St. John’s church located in Bangor Maine is part of St. Paul The Apostle parish.
With the number of Catholics in Bangor had rapidly increasing due to the vast immigration of Irish, from a couple hundred in the 1830’s to about 6,000 in 1853. The local church was just too small to accommodate the parishioners. The cornerstone for St. John’s Catholic Church was laid on August 15, 1855.
This was a surprisingly nice visit for Mass. The church inside is very beautiful and a big part of the surprise. This is also one of those churches we’ve visited where people were so welcoming to visitors.
One of the things I have to do in order to share the church or site on THEROADOFFAITH.net is take picture. I usually will try to take my pictures after Mass when the congregation is leaving or has left. As I take my pictures I also offer prayers for all who follow my blog – a good reason to subscribe at www,theroadoffaith.net (it just takes a moment, click the link, enter your email and confirm on the email received and you’ll get my reflections when posted and guarantee you and your needs will be offered in prayer every day and at every site we visit).
In 1887, St. John’s was greatly beautified in its interior by the artistic decoration of its walls and ceilings in rich colorings and in sculptures of the Stations of the Cross and famous Tyrolean stained glass windows were installed. The twenty windows depict the life of Jesus. The stained glass is truly special,
In this year also, the bell was blessed by Bishop James Healy and placed in the steeple.
Anyway, at St. John’s, a woman came up to me as I was taking a picture to say hi. She told me she is a 3rd level Carmelite and then shared what she loves about her church. She also told us that the organ is one of only two like it in the US. The other is on Boston. It is old and unique. They’ve had to have each and every part tagged since there is no service or parts available anywhere. It does catch your eye and sounds great.
In 1860, shortly before his pastorate ended, Father John Bapst commissioned the magnificent Opus 288 organ from the Boston builders E.& G.G. Hook. In December 1860, a steamer left Boston Harbor and headed for Bangor carrying the organ for St. John’s Catholic Church. Two weeks later the organ was installed at St. John’s Catholic Church.
The altar and vaulted ceilings draw you eyes and heart upwards to glorify God.
