Judge History
Father Judge High School was established in 1954 by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a school for young men in the Holmesburg area of Northeast Philadelphia. It was entrusted to the administration of the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales and a dedicated faculty of lay men and women. The school is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the Department of Education of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The school is an institutional member of the National Catholic Educational Association.
Our goal is to provide a quality Catholic education to the young men of the Northeast Philadelphia area through the dissemination and infusion of spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social values instilled with the spirituality of Saint Francis de Sales. Since that time, Father Judge has continued to teach young men Salesian Spirit and Crusader Pride.
The first known settlers in Northeast Philadelphia were the Lenni Lenape Indians. In 1654 the first European settlers, the Swedes, arrived and the area was developed as a farming and industrial center. Historian Harry Silcox, who has written two books about neighborhood history in the Northeast, reports that In 1679 Swedes and Finns were living in what is now Tacony. Holmesburg, a Swedish settlement on the Delaware at the Pennypack Creek, was settled even earlier.
Silcox goes on to relate that the oldest stone arch bridge in the country still used on a major travel route is the Frankford Avenue Bridge over Pennypack Creek, built in 1697. The American Society of Civil Engineers says on its Web site that the original span was 18 feet wide (it has been widened several times) and was barely big enough to hold two teams of horses on what was then the Kings Highway, the road between New York and Philadelphia.
In 1725, four-wheeled carts, the newest public transportation of the time, connected Three Tuns Tavern, Second and Chestnut Streets, with the borough of Frankford. The carts ran along the Kings Highway, which would be called Bristol Pike in the 1780's, and Frankford Avenue by the late 1800s. In 1756, a three-day stagecoach ride from Philadelphia to New York began. Within 20 years, that ride would be just two days, and the stage line would be called "The Flying Machine."
General George Washington's Army marched through the Northeast in 1775 on its way to the Battle of Trenton.
With water power from the Delaware River and the Tacony, Poquessing and Pennypack Creeks -- the Northeast is surely the city's creekiest neighborhood -- industry started early. The Northeast's first factory was the Rowland Shovel Factory on the Pennypack, near where Father Judge is now. Silcox says that in 1802, it was the site of a ground-breaking event -- the manufacture of the nation's first shovel.
Thirty years later, Joseph Ripka, a Manayunk textile manufacturer, opened a textile factory on the Pennypack just under where the Rhawn Street Bridge is today. His mill produced 750,000 yards of cotton annually. That mill and a calico print mill employed 180 workers from Holmesburg, some of whom lived in cabins along the west side of the creek and under today's bridge. An 8-foot-high stone fireplace, probably from a factory building, remains.
Hotels along the Delaware and easy water travel made towns such as Tacony, Holmesburg and Frankford both a stop for traveling merchants and a summer country home for rich Philadelphians --Silcox writes that they included merchant Caleb Cope, umbrella manufacturer Robert H. Wright, textile manufacturer Samuel Comly and locomotive manufacturer Matthew Baldwin.
Tacony became more of an industrial town in 1872 when English-born Henry Disston moved his saw works there from Kensington. It would become an internationally known supplier of saws and blades. Some even called the community "Disstonville." By 1900 Tacony, unlike the countrylike villages of Somerton and Fox Chase, became the most developed town north of Frankford.
The great population growth did not begin until after World War II. This growth was so dramatic that the need for a diocesan Catholic high school for boys became apparent. The Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity graciously donated part of their Motherhouse and Noviate grounds to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to realize this need. To acknowledge the sisters' generosity, the new school was named after their founder, the Reverend Thomas A. Judge, C.M. The school, surrounded by Pennypack Park, was placed under the direction of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.
A mass was offered in the auditorium at Northeast Catholic High School on September 8, 1954, which signified the official opening of Father Judge High School. The celebrant was the Reverend Thomas O'Connell, O.S.F.S., soon to become the first principal of Father Judge. In the congregation were the students and faculty of the new school. The faculty consisted of 23 religious. Twenty were Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and three were Franciscan Fathers of the Third Order Regular. The original enrollment consisted of 1,015 freshmen and sophomores.
On September 13, 1954, the new school opened its doors for the first time at Solly and Rowland Avenues. The school building was still under construction and the stories of those days were centered largely on mud and building problems.
