Our History & Patron Saint

Saint Monica Church in Berwyn actually dates from 1870 when Augustinian priests traveled from Villanova to say Mass for Catholics in the area. The earliest liturgies were celebrated in people’s homes and then in the town hall.

The first church was built in 1889, on land purchased for $2,800. After construction on an elevated site in the central portion of the Village of Berwyn, the church building was dedicated on July 23, 1893 under the patronage of Saint Monica, the courageous and faith-filled mother of Saint Augustine. Two years later, it was designated as a mission church, then ultimately received full parish status in 1897.  Reverend Hugh J. Dugan was the first resident pastor.

Over the years, both Saint Norbert and Saint Isaac Jogues Parishes were created from Saint Monica.

The original church was destroyed by fire on May 22, 1991, leaving only a few precious items to be salvaged, including the stained glass window of Saint Monica, which graces our narthex today. Our beautiful stained glass windows, the Stations of the Cross, and much of the millwork were obtained from the closed Corpus Christi Church in North Philadelphia. The bell from the steeple of the original church stands outside the new structure, along with the original cornerstone.

Thanks to the leadership of Reverend George G. Hagenbach and the generosity and dedication of the parishioners and friends of Saint Monica, our new church rose from the ashes, along with a new parish center and gymnasium. On September 12, 1993, then Archbishop of Philadelphia Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua dedicated the new facilities.

Today, Saint Monica is a growing, thriving, and energetic parish under the leadership of the Reverend Charles Zlock, the 12^th pastor, who arrived in 2013.

Pastors of Saint Monica Parish

Reverend Hugh J. Dugan (1897 – 1906)
Reverend John C. Carey (1906 – 1939)
Reverend Doctor Adrian J. Kilker (1939 – 1944)
Reverend John L. Gallagher (1945 – 1956)
Reverend John J. Driscoll, D.D. (1957 – 1968)
Reverend Charles G. McAleer (1968 – 1969)
Reverend Monsignor John G. McFadden (1969 – 1970)
Reverend John J. Carroll (1970 – 1974)
Reverend Joseph J. Dawson (1974 – 1982)
Reverend George G. Hagenbach (1982 – 2001) 
Reverend William A. Trader (2001 – 2013)
Reverend Charles Zlock (2013 – present)

"Nothing is Far from God!"

Saint Monica (331 – 387 A.D.) was married by arrangement in North Africa to a pagan official who was much older than she. Although generous, her husband possessed a violent temper. His mother lived with them and was equally difficult, which proved a constant challenge to Monica. She had three children: Augustine, Navigius, and Perpetua. Through her patience and prayers, she was able to convert her husband and his mother to the Catholic Faith in 370. Her husband died one year later.

Perpetua and Navigius entered the religious life but Augustine was much more difficult. Monica prayed for his conversion for seventeen years, begging the intercession of priests who, for a while, tried to avoid her because of her persistence at this seemingly hopeless endeavor. However, one priest did console her: "God's time will come...it is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." This thought, coupled with a vision that she had received, strengthened her.  After his own conversion, Augustine was baptized by Saint Ambrose in 387 and became one of the great bishops, preachers, and writers of the early Church. Monica died later that same year, on the way back to Africa from Rome in the Italian town of Ostia. 

Saint Monica is venerated today as a patroness of married women, mothers, widows, difficult marriages, wayward children, coversion of relativies, abuse victims, adultery victims, and alcoholics. In a very real sense, we, the people of the parish, are the children of Monica, as we are under her patronage and intercessory care. With this in mind, we can speak to Saint Monica in prayer:

Saint Monica, you know the struggle of those who seek to live by faith. The difficulties of life did not diminish your confidence in God. By your example and prayers, you led your family to Him and the Catholic Faith. Pray for me and for all whose faith is tested, that we may trust in God and not be overwhelmed or discouraged by life’s bruises. May we follow your example in living our Faith and in proclaiming Our Lord's goodness and mercy in word and deed.

Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.