PJP II Slide Show
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In September of 2000, a feasibility study was conducted to determine if the parishioners of the Coatesville area parishes would support a new consolidated Catholic school. At the time, it took three separate buildings scattered throughout the city to teach all the grades. Overwhelmingly, the ambitious project was enthusiastically received.
The Kick-Off Campaign began in 2001 and plans were made to build a new school adjacent to Our Lady of the Rosary church. Nine months into the planning stage, Caln Township officials refused to grant the necessary variances to build the school on the very limited amount of land. The project seemed to be dead.
A few months later, in October of 2002, the Philadelphia Archdiocese under Anthony Cardinal Bevilaqua, granted permission for 30 acres of land in picturesque West Brandywine Township to be sold to build the school. The parcel was part of 500 acres the Archdiocese purchased three decades ago for a future cemetery.
St. Peter Parish of Honeybrook joined the parishes of St. Cecilia, St. Stanislaus Kostka, St. Joseph and Our Lady of the Rosary to form a group to construct the only regional elementary school in the history of the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
The official groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 5, 2005. Under the sweltering sun, the high spirit for this much-needed project would not wilt.
In September of 2005, the ground was finally broken-this time for real. The once former cornfield was getting a makeover-to the extreme. Dozens of heavy-duty construction vehicles dug deep and rearranged the earth to forever change that field in preparation for its new mission; the home of Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School!
For a generation, Catholics in the Coatesville area dreamed of sending their children to one school where brothers and sisters could learn about their faith and their world while all under the same roof. On January 9th 2007, this dream came true.
This 13-minute slideshow presentation will take you through the process. Enjoy the journey.
History
