October 22, 2012
BLESSED TERESA OF CALCUTTA PARISH CHURCH
The new church's unique design features historical artwork and sacred objects from suppressed churches throughout the Archdiocese and beyond
Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will preside over the Rite of Dedication for the new Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish Church in Schwenksville (Montgomery County).
Vigil Mass with Rite of Dedication
4:00 p.m.
256 Swamp Pike
Schwenksville, PA 19473
The church is unlike any other in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Architectural elements as well as religious artwork and sacred objects from five suppressed Catholic churches and one closed Catholic hospital were utilized to create the new structure, which is a faithful representation of a 19th century Gothic style church both internally and externally.
A sampling of the major components includes:
-exterior framework, 37' high marble altar, 25' high mahogany pipe organ, altar rail, confessionals, and baptismal font from Saint Boniface Church (closed in 2006 and formerly located at 2nd and Diamond Streets, Philadelphia);
-19th century stained glass windows from Saint Clement Church (closed in 2004 and formerly located at 2220 South 71st Street, Philadelphia);
-murals and marble holy water fonts from Saint Peter Church (closed in 2006 and formerly located at 1126 South Street, Pottstown);
-the gothic pulpit from Saint Clare Church (closed in 2006 and formerly located at 1228 Main Street in Linfield);
-marble reredos, an altar and pulpit from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (closed in and formerly located in Middleport);
-and Deprado Stations of the Cross which surround the church from Mercy Hospital (closed in 2011 and formerly located in Scranton).
By incorporating major design elements from closed churches into a new, strong and vibrant community of faith, this unique church building is highly symbolic of the evolving face of Catholicism. Of particular note are the items from Saint Clare and Saint Peter churches, which closed in 2006 and merged to form the current Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish.
Editor's Note: For more information please contact Father Paul Brandt, Pastor of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish, at 215-651-4454.
Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747