St. Bernadette of Lourdes
Our School History...

(Excerpts taken from The Parish of St. Bernadette of Lourdes 50th anniversary book)

On September 28, 1947, Monsignor Joseph A. O’Brien, our founding Pastor, celebrated the very first Mass of the newly established Parish of St. Bernadette of Lourdes. The Mass was celebrated in a home (901 Foss Avenue) that Father O’Brien purchased shortly after he received word from the Archdiocese that he would lead a new parish in the Drexel Hill section of Upper Darby Township.

On July 2nd, 1947, ground was purchased for the future parish buildings. In September a contract was signed for construction of the Auditorium Chapel. Those plans were later supplemented to provide two additional floors for school classrooms. The parish site was located between Turner and Harper Avenues and between Bond and Marvine Avenues.

On April 6, 1948, The Sisters of Notre Dame accepted the challenge of forming the parish school. School opened for the first time in September of 1948. Three Sisters of Notre Dame welcomed the first 127 students, beginning a rich educational tradition that continues today. The Sisters traveled back and forth daily from Villanova. There were six grades in the beginning and each Sister taught two grades at a time. What was to become a great grade school rivalry was temporarily set aside, as for one year the school children of St. Dorothy’s Parish occupied the third floor of the new building.

In 1951 both the convent and rectory buildings were completed. Sister Jeanne Finnegan and six Sisters of Notre Dame moved into the convent.

In March of 1953 it was announced that permission was granted to St. Bernadette of Lourdes Parish to begin construction of the new church. On October 17th, 1954, The Most Reverend John F. O’Hara, the new Archbishop of Philadelphia, blessed and dedicated the Church of St. Bernadette of Lourdes.

Over the next 25 years the number of parish members increased, as did enrollment in the school. The school children attained outstanding recognition for their academic and athletic achievements. While winning many scholastic honors and scholarships, several athletic programs were offered to both the girls and boys. The trophy case in the school reflects the talents of the children who participated in the many athletic teams. Who can forget the "epic" battles on the football field between "Bernies" and "Dot’s." For over 50 years, the annual "Turkey Bowl" continues to draw more spectators than many of the local high school games on Thanksgiving Day. It was not unusual to see fans of both schools lined two and three deep completely surrounding the gridiron at Melson’s Tract, known today as Dermond Field.

In 1972 the Sisters of Notre Dame, who opened the school and began teaching in 1948, announced a change in their mission, which meant they would be leaving the school. While feeling great sadness at this news, students, parents, and parishioners were also filled with gratitude over the pioneering work they performed in starting the school and the standard of excellence they began and which is maintained today in St. Bernadette School.

The administration of the school continued in good hands with the Sisters of St. Joseph in September of that same year. Long recognized as one of the superior teaching orders with the Archdiocese, the St. Joseph nuns continued to guide our students on the path of excellence.

After 51 years of serving the faithful in various Archdiocesan parishes, but particularly in founding and serving St. Bernadette Parish for more than 26 years, Monsignor O’Brien officially retired in 1975. For several years following his retirement, Monsignor O’Brien continued to be active in the parish, continuing to offer daily and Sunday Masses and the distribution of Holy Communion.

Monsignor O’Brien was succeeded by the Reverend George J. Dougherty, who came to us after having served as pastor at St. Martha’s parish in Philadelphia.

The year 1983 marked another change in the staffing of the school as the Sisters of St. Joseph announced they were leaving the parish and school. Soon after, it was announced that the school would be administered and staffed by the Oblate Sisters of St. Francis DeSales. The excellence of the scholastic experience enjoyed by our students not only continued under the Sisters of St. Francis DeSales but even higher achievement and accomplishments were soon noted.

On November 6, 1986, at a special evening Mass, the United States Department of Education presented St. Bernadette School its prestigious "Excellence in Education" award. This national recognition was a major accomplishment. Sixty-eight thousand elementary schools throughout the nation were eligible for this award. St. Bernadette was one of only 272 schools chosen, one of only 60 non-public schools chosen, one of only 34 Catholic schools nationwide chosen.

St. Bernadette School was the only parochial school chosen in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, in fact, the only parochial school chosen throughout the state of Pennsylvania. What a proud moment for our parish, school, its staff, the students, their parents, and especially the Oblate Sisters. Most of the Oblate Sisters serving in the United States were on hand for the ceremony. Again, the spirit of St. Bernadette shined forth.

In 1988 another change in the administration of the parish became necessary when poor health prompted Father Dougherty to ask the Archdiocese for help. They answered the call by appointing Father William A. Wright as parish administrator. In 1989, realizing that his health would not permit him to return as pastor, Father Dougherty officially retired. Cardinal Bevilacqua then named Father Wright as the third pastor of St. Bernadette Parish.

On December 24, 2008, God called Father Wright to his eternal home after a courageous battle with cancer. The Archdiocese appointed Reverend John J. Kelly, who arrived in February 2009 to replace Father Wright as pastor of St. Bernadette Parish.

In early 2010 it was announced that the Oblate Sisters were receiving new assignments and would be leaving our school after 27 years of service.

Ms. Janet Lien, a Catholic School educator for over 15 years, was named as the new school Principal in May 2010 beginning in the 2010-11 school year.

The Sisters’ departure opened up new possibilities for use of the parish Convent. Over the summer and into the fall of 2010, the convent was renovated and transformed into "The Wright Center for Early Childhood Education", named lovingly after former pastor Reverend William A. Wright. This center houses programs to accommodate the needs of families with our youngest parishioners. It includes the Mother’s Morning Out program for 2-year-olds, the Lunch Bunch program for Preschool and Half-Day Kindergarten children, and the Morning and Afternoon CARES program.

In an ever-changing environment, the administration, faculty members and staff continue to work together to provide a quality, faith-based education and to enable families to entrust their children to the wonderful school that is St. Bernadette of Lourdes.