The school seal, which is essentially Salesian, was selected in October of l954. The letters "VJ" which mean "Live Jesus" form a motto that appears often in the writings of St. Francis de Sales. The school colors of blue and red were chosen through an essary contest held among the first students in 1954. Blue was symbolic of the Marian Year, 1954, in which the school was founded. Fr. Thomas O'Connell, OSFS, the first principal, recalled that the students selected the red as a symbol of our brotherhood with North Catholic since we had sprung from it. He combined the colors himself, making them the unique and respected symbol of Father Judge High School. The school motto, non excidet, is taken from the episcopal coat of arms of St. Francis de Sales. The translation reads "he will not fall away."
The school newspaper came into existence on October 11, 1954. It was named The Crusader which was additionally selected as the school symbol. The first play, Jenny Kissed Me, was presented in the fall of 1955 and also our first dance with the melodious Crusaders furnishing the music.
On September 10, 1955, John Francis O'Hara, C.S.C., Archbishop of Philadelphia, dedicated the school building. This was the start of Judge's second year that would continue to see many firsts.
The football team entered interscholastic competition on September 13, 1955 against Reading Central Catholic High School. Jack Lawn coached the team. Sports quickly became a vital part of Father Judge High School. Students, without a coach, organized the first soccer team. The first Catholic League title won by the Crusaders was in 1956 in swimming. In 1957, the swim team captured the city title as well.
The first senior prom at Father Judge was held at Melrose Country Club on May 3, 1957. A breakfast at the Boulevard Ballroom was part of the evening's activities. The first edition of the yearbook, the Quest appeared in 1957. It was awarded three national awards. The Quest continues publishing to the present. Father Judge was formally accredited by the Pennsylvania State Board of Education in 1957.
In September of 1960, the school's enrollment reached 3,475 students. Changes were made in the course of instruction with the introduction of a four-year program in Latin and a three-year program in modern languages. The National Honor Society to recognize student achievement and service to the school community was also begun at this time.
Mr. Joseph Zingrone directed the school's music program during these early years. Under Mr. Zingrone's direction, the dance band received four first place and two second place finishes in the Catholic Dance Band Competition over a six-year period. On March 7, 1964 Father Judge's marching band placed first in the Catholic League Marching Band Championship. The band was invited to play that year at the convention of the National Catholic Music Educators Association.
At the start of the 1966 school year the administration instituted a dual assistant principal system, dividing the position with one vice-principal for studies and one for activities. An Administrative Council to be consultative to the principal was also begun. At this time grades 11 and 12 were rostered for the first time using the "track" system instead of "block rostering." Sports also made the news at this time when the baseball team of Father Judge won both the Catholic League and City Titles for 1967.
In 1967, the school started several major internal improvements in the building. The I.P.S. (Introductory Physical Science) lab was enlarged. The gym was renovated and a wood floor was installed for the first time. The library was expanded with a full-time staff to allow greater student access to an enlarged collection of materials.
In the autumn of 1968, a memorial to 27 Judge graduates killed in the Vietnam conflict was dedicated. The granite memorial stands at the front entrance to the school on Solly Avenue.
In September of 1971, probably the most notable change in the physical structure of the school was the construction of an all-weather track and a regulation soccer field in the area behind the school. In addition to this, a new conference room off the gym was constructed. The audio-visual room, guidance department and library were expanded.
In 1973, the accreditation work was brought to fruition when the Middle States Association accredited the school. Many changes followed this event. The internal structure was revised with an enlarged Administrative Council. A Curriculum Committee was begun and a faculty handbook including job descriptions was issued. A faculty-student committee was formed which resulted in the establishment of an eighth grade orientation program and visits between Father Judge High School and the local Catholic grade schools.
In 1977 Father Judge became associated with Philadelphia's Board of Education Skills Program located at the Swenson School. This program enabled Judge students to receive vocational training while maintaining academic courses.
During these years (1971-78) the Crusaders won 21 sports championships. There were 15 Catholic titles and six city titles.
The 1975-76 sports season was impressive. Judge won the Catholic League in football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, crew and soccer. The football team and the baseball team went on to achieve the City title in both sports. Popular basketball coach, Charlie Greenberg, who led his teams to eight playoffs in ten years, was appointed one of Father Judge's Vice-Principals.
Reverend John J. Dennis, O.S.F.S. began the 1978-79 school year as new principal. A system of retreats was undertaken with each class having a separate week. Curriculum was enhanced with the addition of honors and advanced placement courses.
The Alumni Association had become an active reality under the spiritual guidance of Father Edward O'Neill, O.S.F.S. who returned to Father Judge as purchasing agent.
