West Philadelphia Catholic High School

Video slide show of the school's history and recent demolition. Photographed and compiled by J.Gallagher '58. Film editing and digital conversion, Steve Weber. Piano: Ranny Reeve. Trumpet, Bob Scarpula

[@tombrown3774]

My father went to West Catholic ('33). One thing I missed in the tribute was the West Catholic Fight Song that my father would sing at various odd times. Great tune! Nice Tribute!

[@paulieicepick]

Nicely done. No one knows how badly this feels unless he's/she's been through it. I know your pain. At least we have some great memories. Best wishes brother.
Joe Evans, Northeast Catholic class of 1979.

[@joanneWashingtonCros]

Just buried my father in law, James J. McGettigan, Class of 1942 at Arlington National Cemetary. One of 10 children from St. Frances de Sales and 47th and Baltimore, he served in WWII as an electricians mate on several submarines including the Seahorse. After the war, he rented beach chairs and umbrellas in Wildwood until his father sought him out and told him he needed to get a real job. After night school at Drexel he ended his career at Western Electric as a manager of a plant in Michigan.

[@michaelcasey5155]

West Catholic,North Catholic, St. Thomas Moore and St. James are all gone. That’s sad. The memories remain.

[@LarryjB53]

My father, mother(west catholic girls) and uncle went to West Catholic in the 1930's. West Catholic is a great part of Philly's history.

[@xxinputterrorxx]

The school will hold nothing but great memories for me..from the smallest freashman
Class of 1965
Richard Frankie

[@joanneWashingtonCros]

Truly a remarkable school with remarkable graduates. An era ends but the memories will not. This from a gal who attended Cardinal O'Hara and made a bee line for West after meeting the 'guys' on the boardwalk.

[@billstarkey13]

Thanks a bunch - great memories of a great school. Too bad it had to go. I went to Most Blessed Sacrament (MBS) Grade School which was closed down but not destroyed. A portion opened up again fairly recently as another school; I"m glad for that.
Bill Starkey, Class of '82 West Catholic Boys

[@RNBMusicNJ]

Sad how the passing of time eventually claims all things. I'm sure there are great memories that will last a lifetime.

[@007snoops]

Thank you for the memories class of 1988.

[@phlash49]

Loved this video! Brought back a flood of memories! God bless to all the Burrs! Class of 74'

[@brianaa96]

I'm a student at West and it's so interesting to see the school's history. I love looking at all the yearbooks in the library.

[@bfolgerjr]

Great video and tribute. The catholic leaders should really sit down and think about what they are doing to the faith. North Catholic - Class of 87 Grad

[@ItalianQue]

Great Video!
Class of 83

[@skeptic49]

Thanks for the video...didn't realize they tore it down...lotsa memories...class of 66.

[@cashcurry9978]

Wow the memories class of 1977

[@ericrobinson3995]

Tears from the final class of our beloved West -- 1989....

[@richardtangradi4256]

Graduated from there in 1965

[@larrygallo3136]

Actually rode by a few times as they were tearing it down. Was working in the area. I should have grabbed a few bricks. Some people would have paid a fortune for one of those. I'm sure someone saved some . '83

[@onesmith39]

Very well done Ray Smith 1957

[@piercemcgee2902]

What did they put in place of it

[@ch1avarm]

I loved the video
MC '81

[@tonyrferrara]

Michael Chiavaroli

[@piercemcgee2902]

Where was the school located my dad was class of 69

[@tommcmanus3034]

49th & Chestnut St.