| 1748 |
|
City of Reading Founded |
| 1752 |
|
Catholic chapel built on the east side of Duke Street, now Seventh Street, between Franklin and Chestnut Streets, just opposite the site of the old Franklin Street Railroad Station owned by the Reading Railroad. |
| 1756 |
|
That there was a chapel already erected in 1756 is evinced by the will of Peter Bingaman, recorded amongst Berks County records, in which Mr. Bingaman devises to his son-ln-law, John Adam Horner: "my house in Reading, opposite the Roman Catholic Church." |
| 1766 |
July |
Father de Ritter from the mission-centre in Goshenhoppen in 1766 speaks of "a chapel, along-side which was the graveyard, was a little block house on the east side of Duke (now South Seventh ) Street between Franklin and Chestnut Streets. "The first baptismal record is of Margaret Miller, baptized July 14, 1765, by Father de Ritter. The first death record is that of Anna Maria Chaumont, "buried in Catholic graveyard. Reading, November 11, 1765." A year later on May 11, 1766 he baptized "a child of Lewtis and Felicitas, married slaves of Judge Jonas Seeli (Jonas Seety). |
| 1770 |
|
In Sammy Weiser's list of lot holders, made in 1770, lot number 821, as well as lots 819 and 820 are mentioned as having been "selected by Mr. Snyder for the Catholic Church." |
| 1790 |
|
Original chapel demolished and replaced by a small brick church. |
| 1791 |
Aug 17 |
Cornerstone laid for Reading Chapel. The "Readinger Zeitung," (a German paper) on August 10, 1791, stated in way of an advertisement: "The honored public is hereby Informed that the corner-stone of the new Catholic Church in Reading will, according to Christian custom, be laid with due solemnity on the 17th day of August next. Friends and well-wishers who desire to witness same are invited to attend." |
| 1818 |
April 30 |
St. Peter's church was incorporated under the title of "The Trustees and Members of St. Peter's Church in the Borough of Reading". |
| 1828 |
March 25 |
W. S. Allgaier organized a Catholic Sunday School for 62 Children. They first met in the Madeira Public School and later in the church parsonage on South Seventh Street. |
| 1836 |
March |
A committee was appointed to consider ways and means of enlarging St. Peter's church, as it had become inadequate for the worshippers. |
| 1844 |
|
A property at 324 South Fifth Street was purchased for a new and larger St. Peter's church. |
| 1845 |
|
The church and graveyard on South Seventh Street were sold to Jacob Miller for $3,000. |
| 1846 |
May 24 |
The newly built Saint Peter's Church was solemnly dedicated. |
| 1859 |
|
St. Peter's parish school completed at 225-227 South 5th Strret. Initially there were separate schools for boys and girls, and 400 children were enrolled. |
| 1860 |
|
Archbishop Neumann decided that a separation of St. Peter's parish was advisable. English speaking parishioners would remain at St. Peter's; German speaking parishioners would be formed into new parish of St. Paul's |
| 1860 |
May |
Rev. Charles Schrader sent to Reading to build St. Paul's church. He resided at St. Peter's church while formulating plans for the new church. |
| 1860 |
August 8 |
Ground breaking for new St. Paul's church |
| 1860 |
September 6 |
Cornerstone placed at St. Paul's church. Father Bally was in attendance. |
| 1861 |
June |
St. Paul's building completed & solemnly dedicated. Original dimensions 60 x 120 feet with a steeple 120 feet high. Ceiling height is 40 feet. |
| 1865 |
|
Rev Gustav Wallmyer succeeds Fr. Schrader as pastor of St. Paul's. |
| 1867 |
February |
Fr. Wallmyer, rector of St. Paul's church, died of typhoid fever. Succeeded by Rev. George Bornemann |
| 1869 |
|
Fr. Bornemann began erection of St. Paul's school. Cornerstone of new school building is laid. |
| 1869 |
|
St. Paul's church enlarged from 60 x 120 feet to 60 x 162 feet and a 200 foot steeple was erected. |
| 1870 |
Fall |
St. Paul's school completed & dedicated by Bishop Wood. 400 children are enrolled under the direction of the Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. |
| 1871 |
|
New rectory built at St. Paul's. Professor Erasmus Duppius, a lay teacher, begins a 44 year career as organist and teacher in the higher grades. |
| 1871 |
March 30 |
All of the burials in the original St. Peter's cemetery were removed to the new Catholic Cemetery on Neversink Mountian ("Nanty Goat Hill"), and the lots where the original Catholic chapel stood were sold by Bishop Wood to A. I. Hain for $8000. |
| 1872 |
|
Fr. Bornemann, pastor of St. Paul's, visited Germany |
| 1872 |
|
Amid a smallpox epidemic Fr. Bornemann buys a two-story building at 12th and Walnut Streets from the Vollmer Estate suitable for a hospital. The site was ideal, located on the mountain for breezes, with its own vineyard, fruit orchard, and spring. The Sisiters of St. Francis, Glen Riddle facilitated the hospital. |
