Drexel Hill in Delaware County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

St. Vincent's Orphanage

Photographed by Kate Clifford, August 6, 2026

1. St. Vincent's Orphanage Marker

Inscription. In 1917, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia purchased the 36-acre property of Anthony Joseph Drexel Jr. for $57,000. Soon after, Archbishop Edmond Francis Prendergast announced plans for the construction of a new orphanage, designed by Architect Paul Monaghan.

The facility, St. Vincent's Orphanage, was designed to house up to 500 children, replacing an orphanage that had been lost to the development of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. However, the outbreak and escalation of World War I delayed construction. Tragically, Archbishop Prendergast passed away before the building was finished. In recognition of his leadership and service, the orphanage was dedicated in his honor.

St. Vincent's served the community for more than 30 years. By 1952, the number of children in the facility declined, and the demand for Catholic secondary education in the region grew. In 1953, the orphanage was vacated and reopened as Archbishop Prendergast High School.

Erected 2026 by Delaware County Community College.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 39° 57.164′ N,

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75° 16.971′ W. Marker is in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, in Delaware County. It is on Lansdowne Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 409 N Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill PA 19026, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Greater Philadelphia.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Thomas Garrett (approx. ¾ mile away); Henry Albertson Subdivision Historic District (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lansdowne World War Monument (approx. 0.8 miles away); Abraham L. Pennock (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lansdowne Park Historic District (approx. 1.1 miles away); Clifton Heights (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lansdowne (approx.

Photographed by Kate Clifford, August 6, 2026

2. St. Vincent's Orphanage Marker

1.3 miles away); The Llanerch Car Barn (approx. 1.4 miles away).

Interpretive signs to north image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kate Clifford, August 6, 2026

3. Interpretive signs to north

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2026, by Kate Clifford of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2026, by Kate Clifford of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.