A HISTORY OF HOLY NAME OF JESUS PARISH, 1904 - 2008

December 3, 1904 - Archbishop Patrick Ryan selected Rev. Francis J. McArdle to form a new parish

December 17, 1904 - Boundaries of Holy Name Parish established:

• Intersection of East Oxford St. & East Girard Ave.
• To Otis St. (now East Susquehanna Ave.) to Delaware Ave.
• To East York St. to Amber St. to Front St. to Palmer St.
• To Frankford Ave. back to East Oxford St. to Girard Ave.

The first Chapel was established at 1832 Frankford Ave., a three story building. The ground floor accommodated 250 adults for Mass. The second floor had room for over 50 children to attend Sunday School. The parishioners were chiefly of Irish and German ancestry.

February 1, 1905 - The lease was signed and rental was $50.00 per month with the first month free.

February 5, 1905 - First Mass celebrated in Holy Name Parish, this is the OFFICIAL BIRTHDAY OF OUR PARISH. On the same day, our "First New Parishioner" Mary Agnes Wood was baptized.

February 12, 1905 - Catechism classes began when 225 children were enrolled and 45 teachers were recruited under the supervision of Mr. McDonald, the sexton. As an offering, the children were expected to bring a PENNY every Sunday. Times have changed.

February 22, 1905 - The first wedding was celebrated, James McGuigan and Catherine Milnor.

March 1905 - At the beginning of March, the Chapel was formally dedicated by Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Prendergast with Father McArdle celebrating the Mass assisted by the Pastors of Visitation and St. Michael's Parishes.

Pastor McArdle envisioned the future expansion of his parish down Berks St., a permanent Church and School to honor the Holy Name of Jesus. On Tuesday of Holy Week, 1905 (April 18th), after a persuasive appeal to Archbishop Ryan, a check arrived for $26,800.00, a loan from the Archdiocese to purchase the property Father McArdle had in mind. On Holy Thursday (April 20th), Father McArdle began to acquire land where the present Church and School are located.

The first year of the parish revealed a census of:

1,625 Catholics in population (approx. 400 families), 75 Baptisms, 16 Marriages, 28 Funerals, 30 Children received First Holy Communion, 125 Girls in the Blessed Virgin Sodality, 75 Boys in the Sacred Heart Sodality, 12 Men in the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and 7 Women in the Altar Society.

April 1906 - A new site is selected for Holy Name Church and School, the east side of Gaul Street at Hewson Street. On Holy Thursday morning at 7:00, ground was broken by Father McArdle for the new church and school.

July 1, 1906 - Archbishop Ryan blessed the cornerstone for the first permanent building of the parish. In attendance were two white robbed Friars (Fathers Hinch and Cahill). This was a premonition of the parish being entrusted to the Order of Preachers in 1912.

December 16, 1906 - Bishop Prendergast dedicates the completed Church / School building. The first floor was dedicated as the Chapel. This would remain for the next 15 years. The second and third floors were for the school.

January 1907 - The Holy Name Society was established in the parish. In April, more than one hundred men of the parish were inducted into the Society.

June 2nd, 1907 - Archbishop Ryan confirms 150 children in Holy Name Parish. It was the first time the sacrament was given in the new Parish.

August 31, 1907 - The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary arrive as teachers of the parish children. The first community of Sisters at Holy Name numbered but six, with Mother M. Alphonsus, I.H.M., as the first Superior of the new mission and first principal of Holy Name School. They are still present to this day, and are a great influence in the parish. Ninety six years of continuing service.

September 1907 - The Holy Name of Jesus School opened with an enrollment of 302 students.

July 31, 1912 - Father Francis McArdle, Founding Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish, surrendered his soul to his Heavenly Father.

Father Henry J. Donnelly, First Assistant at Holy Name, carried on after Father McArdle until the arrival of the Dominican Father.

