Our History

Holy Redeemer is the first Catholic Church built in the United States specifically for Chinese Catholics.  In 1939, Bishop (later Cardinal) Paul Yu Pin of Nanking, China, visited Philadelphia.  Upon meeting Dennis Cardinal Dougherty and discovering that there was only one Chinese Catholic family in Philadelphia, the Archdiocese began evangelization and service in the Chinese Community.

Cardinal Dougherty had the wisdom to entrust this mission to a young priest, Monsignor William A. Kavanagh, who is remembered with great love at Holy Redeemer as the founder of the community.  Monsignor Kavanagh’s love, energy, sincerity, and good sense of humor endeared him to the Chinese people and he established religious instruction at Benedict Hall on 15^th and Race and Mass at the Catholic Youth Chapel at 1819 Arch St.  Led by dedicated religious sisters and lay volunteers, 9 children were baptized on Mission Sunday and 58 adults and children were confirmed the following year in May.  A more permanent place was needed to teach the children and for worship that was closer to Chinatown.

Undaunted by lack of money, Cardinal Dougherty made a personal gift of the money he received for his Golden Jubilee. He built Holy Redeemer Church and School which was dedicated on October 5, 1941.  At the dedication, Bishop Yu Pin bestowed a Chinese name upon the school, “Pui Dok,” which means “nurturing values.”

The school thrived under the direction of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity.  The church was served by the priests from St. John the Evangelist Church.  Through the years thousands of Chinese American children received their education at Holy Redeemer and thousands of Chinese Americans embraced the Catholic faith. 

The school was opened for all Chinese children, Catholic or non-Catholic free of charge for many years.  Today, the school is open to all children, and the tuition is the lowest of the Catholic K-12 schools in Philadelphia.  Transportation outside of Chinatown was provided to and from school.  Their health was also provided for with medical and dental care.  Evening classes were provided for adults to learn English, religion and other topics.  All these brought not just the Chinese in Chinatown, but also all of Philadelphia, together as a family.

Summer school was provided by the sisters who taught arts and crafts to the children as well as field trips to public parks and the weekly swim at the public pools.

In 1992, the Missionary Servants withdrew from Holy Redeemer, leaving the school in the capable hands of a lay principal and faculty.  Dr Lisa Cancelliere has served as Principal since the departure of the Sisters. Ms. Linda Mei Hing Leung has served during all the same years as Vice Principal, Chinese teacher and, since the early 2000’s, Director of Services for Holy Redeemer Church.  The tradition of excellence continues, with an enrollment that has grown to as many as 300 students in grades K through 8.  Holy Redeemer remains true to its mission of “pui dok”, providing an environment that fosters the Christian values of love, peace and justice.  Holy Redeemer School strives to develop the well-balanced child by responding to the spiritual, intellectual, personal, social, and physical needs of each student.  Chinese culture and language are prominent, integral parts of school programs and activities.  The students continue to distinguish themselves well beyond their years at Holy Redeemer. 

In 2006, Holy Redeemer School was fully accredited by Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, a remarkable distinction for this small, but truly excellent, school.

In a 2015 ranking by Great Philly Schools of all Philadelphia elementary schools (300 in all) Holy Redeemer was ranked 7^th.  Holy Redeemer was ranked 3^rd of all Philadelphia Catholic elementary schools.  These rankings were based on verbal and math testing scores, safety and attendance. 

The latest distinction was a recognition by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2021 as one of the top Catholic elementary schools achieving high scores in both Growth and Exceeding Potential.

Many of our students have graduated onto highly academic secondary such as Central, Palumbo, Science Leadership Academy, Catholic High Schools,  and collegiate schools such as University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Yale University, Drexel University, St. Joseph's University, Stanford University, UCLA, and MIT.  They have also earned prestigious academic scholarships such as the Bill Gates Scholarship and others totaling many millions of dollars.  They have matriculated into distinguished careers as doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, principals, entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals.