Christ Church Will Celebrate the 175th Anniversary of its September 15, 1843 Consecration This Sunday

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This Sunday, October 6, 2018, the Parishioners of The Parish of Christ The Redeemer will celebrate the 175th anniversary of the consecration of Christ Church on September 15, 1843.  The Town Board of the Town of Pelham, and many others, have extended to Christ Church and its Parishioners heartfelt congratulations and thanks for all the church, its clergy and staff, and its members have done for the benefit of the Town during the last 175 years.  The Town has issued a Proclamation (image and text below) designating Sunday as "Christ Church Day" and has forwarded a letter (text below) for inclusion in the program for the event.

Today's Historic Pelham article addresses the consecration of the Church on September 15, 1843 and documents the invitation issued by Christ Church to its celebration as well as the Town of Pelham's Proclamation and letter of congratulations directed to the Parishioners of The Parish of Christ The Redeemer.  

I have written extensively about the founding of Christ Church as well as its consecration on September 15, 1843.  See, e.g., Thu., Oct. 15, 2015:  The Creation of Christ Church and its Consecration on September 15, 1843.  See also Tue., Oct. 20, 2015:  Address Delivered by Reverend Robert Bolton on April 28, 1843 at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of Christ Church.  

The original sanctuary structure of Christ Church was built between April 28, 1843, when its cornerstone was laid, and September 15, 1843 when the completed church building was consecrated.  Immediately below is an image of the Church as it first appeared shortly after its construction.

Christ Church, Shortly After It Was Constructed, as Depicted

in the 1848 First Edition of Bolton's History of Westchester County,

Volume 1.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

On Friday, September 15, 1843, a divine service was held in the newly-completed Christ Church.  During that service, The Rev. Robert Bolton's "Instrument of Donation" donating the land on which the new church sat was read to those gathered to worship by order of Bishop Benjamin Tredwell Onderdonk.  The consecration of the new church followed immediately.  See:  Bolton, Jr., Robert, History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the County of Westchester, From Its Foundation, A.D. 1693, to A.D. 1853, pp. 695-696 (NY, NY: Stanford & Swords, 1855).

A brief account of the consecration of the new church that day appeared in the September 23, 1843 issue of The Churchman.  The account provides a fascinating glimpse of that day 175 years ago.  It stated:

"Episcopal Acts

Friday, Sept. 15, consecrated Christ Church, Pelham, an edifice erected on his own premises by the Rev. Robert Bolton, Rector of St. Paul's Church, East Chester.  The instrument of Donation and Request for Consecration by the Rev. Robert Bolton were presented by him to the Bishop, and read by the Rev. Thomas W. Colt D. D., Rector of Trinity Church, New Rochelle.

The sentence of consecration was read by the Rev. Thomas Harris; and the Morning Prayer by the Rev. James Milner, D. D., Rector of St. George's Church New York, assisted by the Rev. William Powell, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, who read the Lessons.

The sermon was preached by the Bishop who administered Holy Communion.  Eight of the Clergy were present."

Seventy-five years ago on October 31, 1843, Christ Church celebrated the centennial of this consecration.  An account of that centennial celebration appeared in the November 4, 1943 issue of The Pelham Sun and is quoted in its entirety at the close of this article (with a citation and link to its source).

"Christ Church" by William Rickarby Miller (1818-1893).

Watercolor on Paper, Ca. 1856.  Note the Addition of the

Covered Front Entrance.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The Town Board of Pelham, on behalf of the citizens of the Town, has joined with many others to congratulate Christ Church on its 175th anniversary.  Town Supervisor Peter M. DiPaola, Jr. sent the following letter for inclusion in the program for the joyous event:

"September 26, 2018

The Parishioners of The Parish of Christ The Redeemer

Christ Church

1415 Pelhamdale Avenue

Pelham, New York 10803

   Re:       175^th Anniversary of the Consecration of Christ Church on September 15, 1843

On behalf of the Town Board and residents of the Town of Pelham, I wish to extend hearty and heart-felt congratulations to the parishioners of The Parish of Christ The Redeemer on the 175^th anniversary of the consecration of Christ Church on September 15, 1843.  All of Pelham has great pride in the central role Christ Church, its founders, and its parishioners have played in the success of the Town during the last 175 years.

Founder and first Rector of Christ Church, The Rev. Robert Bolton, and his family had a profoundly positive influence on our town.  That influence began even before the Boltons moved to Pelham in about 1837 to live in the home known as the “Rose Cottage” that still stands at 11 Priory Lane before before they built Bolton Priory (beginning the following year) and Christ Church (in 1843).  Indeed, in about 1836, when the Bolton Family lived on the Pond Field Farm in the settlement of East Chester, no church stood within Pelham’s borders.  Town residents flocked to The Rev. Robert Bolton when he served as Rector of St. Paul’s Church in East Chester before he and his family built Christ Church with their own hands, hewing local native stones, felling trees, carving furnishings and embellishments and, in the case of artisan brothers John Jay and William Bolton, hand-casting heavenly-glorious stained glass windows for the new Church. 

While at East Chester, Rev. Bolton learned how residents of the Town of Pelham hungered for a place of worship.  He and his family satiated that hunger with a glorious church that remains among the most beautiful in the nation and that quickly became part of the fabric of Pelham.