What we enjoy today in our parish is due in no small measure to Father Francis McArdle and Father Henry Donnelly. May their deeds live long in the memory of the people of Holy Name Parish.

December 1, 1912 - The Order of Preachers, the Dominican Friars, assumed the Pastorship of Holy Name of Jesus Parish. Father Joseph Molloy, O.P. is named the first Dominican Pastor of Holy Name Parish. Father Edward A. Martin, O.P. is appointed as the first Dominican assistant.

October 1913 - Father J.A. Heenan, O.P. is named Pastor of Holy Name Parish. Father Gregory Scholtz is appointed Assistant.

October 15th, 1917 - Father Gregory Scholz is named Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

March 2nd, 1920 - Cardinal Dougherty gives Father Scholz permission to build a new Church for Holy Name Parish.

Fall 1921 - Ground is broken for the new Church.

May 7, 1922 - Under Father Gregory Scholz , the cornerstone of the new Church and rectory at the present site was blessed by Cardinal Dougherty. In November the new buildings were placed under the Trusteeship of the Cardinal.

May 27, 1923 - The finished Church and rectory was dedicated by Cardinal Dougherty.

Fall 1923 - Two properties at 1420 and 1422 Susquehanna Ave. were transferred to Holy Name Parish, and the following summer Cardinal Dougherty gave his permission to build the new convent for the thirteen I.H.M. Sisters who staffed Holy Name School.

June to October 1926 - With Cardinal Dougherty's approval, Holy Name School was expanded from the original brick building, by adding a new stone structure which matched the Church, Rectory and Convent. It was hoped that eventually, the brick building could be refaced to match.

January 7th, 1927 - Father Thomas B. Schwertner, O.P. is named the new Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

October 1927 - Holy Name School Annex dedicated by Monsignor Hugh Lamb, Chancellor of the Archdiocese.

January 1930 - Holy Name Parish celebrates its first quarter century in existence, and a new Pastor, Father Michael T. McNicholas, O.P. arrives.

March 1931 - The first St. Patrick's Day Party and Minstrel Show is held, sponsored by the Rosary Altar Society. The Minstrel Show would become a parish tradition which would last through the Great Depression and World War II.

1932 - Father James C. McDonough, O.P. is ordained. He will be the first of a long line of Holy Name parishioners to enter the Priesthood.

January 17th, 1934 - Father Michael T. McNicholas, O.P. is named Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

January 20th, 1936 - Father Joseph R. Clarke, O.P. is named Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

1937 - Father George B. Hasenfuss, O.P. is assigned to Holy Name Parish. He would remain at Holy Name until his death in 1956.

January 23rd, 1939 - Father Joseph C. Nowlen, O.P. is named Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

March 27th, 1939 - Holy Name Rectory becomes Holy Name Priory, and Father Nowlen is named its first Prior.

June 19th, 1941 - Father Randolph B. Johannsen, O.P. is named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish following the death of Father Nowlen at the age of forty-five.

July 8th,1947 - Father Richard M. McDermott is named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

May 1948 - The Holy Name Catholic Club sponsors its "First Annual Dance" to benefit the athletic program of Holy Name Parish. Holy Name fielded teams in football, basketball, baseball, and bowling.

During the time Father McDermott was Pastor, the parish census reported that there were 6,000 members of the parish or over 1,600 families. During this time the average Sunday Mass attendance was 3,500, with an average of 60 marriages and 200 baptisms in each year. Holy Name Parish was growing in leaps and bounds.

1955 - Holy Name Parish celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

1956 - Father John J. Costello is named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

November 1956 - Father Costello establishes "Club Aquinas", a parish society for the teen-agers of the parish. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Heston, Mr. & Mrs. William Seig, and Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Milligan served as the first moderators for this club.

September 1957 - The Mothers' Club, later to be known as the Parents' Guild, is started to provide assistance to the parish school, and to chaperon social activities of the youngsters.

