St. Philip School

St. Philip Church and Parish

 

In August 1838, the Catholic settlers of St. Clair Township (what is now the Crafton area) purchased land from Philip Smith of Philadelphia for a burying ground. A wooden church was placed on this land and the parish named after the patron saint of Philip Smith. Previously, the faithful had been celebrating Mass in a farm house owned by James Flanagan and located just a short distance from the location of the new Church. Mary Bush Murphy was the first person to be buried in the parish cemetery. Five Civil War veterans are also at rest here.

As the parish increased, it became necessary to erect a larger Church. The Pastor, Reverend William C. Kelty, erected the present Church was completed and dedicated by Bishop Regis Canevin on February 6, 1906. The gothic structure, designed by William P. Ginther of Akron, is built of stone in cruciform design and seats 800 people. The contract price for the building, exclusive of inner decoration, was $56,000.

St. Philip School

St. Philip School and Parish located in Crafton, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1824 by a group of Irish immigrants. The original church building was completed in 1839. The pastor Fr. James Kennoy built and opened a two room school building in 1885 with two St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Sisters of Charity from Seton Hill, Greensburg. This school was relinquished in May, 1891 due to an economic depression which forced its closing. Crafton was a growing residential suburb of Pittsburgh. Fr. William Kelty, pastor in 1898, realized that the original church was inadequate and began building a new church in 1906. He served St. Philip School for over a half century. Father Kelty began construction for St. Philip School in 1915 to accommodate the growing number of families with children. The school was staffed by the Sisters of Charity. In 1929 an addition to the school was completed and opened to again accommodate the growing enrollment of 1200 students. In 1953 another new building was erected and enrollment reached 1450. The highest enrollment was realized in 1959 with 1483 students.

Many factors began to affect enrollment, causing it to reach a low of 180 in 1984. Tuition began in the 1970's and parents were granted permission rather easily to have their children attend public school. Several new programs were added in the mid-80's to help bring families back into the school. A kindergarten was added, as was a Pre-K in 1985. At the time there was only one of each class and enrollment was 160 students. In 1986 enrollment began to slowly increase.At present there are two rooms of each grade and 70 studnets in the 3 & 4 year old Pre-school program.