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Mater Dolorosa Parish History
What can we possibly say about Mater Dolorosa or to rephrase the question, what can we say about the spirit that is Mater Dolorosa? That spirit was ignited in 1908, when a group of Frankford Italian immigrants petitioned the Archbishop of Philadelphia for their own Parish. Many of us today are descendants of those Italian immigrants and for those of us who remember that Italian pride-they wanted no part of that “Americano” church across the avenue. In February 1908, their petition was granted. Their new parish would be called Saint Peter’s and would also be the first Italian National Parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In March 1908, their first Pastor, Father Santoro, celebrated the first Mass from a storefront on Unity Street. It was also at this time that the parishioners asked Father Santoro if they could change the name of the parish. Father Santoro took a vote, and in April 1911, Saint Peter’s would now be known as Saint Rocco’s. The Catholic Standard and Times in an article dated April 1911, called the new Parish “Saint Rocco’s Chapel for Frankford Italians”. The seed of pride was now planted. Shortly thereafter, the property located at 4330 Paul Street was purchased and a new Chapel was opened. On August 14th 1911, Father Santoro was transferred. Father Cosmos Bruni was assigned new Pastor of Saint Rocco’s. On October 10th 1911, Father Bruni held the first Parish meeting. At the top of the agenda was the request to once again change the name of the Parish. A delegate from the Archdiocese was sent to Saint Rocco’s Chapel. He met with the parishioners on December 11th, 1911. At this meeting, a new name was discussed and voted upon. Saint Rocco’s Chapel for Frankford Italians would now and forever be known as Mater Dolorosa. In 1913, Father Bruni purchased the property at Paul and Ruan Streets. This would be the site of their new church. The ground was broken, and on June 29th 1914, the cornerstone of Mater Dolorosa Church was blessed. The seed that was planted in February 1908, was now germinating. Slowly but surely, their church was erected. The Frankford Italians now had their church, now they wanted a school to educated their children. On October 18th 1926, at the site that had been the Saint Rocco’s Chapel, the cornerstone of Mater Dolorosa School was blessed, and the Parish of Mater Dolorosa could now educate their children. Over the next 77 years, almost 3500 children would receive their elementary education at Mater Dolorosa.
Father Bruni remained Pastor of Mater Dolorosa until 1945. That year, Father Albert Palumbo was appointed Pastor, and for the next 37 years, coupled with a new wave of immigration, led Mater Dolorosa into a new era. Father Palumbo not only led our Parish spiritually, he led us civically. During his 37 years as Pastor, he was as powerful as any politician in the city. When a parishioner had an issue, he or she went to see Father Palumbo. Almost always, that issue would have a positive conclusion. Father Palumbo was also a visionary. In 1953, realizing that our church was 39 years old, instituted a capital campaign that would remodel our church and prepare it for decades to come. Not long after construction was completed on our Church, Father purchased the property at Paul and Ruan Streets, directly across the street from church, and once again showed his vision. He built a two floor school by which the first floor was large enough not only to be a cafeteria, but could also house Parish functions, including fund raisers, hence, helping to pay the overhead of the classrooms on the second floor. And speaking of functions and fundraisers, how can any of us forget the dances once held in the church hall, now being held in our new school. Also, Father Palumbo walking the carnivals in our schoolyard, making sure everything was running smoothly. Father Palumbo was a leader in every sense of the word.
In 1982, Father Palumbo retired and Father Sandy became our new Pastor. Between 1982 and 1994, when Father Sandy was transferred to Papua New Guinea, Mater Dolorosa started to encounter the problems of most inner city Parishes. Nevertheless, Father Sandy never let these problems break the spirit of Mater Dolorosa and remains today as one of our most beloved Pastors. In 1994, with the transfer of Father Sandy, Cardinal Bevilaqua appointed Father Joseph Logrip our new Pastor. Mater Dolorosa would become the beneficiary of this Renaissance Priest’s first Parish. He truly orchestrated a new birth to a struggling Parish. For the next six years Father Logrip would work diligently to maintain the spirit of the early Italian immigrants while exercising fiscal responsibility. Father Logrip would lead us with class and dignity, leading us by example of how to be good decent people. Father Logrip loved his buildings as much as he loved his parishioners. He instituted capital campaigns that would lead to the air conditioning of our then 84 year old church. Also, the entire interior of the church would be painted, including our beautiful murals. He spared no expense in remodeling the rectory and along with our Principal, Ms Grace McGuirl, oversaw a campaign that would result in a $40,000.00 computer lab for our school. In June 2000, with Mater Dolorosa fiscally sound, Father Logrip was transferred to Immaculate Conception Parish, Levittown. Although fiscally sound, the Parish was in jeopardy. There was a major shortage of Diocesan Priests. Parishes throughout the city were being closed or consolidated. We, as a Parish family, prayed for a miracle. Our prayers were heard, and through the unselfishness of Father Charles Englehardt and the Oblates of Saint Francis DeSales, Mater Dolorosa would again have a true servant of God as her Pastor. Unfortunately, in June 2003, plagued by the problems of most inter-city Parochial schools; decreased enrollment, escalating tuitions and urban blight, it was no longer feasible for the Archdiocese to keep our school open. Mater Dolorosa, along with Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Joachim, would join Holy Innocents in becoming the Holy Innocents Area Catholic School. With our school now empty, Father Engelhardt negotiated to lease the school to the School District of Philadelphia. This contract would maintain fiscal calmness for the Parish, and when Father was transferred in June 2005, he left our Parish with a strong fiscal position. The only question now was, with a shortage of Priests 5 years earlier, would the Archdiocese have a new Shepherd for us. Once again our prayers were answered. Enter, Father Johnny “The Mot” Large. Father Large went right to work to maintain the Italian traditions of the Parish while opening our doors to a new Evangelization. With a strong fiscal position, Father Large immediately refurbished and brought to code our Church and Rectory. Father Large opened our doors to various social needs of the Frankford community by partnering with Catholic Social Services. This partnership has gained much notoriety for the Parish within the Archdiocese. Father has instituted a variety of theme Masses and has taken the lead in community inter-faith ministries. In 2011, Mater Dolorosa will celebrate her centennial. A 100th anniversary committee has been formed. The 100th anniversary will commence September 2010, and run through September 2011. Over the next two years, the committee will sponsor various celebrations that will lead us to that special year. Our objective is to reach out to as many of our former parishioners as possible, asking them to come home and join their Mater Dolorosa as she turns 100. Please use the Parish website, www.materdolorosachurch.net to notify us of your current address, e-mail and cell phone numbers. Also, please pass this information along to any former Mater Dolorosa classmates or parishioners. Please feel free to call the Rectory (215)-535-4036 with any information, or better yet, come back for a Sunday Mass. The Mass schedule is posted on the website. In the upcoming months, we hope to see our 100th anniversary list blossom and grow. WE NEED YOUR HELP! 100th Anniversary Committee
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