Parish History
The Creation of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
By: Donald V . Pupke, Jr.
Chapter 1
In a year when the Village of Malverne celebrates the centennial of its incorporation, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish celebrates the 95th anniversary of its founding. The history of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish is a story rooted in faith, prayer, determination and courage. It’s a story of perseverance in overcoming obstacles, prejudice and catastrophe.
In 1910, Malverne and Lakeview, then known as “Norwood” and “Schodack” , were farming communities with approximately 40 families living a life that was largely unchanged since the first English and Dutch settlers arrived here in the mid-1600’s. The land that would become the Westwood section, was dense forest with a few hardscrabble squatters living within a tough community known as Tigertown. The Long Island Railroad had arrived in 1892 but by 1910 there was still only one train into the City in the morning and one train returning home at night. Malverne was described, at that time, as being the most backwards, yet the most beautiful part of the County.
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In 1912, real estate developers began to purchase some of the abandoned farms, transforming them into housing subdivisions, with beautiful, aordable homes, parks and gardens. The Village of
Malverne was born. Throughout the next 15 years, the number of homes grew and the population increased to 1,000 people - with more than 200 homes being built in the next year and the population increasing every month.
By 1925, there were approximately 550 Catholics living in Malverne, Lakeview and North Lynbrook. The nearest church was St. Raymond’s Parish in East Rockaway, over 2-1/2 miles away. Malverne Catholics also attended Mass in Valley Stream, Franklin Square, Garden City and Hempstead.
Several of the Catholic families in Malverne sought to start a Parish of their own, or, alternatively, to have a mission church established in the Village to provide one Mass on Sunday. A survey was conducted, and the results were transmitted to the Right Reverend Thomas E. Molly, D.D., Bishop of the Brooklyn Diocese. At that time, the Diocese of Rockville Centre had not yet been created and Long Island fell within the boundaries of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
In March 1926, Bishop Molloy sent Father Benedict Himmelreicher to Malverne to determine whether a Parish should be established. A month later, Bishop Molloy appointed Father Himmelreicher pastor of the new Parish in Malverne. Father Himmelreicher requested the Bishop to name the Parish “Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Malverne”
The most pressing problem facing the new Pastor was to provide a place to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The new Parish sought to hold Mass, first in the Norwood Hook and Ladder Firehouse, and then in the Knights of Columbus Hall in Lynbrook. In each case, the Pastor’s request was denied. Father Himmelreicher was not deterred. He immediately went to New York City and purchased a 40’ x 80’ tent. On Saturday May 22,1926, the tent was erected on property located at the intersection of Hempstead and Dogwood Avenues. On that day, Malverne finally had its first Catholic Church.
On Sunday May 23rd, 1926, a glorious Pentecost Sunday, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish of Malverne celebrated its first Mass and Eucharist. Forty local families were present and the tradition of weekly Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes was begun.