BACKGROUND OF REGION

The earliest settlers came to Patton Township (an area containing Monroeville) shortly after 1750, but it was not until the Northern Pike was opened around 1810 that the Township was established. Before the coming of the railroads, the stage coaches used this road on their regular runs between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.  Monroeville derived its name from the first postmaster, Joel Monroe and boasted of two stores, two blacksmith shops, a school and a community church.

By the end of the 19th century, the towns of Turtle Creek, Wall, Wilmerding, Trafford and Pitcairn had sprung up on the southern border of the Township while much of the northern and central part remained much as it was.  All of these towns had their Catholic churches. By 1920 the population of Patton Township had reached 2500, but it was not until William Penn Highway was paved that the real growth began. By 1922 some Sunday school classes were organized by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (from St. Mary’s downtown) and Mass was offered once a month at the hamlet of Gascola.  As time traveled on, the place where the classes took place changed to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Price at 201 Monroe Street. In 1933, the Confraternity established a Mission in Murrysville, a small village just across the Allegheny County line in Westmoreland County. The few Catholic families living in Patton Township and around Monroeville, began to attend this Mission which was organized into a regular parish with Fr. Gerald A. Schroth as pastor in 1943.  After WW ll the greatest migration of people began as hundreds of thousands began to leave the crowded cities and seek homes for their families in the suburbs. By 1950 there were nearly 8000 people living in Patton Township and it was plain to see that a new type of government would be needed if adequate planning was to be made for the future. Thus, in 1951 the Township changed it’s from of government when it incorporated as a borough and assumed the name of Monroeville.

In March of 1951 about 60 families were attending Mother of Sorrows Church in Murrysville.  Right from the start, the forward looking Catholics in Monroeville saw the need for a parish of their own.  In June of 1952 a meeting was held at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cox with around 20 people in attendance.  The practical result of this meeting was the formation of the Monroeville Catholic Guild. This guild did very effective work in getting Catechism classes started for the children of Monroeville and preparing the ground work for a Catholic parish.  At a second meeting, an organization known as the Property Committee was formed. This committee began to look for a suitable building site and also, for a place where Catechism classes might be held. Through the kindness of the owners of the Majestic Gardens, a bar, at the intersection of Old Wm. Penn Highway and Center Road, it was now possible to begin Catechism classes there as well as, the celebration of Mass.  There were two Masses held that day with approximately 400 people in attendance between the two Masses.

Finally, in June of 1955, the good news came.  Monroeville was to have a parish of its own! On June 9, 1955, Bishop Dearden issued the official decree, effective June 16, 1955, canonically establishing the parish of St. Bernadette in Monroeville. In August of 1956, bids were received for the project of building the church with class rooms on the second floor as well as a rectory.  The contract was awarded to Navarro Corporation of Pittsburgh. Father Hugh F. Biedenbach, assistant pastor of St. Mary’s in Beaver Falls, was appointed the first pastor.   
 

ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. BERNADETTE SCHOOL

It was recognized that the four class rooms built on the second floor of the church would not be enough for more than two grades, and that as soon as the building was opened, a new building would have to be built.

In September of 1959, the new St. Bernadette School was finally opened to approximately 225 first and second grade students.  The school was staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph, with Sr. Clementia Mabon appointed Principal. At this time the Sisters lived in a nearby house on Garden City Drive.  The present day Convent was completed in 1960 in anticipation of the new addition to the school. In September of 1961, construction of the addition to the school was complete with a total of sixteen classrooms.  The school year began with students in the first through the fourth grades. Each year after that, a new grade level was added.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PERMANENT CHURCH

In April, 1965, general approval was given to the preliminary plans for the construction of a permanent church.  The plans were presented by the architect, Mr. Bertrand Marlier. Also taking place within that year was the graduation of the first 8th grade class.

After many trails and delays marked by several construction worker and craft union strikes in the area, the new church began to take shape and in August, the tall golden spiral tower was set atop the church with the major exterior construction complete.  With the interior still not quite finished, the first Mass was held on December 14, 1968. Monsignor Coyle laid the cornerstone on December, 22 and St. Bernadette parish was able to participate in their first Christmas Mass in their new church. On September 27, 1969, the new church was solemnly dedicated by His Excellency, Bishop Vincent M. Leonard.