St. Edward's Catholic Church

St. Edward's Catholic Church is a stone building located in Shamokin that serves as a house of worship for the local Catholic community. The structure accommodates regular Sunday services, weekday Mass, and special religious ceremonies throughout the year.

The church was founded in 1879 to serve the growing Catholic community of railroad workers employed on the Danville-Pottsville line. It was built during a period when Pennsylvania was expanding rapidly due to industrial development and European immigration.

The congregation grew from German, Italian, and Irish immigrant families who came to work in the coal and railroad industries. This mixed heritage still shapes the community and the way people gather here today.

The church is accessible on foot or by car, with parking available near the building. It is advisable to check the Mass schedule in advance and dress appropriately for Pennsylvania's weather, which varies significantly between seasons.

The building was among the first in North America to receive electric lighting, marking a significant step forward in how religious spaces adopted new technology. This early use of electricity made it a notable example of innovation in the late 1800s.