1958 - Boy Scout Troop 499 and Cub Pack 499 were welcomed to Holy Name Parish. The four "Harrys", Harry Reid, Harry Ewald, Harry Betz and Harry Kingsmill served as Scout Leaders.

During this same time the Boys' Choir under the supervision of Brother Malachy Cosgrove, O.P. and the Altar Boys excelled in their service to the Lord. At Christmas a combined choir of over 200 voices performed a special concert.

One of Father Costello's novel ideas was the selection of a "Mother of the Year" from the members of the Mothers' Club. But when it came time to actually vote for a winner, the selection committee , with much diplomacy if not daring, agreed to bestow the honor on all seven nominees.

1959 - The men of the parish organized the Holy Name Bowling League under the leadership of Ed Kendell and Joe Hess. Not to be outdone, the ladies formed their on teams and challenged the men for supremacy of the lanes. The ladies won the laurels in December beating the men at Fleetwood Lanes.

The Legion of Mary was established in 1959, so that the women of the parish might take an active part in the Social Apostolate of the Church. Soon there were more than one hundred Legionnaires in the Holy Name Presidium, with a Junior Legion to be added a few years later.

September 1964 - Father Arthur L. McEneaney, O.P. named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish following the death of Father Costello on September 12th.

November 1964 - American Catholics participated, for the first time, in Masses celebrated in English instead of Latin. Other changes brought lay-readers, guitar music, the "sign of peace", and the reversal of the altar, changes that at first confused the laity.

1966 - Holy Name Parish sponsors its first "Fashion Show", which was highly successful over the years thanks to the efforts of Jean Hill, Catherine McGoldrick and their committee.

October 1966 - Father Raymond M. McCabe is named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish. Father McCabe had been assigned to Holy Name since his ordination, but he would only serve one term as Prior / Pastor. In all, he served Holy Name Parish for twenty-one years.

December 1969 - Father Edward L. Martin, O.P. is named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish. Father Martin was thirty-six years old and a stranger to Fishtown when he came to Holy Name.

1971 to 1973 - Under Father Martin, renovations are completed on the Parish School, and a major renovation project is completed in the Church. On November 18th, 1973 the Pastor and parishioner gathered to celebrate and dedicate their "new" church.

January 1976 - Father Daniel J. Kennedy, O.P. named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

1982 - Father Joseph A. Scordo, O.P. named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish. During Father Scordo's time as pastor, the Parish Renewal process, Poor Man's Suppers and the Living Stations began. No one at Holy Name will ever forget Father Joe's Farewell Mass and his commissioning before the entire parish into the U.S. Navy.

1988 - Father Ignatius Cataudo, O.P. named Prior and Pastor of Holy Name Parish.

1994 - Father Stephen F. Carmody, O.P. named Pastor of Holy Name Parish. Father Carmody was to be the last Dominican Pastor of Holy Name Parish. Father Steve will always be remembered for his great good humor and way with people, and for his outfits at the outdoor Oktober Fest.

1999 - Under Father Greg's leadership, the renovation of the Church begins.

June 4th, 2001 - Division 51 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians receives its charter. Father Greg Parlante is named the Division's first Chaplain, Jay McCarrie is the Division's first President.

November 2001 - Dedication of the Blessed John of Vercelli Prayer Room in Holy Name Church. Blessed John was the founder of the Holy Name Society.

April 18th, 2002 - Division 51 of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians receives its charter. Sister Kathy Donovan and Sister Regina Cordis are named the Division's first Chaplains, Ree Amrheim is the Division's first President.

September 11th, 2002 - Outdoor Shrine of Our Lady of Knock dedicated by Monsignor Conway and Father Greg. The Shrine is located where the old Gaul Street entrance to Holy Name School was. The Shrine was designed, funded and built by the members of A.O.H. Division 51.

Summer 2003 - After a great deal of fund-raising, Holy Name Church is fully air-conditioned.

