History of Devon

After the 1948 Russian occupation of Central Europe which destroyed their communities and schools in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Slovakia, Poland, and Rumania, many Piarists emigrated to the United States. With the help of then Bishop O’Hara of Buffalo they opened their first U.S. community there in 1951. When Bishop O’Hara became the Archbishop of Philadelphia and his successor in Buffalo showed little interest in advancing the educational system there, O’Hara invited the Piarists to Philadelphia. In August of 1954 Fr. Francis Senye, Fr. Stephen Senya (his brother), Fr. Louis Mesko, Fr. Andrew Soczowka, and Fr. Ladislaus Torontali moved to Philadelphia to teach in diocesan schools. On Dec. 15, 1955 they bought four buildings and the surrounding land in Devon for $82,000 for the purpose of starting a school. The estate included an old mansion, a carriage house, a stable, and a worker’s quarters. The main building had been built in 1912 by Dr. Charles H. Lea. At that time the property ran from the present Devon train station to the small lake on Timber Lane. Upon the deaths of Dr. and Mrs. Lea the estate was sold to a Dr. Lerner who had hopes of making it into a mental hospital. But complaints from the neighbors prevented the project from getting very far off the ground. The house was abandoned for several years until Dr. Lerner sold it to the Pairists. A few days before the contract on the house was signed Fr. Francis Senye died. Fr. Torontali never taught at Devon but lived here until his death in 1957. By March of 1956 the task of turning the run down hose into a school was begun. The first entrance exam was given on April 28, 1956, and on Sept. 8 Devon Preparatory School opened its doors to 49 freshmen. The original teachers were Fr. Stephen Senye (Headmaster; taught French and Math), Fr. Magyar (German and Math), Fr. Mesko (History and Spanish), Fr. Soczowka (French and Latin), Fr. John Shavary (Religion), and Mr. John Collins (English). There were two freshmen sections: Fr. Mesko had 1A and Fr. Magyar had 1B. Fr. Senye’s secretary was Miss Bernice Metzger and the janitor was Mr. John Gaspar. The next year Fr. Negrillos came to teach Spanish. On December 8, 1956 the school was dedicated by Archbishop O’Hara. In the years that followed the other buildings on the property became part of the campus. In 1956-57 the stable became the chapel; the next year the carriage house became the chemistry lab; and later the workers’ quarters (from then on known as the “cottage”) began to house clubs and activities. The first graduation was held on June 4, 1960. By this time Devon’s enrollment had reached 141. The first yearbook (called DELPHI) came out that year. Up until 1961 all classes were held upstairs in the old building in what are now priests’ bedrooms. But on Sept. 29, 1960 groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the new building. Construction was completed the next year and Archbishop Krol dedicated the building on Oct. 21, 1961. The gym was completed at the same time. Additions to the faculty of 1961-62 included Mr. Martin Bowen and Fr. Geza Pazmany. About this time activities were on the upswing. The Student Council became functional after 1961 when their original constitution was drawn up under Fr. Albert Fernandez. The first play was put on in the fall of 1961 (ROOM SERVICE) under the direction of Mr. Bowen. The patron drive of 1961 to help pay for the new building stimulated the first drama related ad drive the next year. The Student Council didn’t receive funds from the ad drive until 1967 when it was given its present financial responsibilities. The first two clubs came in 1964- first the Camera Club and the Radio Club. The first student newspaper, the DEVON DIALOGUE, was issued in 1964-65 although the office had previously published its own periodical- the DEVON DIGEST. In 1965 Fr. Oscar Alonso arrived to assist the organization of the library. And in 1967 Mr. Edgar Townsley became basketball coach and Athletic Director. Up until 1970 Devon was a partial boarding school. Fathers Pazmany and Alonso both served as the boarder’s perfects at different times. The daily schedule was a little different then. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays classes were from 9:00 to 3:00 (50 minute classes- 10 minute breaks). There were 20 minute lunches and no recreation periods. On Tuesdays and Thursdays a seventh class was added and the school day ran from 8:45 to 3:35. In 1969 Fr. Senye left Devon. He was replaced by Father Stephen Mustos. Fr. Mustos ended the boarding school (there were only 7 boarders at the time) and extended the library facilities upon his arrival. The next year completely new science and math departments came. Mr. Philip Connor and Mr. John Connelly (both graduates of 1961), Mr. James Shea (graduate of 1966), and Mr. Michael Seeds joined the faculty. Fr. Thomas Carroll also came in 1970. In 1972 and 1973 Devon expanded to six grade levels adding seventh and eighth grades. The 1972-73 enrollment of 274 is the highest in the school’s history. Of the remaining present members of the faculty Fr. Gendernalik came in 1971-72 (although he taught here is 1966-67), Mr. Michael Collins (graduate of 1968) and Mr. Stenger in 1972-73, Brother Oliva in 1973, Mr. Author Battista and Mr. Edward Cerullo in 1973-74, Mr Fred Knewstub in 1974, and Mr. John Logue (graduate of 1970), Brother Charles Newburn, and Brother Frank Silverio in 1974-75. The 70’s brought many new clubs and activities: the Community Action Program (founded in 1969 but revitalized in 1971), the Chess and Math Clubs (1971), the National Honor Society (1972), the computer (1972-73), and the Ski and Debate Clubs (1973-74). A few other clubs were formed but are presently inactive.

Devon has had five interscholastic sports in its history. Basketball came first, then track, cross country, and crew in 1964-65, and baseball in 1972-73. The crew team collapsed after the death of their coach (and former Athletic Director) Tibor MacHan in 1970. The other teams have produced two varsity league championships (the Suburban Athletic Conference which is now extinct): basketball in 1971 under Mr. Townsley and cross country in 1973 under Mr. Bill Whitehead. Construction of the long awaited athletic field began late in 1972 but a weather and legal problem prevented its use for nearly a year. The running teams have been of championship calibre for the past two years but have not had a league this year.

In 1956 it was two homerooms on the second floor of an old mansion. Today the original 49 would hardly recognize the place. That is what Devon is all about- always growing, always expanding, always changing. This history showed Devon as it was. You know it as it is. If you come back in 19 years you might not recognize the place.