| 1873 |
|
Founding of St. Joseph's Hospital, the first institution of its kind in Reading. Sisters of St. Francis assumed charge of this institution. The hospital accommodated six female and six male patients, with men on the first floor, and women on the second, and was dedicated to St. Joseph. |
| 1875 |
|
Fr. Bornemann, rector of St. Paul's Church, desiring to preserve the German language and customs, brings Sisters Cassiana, Alma, Materna, Corona, Fabiana and Beata of the Sisters of Christian Charity to Reading. A lay teacher, Miss Stewart, taught them the English language. |
| 1878 |
|
St. Paul's school children show an aptitude for both German and English in oral examinations. Typical School day begins with Mass at 7:30 A.M. Classes to 11:00 A.M. Lunch to 1:00 PM. Classes for lower grades to 3:30 PM., for upper grades to 4:00 P.M. Examinations are oral, conducted twice a year by the priests and lasting as long as two weeks. |
| 1879 |
|
Chime of bells added to St. Paul's steeple |
| 1880 |
|
Fr. Bornemann, rector of St. Paul's church, dedicates Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius which he built and paid for and presented to the Slavonic people of Reading. It is located at 6th and Laurel Sts. in Reading. |
| 1882 |
|
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Bornemann, rector of St. Paul's church, lays the cornerstone for a new and larger St. Joseph's Hospital. |
| 1882 |
|
St. Paul's convent erected for Sisters of Christian charity. |
| 1884 |
|
New St. Joseph's Hospital dedicated by his Grace, Most. Rev. P. Ryan, D.D., Archbishop of Philadelphia. It was in this year also on the 19th of March, the feast of St. Joseph, that Rt. Rev. Monsignor Bornemann blessed the statue of St. Joseph and placed it in the nich above the entrance at the Hospital. |
| 1884 |
|
Fr. Bornemann is named Secretary of the Commission of the Faith and permanent Rector of St. Paul's. |
| 1885 |
May |
Newly reconstructed St. Paul's church dedicated by Bishop Ryan |
| 1886 |
|
Present dimension of St. Paul's church 60 x 162 feet. These improvements completed in 1884. Architecture is Romanesque in style and the interior ceiling and walls are elaborately decorated with fresco-work and oil paintings. The new stained glass windows are especially attractive; each one of the windows has groups of figures representing scenes from the Holy Scripture. They were imported from Innsbruck, Tyrol. |
| 1886 |
|
Fr. Bornemann is first to be named to the newly formed Diocesan School Board. |
| 1886 |
|
Over 3000 parishioners now comprise St. Paul's Parish. |
| 1886 |
|
An old lady who had known the first primitive chapel was called upon to embody her recollections in a written description but she was so distressed by the disturbance to divine service caused by the rail-road tracks recently Iaid upon the fastidious thorough-fare of Seventh Street that she would talk of little else and the opportunity to secure some valuable data concerning the early Roman Catholic Church in Reading was lost forever. |
| 1886 |
October 3 |
The cornerstone was laid for St. Joseph's church at the junction of 8th and 9th streets. His Grace the Most Rev. Archbishop Ryan officiated at cornerstone laying ceremony. |
| 1887 |
September |
St. Joseph's Church dedicated. Archbishop Ryan officiated at the dedication ceromony. |
| 1888 |
|
Fr. Bornemann, rector of St. Paul's church, buys property at 12th and Spruce Sts. and helps open St. Mary's Parish. |
| 1888 |
January |
Father Victor M. Lebiecki was appointed assistant at St. Paul's. Father Lebiecki took on the task of establishing St. Mary's Parish and its first church, which became the basement of the present church. Supposedly, there were 300 souls in Reading's Polish community; however, only 180 of them were financially supportive of the proposed venture, which called for the immediate building of a church approximately the size of St. Paul's. It quickly became apparent that the larger church would have to wait. |
| 1888 |
May |
Application made for the establishment of a House of Good Shepherd in Reading. A member of St. Peter's parish in Reading gave two acres of land to aid the foundation, but this tract was too far from the city to be utilized. It was finally decided to secure another property and the Leippe residence at 4th and Pine streets was purchased for $18,000. |
| 1888 |
October 8 |