September 21, 2003 - Father Parlante is elevated to Monsignor by the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. He would be the first Holy Name Pastor to become a Monsignor while serving at Holy Name.

December 6th, 2003 - In spite of a weekend snowstorm, the opening Mass of Holy Name's Centennial Celebration was very well attended. Unfortunately, Bishop Maginnis was unable to attend, but promised to be with us at a later date. Holy Name native son Father Al Bradley was the Homilist and spoke eloquently on the history of Holy Name, its people and traditions. Holy Name's Centennial was also honored by the Pennsylvania State House, through a resolution introduced by State Representative Marie Ledered.

February 6th to 8th, 2004 - God smiled on us as we held our Parish Forty Hours Observance. Father Bill McCandless, another Holy Name native son, was the Homilist for the weekend, and spoke on the Eucharistic Body of the Church. All of the services were well attended, including the Anointing Mass on Saturday morning. It was gratifying to see so many people spending time with the Blessed Sacrament over the weekend.

March 21st, 2004 - Monsignor John Conway, Reginal Vicar for Philadelphia South made his Pastoral Visit and concelebrated Mass with Monsignor Greg. There was a piano recital in the Church at 3:00 PM as part of the Centennial Celebration. Ms. Elizabeth Knecht and Mr. Steven Pollack played selections from Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" and Sondheim's "Passion".

March 29th, 2004 - His Eminence, Justine Cardinal Rigali, the new Archbishop of Philadelphia, visited Holy Name Parish for the first time for Confirmation. 51 children received the Sacrament of Confirmation. A reception was held in the Parish Hall.

April 4th, 2004, Palm Sunday - The Living Stations celebrated their 20th Anniversary with this presentation. The Stations were dedicated to Jim Winn and Jeannie Kilpatrick, two original members who went home to God this year. Pat Leach produced and co-wrote the Stations with Mary Winn, who also served as Music Director. Tom Schwegel played the role of Jesus. In the history of the Living Stations, four men have played Jesus; the first was Mike McCloskey, the second Terry Wilson, the third Kevin Adair, and Tom Schwegel.

May 2nd, 2004, Vocations Sunday - Holy Name Parish celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for the gifts of priesthood and religious on the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Bishop Michael Burbridge, Rector of St. Charles Seminary was the celebrant and homilist. Concelebrating the Mass was: Monsignor John Conway, Vicar for Philadelphia South, Monsignor Greg Parlante, Pastor of Holy Name Parish, Father John Babowitch, Archdiocesan Vocation Director, Father Alfred Bradley, a Redemptorist Father and Holy Name Native Son, and Fathers Raymond Haligan and Gerard Lesarde, Dominicans Friars who served at Holy Name. We were also blessed with the presence of over 40 I.H.M. Sisters who served at Holy Name during its long history, as well as other Sisters and Brothers who returned home to Holy Name for this special celebration.

Sunday, June 27th, 2004 - Monsignor Greg Parlante celebrated his last Mass at Holy Name as Pastor. His Eminence, Cardinal Rigali notified Monsignor Greg that he was being reassigned on June 11th. His new assignment is as Pastor of St. Cornelius Church in Chadds Ford, Pa. In his six (6) years as Pastor, Monsignor Greg did much to restore Holy Name; both physically, through the refurbishment of the Church and School, but more importantly, spiritually, through his liturgy and character. He will be missed, but will always be a part of our parish.

Thursday, July 1st, 2004 - Father Francis Patrick Groarke becomes Holy Name Parish's new Pastor. Father Francis came to Holy Name from St. Edmund's Parish in South Philadelphia. Failte! Welcome! Father Francis.

Sunday, July 18th, 2004 - Father Francis is officially installed as Holy Name's new pastor at the 10:30 Mass. Monsignor John Conway, the Vicar for Philadelphia South concelebrated. A reception was held in the Parish Hall after the Mass.

