In 1925, Rego Park was, simply, a nameless stretch of country where,
approximately, ten farmers -most of them of the old German and Dutch stock
-- raised truck vegetables which they sold in Manhattan. Sixty-third Drive
was a cow path -- none of the present streets existed -- and the
farmhouses had neither gas nor electricity. The Rego Construction Company
had purchased three farms, which comprised approximately forty-five acres.
The name "Rego Park" was adopted to mean "Real Good" - a description of
the quality of the homes they intended to build. This farmland was bounded
[triangularly] by 63rd Drive, the Long Island Railroad, and a line of
about 200 feet east of Eliot Avenue. Many of our "pioneer" parishioners
were the proud purchasers of these homes when they were completed.
Meanwhile, Rego Park was springing up like an adolescent youth. The
cornerstone of P.S. 139 was laid in 1928, and the school was opened in
1930. Next, the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour was opened in 1931.
Noticeably, 63rd Drive also appeared to be shaping up. Families were
rapidly moving into this lovely and convenient section of Queens and so,
in keeping pace with this development, his Excellency, Bishop Thomas Molloy
addressed the spiritual needs of his people. Therefore, in 1926, Rev.
Francis Scullin was appointed to found a parish in what was, then, the
outlying section of St. Bartholomew's Church in Elmhurst. There were many
problems facing Father Scullin [and his parishioners] foremost, of course,
was finding the most suitable location to build a church that would serve
all the people. A temporary church was constructed by the parishioners on
55th Avenue in Elmhurst. It was called the Church of the Ascension of
Elmhurst. Over the years, improvements have been made to this very
"homelike, and "peaceful" church. The probable date of the first Mass was
February 28, 1926. Our first baptism consisted of twin boys, James and
Robert Mullaney. They were baptized by Father Scullin on March 7, 1926.
The first wedding took place on June 19, 1926. The groom was George
Renhardt and his bride, Eleanor Coddington. Father Scullin "officiated" at
their marriage.For the convenience of many parishioners, arrangements
were made to schedule the Sunday Mass celebration in the Rego Park
Community Club House, on 62nd Avenue.
In 1931, Father Scullin was transferred to Lynbrook and Rev. Henry Hald
became the newly assigned pastor. By this time, it was evident that the most
important need of the parish would be a parochial school. After much searching,
Father Hald finally succeeded in obtaining a very suitable piece of property,
located on Wood haven Boulevard, 61st Road, 85th Street, and Eliot Avenue. This
area comprised about seventy-five city lots. Once again, our pastor was
transferred but, we were so very fortunate to have Rev. Patrick F. Feely
assigned to lead our flock. Our new pastor had the obligation of selecting
an architect to build the school and church. His choice was a very wise
one, and we are grateful today as we all admire, and benefit, from our
school building. Now, we were really on our way! So, where there once were
unsightly refuse and open lots, there appeared, finally, the beautiful
edifice of brick and stone - The Ascension School and Church. The
cornerstone was laid in July, 1938.
Fr. Feely had requested the Sisters of Charity of Halifax to staff the
school. So, Sister Miriam Constance, Ph.D. was assigned to be the first
principal. On September 11, 1939 our beautiful Ascension School was ready
to open the doors to all the children of the neighborhood. We had an
exceptionally large enrollment of 520 pupils in grades up to [and
including] 5A. The first pupil to be registered was Mary Cox, a daughter
of the recently deceased, Bea Cox. Our school was one of the most modern
in the Eastern part of the country. We had an RCA system installed, which
made it possible for Sr. Miriam Constance to speak [and listen] to the
teachers and pupils -- while remaining at her desk. Of course, this is the
same intercom system in use today. [But, remember, in 1939, very few
schools enjoyed anything so modern]. Remarkably, within just one year
after opening its doors, the necessity arose to have both a "twelve
classroom and an auditorium ADDITION" built onto the original structure.
