About OBHS

In the early 1950s, supporters purchased the Old Bohemia property, in an effort to save St. Francis Xavier church which had fallen into disrepair. They incorporated the Old Bohemia Historical Society and formed the inaugural board of directors in 1953. Founding member Frank W. Krastel served as the first president for more than 30 years and led the mission to restore and preserve the property for future generations. Krastel was instrumental in building the membership, fundraising, and working with the Jesuits of the Eastern Province, and the Diocese of Wilmington to secure the future of the church, farmhouse, barns, and farmland. OBHS remains indebted to Frank Krastel for his unwavering dedication in lifting St. Francis Xavier Shrine from obscurity and for laying the groundwork for the Historical Society’s decades of growth.

Over the years, hundreds of volunteers, many of whom attended Mass at St. Francis Xavier with their families, have devoted countless hours to preserving the church, farmhouse, museum, and barns. Volunteers also care for the holly trees, legacy boxwood, and the acres of surrounding farmland.

In 1975, volunteers submitted a successful application to the National Park Service and St. Francis Xavier Shrine was added to the National Register of Historic Places, an official list of U.S. historic buildings and sites worthy of preservation. To learn more, see Library of Congress.

2004 marked the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Bohemia Mission. Members celebrated with a Tercentenary Year filled with concerts, tours, dinner at the Kitty Knight House, and publication of the book, Bohemia 1704-2004 by Fr. Thomas J. Peterman.