Philadelphia is marked by the various cultures and people scattered throughout each of its neighborhoods. In Port Richmond, the neighborhood is noted for its large Polish and Irish communities. But Mother of Divine Grace School and Parish is making sure that the Italian heritage of the neighborhood is celebrated and kept alive too.

Beginning in the 1900s, Italian immigrants from the neighborhood gathered at Saint Roch’s Mission to attend mass until it closed in 2000. Because many immigrants resided between Somerset and Ann Streets, Mother of Divine Grace Parish was established in 1926 to account for those populations.

Originally located in the building used by the Ancient Order of Hibernians on East Cambria and Thompson Street, the Parish also featured a school with classrooms occupying the two floors above the church. In 1951, the building became too small to fit the growing number of students and parishioners and a new church was opened on the adjacent property. After the old school/church building was demolished, a new school opened in 1964 at its current location on East Monmouth Street.

Aside from its proud Italian history, Mother of Divine Grace School is also known for its Italian Festival — a longstanding tradition that celebrates Italian heritage, the school/parish, and raise funds to help meet financial obligations.

This year’s Italian Festival was held from June 2-4 and 9-11 with months of preparation. Prior to the two weekend event, volunteers gathered in the school hall to prepare pasta (hundreds of lbs.), gravy (40 gallons) and meatballs (4,400 total). $1,350 was donated by seven parishioners to buy the ingredients, which included garlic, olive oil, and parsley.

Argia Manso, who came to the United States from Italy in 1959, ran the kitchen along with Lucy McDonnell and Gloria Discher. Dinner was served inside by 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students with the help of 6th grade teacher, Maureen Janda, former teacher, Bridget Cole, and parishioners, Joe and Clare Briscella.

Beginning at 4PM, folks began arriving for spaghetti, ravioli, and meatballs. Each night sold out of food by 8PM. Outside of the church, food huts were set up and served fresh pizza, fried dough, meatball, and sausage and pepper sandwiches.

Parishioners Bill Goebig, Frankie Valentino, and Joe D’ Angelo worked weeks in advance to set up the food court, picnic tables, the bar, lighting, and the game yard. The bar, the most popular attraction of the festival, served “Orange Crush”, a specialty drink, along with a selection of beer and other mixed drinks. A Frank Sinatra impersonator completed the mood as he danced and sang in the beer garden.

In the front yard, Michelle Goebig, Gina Hall, DJ Ottinger, and Patty Ellis found, directed, and organized volunteers while keeping the yard stocked with prizes. Walking through the Cambria Street gates, a merchandise table was set up stocked with shirts, aprons, and cardigans. This year the volunteer committee, with the help of JP Tees, added a new design the collection, “Real Housewives of Mother of Divine Grace,” which sold out in its first weekend.

Children ran around with summer treats of snow cones and cotton candy while playing games and waiting in line for the moon bounce. Lining the perimeters of the school yard were game booths with prizes for all ages. The highest earning booth was manned by parishioner Jason Yost and his wife Michele and included Michael Kors prizes and sports tickets.

As the festival comes to an end, the Italian heritage continues through the many students, faculty, and parishioners that make up Mother of Divine Grace.