Once the basement was dug for St. Mary's church, a cornerstone-laying ceremony was arranged. A rough floor, which had been laid temporarily over the basement for the ceremony, gave way as the corner-stone laying ceremony for the new church was nearing its end precipitating many persons into the cellar. The rough floor, which had been laid temporarily, was crowded by some 1,500 persons, and nearly 400 square feet of the flooring near the central portion had suddenly fallen. One woman was killed and many people were injured as they fell into the basement. This tragedy greatly affected Father Lebiecki and he left Reading in November, 1888. Father Lebiecki was succeeded as assistant at St. Paul's by Father Mark Januszkiewicz, who oversaw the repairs to the basement church of St. Mary's. This basement church probably took up the same space now occupied by the chapel and the meeting room. |
| 1889 |
|
Old Leippe Mansion at 4th and Pine Sts. is purchased to construct a home for girls - the first House of Good Shepherd. |
| 1889 |
March 5 |
House of the Good Shepherd at 4th and Pine streets opened. First Mass said on March 6th. |
| 1889 |
April 28 |
Dedication services held at St. Mary's Catholic church for the completion of the basement and structure, but it would take ten years before the main auditorium and roof were completed. During this time, the congregation of 300 members used the new basement of the edifice for school and church services. The edifice occupied a lot 60 by 100 feet and is built of stone and brick. |
| 1889 |
April |
Father Januszkiewicz was named the first pastor of St. Mary's. He arrived in Reading in November, 1888. He built the original rectory for St. Mary's at 236 South 12th Street (the present parking lot on the left side of the current church). Father Januszkiewicz lived on the second floor of the Rectory; the first floor served as a school. |
| 1890 |
|
Fr. Bornemann, rector of St. Paul's church, celebrates his Silver Jubilee (25 years a priest) with reception at Grand Opera House. Major address by. George F. Baer. |
| 1892 |
|
Large annex built to St. Paul's convent |
| 1893 |
|
New addition to St. Joseph's Hospital completed and dedicated by Most Rev. P. Ryan, D.D. Among apartments added was is the beautiful, most artistically wrought, chapel. |
| 1894 |
|
Fr. Bornemann, rector of St. Paul's church, starts orphan asylum for boys next to the convent of St. Paul's. |
| 1894 |
|
Fr. Bornemann donates land for St. Michael's Seminary in Hyde park. The Seminary had been a boarding school for girls under the will of Henry Felix. This project was later abandoned. The Seminary was changed into a sanitarium for female religious at a cost of $30,000 largely ascribed to Father Bomemann. The site was later turned over to Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart from Germany, and it later became their mother house. Father Bornemann later bought an adjoining farm and gave it to the Missionary Fathers of the Sacred Heart for use as a seminary. |
| 1894 |
|
Fr. Bornemann purchases 54 acres in Hyde Park for the creation of a county-wide resting place for Catholics - Gethsemane Cemetery. |
| 1894 |
August |
Father Januszkiewicz left St. Mary's to become the pastor of the then-combined Polish parishes of McAdoo-Mahanoy City. |
| 1894 |
|
Father Matthias Tarnowski became pastor of St. Mary's. Before coming to St. Mary's, he was the founding pastor of St. Casimir Parish in Mahanoy City (1893-94). |
| 1895 |
|
St. Cecelia's Chapel, a beautiful brownstone edifice at Perkiomen Avenue and Spruce Street, was built by Theodore I. Heizmann in memory of his mother - Mary Cecelia Heizmann. Ceremonies of dedication were in charge of Fr. Bornemann with Solemn Mass celebrated by Rev. Dr. J. J. Koch, Vicar General of the Harrisburg Diocese. The pews were made of quartered oak and accommodated 300 people. The side windows were made in Munich, Germany, and the vestments were made in Lyons, France. |
| 1895 |
|
Father Tarnowski exchanged places with Father Adalbert Malusecki, a future pastor of St. Mary's. |
| 1895 |
|
Father Malusecki was appointed pastor of St. Mary's. He added two classrooms in the basement of the church structure to relieve the overcrowding in the school housed on the first floor of the Rectory. |
| 1895 |
November 22 |
The cornerstone of a new and larger House of Good Shepherd was laid by Archbishop Ryan. A piece of ground 330 x 400 feet, valued at $3000, situated at Glenside, Bern Township, at the edge of the Schuykill Avenue Bridge, was donated by Rev. Father Bornemann, rector of St. Paul's church, for its construction. |
| 1899 |
June |
After ten years' waiting for the completion of St. Mary's church, Father Malusecki called a parish meeting, and with nearly all at the meeting in favor, it was decided to begin operations to finish the church. At this time, one hundred and twenty or more children of the parish attended school in the basement, but they had been dismissed for their summer vacation. The congregation had increased to 400 families. |
| 1900 |
|
