More than 175 years ago, a growing number of Catholics in the Kellyville neighborhood of Drexel Hill, Delaware County, banded together to raise funds for the construction of a new church paving the way for the formation of St. Charles Borromeo Parish.
It’s hard to imagine, but the total cost of building the church was approximately $4,000 at that time.
Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick laid the cornerstone of the new church on September 23, 1849, and the church was dedicated on October 13, 1850.
To commemorate the 175th anniversary of the church’s dedication, Archbishop Nelson Pérez will celebrate the opening Mass of the parish’s 175th anniversary year this Sunday, October 13 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Church.
“This is an opportunity to recognize God’s great love and presence in the hearts, souls, and lives of people in our community during these incredible 175 years,” said Msgr. George Majoros, who has been pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Drexel Hill since 2016.
“This milestone is a reminder that our work is to continue the mission of Jesus by actively living our faith, growing closer to him, and becoming missionary disciples of the Lord, serving in his name with great love.”
He noted the significant events that have happened over the past 175 years, particularly the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
“The monument by the grotto of Our Lady testifies to those who served both in World War I and World War II and the parishioners who lost their lives,” Msgr. Majoros said.
When St. Charles Borromeo was formed in 1849, it became the fourth Roman Catholic parish in Delaware County. The parish was preceded by the Church of St. Denis in Havertown, Old St. Michael’s in Chester, and by the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova.
According to the pastor, some of the longstanding parish ministries include the Legion of Mary, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Mary Mother of Captives Prison Ministry, a casserole program to help feed the poor, and an Advent Giving Tree to provide for the needs of children in the local community at Christmas.
“Those programs that really put the hands and feet to the gospel of providing for the least of our brothers and sisters are still very strong,” he said.
Msgr. Majoros added that adult faith formation and Bible studies are also thriving ministries, although the parish is working on rebuilding those programs after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year members of St. Charles Parish helped with the formation of DELCO Young Disciples, a ministry for Delaware County teens in grades 7-12 that provides opportunities to grow in their faith and bring their talents and energy to their local parish family and their broader communities.
The gatherings for teens were held at St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Bernadette, and St. Charles Borromeo in Drexel Hill, and Annunciation B.V.M. in Havertown. Other parishes supporting this ministry include St. Laurence in Upper Darby and Sacred Heart in Clifton Heights.
The new program year for DELCO Young Disciples kicks off with a Mass and Holy Hour on Sunday, October 20 at Malvern Retreat Center.
Msgr. Majoros said he is looking forward to having the priests who grew up in the parish return to celebrate the opening Mass. The parish’s priest sons include Msgr. Donald Leighton, Father Sean English, Father Richard Jasper, and Barnabite Father Peter Calabrese.
A celebratory luncheon will be held at Springfield Country Club following the Mass on Oct. 13. Approximately 180 people are expected to attend, including current and former parishioners, priests who have served at St. Charles, and priests from nearby parishes, Msgr. Majoros said.
“We’ll be giving thanks to God for all these years that St. Charles Parish (and) its wonderful people who have been a constant presence in Delaware County since its founding,” he added.
“I’m very grateful to the people of the parish. I always hope I can be inspiring to them so that together we can love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves, which really sums up what the Lord wants us to do.”
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