Saint Paul Holy Church

In 1843, Bishop Kenrick saw a need. A burgeoning population in the Moyamensing district of South Philadelphia required spiritual guidance. This was the birth of Saint Paul Holy Church. Saint Paul Holy Church wasn’t just plopped down anywhere. Its location was strategically chosen by Reverend Patrick F. Sheridan. He picked a spot on Christian Street, directly across from Commissioners Hall, the heart of the district’s civic life. The cornerstone was laid on May 7, 1843, by Bishop Kenrick himself. Christmas Day of that year saw the first mass celebrated within the still-unfinished walls of Saint Paul Holy Church. However, anti-religious riots in Philadelphia delayed the church’s completion. It wasn’t until July 4, 1847, that the church was finally dedicated, again by Bishop Kenrick. Interestingly, tragedy struck Saint Paul Holy Church in 1861. A fire, blamed on an altar boy’s carelessness, gutted the building, leaving only the outer walls standing. Services were temporarily moved to the school chapel at 8th and Christian Streets while the church underwent reconstruction. Father Sheridan, the church’s founder, faced personal trials as well, suffering from failing eyesight in his later years. He passed away on July 9, 1879, and was laid to rest in a vault on the east side of Saint Paul Holy Church. The growth of Saint Paul Holy Church mirrored the growth of the surrounding community. Just ten years after its founding, the parish had grown so much that it had to be divided. This led to the establishment of St. Theresa’s Church in 1853, and the Church of the Annunciation in 1860. These divisions ultimately established the boundaries of Saint Paul Holy Church that remain largely unchanged to this day. The original St. Paul’s School, built in 1854 on the south side of Christian Street, eventually became the foundation of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in 1898. Over time, the two parishes would share resources and facilities. Eventually, they merged in 1933 under the direction of Cardinal Dougherty, further solidifying the legacy of Saint Paul Holy Church in South Philadelphia.