Despite fires, wars, and falling roofs, St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church in Levittown has thrived and is now celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

The church was established in 1948 in a building that had been a barracks in World War I and an aircraft hangar after that. The first pastor of St. Bernard's was Father Thomas O'Brien. The building was gradually built up for the church over the years but was destroyed by fires several times and had to be rebuilt. Through the years the church saw internal as well as external changes and had several pastors directing the changes.

In 1981 Monsignor George Graham was was named pastor and has remained in that position ever since.

Soon after Msgr. Graham arrived at St. Bernard's a woman asked him why the ceiling of the church was pointing down. Msgr. Graham had it checked out and discovered that the roof of the building was being held up by the ceiling because the supports were gone. The church had to be closed right away. Msgr. Graham said, "Thank God we averted a tragedy."

After extensive discussions with parishioners they decided the best option was to take down the structure and build a new church. After fund raising, design, and construction the church then had to get the Bishop's permission and building office's approval. The building, which still stands today was opened in June 1985.

With a history laden with both trials and tribulations St. Bernard's truly has a reason to celebrate 50 years of service to the community. There are currently about 6,000 families, approximately 20,000 people, who are parishioners of St. Bernard's. According to Msgr. Graham, Levittown is approximately 66 percent Catholic, which has been about the average for several years. Some of the services that St. Bernard's offers to this largely Catholic community, besides the Liturgy, are programs for children. According to Msgr. Graham the church has a great concern for religious education. They have a religious education program for children in grades 1-8, which has 1,431 students. They also have a big basketball program, which keeps kids around the church. There are about 1,400 kids who participate in that program.

Msgr. Graham said that he believes the church fits in very well with the community. He added, "It's a nice community, the kind of community that if I were looking for a place to live, if I were a married man with a family, I would like to pick."

This anniversary, according to Msgr. Graham, is an opportunity for the church to look at itself and see what it is all about. In remembrance and celebration of the anniversary the church held a 50th Anniversary Dance a few weeks ago and have published a 50th Anniversary Journal. This past Sunday St. Bernard's held a special Anniversary Mass, which was celebrated by Bishop McGann, bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

According to Msgr. Graham, "It's always nice to look back on these special anniversaries. I would like to think that it's an opportunity to look back and see what has happened in the past but that it is also an opportunity to look forward to the future." He added, "We have had a glorious past, I think, over the last 50 years, and we are looking forward to an even more glorious future."