[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17668]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALL SAINTS ROMAN CATHOLIC 
                                 CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2010

  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate 
All Saints Roman Catholic Church on its momentous 150th Anniversary. 
The history of All Saints, located in Bridesburg, in Northeast 
Philadelphia, is the chronicle of a dedicated group of faithful 
parishioners determined to establish a spiritual home. The founding 
families were immigrants seeking to build a congregation where language 
was not a barrier. In 1860, a shortage of priests and a scarcity of 
money to buy land to build a church challenged the founders' efforts. 
These adversities were overcome with the help of His Grace, Father 
James F. Wood, Archbishop of Philadelphia, who requested that the 
existing Holy Trinity Church establish a parish for German-speaking 
people in their community.
  On August 15, 1860 the original cornerstone was laid at Holy Trinity 
church. Immediately, Bridesburg's dedicated founding families and 
settlers raised the needed funds culminating in the building and 
dedication of the first church building located at the corner of 
Edgemont and Buckius Streets on February 3, 1861. It was not long 
before the parish established a school and celebrated its' first 
baptisms, weddings, and spiritual and social events.
  Through the years, All Saints embraced immigrants who worked on area 
farms and as the neighborhood became industrialized, welcomed employees 
of the Rohm and Haas plant. The history of the church is rich in 
efforts to foster dedication to religious heritage and community. The 
parish plans a Mass of Celebration and Thanks on November 7, 2010.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating this 
milestone anniversary of All Saints Parish and wishing the congregation 
many more years as a source of spiritual and community strength.

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