Parish History

Our First 100 Years

Reflecting concern for the Catholic families in Fox Chase, the Archdiocese established the St. Cecilia Missionin 1909. The new Mission was served from Presentation Parish.

Through the kindness and generosity of two brothers, George and John Grookett, two Masses were celebrated each Sunday on the third floor of their building, known as Grookett’s Hall.
 

                            

The facility still stands on Oxford Avenue above Rhawn Street, across from the Dunkin’ Donuts shoppe. Sunday school classes were held in the Coakley Family barn at 8014 Halstead Street. During the winter months, classes were held in the front parlor of the Coakley home on the northwest corner of “F” Street (now Halstead St.) and Rhawn Street. 

On October 1, 1911, Archbishop Prendergast officially established St. Cecilia as a parish and appointed Reverend William C. Sheridan as founding pastor.  The original parish boundaries extended from Bleigh Street to Red Lion Road, and Castor Road to Forrest Avenue. A young parishioner, James Mc Menamin, offered the pastor use of his home at the northwest corner of Jeanes and Rhawn Streets. This served as the parish rectory until April 1914 and was often the site of daily Mass before a basement church was built.

                            

A plot of ground situated on Pine Road above Oxford Avenue was originally considered as a site for the parish buildings. After considerable deliberations, that site was rejected. The pastor Reverend William C. Sheridian decided to purchase the property where our parking lot is now located. The property ran from Rhawn Street through to Stanwood Street and was purchased from a parishioner, Patrick McGinn, for approximately $500. On June 30, 1912, the cornerstone for a basement church was laid on this site by Archbishop Prendergast.

The first solemn Mass celebrated in the new church was sung on October 6, 1912. Sunday School classes, conducted by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, were held in the new church after Sunday Masses. Additional classes, conducted by two Catholic teachers from Fox Chase School, were held in the church on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. The initial First Holy Communion class received the Eucharist in May, 1913. Confirmation was administered for the first time on April 16, 1914 by Bishop John J. McCort.

In April, 1914 a large house adjoining the basement church became available and was rented for use as the Rectory.

Father Sheridan died on June 16, 1919 at the age of forty-three. On June 23, 1919, Archbishop Prendergast appointed Father John F. Burke as the second pastor of St. Cecilia Parish.

The housing boom after World War I brought more homes and residents to Fox Chase. The need for a parish school became readily apparent. Plans were drawn and on August 17, 1924, the cornerstone was laid for our first school at 530 Stanwood Street. The school opened for classes in September 1925, with an original enrollment of 113 children. The school had a capacity for 300 children and was built at an approximate cost of $92,000. The school was staffed by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, who continue to administer our school. A rented house at 8035 Halstead Street served as the Convent. In September, 1927, a two-year Commercial High School was added. 
 

In June 1929, the need for additional help was met when Father James Cummiskey was officialy appointed as the first assistant pastor. 

In 1932, parishioners presented a $2,000 burse to the pastor, Father Burke, for a trip to Europe in recognition of his 25th Anniversary in the priesthood. Rather than take the trip, Father Burke applied the money to help alleviate the heavy parish debt.

As the parish prepared to celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 1936, the country was in the throes of the “Great Depression”. The entire parish was invited to a social program prepared by the sisters. The school children entertained at the affair held in the school auditorium. Father Burke was presented with a $1,000 gift by the parishioners. Again, he applied the money toward the parish debt.

It was a difficult time, financially, for the parish. At the time of the 25th parish anniversary, the convent and rectory were rented facilities, the mortgage on the church had been cleared; but, $100,000 remained to be paid on the school mortgage.

Shortly after the Parish celebrated its Silver Anniversary, Father Burke purchased the Rectory, which previously had been rented, from the estate of the former owner. He also purchased a large single home at Elberon and Stanwood Streets for use as a convent. 

Reverend William A. Appell, a priest-son of the parish, celebrated his first Mass in St. Cecilia Church on December 18, 1938. The solemn occasion was the first in the history of the Parish.

In the early forties, with the on-set of World War II, many parishioners were called to serve in the Armed Forces, at-home and abroad. The parish, together with people throughout the United States, prayed constantly for an end to the war and the safe return home of our sons and daughters.

In 1943, Reverend A. Lawrence Shields, then a curate at St. Cecilia, encouraged parishioners to pledge funds to refurbish the interior of the church. Mass was celebrated in the school auditorium during renovations.

During the period from 1944 until his death in 1949, Reverend James Coakley frequently helped with Sunday Masses. Father Coakley was retired and lived in his family home at Rhawn and Halstead Streets.

In July of 1944, illness forced Father Burke to relinquish his pastoral duties. Reverend John A. Godfrey, J.C.D. was appointed as parish Administrator. Father Burke remained in residence at the Rectory.

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