St. Mary's Church, Gothic Revival Catholic church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
St. Mary's Church is a brick structure built in the Gothic Revival style, featuring pointed arches, multiple side chapels, and intricate stained glass. A prominent statue of Saint Mary stands at the entrance as a focal point for the building's design.
The parish was established in 1741 by two Jesuit priests from Maryland who came to serve German Catholics. The current building is the third structure at this location and was completed in the middle of the 19th century.
The parish grew from a German-speaking Catholic community that established this place as a spiritual center in the 18th century. The building itself reflects the values and craftsmanship that those early settlers brought with them.
Visitors can explore the interior during posted hours, which typically correspond with Mass times. It helps to enter through the main entrance and ask staff about access to specific areas if you plan to spend time looking around.
The Italian painter Filippo Costaggini decorated the interior with original artwork during expansion work from 1885 to 1887. His contributions brought European artistic traditions to this Pennsylvania church.
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