Tracing the legacy of Mary Queen of Peace—from its beginnings as an independent Catholic parish in 1919, through its consolidation in 2008, to its present-day role and preservation as a beloved historical Catholic Chapel approaching its centennial anniversary.

In the early days of St. Patrick's parish, the people of Mt. Laffee were obliged to walk to Pottsville to attend divine service. The parents and grandparents of the present generation in Mt. Laffee walked the three miles to town summer and winter, and at times twice on a Sunday. Distance or inclement weather meant nothing to them and only severe illness kept them from attending Holy Mass and other devotions.

True, they longed for a chapel nearby and besought their pastor to establish one among them. Thus, over fifty years ago, Rev. D. J. McDermott, the noted scholar and preacher, celebrated the first Mass for them in the old stone school building which still stands at the top of Mt. Laffee hill. Ever since that time Mass has been provided for the people of Mt. Laffee, first in the stone school building and later in the new frame school, the school board of the township generously offering the use of their buildings for that purpose.

Several attempts were made to build a chapel to be used exclusively for church services, but all were abandoned. When a modern school was erected close to the old one in 1927, the latter was purchased from the school board by Mrs. William Grace, who turned it over to the church to be used as a chapel. It was intended at first to remodel this building, but upon investigation it was learned that a new and more substantial building could be erected at a little more cost. At a meeting of the people, it was decided to adopt the latter course and plans were drawn up by Architect F. X. Reilly, of Pottsville, for a new structure. These plans were approved by the diocesan officials and called for a fire-proof building of hollow tile and stucco with brick trimmings. A Spanish type building, capable of seating 250 people, and containing sacristies for priests and altar boys, and a spacious gallery on the main floor, with a large hall, stage and dressing rooms in the basement, was adopted.

The contract for the erection of the building was awarded to the firm of John Houser & Co., of Pottsville, who immediately began the work on a site cleared and prepared by some of the men of Mt. Laffee. The cornerstone was laid by Monsignor Nash, assisted by Rev. Francis Siegfried, a native of Pottsville, and professor of philosophy in the diocesan seminary at Overbrook.

The sermon on the occasion was delivered by Rev. William Higgins, chaplain at the Orwigsburg orphanage. The chapel was placed under the patronage of St. Theresa, commonly known as the Little Flower of Jesus. It was dedicated by Father Shay, who also sang the First Mass in it.

Christmas Day, 1927. The choir of Mt. Laffee assisted at the Mass and received merited words of congratulation for their beautiful rendering of the Missa Brevis.

The chapel, completely furnished, represents an outlay of about $25,000.00, and is without doubt one of the prettiest and most devotional chapels in the diocese. Most of the furnishings were the gifts of the people of Mt. Laffee and the building stands as an outward sign of the deep and sincere faith of those who contributed to its erection and decoration.

Thus after half a century of longing and waiting, the people of Mt. Laffee have been provided with a suitable place of worship and they take a just pride in the home they have built for their Eucharistic God.

This chapel was honored with the presence of the Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, Michael J. Crane, who administered the Sacrament of Confirmation within its walls on Monday, May 21, 1928, when 46 boys, 39 girls and five adults were made soldiers of Jesus Christ through this holy sacrament.

For many years a chapel was contemplated in the northern section of the City of Pottsville to care for the Catholic people of that district. Both pastors of the two original Catholic parishes of the city saw the necessity of a separate church for the faithful of Fishbach and Jalappa on account of the overcrowding of St. Patrick's Church, and the long distance to St. John's. However, their plans did not materialize, and it was not until the year 1919 that the present head of the Diocese of Philadelphia, His Eminence, Cardinal Dougherty, thought the time opportune to establish a separate parish for the convenience of these people.

Rt. Rev. Monsignor James Nash, a native of Fishbach, and Rev. Daniel McGettigan, of Philadelphia, were directed by His Eminence to view the territory with the purpose of making boundary lines for the new parish. As a result of their labors, the Cardinal directed in a letter dated December 13, 1919, that a new parish would be established with headquarters at Fishbach and beginning at Centre and Nichols Streets, with a mission church at Mt. Laffee. Thus, the people living within the city limits north of Nichols Street and those living in New Street and Mt. Laffee were to be separated from their mother church, to be formed into a new congregation with their own parish buildings and pastor.

Rev. George W. Shay, pastor of Mary Star of the Sea Church, Branchdale, and a native of Pottsville, was directed to take charge of the new parish and to purchase suitable land for the erection of the necessary parish buildings.

