St. Charles Church in Kellyville, Pennsylvania
Denis Kelly of Donaghmore (Killygordon) Parish in County Donegal, Ireland came to America in 1806 and settled outside of Philadelphia in what would become Havertown. He purchased a textile mill there and became wealthy making uniforms for the War of 1812. In 1821, Denis brought his nephew, Charles Kelly from Ardnaganna in Donaghmore Parish to America. They leased an existing mill on the Darby Creek next to the Delaware County Turnpike (Baltimore Pike) in 1826 and named it the D and C Kelly Mill. A few years later, Denis sold his share of the mill to Charles, and he operated his own mill in Havertown. Both of the Kellys became quite wealthy.
Most of the Kelly employees were Irish born and Catholic. Many were from the Kelly’s native parish in Ireland. In 1826, Denis built a church for his employees in Havertown and named it after his patron saint, St. Denis. Charles did the same much later in 1849. His was named St. Charles Borromeo. Prior to St. Charles Church, the Kellyville employees of the Kelly Mill attended Mass infrequently when the priest from St. Denis could visit.
Charles Kelly became quite wealthy from the proceeds of his mill, and he bought land on both sides of Darby Creek in Upper Darby in the 1840s. The area around his mill became known as Kellyville, a hamlet of Upper Darby. Charles became Kellyville’s first postmaster in 1849 and he worked on committees to build the Philadelphia – West Chester railroad that ran through his town. When completed, there was a Kellyville Station at the location of the present Gladstone train station.
Charles Kelly died in 1864. The portion of Kellyville south and west of Darby Creek became independent of Upper Darby Township in 1885 to become Clifton Heights Borough. The Kellyville Post Office then became the Clifton Post Office. The Kelly Mill burned down in 1888. By that time, Kellyville was the portion of Upper Darby bordered by Shadeland Avenue on the East, Darby Creek on the south and west, and Marshall Road on the north. As the Kelly name slipped from memory, this area became known as Oakview.
In my novel about Irish immigration, “Donegal Generations”, Charles Kelly is featured as a fictional character in the final four chapters of the book. The character is based on the real Charles Kelly, the owner of Kelly Mill and founder of Kellyville. Of course, Mr. Kelly’s words and actions are used fictitiously in my novel.
St. Charles Church opened a Catholic elementary school in 1866. In 1892, the older church was replaced by a larger building, the St. Charles Church in the photo. The bell tower was added later in 1898.
After 141 years, St. Charles Catholic School closed in 2007. The school building is now used as a public elementary school by the Upper Darby Township. The school was renamed the Charles Kelly Elementary School after Charles Kelly of County Donegal.
There is one of the oldest log cabins found in North America in Kellyville on Darby Creek. It is the Swedish Cabin built by Swedish settlers to the area between 1638 and 1655.
St. Charles Church and School, Kellyville, PA
Cabin in Kellyville built by Swedish settlers at Darby Creek 1638-1655
Monument marking the grave of Charles Kelly.
Inscription on Charles Kelly’s grave marker,
St. Charles Cemetery
This is very interesting history. I have family who live in the Havertown area. We are originally from County Donegal
I thought this might be the same as Kelly’s Corners in Pa or state of Delaware. Generations of non-catholic ancestors named Abraham Kelly (Kelley) and also John I am pursuing. One who lived in New Castle, De converted to Catholicism to marry in 1800’s. I wonder if kids would get interested in history if very local history was presented to them first, including surnames of previous generations but still familiar to the young students via name of street, road town etc,
I grew up in Clifton Heights and attended St. Charles school, as did my father. Most of my family is buried in the cemetery there. I was married in the church as were my parents.
We always referred to the area as “Kellyville”.
I am researching the Frank/Francis Kelly and Mary McFadden family that lived in the Kellyville Post office area. He was a carpenter. His daughter Mary A Kelly married Thomas F Manley. Any info would be helpful on this side.
We are direct descendants of the kelly’s that started the textile mill in upper darby. My grandmother was margaret kelly daughter of charles kelley and cousin to denis. He (charles) was the first to arrive in the area in late 1700’s and then sent for his cousin denis. They both built churches in the area, St. Charles and St Denis. which still exist today. They called the area kellyville because there were so many of them in that area. The cemetery behind st. Charles church are mostly kellys and all of my ancestors
Hi Diane: I believe that your family may have the facts wrong about the Kellys of Kellyville. From several sources of documentation (including the books written for the sesquicentennial of St. Denis and the centennial of St. Charles), the facts I presented in my article are accurate. Denis Kelly came first to America in 1806 with his wife Mary (nee Boyle) and infant daughter Margaret. Denis was born in 1779. His NEPHEW Charles (born 1803) came in 1821. Charles married his wife Margaret after sending for her from his parish in Ireland. Kellyville was named for the Kelly Mill and not because of the number of Kellys living in the village.