The Reverend Robert Bolton’s words spoken over the cornerstone of Christ Church as it was laid on April 28, 1843 have rung true for more than 175 years:

“we can earnestly implore & can fervently hope for the divine blessing on our undertaking & we can & do entreat your prayers for us that the word of the Lord may here have free course & be glorified & that so there may ever be 'glory to God in the highest, on earth peace & good will toward men.’”

May those words ring just as true, and continue to inspire pride such as that all of Pelham feels today for Christ Church and The Parish of Christ The Redeemer, 175 years from now on September 15, 2193 A.D.  Congratulations, with thanks for all the Church has done for Pelham.

Sincerely,

___________________

Peter D. DiPaola, Jr.

Town Supervisor, Pelham, New York"

Additionally, the Town Board of Pelham has issued a Proclamation designating Sunday, October 6, 2018 as "Christ Church Day."  An image of the Proclamation as well as a transcription of its text (to facilitate search) appear immediately below.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"TOWN OF PELHAM, N. Y.

Proclamation

WHEREAS Founder and first Rector of Christ Church the Rev. Robert, and his family had a profoundly positive influence on our Town.  That influence began even before the Boltons moved to Pelham in about 1837 to live in the home known as 'Rose Cottage' that still stands at 11 Priory Lane before they built Bolton Priory; and

WHEREAS No church stood within the Pelham borders so Town residents flocked to the Rev. Robert Bolton when he served as Rector of St. Paul's Church in East Chester.  While there Rev. Bolton learned how residents of the Town of Pelham hungered for a place to worship so he and his family built the Christ Church with their own hands; and 

WHEREAS The Bolton Family built a glorious church that remains among the most beautiful in the nation and that quickly became part of the fabric of Pelham; and 

THEREFORE Town Supervisor Peter DiPaola; Deputy Town Supervisor Daniel McLaughlin, Councilwoman Rae Szymanski, Councilman Blake Bell and Councilman Timothy Case congratulate the parishioners of The Parish of Christ of Christ the Redeemer on the 175th anniversary of the consecration of Christ Church on September 15, 1843 and do hereby proclaim October 6, 2018

Christ Church Day

Given Under My Hand and Seal the Sixth Day of October 2018

Peter M. DiPaola, Jr."

Christ Church prepared a lovely invitation to its celebration for distribution to Parishioners and others.  The various pages of the invitation, the front and back of the RSVP card and the front of the RSVP envelope appear immediately below.  Following all the invitation images, a transcription of the text appears merely to facilitate search.

Invitation, Page 01.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Invitation, Page 02.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Invitation, Page 03.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Invitation, Page 04.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

RSVP Card, Obverse.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

RSVP Card, Reverse.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

RSVP Envelope, Obverse.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Invitation, Page 01:

[Image of Parish of Christ the Redeemer Banner]

"-----

PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER

PELHAM, NY

-----

175TH

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

-----"

Invitation, Page 02:

[Image of "Christ Church" Painting by William Rickarby Miller]

Built in 1843 of native granite, Christ Church was the culmination of the dedicated efforts of its first rector, The Rev. Robert Bolton.  Two of the Bolton sons, William and John, became the premier stained glass artisans of their time and created many of the stained glass windows in the church, including The Adoration of the Magi, which is the first figured stained glass window made in America.

Two of the Bolton daughters established missions that became Grace Church, City Island, and the Church of the Redeemer in North Pelham.  The Rev. Cornelius Bolton, fourth son of the Rev. Robert Bolton, served as the Rector of the Church of the Redeemer for twenty-five years, starting in 1881.  In 1972, after prayerful consideration by both congregations and both vestries, a decision was made to become the united Parish of Christ the Redeemer Christ Church was selected as the house of worship and the property of the Church of the Redeemer was turned over to the Town of Pelham to be used for a municipal hall, a center for senior citizens and a child care facility.

Banner Photo Credit:  Lily Moureaux Somssen" 

Invitation, Page 03:

"The Rector & Vestry of The Parish of Christ the Redeemer

Invite you to Celebrate 175 Years with Dinner & Dancing

Saturday, October 6, 2018 6:30 pm

New York Athletic Club

Travers Island

Pelham Manor, NY  10803

RSVP by September 28

Cocktail Attire"

Invitation, Page 04:

"175th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE

Claire Allen & Cherrie Greenhalgh

CO-CHAIRS

Jennifer Alleyne

Cathie Arquilla

Angela Barone

Kari Black

Allison Bodenmann

Jeff Bodenmann

Rosemarie Carver

Marie Dumas

Michael Fawcett

John Felicetti

Charlette Finch

Etta Cumbs

John Hastings

Margo Hastings

Jeffrey Hoffman

Carol Ipsen

Erik Ipsen

Missy Kisob

Courtney McGrory

Michael Moynihan

Sandra Rivera

Melissa Roddy

Janet Salvatore

Siggy Sessa

Lily Moureaux Somssen

Ann Sorice

Ann Swanson

Kristin Van Ogtrop

Margaret Young

Barbara Zambelli

THE PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER

The Rev. Matthew Hoxsie Mead

RECTOR

The Rev. Canon Susan Harriss

PRIEST ASSOCIATE

The Rev. Deacon Katie Lawrence

DEACON

Jeffrey Hoffman

ORGANIST & CHOIRMASTER

Marie Main

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR

Walter Roberts

VERGER & SEXTON

Ed Blue

SEXTON

VESTRY

Jeff Bodenmann SENIOR WARDEN

Carol Ispen [sic] JUNIOR WARDEN

Anne Calder TREASURER

Jackie Vigil CLERK

Angela Barone

Curtis Chase

Alice Dean

John Fox

Etta Cumbs

Amy Heese

Jack Kaufmann

Gavin Leckie

Colette Phipps

HOULIHAN LAWRENCE

ARTHUR L. SCINTA

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE INVITATION FOR THE EVENT"

RSVP CARD, Obverse.

"PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER

175th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

10.6.2018

TICKETS (Deadline for Journal listing is September 21)

Table for 10 $5000/Table (Journal Listing)

Bolton Benefactor $500/Ticket (Journal Listing)

Divine Duo $275 for Two Tickets

Stylish Single $150 for One Ticket

For more information, please call 914.738.5515 or email marie@christchurchpelham.org

JOURNAL OPPORTUNITIES (Closing date for Journal ads is September 21)

Full-page color Ad 6"w x 9"h $750

Full page B/W Ad 6"w x 9"h $500

Half-page B/W Ad 6"w x 4.5"h $250

Quarter Page B/W Ad (business card size) $100

For more information on the Journal, please e-mail Missy Kisob at kisob@msn.com

All net proceeds from the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the Parish of Christ the Redeemer will be directed to the 175th Anniversary Capital Campaign."

RSVP Card, Reverse.

"PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER

RSVP by September 28

175th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

10.6.2018

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL FIELDS

Name (as you would like it in all printed materials)

Company (optional)

Address

City/State/Zip

Phone

email

Donation - I / We cannot attend, but would like to donate $___

Enclosed is my check in the amount of $___ (payable to Christ Church)

Contributions & Journal ads are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

$125 per ticket and $1250 table is non-deductible."

RSVP Envelope, Obverse:

"CHRIST CHURCH

THE PARISH OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER

1415 Pelhamdale Avenue

Pelham, NY  10803"

*           *          *          *          *

"100th Anniversary Was Observed At Christ Church, Sunday, Oct. 31

-----

Rev. H. Bonnell Spencer O. H. C., Preached Sermon at Service Marking Centennial of Completion of Church and its Consecration in 1843.

-----

The 100th Anniversary of the completion of Christ Church Pelham Manor, and its formal consecration in 1843, was observed by the parish on the dedication festival of Christ, the King, Sunday, Oct. 31st.  Rev. Thomas Taggard and the Rev. Joseph Barnes Williams are the clergy of the church.

The choral celebration of the Holy Eucharist marked a solemn and joyful thanksgiving offered by the whole parish for the blessings of the century of its life just completed, and a humble re-dedication of effort to carry on the fine application of Christian ideals and life which were exemplified in the lives of the founder of the parish, the Rev. Robert Bolton and his family.

The anniversary sermon on this occasion was delivered by the Rev. H. Bonnell Spencer, Order of the Holy Cross.  Father Spencer is well known in Pelham because of the ten-day preaching mission which he conducted at Christ Church in December, 1940, in association with the Rev. Alan Whittemore, Superior of the Order of the Holy Cross.  

On Oct. 31st, there were the usual 8:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, with parish breakfast and Church School.  At 11:15 a.m. the combined choirs led the procession.

A century-old account of the consecration of the church has been found in 'The Churchman' of Sept. 23, 1843 under the heading 'Episcopal Acts' as follows:

'Friday, Sept. 15, consecrated Christ Church, Pelham, an edifice erected on his own premises by the Rev. Robert Bolton, Rector of St. Paul's Church, East Chester.  The instrument of Donation and Request for Consecration by the Rev. Robert Bolton were presented by him to the Bishop, and read by the Rev. Thomas W. Colt D. D., Rector of Trinity Church, New Rochelle.

'The sentence of consecration was read by the Rev. Thomas Harris; and the Morning Prayer by the Rev. James Milner, D. D., Rector of St. George's Church New York, assisted by the Rev. William Powell, Rector of St. Peter's Church, Westchester, who read the Lessons.

'The sermon was preached by the Bishop who administered Holy Communion.  Eight of the Clergy were present.'

The bishop of the diocese at that time was the Right Reverend Treadwell Onderdonk.

In connection with the centennial celebration a Parish History has been compiled by a committee of laymen of the parish, under the leadership of Edward F. Hudson, James Edgar Morris and Edwin O. Perrin.  The book is profusely illustrated and is dedicated to Miss Arabella Jay Bolton who is now, and has been all her life, an active member of the parish.  Copies of the History may be secured from Mrs. William N. Hurlbut or at the church office.

Services this week have included a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Monday Nov. 1 which was All Saints Day."

Source:  100th Anniversary Was Observed At Christ Church, Sunday, Oct. 31 -- Rev. H. Bonnell Spencer O. H. C., Preached Sermon at Service Marking Centennial of Completion of Church and its Consecration in 1843, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 4, 1943, Vol. 33, No. 31, p. 7, cols. 1-2.

