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Our Lady of Grace School marks 100 years of Catholic Education

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Our Lady of Grace (OLG) school kicks off the 2022-2023 school year celebrating a century of life.

Founded in 1908, OLG plans a yearlong celebration to honor 100 years of excellent Catholic education in Lower Bucks county.

Education was very important to the Rev. Richard P. Phelan, a young priest from Ireland who in 1922 was serving the community of Langhorne as interim pastor of Our Lady of Grace parish. With the approval from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the dream of opening a school became a reality. A three-story house across from the church with 12 rooms was purchased and converted to a school and convent.

On Sept. 8, 1923, OLG opened its doors for the first time, with a staff made up of four Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. OLG school welcomed 70 students between first through eighth grades in their inaugural year.

Enrollment in the parish school hit its peak in the early 1960s when more than 1,000 students were enrolled. At that time, some classrooms had up to 61 students in them. In October of 1997, the IHM sisters announced that it would be their last year teaching at the school due to the decreasing number of sisters left. As class sizes grew smaller, the quality of education and community of family spirit remained.

Today, OLG celebrates a century of pride and a future of promise. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, OLG plans to celebrate and reflect on the last 100 years with multiple events, including: the 100-year kick off Mass 10 a.m. Sept. 11, a Time Capsule Burial and Tree Planting 9 a.m. Oct. 12, a gala celebration on June 2, and a closing Mass with the Bishop of Trenton on June 4 at 10 a.m. OLG invites the surrounding community to join the celebration throughout the year.

To learn more about Our Lady of Grace School or if you have questions regarding the 100-year celebration, please visit olgschoolpenndel.org or call 215-757-5287.


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