32 Commercial St. Suite 2, Honesdale, PA 18431
St Mary magdalen catholic church
Built in 1860
St. Mary Magdalen Church in the 1800’s
In 1853, Rt. Rev. John Neumann, Bishop of Philadelphia, sent Rev. Caspar Meuller to Honesdale to establish St. Mary Magdalen Parish to serve the German families of the area. Mass was said in parishioners’ homes until 1854 when the parish purchased the old Grace Episcopal Church and moved it to a lot on 8th and Court Streets. April 13, 1856, marks the first visit of Rt. Rev. John Neumann to St. Mary Magdalen to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation.
Catholic education began in this part of Pennsylvania around 1858 when St. Mary Magdalen Parish established a school. Classes were held in a small one-room addition at the rear of the church. In 1859, St. Mary Magdalen Church, rectory, and school were destroyed by fire. The present church was built in 1860 and is thought to be one of the oldest stone Catholic churches in this part of the state. There is a statue of a saint on the left of the church entrance. Write his name in space #20 of your entry blank and proceed through the courtyard and to Main St and cross at the crosswalk next to 4th St at the light to arrive at the other side of Main St. by the real estate office. There is a seal over the entrance door with a letter above the door on the 4th St. side of the real estate office building. Write the letter on line #21 of your scavenger hunt form.
Look south to see The Great Wall of Honesdale and click the button below for the next page.
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