Interesting. All of my children attended St. Charles’. We were in that parish for about 20 yrs. loved it. I also have Kelly ancestors buried in their cemetery! Rumors were my great grandfather, Denis Kelly, was somehow related.
I believe I am a direct descedant of Denis & Charles Kelly (I am also Denis Kelly from parish of Donaghmore in Co.Donegal). A priest came here on holiday, from Philladelphia, many years ago, Fr Carrabine. He celebrated mass while he was here and told the parishioners some of the history of the Kellys leaving for America. I would be very interested in more info if anyone can help me.
Denis Kelky
Hi Denis: The priest is Monsignor Carbine who is related to Gallaghers in Cornashesk Townland in Donaghmore. He lives in the Philadelphia area but returns to Donaghmore fairly frequently. I am in touch with him often. The story of the Kellys was documented in the books published by the Pennsylvania parishes of St. Denis and St. Charles for their centennial celebrations. The story of the Kellys in the one written for St. Denis was written by Mgsr. Carbine. The one for the Kellys in the St. Charles book was written by Msgr. Charles Gallen, one of my relatives. These books are no longer available. However, Msgr. Carbine’s history of the Kellys can be found in Chapter 3 of David Kelly’s book, Rambles Around the Finn. I used the story of the Kellys’ emigration, as written by Mgsr. Gallen, in my novel Donegal Generations. However, my book is fiction. The Charles Kelly in my novel is a fictional character although the real Charles Kelly played a huge part in the history of Kellyville. The facts are that Denis came over to America from the Castlefin area in 1806. His nephew Charles came over from Ardnaganna Townland in 1821. The rest is history (the history of St. Denis and St. Charles Parish). Please check out “Rambles Around the Finn” or read between the lines in “Donegal Generations”.
Hi, wondering if my Denis Kelly, great grandfather, is truly related to the Kelly’s of Kellyville. I used to belong to St. Charles and just recently found out that some of my Kelly ancestors are buried there.
Would all the Kelly’s buried at St. Charles’ related?
My Kelly’s, Denis Kelly born in Ireland, settled in the Germantown section of Phila. He married Elizabeth Brophy and had 7 children. Denis also had brother, William and Patrick, that I know of. I am doing my family tree on Ancestry and they are my brick wall. To know hat they were also from Donegal would be awesome!
As I recall, there were many Kellys buried in St. Charles cemetery. Because Kelly is such a common name in Ireland and Clifton Heights, I doubt that all were related.
I would be interested in comparing Kelly notes. My ancestors are Kelly’s from Killygordon and one of them married a sister of Father Hugh Gallagher. My Kelly ancestors came to Pennsylvania with Father Gallagher and then went to California with him. It’s possible these Kelly families were related.
I went to St.Denis as a kid and have lived in Clifton heights and never knew this….thank you!
Thank you for this interesting information. My cousin and I are researching our Kelly ancestor (James), born in Killygordon, Donaghmore, abt.1827, arrived in Phila. abt. 1840. I don’t know if he sailed alone, but according to my grandmother’s family legend, he was met at the dock by an older brother, (first name unknown) an apprentice bootmaker, who shared half a loaf of bread with him. James learned the bootmaker trade, married Bridget Anna McMenamin from Knockfair, near Lough Alaan and Stranorlar, Donegal, daughter of Manus McMenamin and Anna Quin. Bridget arrived in Phila. 1846 with at least one brother, Thomas. James and Bridget married abt. 1848 and lived in now-Upper Darby. Known children: Margaret Mary “Maggie”, Katherine H. “Cassie”, Jerome Thomas, Charles Francis, Agnes Gertrude. If any of this looks familiar, I would appreciate sharing. Thank you!
Thanks for the information, Jan. There were plenty of Kellys and McMenamins who lived in Kellyville, PA and in the Killygordon area of Donegal. (One of my grandmothers was born to a Patrick Quinn and Anne McMenamin in Kellyville.) The Kelly Mills attracted many Irish to the hometown of my ancestors in America. You are probably aware of the difficulty of tracing Irish-Catholic ancestors. The marriages and births were not recorded before 1860. Killygordon/Donaghmore church records start in 1840 but are not complete. I’m sure that James and Bridget are listed in the Kellyville census and can be followed throughout their lifetimes in subsequent censuses. If you get a chance, please check out my novel to see what life was like for your ancestors back in their homes in old Donegal and Tyrone.
