From the Republican Herald: Tours give glimpse of Frackville churches

FRACKVILLE —” Thanks to the efforts of the Frackville Historical Society, those who took part in the Frackville Church Tour on Sunday had a chance to learn about various churches’ doctrines, architecture and the history of the people who built them.

—We thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for the people of the town to see the beautiful, rich history of these religious buildings in Frackville, where people have worshipped for generations and generations,— said Diane M. Berkheiser, president of the historical society.—

—Also, with the rumors of some of the churches closing, we thought it was important to do it this year,— she said.

Participants of the tour first picked up maps at Frackville Borough Hall. They could then visit the churches at their leisure and return to the hall for refreshments and conversation.

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The golden spires of both St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church and Holy Ascension Russian Orthodox Church indicate they both might come from the Byzantine Catholic tradition. Both share some of the same architectural features with richly symbolic paintings on the altar and stained-glass windows; however, St. Michael follows the Roman Catholic Pope and Holy Ascention [sic] does not.

While telling of the determination of early Frackville residents, the Rev. Archpriest John M. Fields, pastor of St. Michael, drew visitors’ attention to a brown thee-barred Eastern metal crucifix prominently displayed near the altar. Fields said he discovered the cross in storage in 2004 when he first arrived to serve the parish.

—This is an important historical object that should not be hidden away … If you see any of old photos of the church or any activities, this cross is in the photo. It is the cross that was used in the dedication of our church in 1921,— he said.

Other churches on the tour were St. John the Baptist Polish National Catholic Church and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ.

Some of the folks I knew back in my Buffalo days do this on Buffalo’s East Side both on Holy Thursday and at other times of the year. I also know that this has been recreated in other immigrant cities like Hamtramck, sometimes tying it in with the Holy Thursday visitation of seven churches.

History and cultural awareness are more than textbook issues, they are the components upon which our lives have been built. I applaud these efforts. Get out there and see the neighborhoods and churches. Find inspiration so that we can reclaim, at least in part, the culture of neighborhood and community. If you are a pastor or parish committee, get your parish on the tour. What better audience then people who are there because they are interested in matters of faith and how faith is represented.