Site 3: Old Parish Center

En Español

 

Our first Parish Center was established in an old house across the street from the original church on the corner facing N. Frederick Street.  The parish purchased the house and two partial empty lots behind it on 10th St. N. in 1967 to gain much-needed space for parish activities.  The total purchase price was $18,000!

The Parish Center became a hub for both the parish and school with three full floors in constant use.   The lower level was home to the pre-school and library as well as many school activities, including the Great Books program.   The main level had a kitchen, dining and living room.  These common spaces were used for meetings of parish committees and ministries, Boy Scout Troop 624 and Girl Scout Troop 363, bible study groups, and the like.   The third floor housed the Parish School of Religion.  There was a huge backyard behind the Parish Center, which was used widely for many outdoor activities.

Brownie promotion ceremony in backyard of Parish Center, 1970. At least one of these brownies is still a parishioner!

One year, the Bible Study Group held a specially-written Passover Seder ceremony in the Parish Center for their families.  The table held traditional symbolic foods as well as the Old and New Testaments.  The reading of the Passover story was followed by music and a potluck supper.

The diocese sold the property in 1989, after 20 years of use, as our new Parish Hall had opened its doors (see History Walk Site 13).  Sale proceeds were used to retire the debt on the Parish Hall and Rectory construction.