I was recently told by my mother’s cousin that Kellyville became Drexel Hill. My grandfathers last name was Sharkey. I was told the Kelleys and Sharkeys were related somehow. Would you have any information on this?
Kellyville was split between Drexel Hill and Clifton Heights. When Clifton became independant of Upper Darby, the Oakview section of Drexel Hill became known as Kellyville. Both Sharkey and Kelly are common names in the area. I knew of both when I grew up in Kellyville, but I don’t know if the families are related.
My great-great-grandparents, Michael and Mary Maher were from Kellyville. His son, Michael, an engineer, married Mary Helen Walls at St. Charles Church in 1885. Then his son, Michael, married Emma Sharkey, in Allentown, in 1911. I would love to hear from anyone who has any info on these family names or how to access records about St. Charles Church and Kellyville Cemetery.
I actually have a friend who happens to be going to St. Charles’ rectory today and is going to ask how to find info on who is buried there for me.
Thank you very much for your very interesting article on Kellyville. My family goes back at least to the 1820s, according to the 1820 census, and they all lived and worked at the various mills around Clifton Heights. My dad worked for the Clifton Yarn Mill for 55 years. I am very familiar with St. Charles and the area since I’m heavily into genealogy. Many of the names of people who commented are familiar as well, and I’m probably related to some of them.
But the real reason that I’m so thankful is that you’ve narrowed down my search for my Kelly ancestors, meaning the area in Donegal. My mother had told me we were from Tipperary and Donegal. I found my Tipperary ancestors and visited their hometown, but the Kelly side has been far more elusive. I know so little about them. My great-great grandfather was named James Kelly, who married Catherine McDermott, but I don’t know when, except that they came over during the Great Famine. I’m told that Catherine came over first and worked as a housekeeper at St. Denis (my present parish), James followed later. They lived in West Philadelphia, then Darby. Their one daughter, Mary Agnes (my great-grandmother) married Michael Bryson, all of whom are buried in St. Charles. That’s about it.
I’ve had my DNA done on Ancestry.com, so if anyone in Donegal or here is interested in seeing if we’re related I’d welcome that. I long to know more about my Kelly side and about Donegal, so will indeed search out your book. Thank you again and again.
Maureen
Thanks for your comments and success finding your roots. Sorry I was so long in responding…Tom
Maureen, we went to Holy Cross together and my grandparents lived on Sycamore Street. She was AnnaMae Kelly Meredith and her parents and siblings lived on Sycamore St across from the school. All of their neighbors were named Kelly and not related.
Hi Linda, Since my father, John Francis Kelly, was Anna Mae Kelly Meredith’s younger brother we must be related! Anna Mae Meredith and her sister, Eleanor, as well as Eleanor’s son, Francis, did all live on Sycamore Street. Anna Mae’s parents Francis Aloysious and “Cecilia Bridget” Barrett Kelly lived on Fairview Avenue.
It is so nice to connect with part of our unique Kelly history.
Been crazy busy. Sorry to take so long. AnnaMae was the baby. Eleanor called her babe. John had a grocery store in town. My father, Bud, helped out sometimes. I remember when he died in 57 I think.
Hi Linda, Our Aunt Eleanor, may have called her sister, Anna Mae, “babe” for some sentimental reason but my father, John Francis was the youngest of the surviving children of Francis Aloysius and Cecilia Barrett Kelly. You are right about my father’s passing ; Mother’s Day – May 12, 1957. I remember that your father, Bud, Eddie Dowrick, as well as Uncle Jim. all helped in the store. I also remember babysitting you and your siblings after school.
Do you know where your grandparents, Anna Mae and Norman, are buried?
Do you know when Jackie Meredith died?
Hi Linda
Hi, I’m a daughter of Francis Dowrick and Laura Virginia Shelly and a granddaughter of Eleanor Kelly Dowrick. Eleanor, of course, was the sister of John Kelly and Anna May Kelly Meredith. I remember Uncle John’s store on Baltimore Pike and good ole Sycamore Street. I’ve done some research on our Kelly and Barrett lines. If you’d like to swap info, would love to hear from you.
Maureen, I also am trying to knock down my Kelly brick wall on Ancestry. So thrilled I found this page. I’ve also done my dna.