Fr. Bornemann visited Germany. Farwell reception held; handsome sum of money presented him for his trip. |
| 1900 |
|
Rebuilding of St. Peter's began. Nothing was left of the old structure except the brick side-walls, which form the backing of the present edifice. |
| 1900 |
|
The House of the Good Shepherd is dedicated on land donated by Fr. Bornemann. |
| 1900 |
June 21 |
Modern $180,000 House of Good Shepherd dedicated. From 1900-1915 over 2,500 girls of "unfortunate circumstances" were housed at the home maintained by the Magdalene Sisters. |
| 1900 |
June 24 |
A ceremony was held to dedicate the completed St. Mary's Catholic Church. |
| 1901 |
April |
The cornerstone of the St. Peter's Church was laid. The cornerstone is of granite and bears the following inscription in raised letters: Founded 1752, Erected 1845, Enlarged 1870, Rebuilt 1900. |
| 1902 |
|
The formal opening of a new parish house for St. Peter's took place on Thanksgiving day with a reception held during the afternoon and evening. The house, at 320 South 5th, was a gift of the O'Reilly estate. The entire building was remodeled. |
| 1904 |
|
Fr. Bornemann buys old Reformed Church at Schuylkill Ave, and Green Sts. and refits it as Catholic Church for Italian Catholics in Holy Rosary Parish. |
| 1904 |
April 8 |
Rev. James E. Cleary, pastor of St. Peter's, who was in failing health for days, fell gravely ill. In a letter of Father Cleary's, he tells of his return from Europe in 1903, of his contracting a illness. His illness puzzled the physicians. Several times he had been believed to be dying, and just as often has he rallied. Masses were offered every day and the church was occupied almost continually from early morning until late at night by people praying for him. On the same day Rev. James E. Cleary, passed away to his eternal reward. |
| 1904 |
April 12 |
A permit by the Board of Health, requested by George J. Gross, in behalf of the congregation of St. Peter's Catholic Church, was granted for the interment of the body of Rev. James E. Cleary, alongside the church, almost under the main tower. The request was unanimously granted. |
| 1904 |
October 2 |
The cornerstone was laid for a 12-room parochial school behind St. Mary's Church in what is now the rear parking lot behind the church. The building front was on Wunder St. and extended out to Spruce. |
| 1904 |
October |
The Church of the Holy Rosary was solemnly dedicated. The dedication ceremony was performed, by Monsignor Falconio, representative of the Pope In America. |
| 1905 |
|
St. Joseph's Hospital Nurses' Home dedicated by his Grace, Arch-bishop Prendergast. |
| 1905 |
July 2 |
New St. Peter's Church solemnly dedicated by Cardinal Gibbons. All that was utilized of the old structure was the roof and side walls. The design was largely after suggestions by Father Cleary, who spent years in its selection, visiting numerous churches in this country and Europe in search of the best. |
| 1906 |
|
Fr. Bornemann assists the Bernardine Sisters to build and establish a convent and orphanage at Millmont (present site of Alvernia University). |
| 1906 |
|
Fr. Bornemann rebuilds St. Mary's Church at Hamburg at his own expense. |
| 1906 |
|
Fr. Bornemann establishes Gethsemane Cemetery. |
| 1906 |
|
Fr. Bornemann donates 17 acres of land and the Neversink Mountain Hotel to the Berks County Tuberculosis Society (this landmark was destroyed by fire as he sought to convert it into a sanitarium and hospital). |
| 1906 |
September 4 |
St. Joseph's opens a parochial school with an enrollment of 160 pupils. |
| 1907 |
|
St. Paul's parochial school rebuilt at a cost of $25,000. |
| 1907 |
|
New heating system installed in St. Paul's church properties |
| 1908 |
|
New Rectory completed for St. Mary's church.The old Rectory became the Convent for the Felician Sisters (prior to that, the Sisters lived at 316 South 12th Street, which later became the home of Clara Kowalski). |
| 1910 |
|
Fr. Bornemann elevated to rank of Domestic Prelate with title of Monsignor. |
| 1913 |
|
St. Paul's steeple struck by lightning and declared unsafe. Msgr. Borenemann removed the spires & erected a plain gold cross on the square base of the tower. |
| 1913 |
|
Msgr. Bornemann named Rural Dean of Berks County. |
| 1913 |
|
Msgr. Bornemann contributes financially and spiritually to the founding of St. Anthony's Parish (8th and Bingaman Streets) for Lithuanian-speaking Catholics. |
| 1913 |
|
Msgr. Bornemann assists in the opening of Reading Catholic High School at 225 South 5th Street at the two story structure that housed St. Peter's Elementary School. This school served Catholic teenagers until the founding of Holy Name High School in 1964. |
| 1913 |
|
