| To contact us: frbobg@comcast.net Calvary Episcopal Church 667 Mount Road Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 OFFICE 610-358-3571 RECTORY |
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| PARISH PROFILE - HISTORY |
| 667 Mount Road, Aston, PA 19014 610-459-2013 |
| Small Parish - Big Heart - Inclusive Come and worship with us! All are welcome! |
| Our Mission: To worship the Lord To serve the community To grow the church |
HISTORY
Calvary Church, Rockdale was founded in 1833 by a merchant
from Philadelphia, Richard Somers Smith. It was born through
the efforts of his spouse, Elizabeth, and daughter, Clementina,
as a Sunday School for the children of the workers in the nail
mill that Mr. Smith owned. The main shaft that turned the
machinery in the mill still exists, and may be seen supporting
the floor of the church from the undercroft. In 1834 Bishop
Onderdonk licensed Kingston Goddard to hold services for
the rapidly expanding congregation. By 1835 the Bishop had
suggested the name Calvary Church and admitted the Parish
to representation at Diocesan Convention. The Reverend
Marmaduke Hirst was appointed missionary.
Calvary Church, Rockdale was founded in 1833 by a merchant
from Philadelphia, Richard Somers Smith. It was born through
the efforts of his spouse, Elizabeth, and daughter, Clementina,
as a Sunday School for the children of the workers in the nail
mill that Mr. Smith owned. The main shaft that turned the
machinery in the mill still exists, and may be seen supporting
the floor of the church from the undercroft. In 1834 Bishop
Onderdonk licensed Kingston Goddard to hold services for
the rapidly expanding congregation. By 1835 the Bishop had
suggested the name Calvary Church and admitted the Parish
to representation at Diocesan Convention. The Reverend
Marmaduke Hirst was appointed missionary.
With continued growth it was soon decided that a proper church building should be
raised. Mr. Jesse Palmer agreed to build the church for a sum of $250.00, and on
August 17, 1836, the Right Reverend H.J. Onderdonk laid the cornerstone. On April 12,
1837, the Reverend Mr. Marmaduke Hirst was appointed Rector. After Mr. Hirst’s
resignation in June 1838, the Rev. Alfred Lee became Rector, serving until 1841 when
he was elected the first Bishop of the Diocese of Delaware.
By 1868 the church was in need of enlargement and wings were added to the edifice,
creating a transept and giving the Church a cruciform shape. The church had come a
long way since its humble beginnings in a vacant room of Mr. Smith’s mill when Calvary’
s semi-centennial was celebrated on Sunday, June 24, 1883. On February 28, 1884,
Richard Somers Smith died at age 95, having served Calvary for 50 years as
communicant, Sunday School superintendent, Vestryman, and warden.
raised. Mr. Jesse Palmer agreed to build the church for a sum of $250.00, and on
August 17, 1836, the Right Reverend H.J. Onderdonk laid the cornerstone. On April 12,
1837, the Reverend Mr. Marmaduke Hirst was appointed Rector. After Mr. Hirst’s
resignation in June 1838, the Rev. Alfred Lee became Rector, serving until 1841 when
he was elected the first Bishop of the Diocese of Delaware.
By 1868 the church was in need of enlargement and wings were added to the edifice,
creating a transept and giving the Church a cruciform shape. The church had come a
long way since its humble beginnings in a vacant room of Mr. Smith’s mill when Calvary’
s semi-centennial was celebrated on Sunday, June 24, 1883. On February 28, 1884,
Richard Somers Smith died at age 95, having served Calvary for 50 years as
communicant, Sunday School superintendent, Vestryman, and warden.
The seventy-fifth anniversary of Calvary was
celebrated on Sunday, June 28, 1908, during
the tenure of the Reverend Jacob F. Weinman,
and its one hundredth anniversary celebration
was held on Sunday, June 18, 1933, with the
Reverend Richard Kemp officiating. The one
hundred-twenty-fifth anniversary was
observed with a banquet at Green Ridge
School on Sunday, June 11, 1958. Many
parishioners still recall this anniversary and
the tenure of the Rector who oversaw it, the
Reverend J. Wesley Rennie. Following Mr.
Rennie’s death in 1962, the Reverend James
F. McKendrick, Jr. became Rector and served
until 1968.
celebrated on Sunday, June 28, 1908, during
the tenure of the Reverend Jacob F. Weinman,
and its one hundredth anniversary celebration
was held on Sunday, June 18, 1933, with the
Reverend Richard Kemp officiating. The one
hundred-twenty-fifth anniversary was
observed with a banquet at Green Ridge
School on Sunday, June 11, 1958. Many
parishioners still recall this anniversary and
the tenure of the Rector who oversaw it, the
Reverend J. Wesley Rennie. Following Mr.
Rennie’s death in 1962, the Reverend James
F. McKendrick, Jr. became Rector and served
until 1968.
On January 20, 1970, the Reverend Arthur F. Brunner accepted a call to Calvary. The
former Sunday School building was soon remodeled to (barely) house a family of seven
and a new office building was erected on church grounds shortly thereafter. Many
repairs were made to the church and decorative items were added. Additionally, young
women were introduced as acolytes and women became layreaders and chalice
bearers for the first time in the history of the Parish. During the months of May and
June 1983, Calvary celebrated its one-hundred-fiftieth anniversary in grand style. On
December 31, 1997, Father Brunner retired, thus culminating the longest rectorship in
the history of our church.
The Reverend Robert C. Granfeldt accepted Calvary’s call on February 11, 2000. During
“Fr. Bob’s” tenure many repairs have been made to the church buildings including the
refurbishment of our magnificent stained glass windows. Our Fair Acres, Rose Hill, and
Riddle Village programs flourished, and our involvement in the Memorial Day Parade
and Calvary Day (celebrated on the Feast of the Holy Cross) were greatly expanded.
Father Bob has decided to retire sometime within the May-September period of 2008.
former Sunday School building was soon remodeled to (barely) house a family of seven
and a new office building was erected on church grounds shortly thereafter. Many
repairs were made to the church and decorative items were added. Additionally, young
women were introduced as acolytes and women became layreaders and chalice
bearers for the first time in the history of the Parish. During the months of May and
June 1983, Calvary celebrated its one-hundred-fiftieth anniversary in grand style. On
December 31, 1997, Father Brunner retired, thus culminating the longest rectorship in
the history of our church.
The Reverend Robert C. Granfeldt accepted Calvary’s call on February 11, 2000. During
“Fr. Bob’s” tenure many repairs have been made to the church buildings including the
refurbishment of our magnificent stained glass windows. Our Fair Acres, Rose Hill, and
Riddle Village programs flourished, and our involvement in the Memorial Day Parade
and Calvary Day (celebrated on the Feast of the Holy Cross) were greatly expanded.
Father Bob has decided to retire sometime within the May-September period of 2008.