On November 10, 1952, Our Lady of Charity Parish was founded by Archbishop John
J. O’Hara. The parish was formed from, what was then, St. Robert’s Parish in
Chester. A new parish was necessary due to the rapid residential expansion in the area. Father Ignatius Bash was named the founding pastor and served
at Our Lady of Charity until his death on February 27, 1954.
On November 30, 1952, a few weeks after the arrival of Father Bash, the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass was offered for the first time in Upland, by Father Francis X.
Feezer, at the Civic Club which was rented for Sunday use. The same day, Mass was
celebrated at the Parkside Firehouse by Father Bash and continued every Sunday thereafter.
By the Second Sunday of Advent 1952, four Masses were scheduled in Parkside and two in
Upland. The Parkside Fire Company provided a place to worship God and aided the parish
materially for which they asked no financial remuneration.
On May 1, 1953, the present site of our parish property was purchased, aided
greatly by Mr. George Heffron. Plans for a Church, School and Convent were completed and
construction was begun. A decision was made to purchase a house on Forrestview Road for
use as a Rectory.
On March 12, 1954, after many years of being a devoted and holy priest, along
with his outstanding record as a Military Chaplain, Father
John P. Kiniry was appointed as pastor, succeeding Father Bash, and arrived on March
24, 1954. It was Father Kiniry who put a second floor on the school and built the Rectory.
Upon his appointment as pastor, Father Bash requested Sisters, Servants of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary to staff his school. On September 7, 1954, the first community of
Sisters arrived. Namely, Mother M. Bonaventure, Sister Regina Ann, Sister Ann Immaculee,
Sister M. Francis Clare and Sister Clare Mary.
School was opened on September 13, 1954, with a registration of 417 eager
children.
On Sunday, March 20, 1955, Archbishop O’Hara dedicated the church, school
and convent.
On September 1, 1971, after 17 years as a devoted pastor, Father Kiniry was
appointed by John Cardinal Kroll, as Pastor Emeritus. Father
William A. Doolin was appointed pastor on the same day.
In 1980, Father Doolin was appointed as Pastor Emeritus and Father James J. Kelly was appointed as the new pastor. Father
Kelly served as pastor until 1995.