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1922 Cornerstone Laying of Today's Community Church of the Pelhams in Pelhamwood

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It was a ceremony rich with tradition held on what was once the site of the "Old Frog Pond" at the corner of today's Washington and Highbrook Avenues.  The objective was to lay the cornerstone of the Congregational Christian Church, known today as the Community Church of the Pelhams located in Pelhamwood.

The ceremony was held on June 11, 1922.  The lovely half-timbered church was partially built when a large crowd gathered on a hot day to celebrate the event.  

The cornerstone used was not freshly-hewn.  Rather, it once had served as the cornerstone of another significant building.  It was the original corner stone of the Trinity Congregational Church built at 176th Street and Washington Avenue in New York City.  The stone was saved after that church building was "given up for public school purposes, on account of the tremendous change in the character of the population surrounding the church building."  

Even more interestingly, the original contents of the cornerstone laid in 1887 were kept within the stone.  The church added additional contents to the stone related to the Pelham Church.

I have written before about the history of today's Community Church of the Pelhams.  The Church is located at 448 Washington Avenue in a lovely part of Pelham known as Pelhamwood.  Originally part of the Congregational Christian Churches, it is now part of The United Church of Christ that was created in 1957 when the Congregational Christian Churches merged with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches.  For more about the history of the church, see, e.g.:

Tue., Mar. 04, 2014:  Information About the Earliest Years of Today's Community Church of the Pelhams.

Sat., Jan. 25, 2014:  Putting the Finishing Touches on the Lovely New Church in Pelhamwood in 1923.

Today's Historic Pelham Blog article transcribes an article that described the events of the day during the cornerstone laying ceremony.  It also includes immediately below a depiction of the church building as it originally was planned that was published with the article.

"To be new church at Pelhamwood; cornerstone laid yesterday."

Depiction of Today's Community Church of the Pelhams as it

was Originally Planned.  Source:  CORNER STONE OF PELHAM

CHURCH LAID YESTERDAY, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY],

Jun. 12, 1922, No. 9921, p. 7, cols. 3-4.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"CORNER STONE OF PELHAM CHURCH LAID YESTERDAY
-----

Pelham, June 12. -- The cornerstone of the new Congregational church of the Pelhams was laid successfully yesterday.  The corner of Washington and Highbrook avenues, Pelhamwood, witnessed a unique gathering.  On the site of the old frog pond there is arising a beautiful gothic stone and one-half timbered church edifice.  A splendid audience, despite the heat of the day and the gathering clouds at sunset, witnessed the dignified and highly edifying and inspirational ceremony of the laying of the corner stone of the progressive new liberal church of which the Rev. Dr. Wm. Milton Hess is pastor.

The day was a red letter day in the young history of the new church.  

The out-door service began with the singing of the fine old Pilgrim Father hymn, 'O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand, Our Exiled Fathers Crossed the Sea.'  This was followed by the innovation [sic] by Rev. Ralph L. Peterson of the Bedford Park Congregational church, New York city.  Selections from the scriptures were read by Rev. Chas. Francis Potter, who lives in Pelham and who is building a new liberal church on 110th street, New York city.  A solo was next splendidly rendered by Mrs. Habert Smith, of Spokane, Wash.

Mr. Walter E. Hallett, of Bronxville, the deputy comptroller of the Bank for Savings, and a former president of the board of trustees of the Trinity Congregational church, New York city, read an interesting historical record of the church.  He spoke of the wonderfully equipped church plant at 176th street and Washington avenue, New York city, that had to be given up for public school purposes, on account of the tremendous change in the character of the population surrounding the church building.  He spoke very highly of Dr. Hess as minister and church builder.

He was followed by Mr. John Oscar Ball, president of the board of trustees of the new church.  Mr. Ball resides in Pelhamwood, and he bespoke much interest in the new church.  Its progressiveness greatly appealed to him, he said.  He prophesied the church would fill a greatly needed want.  He was enthusiastic about its future; also highly complimenting Dr. Hess.

Brief addresses followed by Dr. James Robert Smith, secretary Congregational church building society, who promised the financial aid of this society later on; by Rev. Ernest M. Holliday, general secretary, Congregational church extension boards, and by Rev. Dr. Chas. W. Shelton, secretary Congregational church extension society.

The Rev. Dr. Wm. Milton Hess then announced the contents of the box in the corner stone.  The old contents, put in when Rev. Dr. Lyman Abbott officiated at the laying of the corner stone originally in 1887 in New York city, and the new contents concerning the removal to Pelhamwood, were interestingly described.  Following a greeting by Walter A. Vonderlieth, of the Pelhamwood association and a trustee of North Pelham, the corner stone was laid by Rev. Dr. Wm. E. Stevens, 33d Mason, past grand master and chaplain of the grand lodge of Masons, state of New York.

A hymn was sung before and after he officiated.

The prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Charles H. Richards, former secretary and now editorial secretary of the Congregational church building society.

Just as the corner stone was laid and after the congregation had gotten into the lower hall of the church building, the terrific wind and rain storm burst, reminding one of the Prophet Elijah's experience in King's 1:18.  God was in the 'Still Small Voice' of conscience as the Rev. Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, of Henry Ward Beecher's Plymouth church, Brooklyn, held the audience spell-bound for another half hour.  

It was a magnificent oration, and it was most fittingly given by Dr. Hillis, the successor of Dr. Lyman Abbott, who made the chief speech at the laying of the identical corner stone, 35 years ago, at 176th street and Washington avenue, New York city.

A splendid God-filled letter from Miss Villa Faulkner Page, leader of the fellowship of the life more abundant of Brooklyn and Manhattan, was next read.  This was followed by a brief greeting from Mary E. T. Chapin, of New York city, of the International New Thought society.  Mrs. Chapin was much appreciated.

The doxology was followed by the benediction given by Rev. Carl S. Weist, of the First Congregational church of Mount Vernon.  

The whole affair was a brilliant success, and many favorable comments were made by those who were fortunate enough to witness the event."

Source:  CORNER STONE OF PELHAM CHURCH LAID YESTERDAY, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 12, 1922, No. 9921, p. 7, cols. 3-4.

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St. Catharine's Broke Ground for Its School Addition in 1939

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During the first years of the 20th century -- certainly before 1903 -- St. Catharine's Church in the Village of North Pelham built a lovely Lyceum building adjacent to the church.  The Lyceum was used as, among other things, a social hall and community gathering space for the congregation and its guests.  The first rector of the church, the Rev. Father Francis McNichol, had greater plans for the Lyceum even when it was first built.  He planned to use it as a Catholic school for youngsters in the region.

The matter was far more complex than it first appeared.  Father McNichol first planned to build a convent to house sisters from the Order of St. Francis to run a Parish school.  Father McNichol oversaw construction of the convent in 1906, arranged for four sisters to move into the new facility, then opened his new school in the former Lyceum building in 1907.  To learn more, see, e.g.:  Tue., Oct. 10, 2017:  New Convent Building Erected at St. Catharine's in 1906 Permitted Opening of St. Catharine's First School in 1907.

By the late 1930s, the little parochial school had developed a reputation for academic excellence.  Consequently, the tiny little school was bulging at the seams.

The original building housed four classrooms.  The classrooms had "sliding walls" to permit rooms to be opened and closed for different purposes.  The school, at that time, handled 135 elementary pupils.

In the late 1930s, the congregation of St. Catharine's began preparing for an expansion of the tiny little school.  They planned to increase its capacity to 329 students with an additional expansion intended for later in the event more than 329 students registered.

On Monday, March 20, 1939, the Reverend Henry F. Hammer, the recently-appointed "administrator" of the Parish of St. Catharine's Catholic Church, oversaw a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a large addition to the school that would add four large classrooms.  Construction additionally involved renovations of the original facility to modernize it and ensure that the entire set of classrooms would look and feel like a single facility.  The Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle, Rector at St. Patrick's Cathedral turned the first spadeful of earth in a ceremony attended by a very large crowd.  The local newspaper reported on the ceremony and said of the planned facility:

"The new addition will be a one-story structure, 52 feet by 57 feet, extending along Second avenue on the South side of the present building and having the same depth towards First avenue as the original structure.  Build in the present school, it will provide four addition classrooms, bringing the total to eight, and will also include an auditorium, a medical room, kitchen, and offices.  The old building will be renovated and modernized.  C. B. J. Snyder, former Chief Architect for the Board of Education in New York City is the designer and the construction work will be done by James H. Keane of Mount Vernon, a member of St. Catherine's Parish."

Preparations for construction began immediately.  Shortly thereafter, at noon on May 8, 1939, a crowd of several hundred Catholic and governmental dignitaries and spectators watched as the Most Rev. Stephen J. Donahue, administrator of the Diocese of New York, officiated at the laying of the cornerstone of the addition.  Inside the cornerstone, the officials placed a small copper box to serve as a time capsule.  It contained "documents giving a brief history of St. Catherine's Church, a list of pupils registered in the school, some 1939 United States coins and two issues of The Pelham Sun containing details of the ground breaking ceremony held March 20 and the advance details of the cornerstone laying."

Over the summer, construction was completed on the expanded school.  The expanded school opened its doors for an expanded student body on Monday, September 11, 1939.

St. Catharine's Church in April, 2011.

*          *          *          *          *

"Begin Work on School Addition  The Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle

breaks ground for the St. Catherine's [sic] School addition.  The 82-year-

old priest scorned the carefully spaded ground which has been prepared

for the ceremony, forcing the spade into the hard ground, much to the

amusement of the spectators.  --  Photo by Pierpont.  Source:  Break Ground

For Addition To School -- Monsignor Lavelle, Rector of St. Patrick's

Cathedral Officiates at Ceremony at St. Catherine's [sic] School, The

Pelham Sun, Mar. 24, 1939, Vol. 28, No. 51, p. 1, cols. 3-4 & p. 5, col. 2.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"Break Ground For Addition To School
-----
Monsignor Lavelle, Rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral Officiates at Ceremony at St. Catherine's [sic] School.
-----

St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Parochial School which has been educating children of the Catholic faith in the Pelhams for more than a quarter of a century in a small four classroom building adjacent to St. Catherine's Church on Second avenue, will be assured of increased facilities with the beginning of the Fall school semester.  On Monday in ground-breaking ceremonies the Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle, Rector at St. Patrick's Cathedral turned the first spadeful of earth.  The work of construction started immediately.  

