Posted June 24, 2021

More than 600 attended a June 19 Mass of remembrance celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez for the former St. Leo Church in Northeast Philadelphia. Now part of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, the former church (which was sold in April) was leveled by a May 9 blaze that was ruled arson.

(Read our feature story on the June 19 Mass of remembrance for St. Leo Church.)

Despite the loss of their beloved house of worship, “the fire could not … destroy community, and it couldn’t destroy Church,” said Archbishop Pérez in his homily.

(All photos by Sarah Webb unless otherwise indicated.)

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez addresses participants at a June 19 Mass of remembrance for the former St. Leo Church in Northeast Philadelphia. Now part of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, the building (which had been closed in 2018 and sold in 2021) was destroyed in a May 9 blaze ruled arson.

  • Members of the former St. Leo Parish in Philadelphia’s Tacony section line up to place flowers before a statue of the Blessed Mother during a June 19 Mass of remembrance celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez before the ruins of the landmark church, which was gutted in a May 9 arson.

  • Members of the St. Leo Parish School Class of 1966, accompanied by bagpiper Joe Tobin, lay a wreath at the ruined former Northeast Philadelphia church, destroyed in a May 9 arson, during a June 19 Mass of remembrance celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez.

  • Young faithful place flowers before a statue of the Blessed Mother at a June 19 Mass of remembrance for the former St. Leo Church in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.

  • Members of the Class of 1966 at the former St. Leo Parish School laid a wreath before the ruins of their former church (destroyed in a May arson) before a June 19 outdoor Mass of remembrance celebrated by Archbishop Nelson Pérez.

  • Several Sisters of St. Joseph who had taught at the former St. Leo Parish School were on hand for the June 19 Mass of remembrance.

  • Attendees at a June 19 Mass of remembrance for the former St. Leo Church in Philadelphia, destroyed by a May 9 arson, show their support during a homily delivered by celebrant Archbishop Nelson Pérez.

  • Archbishop Nelson Pérez distributes holy Communion during a June 19 Mass in remembrance of the former St. Leo Church in Northeast Philadelphia.

  • Maureen and Emile Nemchik (far left, second right) joined permanent Deacon Pascual Mota (far right) and his wife Reyna (second left) at a June 19 Mass of remembrance for the former St. Leo Church in Philadelphia, which was destroyed in a May 9 arson that also gutted the Motas’ home, the former parish rectory, a portion of which can be seen to the far right. (Gina Christian)

  • Sisters of St. Joseph Eileen Cooke (left) and Mary Boyer (right) shared memories of their years at St. Leo, where Sister Mary’s family had been parishioners for generations. (Gina Christian)

  • Archbishop Nelson Archbishop Nelson Pérez speaks with Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon (left) and a former St. Ambrose parishioner (right) during a June 19 Mass of remembrance for St. Leo Church, destroyed in a May 9 arson. (Gina Christian)

  • During the June 19 Mass of remembrance, Glenn Curry (right) displayed photos from his years at St. Leo, as fellow parishioner Tom Kelly looked on. (Gina Christian)