Images(2)

Bottle, Holy Water

Object number2007.144.1 a,b

MediumGlass; metal

Credit LineGift of Dean Six

DescriptionRectangular colorless glass holy water bottle with cylindrical neck. Embossed text on two sides; one side has a cross. Round metal screw cap.Dimensions3.875 x 1.25 x 0.875 in. (9.8 x 3.2 x 2.2 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Embossed on two sides:
side one: "[all words diagonally upward] OLD / ST.PATRICK'S CHURCH / PITTSBURGH" ;
side two: "[cross] / [diagonally upward] LOURDES / WATER".
Historical NotesBottle that once held holy water from Lourdes, distributed by Old St. Patrick's Church, Pittsburgh. Saint Patrick's Church was the first church established in Pittsburgh. Founded in 1808, the church was built on a parcel of land from a Revolutionary war veteran. In 1811, Saint Patrick's was dedicated by Bishop Egan and the sacrament of confirmation was administered; it was the first visit by a bishop to this part of the state. After many years of reformation and relocation, the parish obtained a new pasto,r, Rev. James Cox in 1923. A year later, the parish became the "American Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes" by Rev. Cox in thanks for the healing of his eyes at Lourdes. Beginning in 1925, a local radio station began broadcasting the daily Mass from St. Patrick, a practice that lasted for 33 years. When the depression began, St. Patrick became a center for relief for the poor. The parish distributed over two million free meals and 500,000 baskets of food, clothing, and fuel. Due to a decreasing population, St. Patrick's Church could not operate on its own. Therefore, in 1993, St. Patrick merged with St. Stanislaus Kostka and St. Elizabeth to form the new St. Patrick-St. Stanislaus Kostka parish. St. Patrick's Church remains open and continues to serve the new parish and city.

Related institution St. Patrick's Church

Related institution Saint Stanislaus Church

Related institution Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church

Subjects

Terms

On View

Not on view