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- SS Peter & Paul ChurchCatholic Church
During the latter part of the nineteenth century, these Catholic families were instructed in their faith by Father John...
MoreDuring the latter part of the nineteenth century, these Catholic families were instructed in their faith by Father John G. Freude. Traveling by horse and buggy, Father Freude covered in his missionary work the territory from Mauch Chunk to Berlinsville. He visited the Lehighton territory only once a month, celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the Schwartz home on First Street. This later became Smith's Home Appliance Store, now the site of a mini-mall.Father William Heinen, later Monsignor, built a small church to accommodate the Catholics of the town and gave them their own place of worship. This church was dedicated by Bishop Wood. The exact date of the founding of the church is unknown.Seeing a need for missionary work in East Mauch Chunk, Father Heinen selected a few Catholic families from Lehighton and with them, founded the parish of St. Joseph's. Once again, the Catholics of Lehighton had no pastor of their own, but were attended by a priest from St. Joseph's in East Mauch Chunk. During this period, the elder girls of the parish traveled to East Mauch Chunk, sometimes on foot for their religious instruction. They, in turn, would instruct the younger generation of the parish.According to the official records of the parish, Father Hubert H. Hammeke was the first resident pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Parish. His residency encompassed the years from 1885 to 1890. During his tenure as pastor, Father Hammeke brought the Sisters of Charity to the parish from St. Joseph's in East Mauch Chunk to instruct the Catholic youth of the Lehighton area. Sensing the need for both secular and religious training, he opened the parish school of Ss Peter and Paul in 1886 with an enrollment of 60 pupils. The school was staffed by three sisters from the order of Saint Francis from Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania. The old church was remodeled at this time to serve both as a school and as a place of worship. During this time, the sisters lived in the basement of the old church.From "History of Carbon County, Pennsylvania" by Frederick Charles Brenckman, written in 1913:"St. Peter's and St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church was organized in 1869. Rev. G. Frende, who resided in Lehighton and had other churches in charge, was the first pastor. Rev. William Heinen, who later became the minister of St. Joseph's Catholic church at East Mauch Chunk, and one of the best known members of the priesthood in this section of the State, succeeded Rev. Freude. This church was rebuilt under Rev. Francis Regnery, the present pastor. The cornerstone was laid on October 7, 1906. The church was completed and dedicated on September 1, 1907, being blessed by Bishop Prendergast, now Archbishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia. It cost $30, 000."From the years 1890 to 1892, Father Aegidus Mersch succeeded as pastor of Sts Peter & Paul. His successor was the Rev. Charles Sauers, who guided the parish from 1892 to 1894.Father William Hammeke, brother of the Rev. Hubert Hammeke, was then appointed pastor. Among his accomplishments while stationed in Lehighton for ten years ( 1894 to 1903 ), a residence for the priest was constructed in back of the old church. Later, this dwelling was turned over to the sisters and a new rectory was built on the south side of the church. During Father Hammeke's pastorship, four mission parishes were established, these being Bowmanstown, Palmerton, Slatington, and Berlinsville.In 1903, Father Francis Regnery took over as pastor. He saw the immediate need of a new church. However, it was not until August 21, 1906, that ground was broken. The cornerstone of the present church was laid on October 7, 1906. When fully completed, the construction of the church cost approximately $25, 000. This modest yet adequate brick structure with stone trimming of gothic style architecture was dedicated by His Excellency, Archbishop Edmund Pendergast on Monday, September 1, 1907. The first solemn Mass in the new church was celebrated by the Rev. Father Longinus o LessPhone: (610) 377-3690
Cross Streets: Near the intersection of N 3rd St and Coal St
260 N 3rd St Lehighton, PA 18235 387.48 mi
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