St. Anthony's Parish History

 

The original church of St. Anthony in Millmont, Reading was built in 1804 by members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.  After several years, the Ukrainian Catholics constructed a new church in Reading, and the Archbishop of Philadelphia gave the church to the Slovaks for their use as a Latin Rite Church.  The building then was vacated after the Slovaks also built a church in Reading.
1914, April       The Church building was offered to a group of Polish people living in the Millmont area, establishing the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua.
   
1914 - 1918     Rev. Peter Kucharski - First Pastor
1914                    Two Classrooms added in basement of Church.
1916                    Rectory Established.  
   
1914 - 1918     Rev. Michael Pachuki - Second Pastor
                            Electric pipe organ purchased.  
   
1921 - 1939     Rev. Michael Strzemplewicz - Third Pastor  
   
1939 - 1971     Rev. John Dunajski - Fourth Pastor  
                            Repainted and decorated church.  
April 7, 1957 - Groundbreaking for school and auditorium.  
May 3, 1958 - Blessing and Dedication of St. Anthony of Padua School by Most Rev. John O'Hara, C.S.C.
September, 1958 - School opened, staffed by Bernardine Franciscan Sisters.  
1962 - Rectory addition.  
1964 - 50th Anniversary Celebration.  
1966 - St. Anthony's Convent constructed.  
   
1971 - 1984     Rev. Stephen J. Halabura - Fifth Pastor  
August 11, 1974 - Groundbreaking for new Church.
August 26, 1974 - Razing of existing Church.
October 26, 1975 - Blessing and Dedication of new Church by Most Rev. Joseph McShea, D.D.
1981 - 1982 - Construction of new Parish Center.
 
1984 - 1992     Rev. Raymond P. Slezak - Sixth Pastor
Additions to the exterior of the church and renovations to the interior.
 
1992 - 2009     Rev. Richard C. Nachajski- Seventh Pastor
   
2009 -             Rev. Larry J. Hess - Eighth Pastor