Title
Honoring Saint Bernard Parish on the occasion of its' 75th Anniversary.
Body
WHEREAS, On December 17, 1927, the Catholic Standard and Times contained an announcement of the new parish of Saint Bernard. Reverend Edward Holahan was appointed founding pastor by Dennis Cardinal Dougherty; and
WHEREAS, Over the next two years, a flurry of activity signaled the rise of one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. A farmhouse located at the corner of Wellington and Cottage Streets served as the first chapel and rectory. Ground was broken in 1929 for the erection of a combination church and school building and six houses were purchased on Aldine Street to establish the rectory and convent; and
WHEREAS, On November 24, 1929 the new Church-School building was dedicated, with the opening of the first convent and the arrival of the Sisters of Saint Joseph less than one year later; and
WHEREAS, In the midst of the Great Depression, Father Holahan was transferred. On August 30, 1933, Father William Dalton arrived at Saint Bernard's, a tenure which would last 38 years; and
WHEREAS, Saint Bernard Parish experienced an era of tremendous growth under the leadership of Father Dalton. Groundbreaking took place for the current church on March 17, 1950. On June 8, 1952 Most Reverend Carroll McCormick opened the church with the blessing of the cornerstone. At the time, Saint Bernard was the largest church in the archdiocese; and
WHEREAS, Construction was begun and completed on a new rectory, convent and new school building to address overcrowding issues; and
WHEREAS, In the spring of 1971, Father Dalton celebrated his 50th ordination anniversary. His legacy completed, having built every structure on the Parish grounds at Bleigh and Cottage Streets, Father Dalton retired. He continued to live at Saint Bernard Rectory until his death on November 3, 1973; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, the leadership of the parish changed from Fa...
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