A Time-Line of Faith

1854 - First recorded Catholic Mass in a private home in Hellertown.

1921 - Ss. Nereus and Achilleus Mission Parish formed under Ss. Cyril & Methodius Parish. Father John H. Trescak was assigned to lead the mission parish. Original congregation: 13 families.

1923 - Fr. George Check was appointed adminstrator.

1925 - Mission given full Canonical status as a Territorial Parish and the name was changed to "St. Theresa of the Child Jesus". Fr. Check was appointed the first Pastor.

1938 - Sisters of St. Francis arrive to teach. The school was officially dedicated in 1941.

1941 - Fr. John J. Ovecka, the first Associate Pastor, arrived.

1956 - The present church and rectory were formally blessed by Bishop McCormick, auxiliary of Philadelphia.

1965 - The death of Fr. Check and the arrival of Fr. Stephen Daday

1965 - Renovations began, including moving the altar to face the people, additions to the school and the planning and development of a new convent.

1966 - Fr. Daday honored with the title of Monsignor.

1975 - St. Theresa's is 50 years old, and the St. Theresa Shrine is erected.

1984 - Msgr. Daday retires and Msgr. Raymond F. Merman is welcomed.

Since then, the following renovations and additions have been made:

1. To the rectory, including placing a Computer Lab (now Science Lab) in the basement for our students.
2. To the convent, creating a space in the basement for a library for our school, and an office for our Director of Religious Education.
3. To the Church, refurbishment inside and out, as well as to the interior of Friendship Hall in the school building.

4. Current renovations have recently included new Church Doors and windows that tell the story of our Patroness, along with a state-of-the-art sound system and new Renaissance Organ.

1997 - The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, arrive to take up residence in the Convent and to assist in the School, Church, and Rectory.

2000 - Our Diamond Jubilee Year!

2001 - The parish enters the New Millenium with its own website.