Msgr. Bornemann renovates former public school at 3rd and Franklin Sts, and presents it to Holy Rosary Church as a parochial school (later called Cabrini Academy). The former public school was built in 1868 and closed in 1908 as a public school. For a period it served as the Reading Public Library. |
| 1913 |
November |
Holy Rosary Church parochial school solemny dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. John Bonzano, of Washington, D. C., the apostolic delegate or personal representative of the Pope in America. |
| 1914 |
|
St. Cyril and Methodius Church dedicated. |
| 1914 |
|
Msgr. Bornemann contributes financially and spiritually to the founding of St. Anthony's Parish (Millmont) for Polish-speaking Catholics. |
| 1915 |
|
Msgr. Bornemann supervises construction of school and church in Wyomissing and establishes Sacred Heart Parish with his nephew, Rev. Charles J. Bornemann, as pastor. Sacred Heart Parish was built on the grounds donated by the Wyomissing Industries, at High Boulevard in Wyomissing (now a parking lot for Vanity Fair). |
| 1915 |
|
Msgr. Bornemann celebrates his Golden Jubilee (50 years a priest) - banquet at Berkshire Hotel at 5th and Washington Streets, attended by 500 including 2 bishops and 39 priests. Later a reception was held at the Hippodrome Theatre at 8th and Penn Streets. A committee chaired by Charles Vogel raised $50,000 ($1,000 for each year of Rev. Bornemann's pastorship) to apply to restoration and beautification of exterior of St. Paul's Church. Design based on village church in Germany that Msgr. Bornemann recently visited. |
| 1915 |
|
Sacred Heart Parish established on the grounds donated by the Wyomissing Industries, at High Boulevard in Wyomissing (now a parking lot for Vanity Fair). Reverend Charles J. Bomemann, was named the first pastor. |
| 1916 |
|
Two story annex to St. Paul's school is completed at cost o f $12,000. |
| 1924 |
March 3 |
Msgr. Bornemann died. Rev Theodore Hammeke succeeded him as pastor of St. Paul's |
| 1925 |
May 4 |
A convent at 325 South Twelfth Street for the Felician Sisters of St. Mary's, at a cost of $58,000, was completed. The building was solemnly blessed, on Wednesday, June 29th, by Bishop Michael J. Crane, D., D., of Philadelphia. The new home of the Felician Sisters, about a dozen in number, was built on the east side of South Twelfth street, between Spruce and Muhlenberg, on what was operated for many years as a stone quarry by McQuade Brothers. |
| 1926 |
|
St. Paul's Holy Family Society is formed. |
| 1926 |
|
The Catholic Women's Union (St. Paul's Welfare League) is established with quarters in the old orphanage. |
| 1926 |
|
Fr. Hammeke, rector of St. Paul's, divides the parish into districts. Convent is renovated. Cost, $36,000. |
| 1926 |
|
Construction of a small chapel dedicated to St. Anthony for what would become Holy Guardian Angels Parish began in 1925 and completed in 1926 on Eighth and Columbia avenues. Priests from St. Joseph Hospital and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Hyde Park served the chapel, along with the pastor of Holy Rosary, the Rev. Dr. Eugene Marchetti. But, the lack of a fulltime pastor prevented the establishment of a church. |
| 1926 |
|
Old St. Mary's convent became a day nursery/kindergarten and convent for the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, whom Father Malusecki brought over from Poland. |
| 1927 |
November 15 |
Advisory committee formed to consider plans for improvements to St. Paul's church. Found necessary to extensively remodel entire structure to accommodate increasing attendance. Project to cost $100,000. |
| 1927 |
November |
Comparatively new organ of Arcadia Theater purchased for St. Paul's church |
| 1927 |
|
St. Paul's Usher Society is formed. |
| 1927 |
|
Rev. Theodore Hammeke, rector of St. Paul's Church, establishes St. Paul's Commercial School as a department of the parochial school. |
| 1927 |
|
The 12-room school at St. Mary's that was connected to the back of the church had become too crowded, so work began on the construction of a $175,000 combination high school and recreational center at southeast corner of Twelfth and Spruce streets, diagonally across from the church. In addition to the high school department the building included grade class rooms to relieve present crowded conditions at the Polish parochial school where there was an enrollment of nearly 900 pupils. Features of the interior were an auditorium with a large seating capacity, and a gymnasium. The latter was located in the basement, where showers and lockers were also provided. |
| 1928 |
January 15 |
Work began on St. Paul's school hall as temporary chapel |
| 1928 |
|
Weaknesses found in roof truss & floor supports of St. Paul. Roof strengthened with iron girders; entire new floor laid. |
| 1928 |
May 13 |
