“A name beloved of every soldier” That’s what Msgr Edward Hawks said about St Joan of Arc. He was the founder of St Joan of Arc Church in Philadelphia. He served as a military chaplain during World War I. He chose the name in 1919 even before the saint was canonized. The church stands proudly in the Harrowgate and West Kensington neighborhoods. This area was once bustling with textile mills and factories. Now it is one of Philadelphia’s poorest and most violent areas.
St Joan of Arc Church however remains a beacon of hope. It’s not just a place of worship. It’s a community center. It offers services to everyone regardless of faith. Masses are held in English and Spanish. Roughly 200 people attend each week. This church also provides food pantries. They organize religious education and social events. They even have a thriving community garden. It started as an abandoned lot. Now it yields tomatoes peppers eggplant and more.
The church’s history is rich with anecdotes. They tried to get Ingrid Bergman to model for a statue of St Joan. She was playing the saint on Broadway. She refused fearing a scandal might damage the statue’s image. The original church building was built in stages. It started as a small chapel in a house. Then moved to an old blacksmith shop. Finally a larger church and school were constructed. The school opened in 1923 with 182 children. Attendance grew to over 600 by 1932.
Today St Joan of Arc Church stands as a testament to resilience. It shows the power of faith in the face of adversity. It offers a haven of hope and charity in a challenging neighborhood. It’s a place where people of all backgrounds find community and support. Sister Linda Lukiewski a Philadelphia native is the pastoral minister. She’s been instrumental in the church’s transition to a mission and outreach center. She emphasizes the church’s commitment to serving the community and its enduring presence. This church is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a symbol of faith courage and unwavering service to its neighbors. A fitting tribute to the fearless saint it is named after.