Parishioners at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Wilmington celebrated the Thanksgiving weekend by celebrating the blessing of their long-awaited parish hall.

Over 70 years have passed since the building of the current church building, but world events first the Great Depression, then World War II --- continually postponed the addition of a parish hall. The urgent need for a parish school finally caused the project to be put indefinitely on hold.

Recently, however, Father Peter Irving and Father Roberto Pirrone, pastor and associate pastor, rekindled the dream of a parish hall and parishioners raised the $1.5 million needed to realize the project.

"That this community came together to have this million-dollar hall built is a miracle," said Robert Montiel, a student at Cal Poly Pomona who has taught confirmation classes at the church since he was 16. "People see this as a [improvished] community but our hearts are here. It already feels like home because of how much we put into it."

In his blessing Cardinal Roger Mahony praised the gathered parishioners for a job well done, telling them that unity can work miracles.

"The hall becomes apart of the social fabric of your community allowing the teaching of Catholic doctrine but also helping all of us to gather in joy and in hope as members of the body of Christ," said Cardinal Mahony.

SS Peter and Paul is the second-oldest parish in the archdiocese, founded in 1866 at G Street and Neptune Avenue. When the original church grew too small for the growing congregation the current church on Opp Street was built between 1929-30. The first service was held on Christmas Eve in 1930.

The new hall will serve as a multipurpose building. The main hall can seat 400 people or be divided into three smaller rooms. The building also includes two classrooms, a bookstore, kitchen and bathrooms.