St. Dennis, Galena

The first church building was a 50 by 35 feet brick structure built at Lambson's Station outside of Galena on the edge of the Dennis J. McCauley farm. Dennis McCauley obtained permission from Archbishop Kenrick of Baltimore to build a brick church at this location. He deeded one acre of his best land for this purpose to the Archbishop on September 17, 1853. The blessing and laying of the cornerstone of the first church took place on August 29, 1885. The church was completed and dedicated on February 3, 1856.

In 1881, St. Dennis Church moved from Lambson's Station to the town of Galena, following a suggestion made 16 years earlier. But instead of building a new and more expensive church, the parish economized by buying the Galena M.P. Church and the ground on which it stood for $700. Dedicated January 15, 1882, this second church was used by the parishoners of St. Dennis for the next 52 years. In April of 1982, an 835-pound bell was ordered for $175 and is still in use today.

Ground was broken for the third Saint Dennis Church on October 16, 1933, and the cornerstone was laid on December 3, 1933 by the Most Reverend Edmond J. FirzMaurice, fourth Bishop of Wilmington. The new church was made possible chiefly through the generosity of John J. and Helena Greene Raskob. The dedication of the new St. Dennis was held Monday, May 7, 1934. The corner stone for the first St. Dennis Church sits beneath the current buildings.

Recently much needed repairs to the church and rectory have been made, including updating the sound system and the purchase of the new organ for the church.