After several months of negotiation, in which he was assisted by Hon. John F. Whalen and John W. Higgins, the real estate broker, Father Shay, with the approval of the Archbishop, purchased the Seltzer property located on the east side of Centre Street, just below No. 3 cemetery. A plot of ground extending over two hundred feet on Centre Street, and two hundred and sixty-five feet on Temple Street, was obtained at a cost of almost $41,000.00.

This site, situated upon high ground, was ideal for church purposes and contained four large buildings in the front and stables in the rear. To this original purchase was added, a few years later, the plot of ground on the side of the hill now used as a playground for the school children.

Money for the purchase price was borrowed and the deeds to the property were transferred to the diocese without further delay.

Father Shay was directed to take possession of the parish May 4, 1920, and to place it under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the title of Queen of Peace.

--

A large, modern brick building on the premises was occupied as a rectory and its first floor was converted into a temporary chapel. Mass was celebrated there on weekdays and Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals conducted in it.

On Sundays, one Mass was read in the Armory building on Centre Street, and a second in the public school house at Mt. Laffee. In the meantime, the buildings in the rear of the property were being converted into a more spacious and more convenient chapel, and on August 15th, after an outlay of about $10,000.00, this chapel was ready for occupancy.

Monsignor Nash, by invitation, read the First Mass in the building at seven o'clock on the morning of the Feast of the Assumption and gave a beautiful and inspiring talk on the Gospel of the day, “Blessed are the eyes that see the things that you see, and the ears that hear the things that you hear.” At ten o'clock, Rev. Patrick J. Dailey, as the representative of the Archbishop, blessed the new edifice and sang the Mass of Dedication. The sermon was preached by Rev. Daniel S. Conahan, then pastor of St. Ambrose Church, Schuylkill Haven. A large number of priests assisted at the ceremony and voiced their congratulations. From that day, our Lord took up His abode in the converted stable, and a new Bethlehem was established among us.

During this period, Father Shay was alone, and soon the need of an assistant priest was made manifest, as two Masses were necessary on Sundays in the Pottsville chapel and one in Mt. Laffee. A short while before Christmas, 1920, Rev. James Devine was appointed as the first assistant in the new parish. Thus Father Shay was enabled to apply himself more vigorously to the reduction of the debt and each succeeding year found a substantial decrease in the amount. Within three years, or to be exact, on March 2, 1923, the last of the original debt, together with the cost of the chapel, was paid. The total cost of the property, including interest, recording of deed, new lot, etc., was $44,089.97. To this sum must be added ten thousand dollars, the cost of the temporary chapel, all of which was paid together with current expenses within the three-year period. To the members of the parish and a few friends is due this wonderful exhibition of loyal church support.

During this period, Father Devine was succeeded by Rev. James A. Quinn as assistant priest. Just recently ordained to the holy priesthood, Father Quinn, full of zeal and priestly energy, devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work and was an efficient and able co-worker in the spiritual and temporal affairs of the parish. In June, 1924, Rev. Paul A. Lambert arrived as the new curate and remained for three years.

With the debt expunged, provision was made for the establishment of a parochial school for the children of the parish and a convent for the nuns who were to teach them. The original Seltzer home was remodeled and enlarged for school purposes and fitted with desks to accommodate over two hundred children. The property at the corner of Temple Street was changed into a convent suitable to house ten nuns.

--

The Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary were placed in charge of the school and four of them, under the directorship of Mother Antoninus, took possession in August, 1925. The school opened the next month with a registration of about 150 pupils and the course of studies embraced eight grades, to which was added later on a two years' junior high or commercial course. Mother Antoninus was succeeded by Mother Germanus in 1928, and under the able management of these nuns and of those assisting them, our school made rapid advance in piety and learning.

At present about 160 pupils are enrolled with seven in St. Patrick's High School. Seven were graduated in June, 1929, from our commercial course and constitute our first graduating class. These improvements entailed an outlay of $40,000.00, another heavy debt for our small congregation to bear. However, with the able assistance of Father Lambert, the pastor found the burden not too heavy and in a few years it was almost entirely wiped out.

About this time the need of improvements and repairs to the Rectory was made manifest. This building, one of the most substantial and imposing in the entire city, was not constructed for a dwelling for priests and so a number of changes had to be made to insure more privacy for those living in it. The entire building needed to be painted, papered, and improved in general. Nothing had been done to it since its purchase seven years ago. Hence a contract was given for these necessary changes and the work was completed during the fall and winter of 1927. The Rectory now stands as one of the most complete and most comfortable in the entire diocese, and is a source of wonder to all who enter it.

