Our History 

HISTORY OF ST. AGATHA - ST. JAMES CHURCH

Our original parish was established in 1850 as the Church of St. James the Greater. It was the first Catholic parish in Philadelphia County west of the Schuylkill River. Ground was purchased at 38th and Chestnut Streets and within two years, a church building was erected. Construction of the current building, designed by architect Edwin Forrest Durang, began on October 16, 1881 and was completed in 1887.

The Church’s interior is simply breath-taking. The neo-Gothic style was modeled from European cathedrals and the stained-glass artist studied those in the famed cathedral of León, Spain.

Our church underwent additions in 1930 and renovations in 2003. Nearby St. Agatha's Church was closed in 1976, and its parish was merged into St. James Church. Now, we have two incredible patron saints to look over and guide our parish.

100 YEARS OF DREXEL NEWMAN HISTORY

In 2023, we will be celebrating 100 years of Drexel Newman history! We have been so blessed to serve generations of Drexel students, creating lasting memories and impacting the lives of many. Stay tuned for exciting ways we’ll be celebrating our rich Drexel Newman history!

NEWMAN MINISTRY

We are home to the first Newman Center in the country, founded in 1893 at the University of Pennsylvania. This was followed by the Drexel Newman Center at 33 S. 33rd St. in 1923. The Drexel Newman Center was sold in 2010, at which time the pastoral leadership of the Newman ministries for Penn & Drexel was entrusted to our Parish, which has became home to all local university students.