Brookhaven
Pennsylvania
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Our Lady of Charity Parish
On November 10, 1952, Our Lady of Charity Parish was founded by Archbishop John J. O'Hara. The parish was formed from, what was then, St. Robert's Parish in Chester. A new parish was necessary due to the rapid residential expansion in the area. Father Ignatius Bash was named the founding pastor and served at Our Lady of Charity until his death on February 27, 1954.
On November 30, 1952, a few weeks after the arrival of Father Bash, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered for the first time in Upland, by Father Francis X. Feezer, at the Civic Club which was rented for Sunday use. The same day, Mass was celebrated at the Parkside Firehouse by Father Bash and continued every Sunday thereafter. By the Second Sunday of Advent 1952, four Masses were scheduled in Parkside and two in Upland. The Parkside Fire Company provided a place to worship God and aided the parish materially for which they asked no financial remuneration.
On May 1, 1953, the present site of our parish property was purchased, aided greatly by Mr. George Heffron. Plans for a Church, School and Convent were completed and construction was begun. A decision was made to purchase a house on Forrestview Road for use as a Rectory.
On March 12, 1954, after many years of being a devoted and holy priest, along with his outstanding record as a Military Chaplain, Father John P. Kiniry was appointed as pastor, succeeding Father Bash, and arrived on March 24, 1954. It was Father Kiniry who put a second floor on the school and built the Rectory.
Upon his appointment as pastor, Father Bash requested Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to staff his school. On September 7, 1954, the first community of Sisters arrived. Namely, Mother M. Bonaventure, Sister Regina Ann, Sister Ann Immaculee, Sister M. Francis Clare and Sister Clare Mary.
School was opened on September 13, 1954, with a registration of 417 eager children.
On Sunday, March 20, 1955, Archbishop O'Hara dedicated the church, school and convent.
On September 1, 1971, after 17 years as a devoted pastor, Father Kiniry was appointed by John Cardinal Kroll, as Pastor Emeritus. Father William A. Doolin was appointed pastor on the same day.
In 1980, Father Doolin was appointed as Pastor Emeritus and Father James J. Kelly was appointed as the new pastor. Father Kelly served as pastor until 1995.
On November 30, 1952, a few weeks after the arrival of Father Bash, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered for the first time in Upland, by Father Francis X. Feezer, at the Civic Club which was rented for Sunday use. The same day, Mass was celebrated at the Parkside Firehouse by Father Bash and continued every Sunday thereafter. By the Second Sunday of Advent 1952, four Masses were scheduled in Parkside and two in Upland. The Parkside Fire Company provided a place to worship God and aided the parish materially for which they asked no financial remuneration.
On May 1, 1953, the present site of our parish property was purchased, aided greatly by Mr. George Heffron. Plans for a Church, School and Convent were completed and construction was begun. A decision was made to purchase a house on Forrestview Road for use as a Rectory.
On March 12, 1954, after many years of being a devoted and holy priest, along with his outstanding record as a Military Chaplain, Father John P. Kiniry was appointed as pastor, succeeding Father Bash, and arrived on March 24, 1954. It was Father Kiniry who put a second floor on the school and built the Rectory.
Upon his appointment as pastor, Father Bash requested Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to staff his school. On September 7, 1954, the first community of Sisters arrived. Namely, Mother M. Bonaventure, Sister Regina Ann, Sister Ann Immaculee, Sister M. Francis Clare and Sister Clare Mary.
School was opened on September 13, 1954, with a registration of 417 eager children.
On Sunday, March 20, 1955, Archbishop O'Hara dedicated the church, school and convent.
On September 1, 1971, after 17 years as a devoted pastor, Father Kiniry was appointed by John Cardinal Kroll, as Pastor Emeritus. Father William A. Doolin was appointed pastor on the same day.
In 1980, Father Doolin was appointed as Pastor Emeritus and Father James J. Kelly was appointed as the new pastor. Father Kelly served as pastor until 1995.