Our Lady of Lourdes

Gazing at Our Lady of Lourdes, can you hear the echoes of Archbishop O’Connell’s presence? He graced this very spot in 1909 for the church’s dedication. Our Lady of Lourdes wasn’t always the grand structure you see today. It began humbly as a mission of St. Thomas’ church. For fourteen years, it served the growing Catholic community. Then, in July of the previous year, it blossomed into its own parish under the guidance of Reverend George A. Lyons. The original building, however, was a tight squeeze for a full-fledged parish. Reverend Lyons, recognizing the need for expansion, embarked on a transformative project. A twenty-five-foot extension was added to the rear of the church. This allowed for beautiful additions like the altars of the Sacred Heart and St. Joseph flanking the main altar. Above the main altar, a stunning grotto of Lourdes, illuminated by electric lights, became a focal point. The expansion also provided space for a much-needed assembly hall in the basement and a vestry beside the sanctuary. The dedication ceremony in 1909 was a grand affair. Archbishop O’Connell presided, and Monsignor Thomas Magennis, the former pastor of St. Thomas’, sang the solemn high mass. The church choir, forty voices strong, filled the air with music under the direction of Miss Mary Dolan. Our Lady of Lourdes continued to serve its community. In the 1950s, it was a bustling hub with masses every half hour, starting at 6:30 am. Eighteen Sisters of St. Joseph nurtured young minds in the parish school. The church was a center of social life, with a Sodality, Holy Name Society, Drum-and Bugle-Corps, altar boys, and CYO sports teams. Even the aromas of the nearby Haffenreffer Brewery, affectionately dubbed “Green Death” by some locals, couldn’t overshadow the vibrant spirit of Our Lady of Lourdes. Today, as you stand before Our Lady of Lourdes, remember its humble beginnings. Recall the dedication, the expansion, and the vibrant community it fostered. The church stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and community.