Sunday, October 17th, 2004 - 100th Anniversary Home Coming for Holy Name School. After a beautiful Mass at 10:30, there was a reception in the Parish Hall and an Open House in the School.

Sunday, February 27th, 2005 - Holy Name's Centennial Celebration came to a close with Mass concelebrated by His Eminence Justin Cardinal Rigali, Father Francis Groarke, Monsignor Gregory Parlante, Father Al Bradley CSSR, Father John Dolan OSFS, Father William McCandless OSFS, Father Joseph Brandt and Father Francis Gwiazda. The Lectors for the Mass were Jack Boyle, Sue Gracia and Anne Richardson. The Cantors were Kathy McAlonan and Mary Winn, Marianne Jablonski directed the Adult Choir, Sister Mary Anne Sweeney IHM directed the Childrens Choir, and Sister Nicoletta DiTrolio RSM was the organist. The Honor Guard of AOH Division 51 led the Procession before and after the Mass.

Following the Mass there was a short reception in the Parish Hall followed by a Dinner - Dance at Penn's Landing Caterers. Everyone had a great time at the Dinner. The Star of the Night was Sister Mary Ann, who danced almost all night long. Special Thanks to Jane Kozul who graciously served as Chairperson of the Centennial Committee.

Sunday, June 12th, 2005 - Holy Name Parish became an International Parish when twelve young men from the Sacred Heart Boxing Club in County Armagh, Northern Ireland joined with the parishioners for 10:30 Mass. The young men were in Philadelphia for a Charity Boxing match sponsored by AOH / LAOH Division 51.

Sunday, June 19th, 2005 - The first Holy Name Parish Father's Day Block Party was held. Father Francis celebrated a Family Mass at 10:30 AM and then the entire 700 block of Gaul Street turned into one big party with music, games, crafts for the kids, and lots of food. Over 250 people came together for the celebration, which was filmed and later televised on ABC 6 News. Marianne Jablonski and Committee did an outstanding job bringing it all together.

Sunday, October 2nd, 2005 - The first Holy Name Parish Eagles Tailgate Party was held on Gaul Street from 1 PM until 7 PM. Over 200 people came out to watch the game, and share fellowship with other parishioners. To top off the day the Eagles came from behind to win the game.

Monday, March 27th, 2006 - His Eminence Justin Cardinal Regali officially announced today that after 100 years of serving the families of Fishtown, Holy Name of Jesus School would be closing at the end of the school year.

Sunday, May 21st, 2006 - The people of Holy Name Parish gathered for a 10:30 Mass of Thanksgiving for the 100 years that Holy Name of Jesus School served our Parish and community. Alumni, Faculty, former Faculty, Students and Parishioners gathered and filled the Church. Father Francis Groarke, Pastor of Holy Name Parish was the Principal Celebrant with Holy Name Native Son Father Al Bradley concelebrating. Following the Mass there were tours of the school, which will close its doors at the end of this school year, and a reception in the Parish Hall.

Friday, June 9th, 2006 - Following Mass, Holy Name of Jesus School closed its doors for the last time after 100 years of educating the children of Fishtown. "From Generation To Generation!"

From Bernie Haney (01/26/2006)...

"During the late 60’s and into the 70’s there were a group of Holy Name Parishioners that each year put together a fund raising vaudeville type show. I was a part of the group for most of my childhood in Fishtown, and was very surprised that it was not included in the history. I also remember that Mary Winn and her family were part of that group as well. The group was originally lead by Thomas Golden from Moyer St., and later by a group of parents lead by a woman named Barbara McCarrie. During this period there were over 100 people including singers, dancers, costumers, set designers, musicians, and so many other small things that required people. The Holy Name Minstrels and later the Fishtown Follies were a large part of my childhood, and a large part of the history of Holy Name."

The History of Holy Name Parish was researched by Mary Winn and Phil Bowdren and is maintained by Phil. If you have anything to add to the Parish History, please click the link below:

phil.bowdren@verizon.net