Fr. Theodore Hammeke died at St. Joseph's hospital. He was succeeded as pastor of St. Paul's by his brother Fr. William Hammeke |
| 1928 |
July 4 |
The cornerstone was laid for the new school and recreational center at St. Mary's. Rt. Rev. Michael J. Crane, auxiliary bishop of the Philadelphia Catholic archdiocese, officiated at cornerstone laying ceremony. |
| 1928 |
November |
Newly remodeled St. Paul's church able to be used for divine services. |
| 1929 |
February 17 |
New St. Paul's church officially reopened & blessed by Cardinal Dougherty. |
| 1929 |
November |
Archdiocese of Philadelphia announces the formation of Holy Guardian Angels Parish. The first pastor was the Rev. Frederick F. Lanshe and he celebrated his first Mass at St. Anthony's Chapel on Nov. 23, 1929. A home at 3120 Kutztown Road, Hyde Park, once owned by Florin Herb was donated by parishioner Emma Herbst for Lanshe's residence. The home also served as an additional chapel. |
| 1930 |
September 7 |
The Msgr. Bornemann Memorial Chapel in Gethsemane Cemetery is completed. Improvements and renovations to the cemetery are made. The "Agony Group" is made a permanent shrine. |
| 1930 |
November |
On motion of Attorneys Harold J. Ryan and Daniel C. Donoghue, the latter of Philadelphia, Judge Shanaman granted a petition allowing Cardinal Dougherty, as trustee for the congregation of St. Paul's Catholic Church, to convey to himself, trustee for the congregation of Holy Guardian Angels Parish, a tract of land at the southwest corner of Gethsemane Cemetery. |
| 1931 |
June 7 |
Groundbreaking ceremony held at 11:15 am for Holy Guardian Angels church and school. |
| 1931 |
November 8 |
New Holy Guardian Angels church and school solemnly dedicated. D. Cardinal Dougherty, archbishop of Philadelphia, presided at the solemn high mass. Rev Msgr. John J. Bonner, D. D., of Philadelphia, delivered the sermon. |
| 1936 |
|
St. Paul's Parish celebrates its Diamond Jubilee. |
| 1937 |
May 11 |
Father Malusecki of St. Mary's was preparing to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his ordination when he died three weeks short of the anniversary date. Rev. Malusecki's successor was the Rev. Joseph Gazdzik. |
| 1938 |
November 20 |
St. Mary's observed its Golden Jubilee with an 11:00 AM Mass celebrated by Msgr. J. Carroll McCormick, at that time Chancellor of the Archdiocese, in the presence of Bishop Hugh L. Lamb, then the Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. |
| 1938 |
|
Renovations began for the interior of St. Mary's Church. |
| 1939 |
|
Fr Hammeke celebrates his Golden Jubilee at age 77. Rev. Charles Allwein presents him with a purse of $3000 from the parishioners. |
| 1939 |
|
Fr. Hammeke, rector of St. Paul's church, buys Luden estate at Hill Rd. and Clymer St. for $45,000 and establishes Bornemann Central Catholic High School. |
| 1940 |
September 3 |
Bornemann Catholic High School opens with an enrollment of 75. Freshmen reported for classes 8.30 o'clock, and the upper classmen, including a senior class, reported the next day at the same time. |
| 1941 |
|
Annex to St. Paul's school is begun. Enrollment now 180. |
| 1941 |
May 16 |
Cornerstone laid for an addition of a $75,000 gymnasium for Bornemann Catholic High School, in the presence of the student body of 180 children. Assembling after the noon lunch period, the students watched while the Rev. William Hammeke, rector of St. Paul's Catholic Church, blessed the stone with holy water. |
| 1943 |
|
Fr Hammeke, in failing health, celebrates his 81st birthday and requests that he be relieved of many of his duties. Cardinal Dougherty appoints Rev. John Wachter as administrator of the parish affairs. |
| 1947 |
|
Bornemann Catholic High School accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools receiving a superior rating on curriculum, average on pupil activity, superior on library, superior on guidance, very superior on instruction, very superior on outcomes, very superior on staff, superior on plant, and superior on administration. |
| 1947 |
|
Ground purchased for an athletic field for Bornemann Catholic High School in neighboring St. Lawrence. |
| 1949 |
|
Fr Wachter is named Rector of St. Paul's. |
| 1950 |
|
Father Mickun, pastor of St. Mary's, installs blue-hued stained glass windows in the church. Father Mickun purchased two of the windows himself: the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The former, which pictures a legless Jesus Christ, was reassembled behind the St. Joseph altar. |
| 1952 |
|
Rev. Charles L. Allwein resigns as principal of Bornemann Catholic High School to become pastor of the Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, at Bally. The Rev. Raymond J. Leichner, director of athletics at the school, took over the reins of principal at the end of the school year, when Father Allwein's resignation became effective. |
