You are listening to "The Blood Stained Bandage"

The Ancient Order of Hibernians is an Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization founded in Ireland in the 1500's during the days of the dreaded Penal Laws imposed on the residents of Ireland by the English Crown. Our primary function was to protect our Clergy who were often hunted like wild animals because they were forbidden to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to the Irish people, under penalty of banishment or death. The Order stood guard while the priests said Mass in mountains, glens and out of the way places, usually using a large rock as an Altar. After all, the object of the Penal Laws were designed to Deprive the Catholic's of all civil life, To reduce them to a condition of most extreme and brutal ignorance, and to disassociate them from their soil. In effect they were not allowed to receive an education, live within five miles of a corporate town, purchase land, vote, buy land from a Protestant, attend Mass, or hold public office. In short they were considered peasants. This practice continued through the 1800's when famine and other issues began a period of mass immigration, many coming to America.

With the growing number of Irish arriving in America, many faced discriminations they thought they left behind when they boarded the ships that took them to a new life in a new country. What they found was more of the same, with signs "No Irish Need Apply" and "Paddy Go Home" greeting them as they tried to find work to care for their families. With the influx of the Irish, the Catholic faith suddenly began to grow in the United States, which prompted the "The Native American Party" or "the Know Nothings" to attack the churches built by the immigrants. Many churches were burned to the ground. It was at this time, in major cities on the East coast, The AOH was called upon to pick up where they left off in Ireland. Soon the Order spread throughout the country and continues to flourish to day.

Our Motto of "Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity", is exemplified by our strong ties to our Church and Clergy. Our unyielding position on the abortion issue, and a united Ireland have been a drawing card for Irish Catholics across the world. We are at the political forefront on issues concerning immigration reform, Human rights, Mac Bride Principles, Right to Life, and a peaceful and just solution to the issues that divide our Native Ireland. It is our fervent wish that the history, culture and traditions of our native homeland will continue to flourish and that our children continue to learn our storied past. Ireland, a land of Saints and Scholars; War and Famine; Poets and authors; Ireland, gem of the North Atlantic, with your rolling green hills, vales and glens, castles and monasteries, home of the true meaning of the word HOSPITALITY.

But what about Berks County? Well, approximately ten years age some members interested in investigating the history of the AOH-LAOH in Berks County, began their search using old newspaper articles and some historical records that were in the hands of our AOH National Historian in New York. Our curiosity was aroused by a stained glass window, donated by the AOH, to St. Peter's Church at 322 S. 5th St. Reading. We immediately began inquiring about our Order and its history in Berks County, but could find little if any, information about the history of the Berks County AOH. We must admit it was frustrating to say the least, that an organization could donate a window as large as that, and no record of their existence could be found.

Our first contact with St. Peters Church proved fruitless. Other than the record associated with the window, no other information was available. However, knowing that somewhere there had to be some listing of the Order, we decided to spend a day in the Berks County Historical Society. Still nothing! Finally we asked if someone more familiar with the records of the Historical Society could possibly assist us in our search. After telling what we already knew, We checked the records of St. Peter's Church, only to come up empty handed. We decided to check the old record room, the City directories that the Historical Society used many years ago. They literally are a window to the past, in that they covered everything that happened during the year. Lo' and behold there under organizations affiliated with the Catholic Church was a listing of every organization that existed and the date, time and location of meetings, the names of officers, as well as the office they held and a brief description of what they did.

The first record we found started in the year 1887, and each year thereafter up to 1928, when the printing of the annual City Directories ceased. Our excitement at finding the information was, to say the least, quite evident. Soon the man left us alone and had to come and remind us that it was almost closing time. In that one day we were able to reconstruct the history of our predecessors. The fact that there were two Men's divisions, a Ladies Auxiliary, and County Boards, made us wonder all the more how an organization that large left no traceable record of its existence.

Although we originally published these listings in 1992, there are some new information acquired from other sources. In addition, there are many new members since that time, and who knows, perhaps they may know someone listed and can lead us in the direction to acquire additional resources. We know for a fact that the AOH published yearly directories during this time, and to date we have been able to find only a small number of these. We have directories for the years 1884, 1902 through 1910. We know they are out there somewhere, probably in someone's attic, and they are just waiting to be discovered. These books truly tell the story of the AOH in those early days before World War I. We also know that the two world wars and the great depression had a disastrous impact on our Order.

The AOH was first organized in Reading during the 1850's or 1860's and they held their meetings at St. Peter's Parish hall. We recently came into possession of Articles of Incorporation for "The Benevolent Beneficial Society of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of the City of Reading and State of Pennsylvania." The date of the filing was November 7, 1860, and the charter of incorporation was granted January 21, 1861. The Charter and By-Laws of the corporation were acquired by Brother Patrick Moss from the office of the Berks County Recorder of Deeds which proves that our Order was in Berks County at least 25 years earlier than previously believed. It is also safe to assume that the AOH was around in the 1850's. Unfortunately, other than the By-Laws and charter, which includes the listing of members, little else is known.

What happened after the Charter of Incorporation was granted is unknown. Possibly the era of the Mollie Maguires may have led to the demise of the Order at the time since the Catholic Church had condemned membership in the Order. However, there was an organization known as the "St. Patrick Benevolent Association" associated with St. Peter's Church up until 1887 when the AOH appeared again. Is it a coincidence, or did the members change the name until the AOH became prominent again?

In any case, by the early 1890's they had expanded to two divisions serving the needs of the Irish community in both St. Peter's and St. Joseph's Parishes.

The LAOH was organized on July 4, 1897 as an auxiliary to the AOH to serve the needs of immigrant Irish girls who quite often arrived in Reading alone and homesick for the families they left behind. Together with the men's divisions they helped newly arrived immigrants become acclimated to life in America.

As far as can be ascertained, the forerunner to the AOH-LAOH in Berks County was the "St. Patrick's Benevolent Association", which prior to the AOH provided much needed support for the newly arrived Irish immigrants who often faced discrimination on their arrival in Reading. Most of them lived in Southeast Reading and worked in the Cotton Mills, Canals, Railroads, or as domestics to work off the cost of their passage to America. In any case the organizations created a support network to help the newly arrived immigrants to understand their new surroundings.

Today all the AOH-LAOH is dedicated to renewing our commitment to bringing about an increased interest in Irish heritage, culture, and history. A history that is rich in tradition, of a land known for its Saints and Scholars, heroes and villains, war and famine. A history that cannot, nor should not be lost with the passage of time and generations.

Membership in the AOH-LAOH is limited to persons who are Irish by birth or descent, and practicing Roman Catholics. Descendency can be from the Mother or Father's side. For information about membership in the AOH-L.A.O.H. please call Joseph McCarthy at 610-916-1325 or Elizabeth Paolini at 610-374-0557. For information about the Boyertown area call Al or Joanne Recke at 610-367-5576.