--

After three years of hard and efficient labor, Father Lambert was transferred to a larger and more important parish and was succeeded by Father Henry D. McPeak, who had been recently ordained to the holy priesthood. About this time the temporary chapel in Pottsville began to show the results of its years of use, and the need of repairs was made evident. A meeting of the parishioners was called to discuss the matter and after a lively debate, it was agreed that a new church should be erected rather than put more money into the old chapel which in a few years would have to be abandoned.

Though labor conditions were poor and the immediate future held no great promise of constant employment, it was decided to undertake the work of erecting a new church on the ground between the rectory and convent. The necessary permission was granted by the Archbishop and no time was lost in commencing the work.

The plans and drawings of Architect G. C. Freeman, of Reading, were approved and adopted by the Building Committee of the Diocese and the Cardinal. Permission was also granted to the pastor of the parish to undertake the erection of the edifice without a contractor and under the supervision of the architect and a foreman. This plan was adopted for the two-fold purpose of saving money and of giving employment to those members of the parish who would seek it.

The style of architecture called for a building somewhat similar to the chapel in Mt. Laffee and capable of seating 525 people. In size it would be approximately 120 feet long and 60 feet in width and would be constructed of steel frame with hollow tile walls and California stucco finish.

Work of construction was begun in the spring of 1928 and when the cold weather set in, the building was under roof. It was decided to postpone the interior finishing of the building until the spring of the following year. With the advent of propitious weather, no time was lost in again undertaking the work and soon the sound of hammer and saw was heard within the walls.

Cardinal Dougherty had promised to visit Pottsville and lay the cornerstone of the new church in the spring of 1929. Word was sent to him that we were ready for the ceremony and he appointed Thursday, April 11th, for the day of his visitation. The cornerstone, the gift of Philip Storch, a non-Catholic and a generous contributor to the parish, was prepared and everything was made ready for the visit of the head of the diocese. The following account of the ceremony appeared in the evening edition of a local newspaper, the “Republican.”

--

CARDINAL OFFICIATES AT THE MARY QUEEN OF PEACE CORNERSTONE LAYING

“His Eminence, Dennis Cardinal Dougherty, Archbishop of Philadelphia, laid the cornerstone of the new Mary Queen of Peace Church, on Thursday morning at 10:30 o'clock, in the presence of over 400 parishioners and friends of the parish.

“The rectory, church and other parish buildings and homes in the neighborhood were bedecked in the national and papal colors in honor of the occasion, and prior to the laying of the cornerstone a short procession was held from the rectory to the church. The children of the school took part in the procession and all of them carried American flags and wore bows of red, white and blue on their arms or on their heads.

“After the procession filed into the church, the Cardinal took his place before the altar, which had been temporarily set up for the ceremonies, and the ‘Ecce Sacerdos Magnus’ was chanted by the clergy led by the Revs. Joseph Toye and Owen Donnelly. The Deacon to the Cardinal and of the ceremonies was the Rev. Henry Walsh, assistant rector of St. Mary's, St. Clair, and the Sub-Deacon was the Rev. John Foorly, assistant rector of St. Kieran's, Heckscherville. The Rev. Joseph Rhodes, assistant rector of Mary Queen of Peace, was the master of ceremonies.

“The Rt. Rev. Msgr. George Leech, pastor of St. Patrick's, occupied the place of honor at the right of the altar, with the Very Rev. Joseph M. Corrigan, D.D., LL.D., of St. Charles Seminary, and the Rev. James McCloskey, pastor of St. Mary's, St. Clair, as his deacons. The other clergy occupied seats on either side of the altar.

“Following the chanting of the ‘Ecce Sacerdos Magnus,’ the Cardinal, with his deacons and Father Rhodes and a group of altar boys, proceeded to the exterior of the church, where the marble cornerstone was ready to slip into its place in the southwest corner of the building. Due to the cold weather and the inconvenience and confusion that would arise, the other clergy and people remained in the church while the Cardinal was placing the cornerstone in position. As the Cardinal and his assistants were leaving the church the children's orchestra played ‘America the Beautiful’ and the school children joined in the singing of this number.

“On the return of the Cardinal to the church, he preached a short sermon, and then presided at solemn benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, after which the Cardinal, accompanied by all the priests, with the exception of Rev. Shay and Rev. Dougherty, left the church to go to the rectory. Father Dougherty then gave a short sermon, and was followed by Father Shay, who expressed his thanks to the clergy and the people for their assistance.”

