Thanking heaven for 50 years

Stella Maris Parish has come a long way from the days of holding Mass in the old Plaza movie house on Broad and Porter streets.

And now the half-century-old church and school will celebrate their golden anniversary with a spectacular gala Feb. 15 at the SteelWorkers Union Hall on Columbus Boulevard. Cardinal Justin Rigali will be on hand for a 2 p.m. Mass.

"Everybody involved with Stella Maris Parish is looking forward to the celebration of our anniversary," said Monsignor James Connelly, the longtime church pastor.

The seeds of Stella Maris Parish were planted after World War II, when the population of South Philly’s southernmost area was growing at an unprecedented rate.

All Roman Catholic families in the burgeoning neighborhoods were members of either Epiphany of Our Lord Parish at 11th and Jackson or Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish at 2319 S. Third St.

Epiphany School could not handle the increase in its student population and, by 1952, Philadelphia Archbishop John O’Hara decided the area needed not only a new school but also a new parish.

After years of negotiations over a plot of land at 10th and Bigler streets, the archdiocese bought 2.6 acres from a couple with the last name Magazu for $64,400 on Jan. 26, 1954.

Because of the proximity to the Delaware River, the Navy Yard and Philadelphia’s shipping ports, the parish was named "Stella Maris," or "Our Lady, Star of the Sea" — a reference to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was officially founded on Feb. 11, 1954.

The defunct Plaza movie theater at Broad and Porter served as a temporary church until a permanent building could be completed.

Shortly after the purchase of the original 2.6 acres, another 2.9 acres was purchased for $90,000. The founding pastor, Monsignor Edward McLaughlin, established a temporary rectory and convent at 3103-07 and 3117-23 S. 13th St. in 1954.

A school and adjacent building — which became the church — opened in 1956 at 814 Bigler St. Originally, the adjacent building was supposed to be used as a gym, but the parish never had enough money to purchase another building for a church.

The school opened on Feb. 3 with seven sisters, one lay teacher and 583 students. The church held its first service on April 1 — Easter morning.

When Monsignor McLaughlin died in March 1985, parishioners were still planning to construct a "permanent" church at 10th and Bigler. The plan has since been abandoned, and parishioners have made peace with their gym-shaped church.

Cardinal John Krol appointed Monsignor Connelly the second pastor of Stella Maris Parish in May 1985.

The parish — whose boundaries are north of the Navy Yard, south of Porter Street, east of Broad Street and west of Seventh Street, including residents on Randolph Street and between Fifth and Seventh south of Oregon Avenue — has 9,000 registered members.

But the population is aging; almost 55 percent of Stella Maris’ registered parishioners are over 55.

"Since 1985, almost 2,000 funeral Masses have been held," said Connelly. "I have seen a lot of good people pass on."

The monsignor also noted the church has experienced a decline in attendance at Sunday services.

"A lessening of devotion, the priest sex-abuse scandal, and many other factors may be the reasons why people are not coming to church," he said.

Connelly said he has addressed members’ concerns, particularly about the incidents of sexual abuse, during services.

"I tell you, 98 percent of priests are good, hardworking Catholics who frown upon such actions," he said. "People should came back to the church and worship."

Despite the dropoff in attendance, Stella Maris has enjoyed an influx of donations that funded new roofs, carpeting, air conditioners, steps and other improvements over the past few years.

The school stresses cutting-edge learning, and requires students in every grade to take a computer-training course.

"The students will not be able to function in society unless they can operate a computer and other technology," said Connelly.

Aside from a school and a place of worship, Stella Maris also serves as a "town hall" for the surrounding neighborhood. Recent meetings held in the church’s basement auditorium addressed the demolition of Veterans Stadium to the rehabilitation of the field at 12th and Bigler streets.

Connelly has built his own history with Stella Maris in his two decades as pastor. His office is filled with mementos, including a letter from former President Ford and a picture with Grace Kelly and Price Rainier of Monaco.

"Even though I am proud of all the things in my office," said Connelly, "I am most grateful for the thank-you letter I received in 1993 from the children of the school."

The monsignor, an avid golfer, will retire in three years at age 75. He said he remains a fervent believer that "a strong neighborhood means a strong parish, and a strong parish means a strong neighborhood."

"I may not be around forever," said Connelly, "but Stella Maris Parish will be around for many more years to come."

For more information about the Stella Maris gala and the 2 p.m. Mass with Cardinal Justin Rigali on Feb. 15, call 215-465-2336.

Constructed by John McShain, Inc., the Stella maris School building was completed by early 1956.

The 50-year-old Stella Maris structure at 814 Bigler St. still stands as a beacon of state-of-the-art Catholic schooling and worship.