“A beautiful church is a sermon in stone” somebody once said. Few can recall a time when majestic spires were not a prominent part of the landscape around Saint Thomas Hall.
Welcome to a place where history whispers through the stones. Saint Thomas Hall is more than just a building. It is a landmark with a story etched in every brick.
The history of the Saint Thomas Hall parish is linked with the Augustinians. They arrived from Europe in 1796. They founded St. Augustine’s Church in Philadelphia. The impact of the Augustinians in this country is impressive.
Radnor was a mission of St. Augustine’s. The area was well known to the Augustinians. Prior to the Augustinians a former Revolutionary War lieutenant owned the Radnor property. John Rudolph made his fortune as a merchant in Burlington. In 1806 Rudolph bought one hundred acres of land. Rudolph had his mansion built. He named the estate Belle Air.
Before the parish establishment the Rudolphs traveled to Philadelphia for Sunday Mass. Missionaries from St. Augustine’s traveled to the Rudolph estate. They celebrated mass for the household. The clergymen always welcomed guests. The Rudolph parlor was fitted with an altar and an organ. Rudolph accompanied the service. For nearly thirty years the Belle Air estate was a “parish”. It served the Rudolph family their servants and their neighbors.
Almost three years after Rudolph’s death Belle Air was scheduled for public sale. The clergymen offered to buy the property the day before it went on public sale. The land had a two story stone Mansion. It also had a two story stone kitchen with piazzas. There were five rooms on the first floor with a spacious hall. Seven rooms were on the second floor.
On October 13 1841 Reverend Thomas Kyle and Father Patrick Moriarity purchased the estate. They renamed it Villanova. This purchase represented the first civil corporation of the Order in this country. Permission was granted for the transfer to Villanova of the new Augustinian Motherhouse.
Father O’Dwyer celebrated the first mass in the parlor of the former mansion. It was then also that the monastery was placed under the patronage of St. Thomas of Villanova. St. Thomas was a saintly man. He was distinguished for his ability to manage affairs skillfully. He was known for his generosity towards the poor.
Little is known about those who helped. William Moulden came to work at the estate as an indentured servant. William and his wife Julia were married. Mrs. Rudolph gave the newlyweds a wedding dinner. The Mouldens lived in a log farmhouse. As William and Julia prospered they contributed money toward the present church construction.
Larger facilities were needed as the parish and college community outgrew the mansion chapel. A new chapel was completed in 1844. The chapel was ultimately torn down to make room for a new college building.
The official parish registry opened with the baptism of Michael Horton. St.Thomas of Villanova became a separate parish from St. Augustine’s. Classes had begun with seven students. Enrollment grew steadily. By 1865 the Augustinians had increased in number.
In 1872 a third temporary chapel was converted to serve as a church. It accommodated the Villanova community. The present Gothic Church was completed. Ground was broken for the construction of the present St. Thomas of Villanova Church.
The church was completed under Reverend James J. Blake. The cornerstone was laid in place on June 3 1883. Items were placed in the stone cavity.
Edwin F. Durang modeled the twin spires of the Villanova Church after the south spire of the French Cathedral. Durang created a European-like interior. The church contained seven altars. The main altar was made of Italian polished marble.
Some of the church’s old world details included large oil painted murals. The church construction cost $43828.25. Much of the money to build the church was raised through donations.
The new church was blessed by Archbishop Ryan. The church was solemnly consecrated. The church interior was improved and beautified. In preparation for the centennial a major renovation of the Villanova Church was authorized. The entire church décor changed.
The parish has grown in the tradition of St. Thomas and St. Augustine. Our ministries have expanded. God has blessed us. We have been shaped into a community of Living Faith and Undying Love.