My Genealogy Hound

REV. JAMES A. McHUGH is the well known rector of the church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.

Previous to the formation of this parish, the Catholic population of Cheltenham worshipped at Jenkintown, Frankford, and St. Michael’s church, at Second and Jefferson streets, Philadelphia. In 1891, Rev. John H. Laughran was appointed to organize a parish at Cheltenham, and for some time previous to the building of the church celebrated mass in Cheltenham Hall. The same year he purchased the site of the present church, the corner stone being laid with appropriate ceremonies early in the year, and the edifice being completed as speedily as possible. During his administration as rector, Father Laughran also purchased the present rectory. Father Laughran was succeeded by the Rev. C. P. Reigle, who in turn was succeeded by the Rev. P. F. Fogarty. Father Fogarty ministered to the spiritual needs of the parish about two years. In 1902 Father Fogarty was succeeded by the present rector.

Since taking charge of the parish, Father McHugh has made many improvements to the church property. The church is a frame building, with a seating capacity of about four hundred. The parish embraces Lawndale, Marburg and Fox Chase, in Philadelphia county, and Rockledge and Cheltenham, in Montgomery county. In connection with this parish there is also a mission Sunday school, located at Fox Chase, presided over by the rector. The parish is in a flourishing condition, the church free from debt, and the rector held in the highest esteem by people of all denominations.

Rev. James A. McHugh was born in Lansford, Carbon county, Pennsylvania, on October 19, 1864. He acquired his early education in the public schools of his native town. Afterward he entered Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, at Emmetsburg, Maryland, where he took a classical, philosophical and theological course. He was ordained to the priesthood June 20, 1895, in the cathedral at Baltimore by the Right Reverend A. A. Curtis, D. D., and two years later received from his Alma Mater the degree of A. M. He was soon after appointed assistant rector at St. Joseph’s church, Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Six months later he was transferred to the church of the Immaculate Conception, at Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, as assistant to the Rev. Joseph A. Strahan. His next appointment was to the rectorship of St. Martin’s church, at New Hope, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he ministered faithfully to the spiritual needs of the parish for five years, and in October, 1902, was appointed rector of the church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to succeed the Rev. P. F. Fogarty who had taken charge of the parish of Olney, in Philadelphia, where he had erected a church.