Monsignor Lavelle officiated at Mass which preceded the ceremony.  He was assisted by the right Rev. Monsignor Joseph Donahue representing the Right Rev. Stephen J. Donahue, Bishop of the Archdiocese; the Rev. John Quinn, rector of St. Francis Xavier Parish in the Bronx, and the Rev. Henry F. Hammer, who was recently appointed administrator of the local parish.  Other priests included the Rev. Arthur A. Campbell and the Rev. Francis Mahoney, assistants to Father Hammer, and the Rev. Vincent J. Campbell, assistant to Father Quinn.

Monsignor Lavelle was welcomed by two young pupils of St. Catherine's School, Robert Strasser and Johanna Burke.  The eighty-two year old clergyman made sure that the earth was truly turned.  He 

(Continued on Page Five.)

BREAK GROUND FOR SCHOOL ADDITION
-----
(Continued from Page One)

took a firm grip on a gilded shovel, forced the blade into the ground with a step of his foot and brought up a shovelful of earth.

The children of St. Catherine's School sang 'The Star Spangled Banner.'  Monsignor Lavelle pronounced the Benediction.

To Open in September

Work on the renovation of the present school and the addition of the new structure, will begin immediately as the first section of the new plan, and be completed in time for the opening of the Fall term in September, Father Hammer has announced.  The new school will provide accommodations for 329 pupils, 190 above the present registration.  A second addition, contingent on the number of applications for admission received, will be started in September.

The new addition will be a one-story structure, 52 feet by 57 feet, extending along Second avenue on the South side of the present building and having the same depth towards First avenue as the original structure.  Build in the present school, it will provide four addition classrooms, bringing the total to eight, and will also include an auditorium, a medical room, kitchen, and offices.  The old building will be renovated and modernized.  

C. B. J. Snyder, former Chief Architect for the Board of Education in New York City is the designer and the construction work will be done by James H. Keane of Mount Vernon, a member of St. Catherine's Parish.

Bishop Stephen J. Donahue, Administrator of the Archdiocese of New York, will lay the cornerstone for the building, May 8th."

Source:  Break Ground For Addition To School -- Monsignor Lavelle, Rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral Officiates at Ceremony at St. Catherine's [sic] School, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 24, 1939, Vol. 28, No. 51, p. 1, cols. 3-4 & p. 5, col. 2.

"To Officiate At Cornerstone Laying  MOST REV. STEPHEN J.

DONAHUE, D. D."  Source:  BISHOP DONAHUE TO OFFICIATE

AT LAYING OF STONE -- Administrator of Diocese Will Confirm

Fifty Children at St. Catherine's [sic] Church on May 8th, The Pelham

Sun, Apr. 28, 1939, p. 1, col. 2.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"BISHOP DONAHUE TO OFFICIATE AT LAYING OF STONE
-----
Administrator of Diocese Will Confirm Fifty Children at St. Catherine's [sic] Church on May 8th.
-----

The Most Rev. Stephen J. Donahue, administrator of the Diocese of New York will officiate at the laying of the cornerstone of the addition to St. Catherine's Parochial School in North Pelham on Monday, May 8.  The Rev. Henry F. Hammer, administrator of the local parish this week announced plans for the ceremonies, which will mark the consecration of the school building under construction on Second avenue adjacent to St. Catherine's Church.  Bishop Donahue will confirm a class of 50 children in the church prior to the laying of the cornerstone.  The speaker for the occasion will be Monsignor Fulton Shean, of Catholic University, Washington, D. C., who is one of the outstanding Catholic speakers, known for his radio addresses.  The program will begin at 11.30 o'clock.

The ceremony of Laying the Cornerstone will begin at noon.  Children of St. Catherine's School will participate.  Supervisor Harold W. Davis will make a short address.  Also included among those who will participate will be the Mayors of the three Pelham villages, Supt. of Schools Joseph C. Brown, Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle, rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral; Monsignor McIntyre Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York, and prelates and priests from many Westchester County parishes."

Source:  BISHOP DONAHUE TO OFFICIATE AT LAYING OF STONE -- Administrator of Diocese Will Confirm Fifty Children at St. Catherine's [sic] Church on May 8th, The Pelham Sun, Apr. 28, 1939, p. 1, col. 2.  

"BISHOP DONAHUE WILL LAY CORNERSTONE OF SCHOOL ON MONDAY
-----

MSGR. SHEAN TO BE SPEAKER AT LOCAL FUNCTION
-----
Administrator of Achdiocese Will Confirm Children Prior to Ceremony at New School Addition.
-----

In consecration of the addition to St. Catherine's [sic] Parochial School in North Pelham, dignitaries of the Catholic Church will participate in ceremonies to be held on Monday beginning at 11.30 o'clock.  The Most Rev. Stephen J. Donahue, Administrator of the Archdiocese of New York will confirm a class of 57 children, all pupils in the school, and will also officiate at the laying of the Cornerstone of the school building, which is situated adjacent to St. Catherine's Church on Second avenue, near First street.

The speaker for the ceremonies at the site of the school building will be Monsignor Fulton Shean of Catholic University, Washington, D. C. who is recognized as one of the outstanding Catholic speakers of the day.  Monsignor Shean's sermons are broadcast by radio every Sunday.

