The History of St. Patrick Church
Kennett Square, Pa.

The Original St. Patrick Church -- Circa 1870

Up until the Civil War period, Catholics in the Kennett Square area attended Mass at St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Delaware. At that time, the State of Delaware was part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In the late 1860s the Diocese of Wilmington was formed and Kennett Square Catholics found themselves without a Church in their own diocese. 

For several years the Reverend John Wall, a zealous missionary from Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Chester Heights, Delaware County, traveled by horseback to Kennett Square and said Mass in different homes in the area. 

Father Wall is credited with collecting money and erecting the original Saint Patrick Church. It is still standing and is located in Kennett Square Borough on South Street. St. Patrick Church was the first Catholic parish in southern Chester County and only the sixth parish established in all of Chester County. 

On Christmas Day, 1869, the Catholics of Kennett enjoyed the privilege of attending Mass for the first time in a Church of their own. The Church was a frame building measuring 60 feet by 35 feet and was not completely finished until 1872. Archbishop Wood dedicated the Church and administered Confirmation on September 1, 1872.  The building was used for more than 35 years until the present Church on Meredith Street replaced it. 

Recent History

Rev. David H. Benz served as Assistant Pastor at St. Patrick Church from June 1999 through June 2001 when he was transferred to St. Jude's parish in Chalfont, Buck's County.  We wish Father every success in his new assignment.  He will be missed.

Our Historic Church, School and Parish

St. Patrick Parish, founded in the borough on Christmas Day, 1869, is one of the most historic entities in town.  The present church on Meredith St. was consecrated in 1907.  This church is the second one built; the first building still exists (see above).  Our school was built in 1927.  

Many builders, and others who are interested in such things, have stopped by over the years to admire the stone work and fine workmanship that went into our church and school construction.  The church has been visited and admired by many historians and students of church architecture and design.  It is a fine example of a late 19th, early 20th century Roman Catholic church.

Our stained glass windows have come in for particular study.  Currently, the art department of a Philadelphia university has asked permission to record the windows and include them in a book about American stained glass.  They are considered among the finest of their type to be found.  The windows were imported from Munich, Germany.

The pews in the church are solid red oak.  The estimate today is that the duplication of a single pew would cost thousands of dollars.  What could be more valuable in a neighborhood than this visible symbol of a worshiping parish?