The history of the beloved Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Conewago runs wide and deep, and a renovated barn on its campus will soon serve as a museum of storied artifacts that date back to the 1700s.
The first church in America named for the Sacred Heart of Jesus when it was dedicated in 1787, the Conewago Chapel has served faithful Catholics as far back as 1741 when its log structure was built.
Diocesan history books note references to the parish grounds as the “Conewago Plantation” at the turn of the 18th century, as Sacred Heart’s land encompassed a cemetery, farmland, mills and barns. The Russian Prince Demetrius Gallitzin spent the early years of his priesthood at Sacred Heart during this time, as did the son of a German count, Father Lewis DeBarth, who served as its pastor for a quarter of a century.
In a fitting connection between past and future, the parish recently renovated a barn on its property to serve as a museum of artifacts from the 1700 and 1800s. Bishop Timothy Senior blessed the barn after celebrating Mass in the Basilica on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption.
The Mass also celebrated the 175th anniversary of the consecration of the church by Bishop Francis Kenrick of Philadelphia after its transept and apse were added in 1851 to the original stone structure.
“God wants all people to be saved for eternity – all people,” Bishop Senior said in his homily.
“Here on this 175th anniversary of the consecration of this church, the magisterial symbol of the beauty in this church is a reminder to us of God’s desire to spend eternity with us,” he said.
“He gives us all free will, and we must choose His grace,” he said.
“Do we carry a prejudice in our hearts? Most all of us do…. But persistent faith is what Jesus responds to even if at first he reveals not a word. Persistence gets his attention,” Bishop Senior said.
The oldest Catholic Church in America built of stone, Sacred Heart was named a basilica on June 30, 1962, by Pope John XXIII. Its current pastor, Father Dwight Schlaline, led parishioners in a capital campaign several years ago to restore the basilica to its original glory.
The renovated barn – located next to the convent and across the driveway from St. Teresa of Calcutta School – will house the future museum and gift shop and is already hosting Christian initiation classes.
(Photos by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Jen Reed, The Catholic Witness