The program has been arranged by the Rev. Henry F. Hammer, Administrator of St. Catherine's parish.  Supervisor Harold W. Davis will speak for the citizens of Pelham.  Also in attendance will be Supt. of Schools Joseph Brown the the Mayors of the Pelham villages.

The dignitaries of the Catholic Church who will attend will include Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle, Rector of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Monsignor McIntyre, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York City, and prelates and priests from southern Westchester County parishes.

Children to be confirmed.

The following children are to be confirmed:  Robert Bowen, Charles Kenneth Baker, John [illegible], Donn Quinn, Gerard Goettel, Edward Campbell, Robert [illegible], John Jennings, Arthur [illegible], David Parsons, John [illegible], James Murray, John Milano, Robert Chandler, Donald [illegible], Gerald Donahue, Fred Miller, Robert Gerrity, Edward La [illegible], Richard Taferner, Raymond [illegible], Lawrence Nack, Louis Whitehead, Bruce Baker, George [illegible] Hammer, Robert Fallon, [illegible] Eberhardt, Jaclyn Kieley, [illegible] McCormack, Emedia Adinolf, Catherine Sullivan, Janet Lang [illegible] Kelly, Barbara Ann [illegible], Adele Drago, Jane Ellen [illegible], Ruth Schuck, Jane Coughlin.

Rose Marie Falciano, Virginia Bowen, Beatric La Voie, Virginia Beam, Teresa Isole, Marion [illegible], Anne Pisani, Marjorie Desno [illegible], Jean Dunham, Constance Coughlan, Betty Nimphius, Florence [illegible], Elizabeth Marsland, Dorothy Zobel, Dolores Seaman, Joan Auer, Marjorie Guilday, Ann Tierney, Joan Maust."

Source:  BISHOP DONAHUE WILL LAY CORNERSTONE OF SCHOOL ON MONDAY -- MSGR. SHEAN TO BE SPEAKER AT LOCAL FUNCTION -- Administrator of Achdiocese Will Confirm Children Prior to Ceremony at New School Addition, The Pelham Sun, May 5, 1939, Vol. 29, No. 5, p. 1, cols. 6-8.  

"Bishop Donahue Officiates at Cornerstone-Laying  Father Hammer

of St. Catherine's Parish addresses congregation after Bishop Donahue,

Administrator of Archdiocese of New York has consecrated foundation

stone of addition to St. Catherine's School in North Pelham.  Seated in

front of the platform in Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle, Rector of St.

Patrick's Cathedral.  Seated on the platform are Bishop Donahue, Msgr.

John Quinn, Msgr. Fulton Shean, Msgr. Joseph Donahue, Msgr. J.D.

Roach and Msgr. Joseph Breslin."  Source:  BISHOP DONAHUE

LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF SCHOOL -- Monsignor Fulton Shean

Gives Inspiring Address at Ceremonies at St. Catherine's [sic] School in

North Pelham, The Pelham Sun, May 12, 1939, Vol. 29, No. 6, p. 1, col. 1

& p. 10, col. 2.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"BISHOP DONAHUE LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF SCHOOL
-----
Monsignor Fulton Shean Gives Inspiring Address at Ceremonies at St. Catherine's [sic] School in North Pelham.
-----

The new addition to St. Catherine's Parochial School was consecrated on Monday when, before a crowd of more than 400 church dignitaries of New York and Westchester, prominent officials of the Pelhams, and members of St. Catherine's Parish.  The Most Rev. Stephen J. Donahue, Administrator of the Archdiocese of New York, officiated at the laying of the cornerstone of the new school.  The ceremony followed the confirmation of a class of 57 children at a Mass held in the church at 11:30 o'clock.  

In a stirring address, Monsignor Fulton J. Shean of Catholic University, Washington, D. C. speaking on the anniversary of his birth, urged the members of St. Catherine's Parish to send their children to the new school that they might receive a religious education.  Pointing out that the Catholic Church had no objection to public schools, Monsignor Shean declared:  'We merely wish to be sure of a complete education.  The education of children is not complete if God is left out.'

The speaker deplored the lack of interest in religion on the part of the state.  'Our states take an interest in religion on the part of the state.  'Our states take an interest in religion when character has already been deformed.  Once the character is broken down, and men and women are behind bars in state institutions, the state says:

(Continued on Page 10)

Bishop Donahue Lays Cornerstone
-----
(Continued from Page 1)

'We will give you a chapel and a chaplain.'  'Then it is too late.  We should take an interest in religion early enough to develop character.  A child is so much plastic clay to be modeled into an image of Christ.  This ceremony today, if it was general in the nation, would create less need of chapels and chaplains in state institutions.'

What is the Source of Human Rights?

In a discussion of religion and democracy, Monsignor Shean declared:  'The basci problem before all nations today is what is the source of human rights, and the liberty of conscience?'  He pointed out that Europe today has given some answers to that question.

'In Italy,' said the Monsignor, 'it is held that rights and liberties are governed by the state.  In Germany by the race and in Russia, the class.  What is America's answer?  Our forefathers, who wrote those first documents (The Declaration of Independence) sought the answer to these same questions.  England said:  'In Parliament'; France said 'In the Will of the Majority, for the will can take away the minority.'

