St. Laurentius Parish, Philadelphia

Saint Laurentius Parish is a Roman Catholic parish established in 1882 that largely serves people of Polish background in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.It is the oldest Polish Roman Catholic Church within the city and Archdiocese of Philadelphia.The building was closed at the end of March 2014 due to structural issues, and all functions were relocated to Holy Name of Jesus Church, 2 blocks away.HistoryThe building has Gothic spires and stained glass windows. Its origins date back to a time when pious, but poor, immigrants sought a house of worship.In the late 19th century, Catholic Polish people in the area desired a parish. Early religious services were held in the basement of St. Boniface Church on Diamond and Hancock Streets, and later, at Norris and Sepviva Streets. Neighborhood children received catechism lessons at a nearby blacksmith shop.With fewer than fifty devoted family followers and only US$31.50 in the treasury, the Polish people petitioned Archbishop of Philadelphia James F. Wood for a church. In 1882 a house of worship was established. St. Laurentius Church was named (in Latin) after St. Lawrence, a deacon who was martyred under the reign of Roman Emperor Valerian.Church services began in a modest basement facility at Berks and Memphis Streets. Children began attending school there in 1890, under the instruction of the Felician Sisters, a Polish order of nuns.