Servant of God Demetrius A. Gallitzin
The Apostle of the Alleghenies
1770-1840
The Apostle of the Alleghenies
1770-1840
TOMB OF PRINCE GALLITZIN....Servant of God Demetrius Gallitzin was buried, according to his desire, midway between his residence and the church (they were about thirty feet apart); in 1847 his remains were transferred to a vault in a field nearer the town, over which a humble monument was erected out of squared blocks of rough mountain stone. In 1891 his remains were taken from the decayed coffin of cherry wood and placed in a metallic casket; in 1899, on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the foundation of the Loretto Mission, the rude monument was capped by a pedestal of granite, and this in turn by a bronze statue of the prince-priest, donated by Charles M. Schwab, who also built the large stone church, which was solemnly consecrated October 2, 1901.
Today, you can walk down into this tiny crypt, which sits directly underneath the statue right in front of the basilica. (If you’re tall, you’ll need to duck down, though, as the space containing the priest’s bones is only about five feet high.) f. s.
Today, you can walk down into this tiny crypt, which sits directly underneath the statue right in front of the basilica. (If you’re tall, you’ll need to duck down, though, as the space containing the priest’s bones is only about five feet high.) f. s.
THE HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH
ST. MICHAEL…: The name Father Gallitzin gave his parish church in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, and in remembrance of Michael McGuire, the first settler here in 1788.
THE 4 CHURCHES…: 1799 – the 1st church, built of white pine logs. 1817 – the 2nd church, of frame construction. The 1st and 2nd churches sat in the same location – at the western terminus of the graveyard, as seen by the stone foundation outline remaining from the frame church. 1854 – the 3rd church was built of brick. 1901 – the 4th church, of stone, shared the present location with the 3rd church.
CONSTRUCTION…: begun on January 10, 1900 and occupancy was granted October, 1901.
CONSECRATION…: of the church took place on October 2, 1901. There are twelve crosses to mark the 12 places where the walls were anointed with holy chrism. The crosses are a memorial and testimony to its consecration. There were also 12 candle sconces placed below each consecrated cross.
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES M. SCHWAB…: assumed the entire cost of this church – $150,000.00. It was a gift to the peoples of St. Michael parish and the town of Loretto where Mr. Schwab spent the majority of his youth. He was at this time President of the United States Steel Corporation.
THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE…: of the basilica is Romanesque (rounded arches) with Gothic features (pointed arches) and is built in the shape of a Latin Cross or Cruciform.
THE FOUNDATION…: stone was locally quarried and is approximately 2 feet X 6 inches thick.
THE OUTSIDE WALLS…: are made of Ohio cut Sandstone built around a brick casing – totaling a width of approximately 2 feet.
THE ROOF…: is curved Akron red tile.
THE TOWER…: is 32 feet square surmounted by an arcaded belfry and topped with a bronze cross.
THE BELLS…: numbering 3, were donated to the church in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schwab, Mr. and Mrs. John Schwab, and Father Ferdinand Kittell, the pastor at the time the church was built.
THE FOUR ALTARS…: are made of Italian Cararra Marble of Gothic design and were imported from Italy. The statue of Mary is a gift from Mrs. Charles Schwab and the statue of St. Joseph is a gift from Mrs. Pauline Schwab. The candelabra are of solid brass in a gothic design.
THE ART GLASS WINDOWS… depict the scenes of the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Child Jesus in the Temple, the Holy Family, and the Lord appearing to St. Margaret Mary. St Michael is located in the Winter Chapel.
THE COMMUNION RAILING…: is polished Mexican Onyx, supported by brass pilasters, capitals and panels of Gothic design. It was 70 feet in length.
THE ORGAN in the Choir Loft…: was a gift from Andrew Carnegie at a cost of $8,000.00. It was the only part of the church not paid for by Schwab.
THE WAINSCOATING…: is quartered red oak with a rounded arch design.
THE PEWS…: are quartered red oak. There were originally 146 of them with a seating capacity of 1,100.00 people.
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS…: are 4 figured in full relief. All were imported from Italy.
THE 3 PAINTINGS…: over the Main Altar are the works of an artist from Chicago and depict – the Ascension, the Flight into Egypt, and the Nativity.
THE SACRISTIES…: are inter-connected by protected walkways and lead through a cloister to the Pastoral Residence.
RENOVATIONS…: were undertaken twice; first in 1959 and again in 1993-94.
**Prepared by Frank Seymour of the Prince Gallitzin Historical Association
THE 4 CHURCHES…: 1799 – the 1st church, built of white pine logs. 1817 – the 2nd church, of frame construction. The 1st and 2nd churches sat in the same location – at the western terminus of the graveyard, as seen by the stone foundation outline remaining from the frame church. 1854 – the 3rd church was built of brick. 1901 – the 4th church, of stone, shared the present location with the 3rd church.
CONSTRUCTION…: begun on January 10, 1900 and occupancy was granted October, 1901.
CONSECRATION…: of the church took place on October 2, 1901. There are twelve crosses to mark the 12 places where the walls were anointed with holy chrism. The crosses are a memorial and testimony to its consecration. There were also 12 candle sconces placed below each consecrated cross.
MR. AND MRS. CHARLES M. SCHWAB…: assumed the entire cost of this church – $150,000.00. It was a gift to the peoples of St. Michael parish and the town of Loretto where Mr. Schwab spent the majority of his youth. He was at this time President of the United States Steel Corporation.
THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE…: of the basilica is Romanesque (rounded arches) with Gothic features (pointed arches) and is built in the shape of a Latin Cross or Cruciform.