| 1952 |
|
Fr Wachter is elevated to Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Rev. Monsignor. |
| 1953 |
|
Parishioners and community alike honor Msgr. Wachter, rector of St. Paul's church, at a testimonial dinner Msgr. Wachter is named Vicar Forane for Berks County. |
| 1953 |
June 28 |
The present Holy Rosary Church, located at 3rd and Franklin Sts., was dedicated. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Luigi Ligutti of Des Moines, Iowa, executive director of the National Catholic Wellfare Conference, was the celebrant for the first Solemn High Mass to be held inside the new Holy Rosary Catholic Church. |
| 1954 |
|
Demolition of buildings adjacent to church on 9th St. begins. Site would become a parking lot for parishioners. |
| 1954 |
|
Msgr. Wachter is named Secretary for the Diocesan Commission of Vigilance for the Faith. |
| 1955 |
September 24 |
At the age of 67, Msgr. Wachter, recor of St. Paul's dies suddenly. So well was he loved by both religious and laity that 25 Monsignors, 220 priests and 200 Nuns attended his Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass and over 10,000 persons viewed his remains lying in state in St. Paul's Church. It was said of him that, "Man's life can be divided into three parts; the past, the present and eternity. |
| 1955 |
November 1 |
Fr. Henry J. Huesman is named Rector of St. Paul's. |
| 1956 |
|
St. Paul's Church renovated. Renovations included sacristy and side chapels. |
| 1956 |
|
Holy Guardian Angels Women's Club established. |
| 1957 |
|
St. Paul's rectory renovated. Renovations in the rectory include extension of domestic quarters, dining room, kitchen and laundry. |
| 1958 |
|
A new baptistry is completed at St. Paul's. |
| 1958 |
|
Fr Huesman, rector of St. Paul's, celebrates the 25th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. |
| 1958 |
|
St. Paul's convent renovated. Renovations included a dining room, community room and parlors. |
| 1959 |
|
A new convent to house 22 Sisters of Christian Charity who teach in Central Catholic High School is built at 1500 Eckert Ave. in Reading. |
| 1960 |
|
Fr. Huesman, recot of St. Paul's church, supervises the building of a modern new maintenance building, a new business building and superintendent's quarters at Gethsemane Cemetery. |
| 1961 |
February 15 |
Rome announces the creation of the new Diocese of Allentown comprised of Berks, Northampton, Carbon and Schuykill Counties. |
| 1961 |
November 1 |
Father Mickun leaves St. Mary's for his retirementret. Father Mickun maintained the pastorate of St. Mary's until he died on December 20th, 1968. In those days, it was unheard of for a pastor to be declared Pastor Emeritus; pastors retained office until their death |
| 1961 |
November 19 |
St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church observed its Centennial anniversary starting Sunday, Nov. 19, 1961, with cornerstone laying for a new parochial school, followed by a nine-day period of special religious services. |
| 1961 |
|
Bishop Joseph McShea became the first Bishop of the Allentown Diocese. |
| 1961 |
|
Father Joseph A Zmijewski, D.D., late in 1961, was appointed administrator of St. Mary's Parish to replace the retired pastor Father John Mickun. |
| 1961 |
|
Construction is started on a new elementary school at St. Paul's replacing the existing 91 year old structure. Bishop McShea appoints Fr. Huesman superintendant of schools for the newly created Diocese of Allentown. |
| 1961-1963 |
|
In preparation for the Diamond Jubilee of St. Mary's church jubilee, Father Joseph A Zmijewski began extensive renovations to the church. The cost of the renovations was $150,000. |
| 1963 |
October 20 |
St. Mary's celebrates its Diamond Jubilee. Bishop McShea was not present because he was in Rome attending the Second Vatican Council. Father Anthony Ziemba, priest-son of the parish, celebrated the Jubilee Mass. He was assisted by Fathers Julian Zagorski, Francis Urbanowicz, Joseph Daniel, and John Basinski - all former assistant pastors. |
| 1963 |
|
New Holy Guardian Angels Church completed at a cost of $700,000 on additional land next to the original church and school. The original church and school building was converted to school use. |
| 1964 |
|
Rev. William P. Hoffner becomes the third principal of Bornemann Catholic High School. That same year Central Catholic High graduated a record size senior class (312). The peak enrollment was 1,200 in 1964. On Sunday, June 7, 1964, more than 2,200 attended the 23rd commencement ceremonies, at the Rajah Theater. |
| 1968 |
|
Rev. Joseph J. Morrell becomes the fourth principal of Bornemann Catholic High School. |
| 1968 |
September |