'But our forefathers found that base, and grounded their answers on God.'  Monsignor Shean here quoted the second paragraph in the 'Declaration of Independence':  'We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

'None of the signers of that document were educated in non-religious schools,' Monsignor Shean held.  'The laying of the cornerstone is the marking of a real opoch, it is a concrete manifestation of the link between religion and democracy.'

In the laying of the cornerstone, Bishop Donahue performed the ceremony from a platform with the Rev. Henry F. Hammer, Administrator of St. Catherine's Church on his left and Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle, rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral, at his right.  Encased in the cornerstone was a small, sealed copper box containing documents giving a brief history of St. Catherine's Church, a list of pupils registered in the school, some 1939 United States coins and two issues of The Pelham Sun containing details of the ground breaking ceremony held March 20 and the advance details of the cornerstone laying.

Directly following the ceremony, Father Hammer addressed the gathering and declared that 'This is a blessed day in the history of St. Catherine's Parish.  When completed, this school will be a magnificent unit in the system of Catholic Primary education.

'Primary Catholic education is not new in Pelham,' Father Hammer declared.  'In 1908 [sic; was 1907], as the result of a gift made to Monsignor McNichol by the Iselin family, the present school was built, and, despite the handicaps, has been successful ever since, through the efforts of Monsignor McNichol and the Sisters of St. Francis.'  Father Hammer thanked all those in the Parish who had made the new addition to the school possible.

Supervisor Davis Speaks

Town Supervisor Harold W. Davis then addressed the assemblage and declared the 'achievement of the forces of Education, Culture and Religion is the salvation of humanity.  With the completion of this educational unit, the town, county, state and country has been enriched.  I wish to pledge Father Hammer and members of the parish our hearty cooperation.'

Bishop Donahue was presented with a floral offering by Doris Ann Rhem, and Monsignor Lavelle, who attended the ceremonies on the feast day of his Patron Saint Michael, was presented with a floral wreath by Peggy Warde, both members of the Confirmation Class.

The ceremonies concluded with Bishop Donahue bestowing his blessing on the gathering, and the children's choir of the church, under the direction of the Rev. Francis A. Mahoney, singing 'Holy God We Praise Thy Name.'

Among the church dignitaries present at the affair were Monsignor Joseph Donahue, Pastor of the Ascension Church in New York City; Monsignor William Roche, Pastor of the Holy Spirit Church in New York City; Monsignor Francis Walsh of Peekskill, Dean of the Westchester Clergy; Monsignor Joseph Breslin of White Plains; Monsignor John J. Casey of New York City, former secretary to the late Patrick Cardinal Hayes; Monsignor Aloysius Dineen of New York City and the Rev. Robert I. Gannon, President of Fordham University.  More than 50 priests from all sections of Westchester count also were in attendance.

Among the prominent local officials who attended the affair were Town Supervisor Harold W. Davis, Mayor Dominic Amato of North Pelham and Mayor Edmund C. Gause of Pelham Manor; Superintendent of Pelham Schools Joseph C. Brown and W. W. Fairclough, Principal of Pelham Memorial High School."

Source:  BISHOP DONAHUE LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF SCHOOL -- Monsignor Fulton Shean Gives Inspiring Address at Ceremonies at St. Catherine's [sic] School in North Pelham, The Pelham Sun, May 12, 1939, Vol. 29, No. 6, p. 1, col. 1 & p. 10, col. 2.  

"New St. Catherine's [sic] School Ready for Classes Sept. 11
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Construction on Parochial School in North Pelham Progressing Rapidly; Father Hammer Preparing for Inspection Day.
-----

The new St. Catherine's Parochial School in North Pelham, now under construction, will be ready for occupancy by pupils at the Fall semester, Monday, September 11, according to the announcement of the Rev. Henry F. Hammer, administrator of the parish.  When the pupils return to resume their studies they will be amazed at the change in the educational facilities which the school will afford.  Gone is the small building with its four 'sliding wall' classrooms, and in its place will be an attractive eight-classroom building with school equipment of the most modern type; a spacious gymnasium-auditorium, and with adequate medical office space so necessary to the efficient education of children.

Father Hammer will soon announce a date for Inspection Day at which time parents of school children and other members of the church congregation may view the new school building.  

St. Catherine's School was first opened in 1917 [sic; opened in 1907], and since that time it has been conducted by the Sisters of St. Francis.  Because of its lack of space it has been only able to accommodate 135 pupils in the elementary grades but in spite of the handicap under which the school has been conducted, it has maintained an enviable academic record with the State Board of Regents.  The old school building has been remodeled and tied in with the new construction.

Ground for the new building was broken by the Rev. Monsignor Michael J. Lavelle, rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral on March 18, and on May 8, the Most Rev. Stephen J. Donahue, who was administrator of the Diocese of New York laid the cornerstone.

Father Hammer is making elaborate plans for the dedication of the new school building."

Source:  New St. Catherine's [sic] School Ready for Classes Sept. 11 -- Construction on Parochial School in North Pelham Progressing Rapidly; Father Hammer Preparing for Inspection Day, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 25, 1939, Vol. 29, No. 21, p. 1, cols. 5-6.

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