RECOGNIZING CATHEDRAL PARISH OF SAINT PATRICK OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

On 2026-06-23, Representative Scott Perry (R-PA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING CATHEDRAL PARISH OF SAINT PATRICK OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA" in the House.

RECOGNIZING CATHEDRAL PARISH OF SAINT PATRICK OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E607] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING CATHEDRAL PARISH OF SAINT PATRICK OF HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA ______ HON. SCOTT PERRY of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Mr. PERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the auspicious occasion of its 200th Anniversary. This beautiful House of Prayer, the Mother Church of the Diocese of Harrisburg, serves more than 242,000 Catholics in the 15 counties of central Pennsylvania, and welcomes parishioners, pilgrims in faith, curious tourists, or wanderers in search of a spiritual home with refreshment of soul and spirit in the peace of Christ. The sacrifices of many Catholics--from every demographic and background throughout the Diocese--built, renovated, and maintained this Cathedral for two centuries--particularly in 1949, 1976, 2003, to 2005, and 2006--up until this day. German Jesuits brought Catholicism to Central Pennsylvania during the pre-Revolutionary period; the first two churches were established in Conewago and Lancaster. Historical records indicate a small Catholic mission in Harrisburg in 1806. In 1823, the Allison Hill property known as Sylvan Heights was purchased, and purportedly, a chapel was built on that site. The influx of Irish laborers who built Pennsylvania's canals and railroads influenced the building of a church closer to the riverfront, and in 1824, land was purchased at the present State Street site, with the cornerstone being laid for Saint Patrick Church in 1826--originally part of the Diocese of Philadelphia. After the formal establishment of the Diocese of Harrisburg in 1868, the original Saint Patrick was designated as a ``pro-cathedral''--a church that temporarily would house the cathedra--or the Bishop's chair--until permanent cathedral could be erected. The cathedral is a symbol of the unbroken apostolic succession of the bishop and unity with the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. At that time, the Diocese was placed under the patronage of Saint Patrick. During the 1880s the church was enlarged, and the entrance was relocated from Liberty Street to State Street. Graves from a cemetery that formerly occupied the space adjacent to the pro-cathedral were exhumed and relocated to Mount Calvary Cemetery, Harrisburg, along with the granite Celtic Cross that adorned the Saint Patrick Cemetery. As part of the diocesan synod in 1902, Bishop John W. Shanahan (third Bishop of Harrisburg) proposed the idea of building a proper cathedral. Construction began in 1904, was completed on March 1, 1907--less than 40 years since the formal founding of the diocese--and the current Cathedral was dedicated on May 14, 1907. The architectural design of the new Cathedral was modeled in the Romanesque-Renaissance style. It is cruciform in shape and the original main altar was patterned after Bernini's altar adorning the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. The current cathedral was constructed of North Carolina granite on the site of the original church, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property in the Harrisburg Historic District in 1976. Beyond physical changes over time, strength of faith, determination, and dedication to the mission of the Church remains steadfast as the House of God, built with care, love, and devotion. It continues its legacy with grace and gratitude for what's been accomplished and focused resolve on what remains to be done. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, I am humbled and honored to celebrate the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick on this auspicious and blessed occasion of its 200th Anniversary. The church family's contributions to our communities--spiritual, charitable, educational, and social--are immeasurable, and I pray for God's continued blessings on their continued call to serve and honor Him. ____________________