Look Back: Meeting in carpenter's shop gave rise to Saint Aloysius Parish in 1899

Apr. 21—At a time when families had to walk great distances to attend Sunday mass at Catholic churches, families petitioned to have a Catholic church be constructed in the Lee Park area of Hanover Township in the late 1890s.

The Rev. Richard A. McAndrew, pastor of Saint Mary's Church on South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, heard their call in a meeting held in a carpenter's workshop and purchased land from the Shoemaker family at Barney and Division streets in South Wilkes-Barre in what was initially planned was a mission chapel.

"This part of the city had an unprecedented growth the past few years and a good percentage of the population being Catholics, the needs of a mission have been apparent for some time," the Wilkes-Barre Record reported April 22, 1899.

Rev. McAndrew intended to hold one mass each Sunday afternoon at the chapel.

"The site upon which the new Catholic church of Lee Park is to be erected has been laid out and ground for the erection of the edifice will be broken this week," the Record reported Sept. 4, 1899.

The frame structure building measured 40 feet by 90 feet and constructed by Kehoe & Mowerly and designed by architects Davey & McGlynn.

As the congregation of Saint Aloysius exploded during the first two decades of the 1900s, a new church was planned.

More than 100 priests from various parts of the Scranton Diocese, nuns from the numerous orders in the region and several thousand people attended the laying of the cornerstone of the new church that was placed at the southwest corner at 3 p.m. on April 25, 1926 by Bishop A. J. Brennan, the Record reported April 26, 1926.

"After blessing the stone...Bishop Brennan used a trowel in the application of the mortar which made the stone a part of the building," the newspaper reported.

A copper box containing coins of various denominations, a history of the Saint Aloysius congregation and other artifacts was placed in the center of the cornerstone.

Construction of the new Saint Aloysius Church — William A. Hildebrand was the general contractor — as it appears today took about a year to complete. Marble at the main and side altars including walnut pews were imported from Italy, and stained glass windows with the largest depicting St. Patrick came from Munich, Germany, the Record reported Jan. 11, 1927.

Dedication took place on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1927, in an elaborate mass of celebration hosted by Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, Archbishop of Philadelphia. Cardinal Dougherty arrived by train at the Lehigh Valley Passenger Station in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Nov. 23, 1927, and was greeted by thousands of Catholics lining the streets on his way to Saint Aloysius Church.

"In the presence of more than 1,200 persons, including nearly 75 priests from various points in the Scranton Diocese, Cardinal Dougherty yesterday morning dedicated the new $300,000 Saint Aloysius Roman Catholic Church," the Record reported Nov. 25, 1927.

The dedication was recorded and played as a moving picture at the Poli Theater on South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.

"The interior of the church presented a magnificent picture as the high, white walls reflected the soft rays of light that shone from the fixtures. In the main aisle, from the rear of the church to the sanctuary, stood 40 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus members, each wearing a frock coat, high hat and carrying a sabre," the Record reported.

Two days after the new church was dedicated, the first marriage took place between Marguerite Prout, of Lynwood Avenue, Hanover Township, and William McGuire, of Oak Street, Wilkes-Barre, solemnized by the Rev. D. W. McCarthy, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 1927.

Saint Aloysius Parochial Grade School consisting of 12 classrooms was constructed next to the church in 1953.

Plans to build a high school behind the church never materialized as a cafeteria was built on the site after the 1972 Agnes flood.

With the 2010 closure of Saint Casimir's Parish in Breslau, Hanover Township, and the merger with Saint Aloysius Church, the parish was renamed Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish.

In honor of the 125th Anniversary of the Saint Aloysius congregation, a celebration mass will be held by Bishop Joseph C. Bambera and the Rev. Richard J. Cirba, pastor, at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 28.

Reporter's note: Ed Lewis is a graduate of Saint Aloysius Parochial School where he recited the rosary too many times to count as discipline by the Sisters of Mercy when caught being mischievous as a student, served as an altar boy, participated in the glee club, youth club and the Stations of the Cross as the bad thief (still remember my lines), and received all his sacraments at Saint Aloysius Church where he serves as an usher.