In the 80's and 90's, the school's academic, sports, and extracurricular programs continued to be impressive, competitive and challenging. Additions of computer labs; the Development Office; a service program for all students; The Achieve Program, formerly The Esteem Program; improvements to the track and upkeep of the school building have all been done to enhance the quality of services offered at Judge.
Now in a new milennium we have added a computer research center to our modernized library. We have updated the chemistry labs and recently put in state-of-the-art lighting for the auditorium stage. The participation of Father Judge students in the Model United Nations is very active and we were recently named National Champions in the North American Invitation Model UN for the second year in a row. Our Community Service Corps continues its toy and food collecting and countless other tasks which aid the community. We have added Wrestling to our impressive list of extracurricular activities. The drama department is active, involving students from other schools in its various ventures. We have a new website with an Online Community to benefit our alumni. Construction was completed on the William F. Mitchell activity center in 2006. This state-of-the-art activity center includes a new weightroom, locker rooms, Athletic Director office and a multi-purpose gym. The list could go on and on.
This brief history is the story of people--the people who made Father Judge High School. Because of its brevity, many people are not mentioned who made invaluable contributions to Judge's heritage.
THE SCHOOL COLORS AND CRUSADER SYMBOL
The colors of Father Judge High School are blue and red. It is noteworthy that these colors were chosen through an essay contest held among the first students to attend Father Judge in 1954.
Blue was symbolic of the Marian Year, 1954, in which the school was founded. The meaning of the red, however, has been a matter of some historical confusion.
The first school paper reported that the color red was a symbol of the Crusader's faith and courage, while a later belief--that red referrred to the Sacred Heart --was reported in the first school handbook.
Father Thomas O'Connell, OSFS, the first principal of Father Judge, recalled, however, that the students selected the red as a symbol of our brotherhood with North Catholic since we had sprung from it.
He combined the colors himself, making them the unique and respected symbol of Father Judge High School: the Red and the Blue.
The hard charging, relentless Crusader symbol was chosen in the same contest and the name Crusader has been carried proudly and successfully by Father Judge athletic teams and by our fine newspaper.
FATHER THOMAS AUGUSTINE JUDGE, C.M. (1868 - 1933)
Father Judge, born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 23, 1868, and ordained a priest of the Congregation of the Mission on May 27, 1899, pioneered the lay apostolate movement in the United States with the founding of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate (lay missionaries). He also founded two missionary congregations of religious: Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (priests and brothers) and Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity (sisters). Outstanding as a preacher of missions and retreats and manifesting an extraordinary zeal for souls, he was widely known and revered.
STORY OF RAMP PLAYGROUND
Ramp Playground was named for police officer, James J. Ramp. On Tuesday, August 8, 1978, James J. Ramp sacrificed his life while in the performance of his duties as a member of the Police Department. James Ramp was appointed to the Department on April 25, 1955 with Recruit Class 123. He was first assigned to the 41st District with subsequent assignments to the 24th and 26th Police Districts. On August 4, 1969 he was transferred to the Stakeout Unit. During his tenure with the Department he received a total of seven commendations.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on December 13, 1943 and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Since 1958 he was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves attaining the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. At the time of his death he was attached to Headquarters Battery -- 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines. During his military service he received numerous awards, including the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
THE HISTORY OF THE STONE MANSION ON SOLLY AVENUE
The beautiful gray stone mansion on Solly Avenue, now maintained as a retirement home for the Missionary Servants of the Blessed Trinity, was built for George A. Castor in the 1890's. George Castor attended public school in Philadelphia then entered a cloth house early in life and subsequently became a merchant tailor with large establishments in New York City, Boston and Philadelphia. He was elected a Republican to the 58th Congress and reelected to the 59th Congress. He served until his death in 1906.
The house was built on a tract of 75 acres that had been the Solly Farm. This remarkably fine mansion stands on a high eminence that commands a view of Holmesburg, the Pennypack Creek and the curved arches of the old stone bridge erected by the order of William Penn. It was built by Edwin, John and Casper Banes, three brothers from Holmesburg and Cornwells Heights. Among other features of the house, there is a stained glass window on the first stairway landing that was made by Tiffany. There are 18 bedrooms in the house.
For many years the property overlooked the Holmesburg Granite Quarry where the Father Judge High School athletic field is now located. All of the Philadelphia curbstones were quarried there, and many of these stones are still in use today.
These excerpts on the history of the stone mansion were written by local resident, Zelma Banes.