St. Andrew Parish was established in June of 2010 as a consolidation of three former parishes: St. Patrick, St. Boniface, and Holy Rosary, using the St Patrick church building as the worship site of the new parish.
St. Boniface Parish, on Blackman Street, was founded in 1896 by Bavarian immigrants and a parish school opened in 1913, with the Sisters of Chrstian Charity. The parish closed June 6, 2010.
St. Patrick Parish at the present address was founded in 1921 as a territorial parish and the upper church dedicated in 1930. It officially ceased to exist as a parish in June 2010, with the new St. Andrew parish utilizing the St. Patrick Church building as its parish church.
Holy Rosary Parish on Park Avenue was founded in 1906 by Italian immigrants and closed June 13, 2010.
Sacramental records for all three parishes are maintained at St. Andrew Parish.
Our History In Photos
St. Boniface Parish
Left: The earliest historic photo of the original sanctuary of St. Boniface Church, Wilkes-Barre. Rev. Charles Von Welden, second pastor, served at St. Boniface from 1911-1920, thus responsible for this photo. He was ordained in 1893. The script on the sanctuary wall reads, "1896 Tu Es Sacerdos In Aeternum 1918" (You are a Priest Forever). 22 years does not indicate his silver ordination; thus it seems to be celebrating Corpus Christi; Jesus exposed would be the high priest.
Above: Rev. Joseph C. Ward, pastor of St. Boniface from 1945 - 1965, expanded the rear church building to enlarge the sanctuary and sacristy (1948-1949). The renovated church was dedicated on March 11th, 1949 by the Most Rev. William J. Hafey, Bishop of Scranton.
Above: Exterior view of St. Boniface Parish and the original rectory approx. 1927
St. Patrick Parish
1921: Unspecified day. St. Patrick's Parish is approved.
July 8, 1921: Rev. John Lynott is appointed pastor.
1921: Unspecified day. Lot purchased for $8,000.
August 1921 to June 1922: Masses are held at the Sterling Theater, Hazle Avenue. This is not to be confused with later Sterling Theater, North Main Street.
June 4, 1922: Three Masses are held in the completed church basement. Masses will continue in the basement until the superstructure is built.
July 6, 1930: First Mass in the completed St. Patrick's Church is held.
Right: The interior of St. Patrick Church shortly before the July 1930 completion.
Far left, left, and above: St. Patrick Church during construction taken from 1928 to 1929 from the rear porch of 445 Hazle st. Wilkes-Barre, the former home of the Mark L. Henry family (the current location of Angelo's Pizza).
Above: A mass being celebrated shortly after the July 1930 completion of the church.
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
Left: Renovations of the church and construction of a new rectory circa 1935-1936.
Above: Holy Rosary Parish as it originally appeared. (approx. 1910)
Inset: Rev. Luigi Cecere, the first pastor.
Below: Interior pictures of the sanctuary circa 1996.
