Dance Band and Marching Band are formed; the school institutes a dual assistant principal system and begins using a track system instead of block rostering. The Father Judge Baseball Team captures both the Catholic League and City Titles and the gymnasium and library are renovated and expanded. In 1968, a granite memorial is unveiled outside the school in memory of the 27 Judge graduates killed in the Vietnam conflict; and
WHEREAS, The 1970’s brought the construction of an all weather track and regulation soccer field as well as expansion of classrooms. Father Judge becomes accredited by the Middle States Association and the Crusaders win 21 sports championships. In 1978, the Reverend John J. Dennis, O.S.F.S. begins the school year as the new principal and vows to make Father Judge High School known for its academic achievements as well as its sporting ones; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980’s and 90’s, the Alumni Association is formed and computer labs, and the Development Office is added. The school’s academic, sports and extracurricular programs continue to be impressive, competitive and challenging; and
WHEREAS, In a new millennium, under the valiant leadership of father Joseph Campellone, O.S.F.S., additions of a computer research center, modernized library and chemistry labs are done as well as participation in the Model United Nations. Wrestling is added to the athletic programs, the Father Judge Community Service Corps performs countless tasks to better the Northeast Philadelphia communities and the website www.fatherjudge.com is created; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby congratulate Father Judge High School on their 50th Anniversary.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Father Joe Campellone, principal of Father Judge High School with best wishes of 50 more years of continuing to teach the young men of Northeast Philadelphia Salesian Spirit and Crusader Pride.
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