Father Joseph A Zmijewski diedd and was buried from St. Mary's with funeral Mass offered by Bishop McShea. As Father Mickun was still alive, Bishop McShea, on October 23, 1968, assigned Father John A. Duminiak administrator of St. Mary's. |
| 1969 |
March 27 |
Father Duminiak became pastor St. Mary's church. |
| 1970 |
|
House of Good Shepherd and 11 acres of ground situated at Glenside, Bern Township, at the edge of the Schuykill Avenue Bridge, sold to the Carpenter Technology Corp. for $450,000. The final group of girls at the school were transferred to other schools operated by the Roman Catholic Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, which operated the school at that time. |
| 1973 |
June 11 |
Father Duminiak resigned as pastor of St. Mary's due to failing health. |
| 1974 |
|
Improvements made to Bornemann Catholic High School consisting of a new stage, physical education and all-purpose room, storage areas, and a TV room. |
| 1975 |
|
Vincent T. Shemanski became the firth principal of Bornemann Catholic High School. One of the first lay administrators of Catholic schools; Shemanski taught history and biology and coached football at St. Plus X High School In Roseto, Northampton County, for eight years before accepting a teaching and coaching post at Central Catholic in 1965. |
| 1975 |
August 19 |
Fr. Francis J. Fromholzer is named Rector of St. Paul's. |
| 1975 |
June 1975 |
Father Paskowicz, administrator of St. Mary's, named pastor. |
| 1977 |
June 16 |
St. Paul's School, in existence for more than 100 years, closed its doors. |
| 1977 |
|
The first St. Mary School behind the church was razed to provide additional off-street parking. |
| 1978 |
December |
Groundbreaking for Holy Guardian Angels rectory, to replace the priests' residence and parish office at 2928 Kutztown Road. |
| 1979 |
|
Holy Guardian Angels rectory completed. |
| 1980 |
April 15 |
Monsignor William E. Handges is named Rector of St. Paul's. |
| 1984 |
May |
Father Paskowicz requested sick leave from Bishop Thomas Welsh, the successor of Bishop McShea, founding Bishop of Allentown. |
| 1984 |
May 24 |
Father Leonard S. Merook was appointed pastor of St. Mary's. |
| 1984 |
September 1 |
Father Merook, pastor of St. Mary's church, died very suddenly in his suite in the rectory. Father Merook was buried from St. Mary's and lies in the parish cemetery next to Father Malusecki. |
| 1984 |
October 2 |
Father Leo S. Stajkowski named pastor of St. Mary's church. |
| 1985 |
June 10 |
Monsignor John P. Seitzinger is named Rector of St. Paul's. |
| 1986 |
|
Improvements made to Bornemann Catholic High School consisting of a physical fitness room, audio-visual room, guidance Suite, teacher's lounge, storage room, and accounting and student services. |
| 1988 |
October 16 |
St. Mary's celebrated its Centennial observed with a Mass of Thanksgiving offered by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh. Concelebrating were Msgrs. John Baruch, James Treston, Joseph Smith, John Campbell, and Edward Musial, and Fathers Raymond Slezak, Robert Tobolski MSC, David Kohut OFM, Anthony Ziemba, Ladislaus Dudek, Lawrence Bukaty, Frederick Przydzial, Roman Tarka, Donald Cieniewicz, and Loe Stajokowski. Msgr. Francis Urbanowicz was present in the sanctuary, and Father William Baver acted as masters of ceremonies. |
| 1997 |
September |
Fr. Andrew A. Ulincy is named Rector of St. Paul's. |
| 2000 |
|
Groundbreaking for new Holy Guardian Angels School. |
| 2001 |
|
New Holy Guardian Angels School completed. |
| 2001 |
June |
Holy Guardian Angels old church and school demolished after a decommissioning ceremony. |
| 2003 |
|
St. Mary's School at 12th and Spruce streets, closed. Enrollment had dropped 45 percent since 1998. In its last year, St. Mary's had only 76 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. At its peak, in the 1920s and 1930's, the school had nearly 900 students. When the school started holding classes in 1888 in the basement of St. Mary's Church, 250 S. 12th St., about three dozen Polish children were in attendance. |
| 2006 |
November |
St. Joseph's Hospital opens a new $150 million, 40-acre hospital and medical office building in Bern Township. The property at 12th and Walnut Streets was donated to the Reading School District for the creation of a Junior High School, called the Citadel. |
| 2010 |
February 1 |
Opening Mass for 150th Year Celebration. Father Ulincy, Father Amiro and Father Pham concelebrate the Opening Mass. |
| 2011 |
February 11 |
It was announced that Central Catholic would merge with Holy Name high school. The newly formed school would be named Berks Catholic High School located at Holy Name's site on East Wyomissing Boulevard. |
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