A few weeks ago we discussed The Century in Which Catholic Churches discovered electricity – and proceeded to line various architectural features with glowing bulbs, to various effects.

The parish we usually attend here in the Fort has such an arrangement – bulbs that line the arches on the gothic altarpieces, as well as the tips of the many spires. The parish has finally created a website, and here’s a decent photo that gives you an idea of what it looks like:

The lights are flicked on as Communion begins – producing great excitement among some in the congregation, who shall remain nameless.

Here’s the page relating the history of the parish, a church which, like many, is located in a changing neighborhood. The neighborhood was originally mostly German (as indicated by the German-language Stations), is now predominantly African-American. What the pastor has done though, is so interesting, and probably worth study. He has resolutely prioritized the maintenance of the historical nature of the church (he is diocesan historican, as well, and maintains the Cathedral Museum), but has been very involved in the revitalization of the neighborhood (which you can read about at that link) which, I want to stress, does not involve gentrification and pricing residents out. It involves trying to attract businesses that people need, supporting a Head Start center, a branch of the library, as well as coming up with the rather brilliant idea of turning the school (closed in the early 70’s) into a low-income residence for the elderly called the Meetinghouse at St. Peter’s. 

There are two Masses a weekend, both of which are about 2/3 full. The collections are about $6000 a week. The pastor never, ever preaches money, there is never any big appeal for stewardship, etc. There is probably more that could be done – the music is fine and considerably more endurable than that which you find at other places, but it would be the perfect place (since the Cathedral, right down the road, is evidently uninterested) for a schola.

But it is still a constant source of fascination to us how this parish manages to do so much (the roof is currently being replaced – a job costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I don’t think we ever heard a word asking for a dime for it) and remain a rather vibrant part of the neighborhood on the grand total of $6000 a week..

Must be the lights.