WHEREAS, In 1851 the Jesuits established “The St. Joseph’s College In The City of Philadelphia,” located at the site of Old Saints Joseph’s Church, 321 Willings Alley; and
WHEREAS, The high school and the college would remain together under this name for over 75 years; and
WHEREAS, In 1866, the Jesuits purchased a tract of ground surrounded by Thompson, Stiles, 17th , and 18th Streets and a temporary church and residence was built on the site. The Church was converted into a school building and construction was begun on a new church, the Gesu, which was consecrated in 1888; and
WHEREAS, Over the next fifty years the Prep would continue to expand its physical plant and began building a tradition of excellence in studies and a firm devotion to the Catholic faith. By 1917, the Prep had become an institution separate from the College; and
WHEREAS, The Prep is not a building, it is people. One of the greatest attributes of the Prep is the bond which holds its people together. In January 1966, this relationship was put to the test as an eight-alarm fire incinerated much of the Prep. Within one week classes resumed after all available space was converted to class use. In December 1968, a new building was dedicated at the same site, demonstrating the Prep’s commitment to the surrounding community and to the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The Prep has continued educating the young men of the Philadelphia area in the Ignatian ideals. Currently the students give hundreds of hours of community service to the disadvantaged of our City; and
WHEREAS, This summer the Prep crew team captured the coveted Princess Elizabeth Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in England, thus becoming the first school in the city to win this competitive world event; and
WHEREAS, St. Joseph’s Prep remains committed to the City of Philadelphia and has been expanding the facilities at 18th & Girard to include a $25 million dollar state of the art athletic facility to be completed this winter; and
WHEREAS, Academically the Prep excels in preparing young men for the most competitive colleges in the country yet never losing sight that their education is for the betterment of our world; now therefore
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby commend and congratulate St. Joseph’s Prep on the occasion of its sesquicentennial anniversary. This yearlong celebration will begin September 15, 2000 as the Prep will continue with the goal of molding its students into “men for others.”
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Rev. David A. Sauter, S.J., President of St. Joseph’s Prep.
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