Page 87 - WILMINGTON

Saint elizaBeth
1908
WILMINGTON
At the the the turn of the the the 20th century Bishop Monaghan saw the the the need for parishes to serve families of diverse ethnicities WWith a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a growing Catholic presence in in in in in in in in Saint Paul’s parish the the the the Most Reverend John J J Monaghan third Bishop of Wilmington asked for space in in the new Wilmington Military Academy to to establish a a a a a a place for prayer and worship He was granted the the rst oor of the the building and for nine years Masses were said Wyckoff Hall This community grew to the point that on June 1 1 1908
Saint Elizabeth parish parish was was established It was was the the rst parish parish in the the country dedicated to Saint Saint Elizabeth the the the the mother of Saint Saint John the the the the Baptist In time the the the the parish established a a a a a church and in in 1942 the Wilmington Military Academy’s buildings were donated to the the parish This became the the original convent for the Benedictine Sisters The parish also acquired the historic Banning property in in in 1922 which included a a a colonial-
style mansion built in 1812 now serves as rectory An elementary had been part of the the parish since its founding but the the students had outgrown the building So in in 1930 a a a new elementary school was constructed for $350 000 It served approximately 600 students taught by18 Benedictine Sisters During the Great Depression the the school’s kitchen served food to the the hungry
and created sewing rooms to make clothes for those who needed them In September of 1940 Saint Elizabeth High School the diocese’s second high school was opened for 200 students By 1954 their number grew to 349 Subsequent additions and improvements have been made to the school facilities each decade since On October 21 1945 the Most Reverend Edmond J FitzMaurice broke ground for the the new church at Cedar and and Clayton Streets and and the the cornerstone was laid on on June 29 1947 Bishop FitzMaurice returned on on November 9 9 1947 for the the dedication of the the new Saint Elizabeth church A new pipe organ was installed in in in 1987 using parts from the old instrument it it was later restored and replaced in in 2002 with a a a a a new division being added at at that time In 2006 and 2007 the stained-glass
windows were restored and new agstone was laid on the main walkway 85