You can contact me at Mariahughes503@gmail.com
any information on the Patrick Hughes family listed in the 1850 Kellyville Federal census & buried in St Charles cemetery would be appreciated
thank you
My great great grandfather was Denis Kelly (b. ~ 1830 in Ballybun, Donaghmore Parish, Donegal). Just wondering if anyone had any info about any brothers he might have had.
Hi Denis,
My great great grandfather was Denis Kelly, Ballybun, born ~1827. If you want to get in touch, my email address is cathykelly at gmail dot com.
All the best,
Cathy
I have determined that my Grandparents and Great Grand Parents are buried at St Charles Cemetery. I have always wondered which county in Ireland My Great Grandfather emigrated from . Would it be safe to assume since they lived in that area , It might be Donegal? His name was James Harley . .
I grew up in Upper Darby and never heard of Kellyville. I found this article very interesting.
My great great grandfather was Bernard Cullen who is buried in St Charles Cemetery. His daughter, who is my great grandmother, Rose Wickersham, is also buried next to him.
Would you know if Were they direct descendants of Charles Kelly?
Sorry, I don’t. Maybe another reader can help.
Mr. Gallen, are you related to Nellie Gallen by any chance? She was born 4 Oct 1878 and died 14 March 1939 in Philadelphia, her parents were Patrick Gallen (Ireland) and Martha Garvey (PA). Nellie was my great grandmother. My cousin Kathy (in Philly) and I are working ancestry.com now, apparently our line goes way back in Ireland. Thank you so much for the info you’ve posted!
Sorry. Not related.
Are you related to the Hughes’s buried in St. Charles? I remember my grandmother Kathrine Conway Hughes married to Joseph Hughes mentioning the name Gallens.i think that they were cousins.
Sorry, Mary Ellen. My Gallen and Gallagher families are buried there. My genealogy research shows no Hughes relatives. There were two other Gallen families in the parish who were not related to us.
I am working on my family tree, and my grandmother was Anna E. Kelly born 1886. I have docs saying she lived in Kellyville. My Aunts and Uncles lived in Lansdowne and Havertown in the 1950’s. She married William F. Miller. Her father was Patrick Kelly and her mother was Mary Bridget Dougherty. Of course I hit the road block with Ancestry to research Irish records. They want more money, LOL. Anyone possibly related I would appreciate more information. Loved reading this history and plan to take a ride and visit the area.
I’m in the same boat. My great great uncle was Patrick Kelly and I think he also had a son named Patrick who was buried at St. Charles.
I attended St. Charles Borromeo grade school for nine year (i.e. K – 8), and was always puzzled seeing my name on a headstone next to where the school kids played at recess time. I knew that this Patrick Kelly was no relation to me, since my Kelly kin emigrated from Ireland in 1913, and the name was as common as Smith, or Jones, but it was surreal seeing my name on a headstone.
My great-grandmother and great-grandfather are buried in that cemetery. My grandmother’s tribe attended St. Charles school, but before the 1910 building was constructed. Great-grandfather, James Farley, owned a blacksmith shop on Edmonds Avenue, and his kids worked in the mills after finishing at St. Charles.
I had some connection with the last mill in that area, Clifton Yarn Mill, since I delivered pizza and sandwiches to employees of the mill at night, and later had CYM as a client when I worked in public accounting.
I would love to use modern technology to identify and map the locations of mills along Darby Creek, but I live in Southeast Asia, and only make infrequent visits to my former hometown of Drexel Hill.
I went to St. Charles with Joe Sharkey, who was from Clifton, but he was older, and I didn’t know him well.
A grade school friend of mine, Bob Volpone, his father was a supervisor at one of the mills (i.e. the one that sat across Darby Creek from the end of Kent Park parking lot), and Bob once led me on a walk through that mill, but that was in the early 1960s, and my memory of that is dim.
Being a Drexel Hill-billy from that era, I have memories of some of mill tenement housing, much of which still stands today, along Dennison Ave., Old Blanchard Road, and some on Baltimore Pike west of Walt’s.
My husband’s ancestor Mary Summers Carroll is buried in the cemetery of St. denis in the 1840’s. She was 2 yes5s old. Henry and Margaret, her parents were from Langford, Ireland.
I love Kellyville and I love Saint Charles. There is so much history on Kellyville, even regarding potential plans to defend the village if General Lee won at Gettysburg according to Civil War maps. From the Swedes to the current Saint Charles Parish this is one of the quaint villages I’ve seen in America, with the creek below it and Lansdowne on the bluffs above.