On May 21, 1963 Bishop Joseph McShea formally established the first new parish in the new Diocese of Allentown.

Founded as a daughter parish of St. Anne's Church in Bethlehem, the new parish was given the name "Our Lady of Perpetual Help." This was an appropriate title for according to church tradition, St. Anne is the mother of the Blessed Lady.

At the time of its establishment, the parish located at 3219 Santee Road, Bethlehem, consisted of 450 families.

Fifty years later, that number has grown to over 2,400 families and 7,500 people.

The people of Our Lady honored their parish's 50 years of faith with a special anniversary Mass May 26 presided by the Most Reverend John O. Barres, bishop of Allentown.

Following Mass, the parishioners gathered into the Marian Inn, the parish's social hall, for a time of celebration. Children enjoyed the many games and activities held for them in the gymnasium.

Plenty of food and refreshments were available to the parishioners who grouped together around high tables draped in gold tableclothes as they socialized and celebrated the accomplishments of the past fifty years.

A beautiful display containing photographs and church history was presented on the social hall's stage, which at one time was the altar of the original church.

Longtime members will recall that the first Mass was held June 9, 1963, in Notre Dame HS's gymnasium. The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Harry Hynes who was selected as the first pastor of Our Lady and served until his death in 1975.

Monsignor David Morrison writes in a recent leter to parishioners, "As we celebrate a fiftieth anniversary, let us remember prayerfully all those who have gone before us. It was their hard work and sacrifice that built our parish into a true People of God and a family within the Church."

He concludes, "Fifty years! So much accomplished; so much yet to do. Let's get busy and begin our fifty-first year."