The Neighborhood of Fairmount, Philadelphia's Art Museum Area




The Neighborhood of Fairmount Philadelphia's Art Museum Area

Saint Hedwig Church

In 1909, the Polish community here in Fairmount created the parish of Saint Hedwig. The original church and school were located at 22nd and the Parkway, where Park Towne Place now stands. The buildings here at 24th and Brown Streets were built on the site of the old Penn Cinema Theater. There is a rumor of an underground tunnel and storage room where beer from the local brewery was stored.

Like St. Nick's, St. Hedwig's school is no longer open. But the church is still very active, and the school auditorium serves as a meeting place for the neighborhood association. One of the most beautiful contributions of this parish is the daily bell recital. Every noon, the sound of church bells fills the neighborhood with peaceful, melodic song.

As we move through the "heart of Fairmount", let's walk south on 24th Street toward Aspen Street. We are headed for the Ward Memorial Park.

Alphabetical Tour Menu
The Bache-Martin School Brewerytown Eastern State Penitentiary Girard College The Joan of Arc Statue Olivet-Covenant Church Pennsylvania Avenue The Philadelphia Nursing Home The Pink Chapel Reservoir Homes The Smoke Stack St. Francis Xavier Church St. Hedwig Church St. Nicholas Church Von Colln Park and Playground Ward Memorial Park The 29th St. Bridge

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