St. Patrick’s Church in York celebrated its 200th anniversary in 1976. The base of a steeple to the right of the main entrance, background right, rises and then stops, not tall enough to be considered a true spire. Also of interest: Hanover-area’s Conewago Chapel’s red-and-yellow umbrella awaiting first papal visit
Did you ever notice that the ornate and beautiful St. Pat’s in York does not have a steeple?
The church’s 200th anniversary book in 1976 handles the absence of a spire, pointing to the transcendence of God, this way:
‘What is a Church without a steeple? It may be a Church that is not finished. It may be a Church that remains on the ground, serving the people. It may be St. Patrick’s Church in York, Pennsylvania, which, in the last eighty years, has had more important things to do than build a steeple. In a sense St. Patrick’s Church is not finished. Just as St. Paul told us that we must continuously labor to build up the stature of Christ’s body, the Church; so the priests, religious and faithful people of St. Patrick’s are still building their Church.’
Did you know?
The cornerstone was laid in 1895, and the first mass in the Gothic building was celebrated in 1898. A cornerstone marking the first church bearing the name St. Patrick’s, dated 1810, is embedded in the north wall of the present church.
This lovely Last Supper sculpture in York sits in St. Mary’s chancel
St. Mary’s Church product of 19th-century York County language wars
Conewago Chapel mother church of Roman Catholics, west of Susquehanna River.
*Edited, 2/11/13
Photo courtesy York Daily Record/Sunday News
Welcome to York Town Square, 8 years of daily posts about journalism and history, topics that can easily become plodding and self important. My goal is to keep this blog fun and accessible. And I try to say something in each post. I welcome your comments and respond to every one you write. Please contact me at 
vonderful!
It’s a beautiful church and I agree that I’m sure they’ve had lots more important things to do than build a steeple. The church is for the people in need…whether spiritual, financial or emotional. It will always be a work in progress, just like us.
Yes, agree 100 percent! And here’s another attractive ‘steepleless’ church: http://www.yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/2011/08/25/anyone-know-why-this-glen-rock-church-lacks-steeple-linked-in-with-neat-york-county-history-stuff-%E2%80%93-aug-25-2011/
Jim
WHAT drawing of the St. Pat’s Church? Nothing shows on this Blog.
Although I went to St. Pat’s and to St. Mary’s Churches, and love the
inside paintings and beautiful statues and layouts of each. And the
paintings on the ceiling of St. Mary’s! Holy Mary, Mother of God,
stay by all of us and pray to God for us. Amen.
Betsy, I fixed that post, but did not have access to original photos, so I substituted one.Thanks for your eagle eye!
Jim