Have you ever heard of a church that was moved? Our Mother of Good Council in Bryn Mawr has a unique story to tell. It was founded in 1885 as a mission church. It all started because the Pennsylvania Railroad wanted a Catholic church nearby for the growing number of Catholic summer residents. The first Catholic church constructed in Bryn Mawr was just a small wooden schoolhouse but soon after, a lot was purchased on Montgomery Avenue. But even though they tried their best to raise enough money to finish the building, they just couldn’t meet the deadlines. The Augustinians had to return the land to the previous owner by December 1888.
Thankfully, another piece of land became available on Penn Street. However, the original wooden church was too tall to fit under the bridge and the telegraph wires were a major obstacle. It was a real headache for the Augustinians. But just when it seemed like they were stuck, a member of the congregation, Michael Gallagher, contacted the President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, A.J. Cassatt. The railroad, as mentioned previously, was actually interested in having a Catholic church in Bryn Mawr. Cassatt was happy to help in moving the church. So, they cut the wires and arranged to move the church over the bridge. You can imagine what a sight it must have been to see the church sitting on top of the bridge. They even celebrated mass there while it was waiting to be moved.
Eventually, the church was placed where the convent would later be built. In 1896 the Augustinians laid the cornerstone for a larger, more impressive church. Designed by Edwin Forrest Durang, it was built in 1896-1897 for $41,000. The new church was a stunning Gothic Revival style with a 90-foot tower on the north side and even had a portcochere on the south side for those arriving in carriages. This church is now a beautiful landmark in Bryn Mawr. It served not just the summer residents, but also the Irish and Italian communities who came to work on the railroad or in the carriage and livery industries. Our Mother of Good Council was truly instrumental in this community, becoming a beacon of faith and a symbol of resilience in the face of challenges.