Photo courtesy of Google Maps StreetView

It will be with heavy hearts as members, families and alumni gather on Saturday, August 17 at 2 to 4 p.m. to say a final farewell to the Kennedy-Kenrick School Building.

The building, which is slated to be demolished to make way for a new housing complex to be added, does not yet have a publicly announced removal date. However, plans are in the works to allow the community to say goodbye.

Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School, operated by Archdiocese of Philadelphiaremained open until 2010, celebrating its final matriculation liturgy on Monday, June 1 at Visitation BVM parish in Norristown and a final graduation for the class of 2010 on Tuesday, June 2 at Gwynedd-Mercy College (now the University) in Lower Gwynedd Township.

Suburban Catholic school students after 2010 started going Pope John Paul II High School located in Royersford, which combined the two closing schools: KKCHS and Lower Pottsgrove Township’s St. Pius X High School. While the buildings may come and go, memories remain strong for many throughout Greater Philadelphia of the beloved high school.

Opened in September 1993, KKCHS was also a combined school that brought together students from Archbishop Kennedy High School in Conshohocken with students from Bishop Kenrick High School in Norristown.

The Aug. 17 event will include a gathering to say goodbye to the “beloved legacy school building,” providing time to “reflect on the moments and experiences that have shaped us,” it noted a Facebook post courtesy of the PJPII HS page. “Your presence would mean a lot as we gather to celebrate the legacy of Kennedy-Kenrick High School.”

During the celebration, the dedication of a Time Capsule from 1993 will also happen, as well as time to share memories and enjoy light refreshments. Admission to the event is free, and reservations are not required. However, you can get more information about the school’s Eventbrite post here.

Due to the dangerous conditions inside the high school, the public will not be allowed to enter the building. Instead, the festivities will be held outside the building in front of the main entrance.

Plans for the land where the building currently stands include a 325-unit townhouse development. Wayne-based Progressive New Homes bought the spacewhich combined two pieces of land into one, from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for $3 million.

According to Progressive New Homes President Sarah Peck, the project will be implemented in several phases, with the first of them starting soon. This section will include 90 townhomes for sale and should take approximately three years to complete.

A second phase of the project will also begin in 2024 but will include four unique buildings with 200 “garden-style apartments.” This phase two will also include a swimming pool as well as a clubhouse for the complex. Peck said this second part will begin “no later than spring next year” with hopes for a year-end launch in 2024.

In 2025, a third stage is planned, planned to include 35 rentable townhouses. These homes for sale are estimated to range from “the high $200,000s to the low $400,000s” when completed. Peck said the properties aim to be affordable for “first-time buyers” or those looking to downsize. Rental rates have not yet been determined for the third and final phase.

Kennedy Kenrick Catholic High School is located at 250 E. Johnson Highway in Norristown. All ages are welcome to participate in the farewell celebration on August 17 at 14.00-16.00