Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Conewago
Historic church in Pennsylvania, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, also known as Conewago Chapel, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus located in Conewago Township (Adams County), Pennsylvania. The church is a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.
Conewago Chapel | |
Pennsylvania state historical marker | |
| |
   | |
| Location | 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Hanover, Conewago Township, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°49′8″N 77°2′17″W |
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1787 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001604[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 29, 1975 |
| Designated PHMC | December 12, 1947[2] |
Description
The Basilica was built between 1785 and 1787, and is constructed of brownstone with three-foot-thick walls. It measures 2+1⁄2 stories high, three bays wide and five bays deep. It features a Federal style entrance with a semi-circular arched doorway and an 80-foot-high spire, added in 1873. Attached to the chapel is a three-story rectory, also built in 1787. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church constructed of stone in the United States. Prince Gallitzin spent the first five years of his priesthood at Conewago Chapel from 1795 to 1799.[3]
It was decreed a minor basilica on June 30, 1962.[4] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.[1]
Interior of chapel
Altar
Bell
1841 gravestone
List of Pastors
The following priests have served as pastor of the church:[5]
- William Wappeler (1741–1748)
- T. Schneider (1748–1753)
- Mathias Manners (Mathias Sittensperger) (1753–1758)
- James Frambach (1758–1768)
- James Pellentz (1768–1800)
- Francis X. Brosius (1800–1803)
- S. Cerfourmont (1803–1804)
- Louis de Barth (1804–1812)
- Adam Brit (1812–1822)
- Mathew Lekeu (1822–1843)
- N. Steinbacher (1843–1846)
- Michael Tuffer (1846–1847)
- Joseph Enders (1847–1858)
- John Cattani (1858–1865)
- Simon Dompieri (1865–1866)
- A. Carlier (1866–1868)
- Burchard Villiger (1868–1869)
- I. Bellwalder (1869–1871)
- Joseph Enders (1871–1884)
- Patrick Forhand (1884–1888)
- John Mullaly (1888–1891)
- Thomas Hayes (1891–1893)
- Timonthy Oleary (1893–1898)
- Daniel Haugh (1898–1899)
- William B. Cowardin (1899–1901)
- Hugo A. Loague (1901–1902)
- E. Halfetermeyer (1902–1909)
- Germanus Kohl (1909–1914)
- Charles Koch (1914–1925)
- John F. O' Donnell (1925–1947)
- Harold E. Keller (1947–1953)
- John P. Bolin (1953–1966)
- Thomas J. McGough (1966–1980)
- George W. Rost (1980–2000)
- Lawrence J. McNeil (2000–2013)
- James E. Lease (2013–2015)
- Joseph Howard (2015–2020)
- Dwight Schlaline (2020-present)
