St. Mary of the Assumption is the second oldest parish in Manyunk. The following is a time line of important events in St. Mary's history.

1849: Work began on the Church building. Since the parish was built to meet the needs of the German-speaking families in Manayunk, it was constructed to resemble a hillside church in Germany. The church encompassed all Catholics of German extraction living within four miles.

1850: Church was blessed by Father Superior Coudenhove.

1851: The first Manayunk parochial school was established in the basement of the church.

1862: Fr. Rudolph Kunzer became pastor. Under his administration a school was constructed across from the church.

1872: Fr. Martersteck became pastor. A cemetery was purchased and the church building and school were enlarged.

1901: Fr. Gantert became pastor. A new school was builty and the old school became a convent.

1952: Fr. Hammeke was the administrator and in 1955 he became pastor. 7 acres of land known as St. Mary's Woods were purchased. The brewery adjacent to the church was acquired. A school library was added and the directives of Vatican II were implemented.

1968: Fr. Oestreich became pastor and enlarged the library and continued improvements of the church and school.

1985: Fr. Horner became pastor and many renovations to St. Mary's were completed.

1996: Fr. Sibel became pastor and Horner Hall was dedicated.

2003: Fr. James McGuinn became the pastor. A Eucharistic Adoration chapel was established in November, 2003, serving the five Manayunk parishes. At Fr. McGuinn's invitation, the Christian Brothers took up residence in the former convent.

2005: St. Mary's school closed and a new regional school, Holy Child, was established.

Today, St. Mary of the Assumption is a vibrant parish with parishioners dedicated to spreading the Good News and carrying on its mission.