Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez to Break Ground on New Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Location
New Seminary Location in Lower Gwynedd Township Expected to Open for 2024-2025 Academic Year
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside at the groundbreaking and blessing of the site for the new campus of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Lower Gwynedd Township. The Archbishop will be assisted by Saint Charles Seminary Chancellor, Most Reverend Timothy Senior, and Seminary Rector, Reverend Keith Chylinski.
Also in attendance will be Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of Allentown; and Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman, Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald and Most Reverend John J. McIntyre, Auxiliary Bishops of Philadelphia as well as Most Reverend Joseph L. Coffey, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese for Military Service.
The ceremony will include a blessing of the ground for the new seminary and a ceremonial groundbreaking. Seminarians will also erect a new cross hewed by them from one of the pews on the current campus. The cross will be placed next to Visitation House and remain there throughout construction.
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
2:00 p.m.
1325 Sumneytown Pike
Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437
The ceremony will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan Vimeo website https://vimeo.com/event/2529171 beginning at 2:00 p.m. (EDT).
Contextual Background
In 2016, former Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. accepted a recommendation from the Seminary Board of Trustees to sell the entire seminary property and explore options to partner with a local Catholic college. At that time, discussions began with several Catholic universities including Gwynedd Mercy University. The seminary began discussions with potential buyers for its property, which resulted in the sale of the campus to Main Line Health in May, 2019. In late 2020, the seminary signed a letter of intent with Gwynedd Mercy University to explore the possibility of purchasing a portion of the Gwynedd Valley property. On April 19, 2021, Saint Charles Seminary and Gwynedd Mercy University signed an agreement of sale and on September 27, 2022, the Lower Gwynedd Board of Supervisors approved the seminary’s land development plan. On November 16, 2022, the seminary and Gwynedd Mercy University closed on the first phase of the property sale.
Background on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Founded in 1832, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary has been forming men for priestly service in the Catholic Church for more than 180 years. In August 2022, the seminary reported an overall enrollment of 133 seminarians. Saint Charles’ seminarian population is becoming increasingly diverse with approximately 31% of its students now coming from Asian, Latino, or African countries or nationalities. Of the 29 new seminarians, 11 are seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and there are a total of 68 seminarians for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia studying at St. Charles. With the generosity of many, these young seminarians are able to successfully transform into the compassionate and loyal priests and inspiring leaders of tomorrow’s Church. For more information on Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, please call 610-667-3394 or visit www.scs.edu.
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Contact: Kenneth A. Gavin
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