Beneath the Philadelphia sky stands Saint Barnabas Church. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to faith, community, and a changing neighborhood.
Saint Barnabas Parish has a rich history. It began in 1919 in a thriving neighborhood. Families of workers in nearby industries were its first members. Father James Dougherty, a former World War I chaplain, was the founding pastor. Early Masses were held in a house on Buist Avenue. The congregation quickly grew. Father Dougherty gratefully accepted the free use of the nearby Benn Theater.
By June 1921, the ground floor chapel of the first permanent building was ready. This building was planned as a combination church and school. The school finally opened in 1927. It was run by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mother M. Nazareth was the principal. Initially, only grades one and two were available with separate classrooms for boys and girls. The upper grades quickly followed. At its peak, the school had over 1,100 students.
Father John Daly, the second pastor, cleared the parish’s debt from the Great Depression. Father Joseph LaRue, the third pastor, undertook building the large church we see today. The church measures 188 feet by 79 feet. It was designed in an austere style called American Perpendicular. The exterior is softened by a six-ton bas relief of Saint Barnabas on the facade.
Father LaRue had his quirks. He didn’t want anyone standing during Mass. So, there was no transverse aisle at the rear. Seats went all the way to the wall. Latecomers might find themselves escorted to a seat in the sanctuary. His weekly announcements were also memorable. He once joked, “If you can’t come to the Sisters’ card party, just send in your week’s wages.”
Sue Kreczkevich grew up in the parish. She remembers when Father La Rue read her marriage banns. He couldn’t resist joking about how far she went to find her husband from Upstate. John Kreczkevich not only joined Saint Barnabas. Since 2002, he has served as a permanent deacon. Over the years, Saint Barnabas produced sixteen priests and many nuns.
Like many Philadelphia parishes, Saint Barnabas saw changes. Industries declined. Many founding families moved to the suburbs. However, the population has stabilized recently. There is a growing influx of Hispanic Catholics. Some former residents are even returning.
Saint Barnabas School remains open. It is now an Independence Mission School. Since 2013, priests of the Neocatechumenal Way have led Saint Barnabas. Father Carlos Benitez is the current parochial administrator. Though times change, Saint Barnabas is still Saint Barnabas. It continues its mission into its second century.
Saint Barnabas Church stands as a beacon of faith. It reflects the enduring spirit of its community. It shows love and resilience over the years. Remember the stories and the people who built this church.