Madonna of Jerusalem Parish was founded in 1904 as an Italian nationality parish.  For a few years before the parish was established, an Italian priest regularly visited Sharpsburg to celebrate Mass for the local Italian speaking population.  This priest used St. Joseph Church to conduct his services.  By 1904, the Italian population had grown to the point that an independent parish was feasible.  On July 29, 1904, the congregation purchased an existing Presbyterian church.  The church was dedicated on September 11,1904.  This is the only parish in the United States named after the Madonna of Jerusalem.

Original Madonna of Jerusalem in 1938, Main Street, Sharpsburg

In 1922, new altars were installed in the church.  At some point between the purchase of the church and 1922, the church steeple was removed.  The church was extensively renovated in 1946, with the installation of new pews, windows, statues, confessionals and altars as well as a new entry and vestibule.

Altar of Original Madonna of Jerusalem Church

Original Madonna of Jerusalem Church

In February of 1960, a fire did major damage to the church.  After the fire, Madonna of Jerusalem Parish used the nearby St. Joseph Church (which was built in 1873) for services. This disaster brought to a head concerns about the declining population of Sharpsburg.  The city had four churches situated near each other, with St. Joseph being the only territorial parish.  Bishop John Wright determined that the Catholic community could best be served by relocating St. Joseph parish.  On July 31, 1960, the bishop announced that the St. Joseph Church would be turned over to Madonna of Jerusalem Parish and that a new St. Joseph Church would be built in O'Hara Township.  The original Madonna of Jerusalem Church would then be converted to a social and recreation center.  The building served this purpose until October of 1979 when it was torn down to make room for a senior citizens' highrise.

During this same time the Madonna of Jerusalem school building was torn down.  A new catechetical center, with a large hall for social events, was built on it site.  Named after the pope who served only 33 days, the Pope John Paul I Catechetical and Pastoral Center was dedicated in October 1979.  The church received an extensive remodeling and renovation following the Second Vatican Council liturgical instructions from 1986-88.

Madonna of Jerusalem, 2008