THE FOUNDATION…: stone was locally quarried and is approximately 2 feet X 6 inches thick.
THE OUTSIDE WALLS…: are made of Ohio cut Sandstone built around a brick casing – totaling a width of approximately 2 feet.
THE ROOF…: is curved Akron red tile.
THE TOWER…: is 32 feet square surmounted by an arcaded belfry and topped with a bronze cross.
THE BELLS…: numbering 3, were donated to the church in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schwab, Mr. and Mrs. John Schwab, and Father Ferdinand Kittell, the pastor at the time the church was built.
THE FOUR ALTARS…: are made of Italian Cararra Marble of Gothic design and were imported from Italy. The statue of Mary is a gift from Mrs. Charles Schwab and the statue of St. Joseph is a gift from Mrs. Pauline Schwab. The candelabra are of solid brass in a gothic design.
THE ART GLASS WINDOWS… depict the scenes of the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Child Jesus in the Temple, the Holy Family, and the Lord appearing to St. Margaret Mary. St Michael is located in the Winter Chapel.
THE COMMUNION RAILING…: is polished Mexican Onyx, supported by brass pilasters, capitals and panels of Gothic design. It was 70 feet in length.
THE ORGAN in the Choir Loft…: was a gift from Andrew Carnegie at a cost of $8,000.00. It was the only part of the church not paid for by Schwab.
THE WAINSCOATING…: is quartered red oak with a rounded arch design.
THE PEWS…: are quartered red oak. There were originally 146 of them with a seating capacity of 1,100.00 people.
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS…: are 4 figured in full relief. All were imported from Italy.
THE 3 PAINTINGS…: over the Main Altar are the works of an artist from Chicago and depict – the Ascension, the Flight into Egypt, and the Nativity.
THE SACRISTIES…: are inter-connected by protected walkways and lead through a cloister to the Pastoral Residence.
RENOVATIONS…: were undertaken twice; first in 1959 and again in 1993-94.
**Prepared by Frank Seymour of the Prince Gallitzin Historical Association
The new doors at the Basilica were installed and blessed by Bishop Mark Bartchak on November 23, 2021.
The following is the description of their design, from artist Heidi Baut, of the Baut Studios.
“The Litany of Loreto images for the doors of St. Michael the Archangel Basilica, Loretto, PA
In researching Fr. Gallitzin for this project, one biographer noted his great devotion to the Blessed Mother. Also, that Fr. Gallitzin prayed the Litany of Loreto daily. It seemed most fitting to use symbols from this prayer that Fr. Gallitzin loved to beautify this Basilica. The overall design of the new aluminum doors is meant to complement the wooden doors that were replaced.
Because of the intricacy of the designs in the structural stained-glass areas, anodized champagne or light bronze aluminum was used. The champagne metal provides a very nice contrast to the glass areas in the panels. To resemble the old wooden doors, the frame is a special powder coated finish. Metal with the same finish was routed as an overlay to highlight the design areas and add the quatrefoil design element that was in the wooden doors and is featured throughout the Basilica. To add an elegant touch, each design area is mounted in the door panels with gold anodized stops. The gold coordinates well with the brass handles.
The pairs of doors have six design areas and the ADA door has 3 design areas.”
The Main Entrance A features The Side Entrance B features The School Side Entrance C
Mystical Rose Queen of Confessors Help of Christians
Mirror of Justice Virgin Most Merciful Gate of Heaven
Queen of Patriarchs Queen of Virgins Mercy Cross, to honor Venerable Catherine McAuley
Queen of Apostles Mother of Good Counsel Morning Star
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary House of Gold Refuge of Sinners
Our Lady Queen of Peace Mother of Christ Seat of Wisdom
Winter Chapel Entrance D
Gallitzin Coat of Arms to honor Servant of God, Fr. Demetrius Gallitzin
Tower of David
Vessel of Honor
The following is the description of their design, from artist Heidi Baut, of the Baut Studios.
“The Litany of Loreto images for the doors of St. Michael the Archangel Basilica, Loretto, PA
In researching Fr. Gallitzin for this project, one biographer noted his great devotion to the Blessed Mother. Also, that Fr. Gallitzin prayed the Litany of Loreto daily. It seemed most fitting to use symbols from this prayer that Fr. Gallitzin loved to beautify this Basilica. The overall design of the new aluminum doors is meant to complement the wooden doors that were replaced.
Because of the intricacy of the designs in the structural stained-glass areas, anodized champagne or light bronze aluminum was used. The champagne metal provides a very nice contrast to the glass areas in the panels. To resemble the old wooden doors, the frame is a special powder coated finish. Metal with the same finish was routed as an overlay to highlight the design areas and add the quatrefoil design element that was in the wooden doors and is featured throughout the Basilica. To add an elegant touch, each design area is mounted in the door panels with gold anodized stops. The gold coordinates well with the brass handles.
The pairs of doors have six design areas and the ADA door has 3 design areas.”
The Main Entrance A features The Side Entrance B features The School Side Entrance C
Mystical Rose Queen of Confessors Help of Christians
Mirror of Justice Virgin Most Merciful Gate of Heaven
Queen of Patriarchs Queen of Virgins Mercy Cross, to honor Venerable Catherine McAuley
Queen of Apostles Mother of Good Counsel Morning Star
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary House of Gold Refuge of Sinners
Our Lady Queen of Peace Mother of Christ Seat of Wisdom
Winter Chapel Entrance D
Gallitzin Coat of Arms to honor Servant of God, Fr. Demetrius Gallitzin
Tower of David
Vessel of Honor
PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.