Ref: Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Directory 1983
Our thanks to Helen M. (Webber) Imburgia (HMWEBBER@aol.com) for this information added   4/16/2000

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Lay Faculty

Convent: St. Madeline Convent, 405 Tome St., Ridley Park, PA 19078

Ref: Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Directory 1983
Our thanks to Helen M. (Webber) Imburgia (HMWEBBER@aol.com) for this information added   4/16/2000

Thanks to Ann Clark, Pudgyie@aol.com, for these additions:

Father Coleman of Immaculate Heart of Mary School at 2nd and Norris St. is very well known and I know that some people will remember him and Father Mcsherry who used to net out punishments in the cafeteria "

Class of 1945 - Photo courtesy of Anthony Brida

First Communion picture taken in front of the shrine of Mary 1960; Photo courtesy of Mike Majeski

If you were greeted by "Butch", the E. F. White Funeral Home dog on your way to school each day, there's a picture of him here.

September 24, 1883 was a red letter day in the annals of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish.  Father McGlynn had been anxious to start a Parochial School, and it was on this date that the cornerstone of the school was laid and blessed.  Solemn Vespers was celebrated in the afternoon, with the Very Reverend Maurice A. Walsh, V.G., officiating and preaching the sermon on Catholic Education.  Assisting in the ceremony were the Reverend Joseph F. O'Keefe, of the Immaculate Conception Church, Philadelphia, deacon; Reverend Aloysius Fretz, of Immaculate Heart, Chester, sub-deacon; and Reverend James E. Mulholland, pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Philadelphia, Master of Ceremonies.  The ceremonies were brought to a close with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament, after which a procession was formed and the priests, laity and choir proceeded from the front entrance of the Church where the foundation of the new school had been laid.  Here, at the northwest corner, in the presence of a great throng, the cornerstone was blessed.

The school building, ninety-six feet long, fifty-four feet wide, and three stories high, was brought to completing during the summer of 1883, and the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were placed in charge immediately.  The first Community of Sisters consisted of Mother M. Eulalia Greth, who had been Mistress of Novices, Sister Mary Charles Dormer, Sister M. Seraphine Hughes, Sister M. Nepomucene O'Connor, and Sister M. Loyola Gallagher.  These six pioneers reached Chester on Thursday, August 30, 1883, and school commenced the following Monday, September 3, with a registration of 120.  When they first came to the Parish, the sisters occupied a temporary convent at 1403 West Third Street directly opposite the Church, but the following year they moved to 1313 West Third Street.  Later they moved to 1308 West Third Street, and finally at a later date a convent was built on Norris Street between Second and Third Streets, directly opposite the school.

It may be said without hesitation and exaggeration, that the growth and preservation of the Church in South Chester are due to no small extent to the unstinting labors of these self-sacrificing women.  No better proof of this happy result can be had than the fact that from its hallowed school rooms have gone forth men and women who are among our leading and prominent citizens.  These noble women never forgot that every child that enters their school room is born to live two lives, a short one in society here and an eternal one with God hereafter.  Therefore, it must be fitted on both; it must be so reared that it will become a good, useful citizen on earth and a Saint in Heaven.  The moral side of the child's nature needs education also.   Secular and religious knowledge instruct the mind, but that the child might become a good and efficient citizen in society and that it might love and serve God it must have its heart and conscience educated.

- Mike Majeski