Mass was said for the last time on July 12 in the church that was founded by Czech immigrant John Neumann, who in 1977 became the first American bishop to be canonized.
“It’s unsettling news,” said Catherine Clifford, one of the parishioners spearheading the preservation campaign, which hopes also to retain the altars, statues, Stations of the Cross, windows, pews and fixtures as they were on the day of closing.
The structure was built by Irish mine laborers at Neumann’s direction a few years after Schuylkill County was settled by Famine immigrants. The county is at the heart of the Lower Anthracite Region, which saw much industrial strife in the late 19th century. Many of the 20 men who were executed following the Molly Maguire trials in the 1870s were Schuylkill residents.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is supporting the St. Kieran’s cause at a state level because of the church’s centrality to the region’s Irish story. “It’s tough trying to make it a national issue because there are so many churches,” said Ned McGinley, of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and a recent national president of the organization.
McGinley revealed, though, that Seamus Boyle, the AOH’s current national president, personally supports the campaign to preserve St. Kieran’s for future generations.
The former president said that the removal of items is upsetting for locals because they were “locally bought and paid for.” Indeed, he said, some of the artifacts were contributed by Joe Hughes, a successful businessman and long-time Hibernian activist who died at age 100 some years ago.
Bishop Edward Cullen denied a petition by St. Kieran’s parishioners in July that asked that the church be maintained as a shrine with permission for Masses and other devotions. He cited parish-restructuring criteria that worship sites were not to be established.
Since then, Clifford and other locals have formed a committee for the “purpose of acquiring and preserving St. Kieran’s church and grounds for historic preservation and cultural purposes because of its unique religious and ethnic history.”
The committee has asked for a meeting with diocesan officials, but has yet to get a reply.
“We’re hopeful,” said Clifford, a descendent of immigrants who arrived in 1850 in what’s known as Irish Valley.
“If it’s God’s will to save it, then we pray that He will guide us,” she added.
“No decision has been made,” said diocesan spokesman Matt Kerr, confirming that a letter has been received.
“The diocese has a number of questions about who the people are, what their plans are and to see if they’re feasible,” he said.
Kerr said that the removal of artifacts would be an inevitable part of a parish restructuring that saw 32 churches close, and that the artifacts would be relocated to functioning churches to make them more welcoming.
St. Kieran’s was merged with two other parishes to become the new St. Michael the Archangel parish headquartered in Minersville.
Those who would like to support financially the effort to save St. Kieran’s may contact Frank Kearney, Secretary, Hibernian Charity, Box 391, 315 Chamberlain Highway, Conn. 06451, or go to www.hiberniancharity.com and click on “Network for Good.” To contact Ned McGinley, email nedaoh1@aol.com. To contact Catherine Clifford email ccc2@ptd.net.