--

CARDINAL'S ADDRESS / FATHER DOUGHERTY'S SERMON

“The explanation of the prayers used in the ceremony formed the theme for the Cardinal's address. In those prayers, he said, are contained the reasons for the building of the church, first to venerate the name of Christ, and secondly to provide a suitable place of worship for the people.

“The fear of God and brotherly love are inculcated into us by the teachings of the church and through it paganism has been abolished and civilization advanced to its present high state. The Church has also aided very materially in the placing of women into their rightful place in society, raising them from the low position they occupied at the time of the old Greek and Roman civilization.

“The closing of the churches in Russia and Mexico, and the substitution of other religions, has worked against the republics, the action of the government dispelling the rightful fear of God that pervaded the hearts of the people and today they are lawless and blood flows freely in both countries.

“The Church is the home of the soul and it is there that we should begin and end our lives. In the church the children are baptized and from its portals we are borne to our last resting place.

“The Cardinal expressed his surprise and gratification at the work that has been done in the Mary Queen of Peace parish in the nine years it has been established in the city. In that time all the required parish buildings, such as a school, rectory and convent, have been erected and now the parishioners are on the last stage of the work of erecting their church. Such a record pleased the Cardinal very greatly and he congratulated Father Shay and his assistants who have served under him since the parish was established, and the parishioners who have always been ready and willing to lend a hand in the work to be done.

“In closing he said: ‘You have begun well, now finish well the work you have started.’

“Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by the Cardinal, after which he left the church while the children's choir sang the recessional hymn, ‘Holy God.’”

FATHER DOUGHERTY'S SERMON

“Father Dougherty had as his text, ‘Go ye, therefore, teach all nations, teaching them whatsoever I have commanded you,’ which was Christ's instructions to His Apostles and Disciples, and which has been carried out by them and their successors.

“Father Dougherty asked the people to practice their religion, and not just to make it a matter of attending services an hour or so on one day in the week, but instead to make their lives a living example of what they believe. This method of living has more effect than all the sermons and advice of the clergy, as it is a practical example of Christianity. He also spoke of the founding and history of the Catholic Church and of her work through the ages.”

--

CONCLUSION OF CEREMONY / POEM / BELL

“Following Father Dougherty's sermon, Father Shay took occasion to express his thanks to the Cardinal for his first visit to the parish since it was founded, and for the participation of the Cardinal and clergy in the laying of the cornerstone of the final parish building. He thanked the clergy for their turnout to honor the parish with their presence at this important event in the parish history.

“Father Shay spoke of the work of the people in aiding him to build the parish up to its present condition. Appointed as rector of the parish when it was founded nine years ago, Father Shay with the active co-operation of the members of the parish built the school, convent and rectory, and the Chapel of the Little Flower in Mt. Laffee, all of the buildings being erected and the debts wiped out through the contributions of the people.

“The new church was started in the summer of the past year, and the exterior is now completed and the interior work remains yet to be done. When completed the church will be one of the most beautiful in the region. No columns or pillars mar the interior beauty of the body of the church, the roof being supported through truss work, and will give the visitor to the church an unobstructed view of the entire interior.”

THE CORNERSTONE

Anointed hands unto the opening crept
(Upon this morn where springtime's radiance hung;)
And in its bosom laid with prayer divine
A wealth of budding glory yet unsung.
Then 'neath its portal, though each line obscure,
Swept canticles of praise as prelate trod
With reverential step to bless each part
That soon shalt shelter the Eternal God.

And now the road is gained, the pathway dear,
That God's Ambassador with zealous will
Hath visioned, sought, through every act and hour —
Because God's high command it would fulfill.

— Anna M. Flaherty

BLESSING OF THE BELL

On the Sunday preceding the laying of the cornerstone, an 800 pound bell, the gift of Andrew Zachar and Family, was solemnly blessed by Father Shay, assisted by Rev. Joseph Toye and Rev. John Foed. Rev. Joseph Rhodes acted as Master of Ceremonies. During the ceremony, the children's orchestra rendered a number of selections. About 100 people offered themselves in succession to toll the bell after its blessing. The following day the bell was placed in the tower of the church and its sweet tones are now heard thrice daily, calling upon the faithful to honor the Mother of God in the beautiful prayer of the Angelus; and at nightfall its solemn toll reminds them of their duty to their dead and invites them to the recitation of the De Profundis prayer.