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St. Kieran’s plan summer events

February 17, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Last year, the Allentown diocese indicated that it would sell the structure to locals, but the former parishioners want also to preserve the stained-glass windows, the murals depicting the life of Bishop John Neumann and other artifacts.
“We’ve contacted a canon lawyer,” said campaigner Ned McGinley, a recent past national president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He said that the materials they’d like to keep were paid for by local money.
The church was built in Heckscherville, Schuylkill Co., by Irish mine laborers at the direction of Czech immigrant Neumann, the first U.S. bishop to be canonized. Construction began in 1854, just a few years after Famine immigrants settled in the area. “Our idea is that it will be a historical monument to those who built the church,” McGinley said.
Schuylkill 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.
Legend has it that several Molly Maguires were buried in St. Kieran’s churchyard. It is known, however, that it is the final resting place of skilled miners brought over from Counties Kilkenny and Laois. The Friends of St. Kieran’s would like to hear from anybody nationwide who has a family grave there.
Meanwhile, the committee is planning the Walkin’ for St. Kieran’s & Heritage Day on Sunday, June 7. The day’s events will begin at noon.
For more information contact Catherine Clifford at 570-874-1166 or email ccc2@ptd.net or go to the new web site at www.friendsofkierans.com.
Charitable contributions can be made to the Friends of St. Kieran’s via Hibernian Charity, PO Box 391, 315 Chamberlain Highway, Meridan, Conn. 06451 or donate at www.hiberniancharity.org.

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