Bishop blesses Freeport church steeple as parish bicentennial celebrations begin

Climbing more than 100 feet in a crane on Sunday, Bishop Larry Kulick offered his blessings on the newly repainted steeple of St. Mary, Mother of God church in Freeport ahead of the parish’s 200th anniversary.

Joined by St. Mary’s pastor Rev. Rick Kosisko and painter Dan Thimons, the bishop said a prayer and sprinkled holy water on the steeple before a crowd of several hundred after a morning Mass at the church.

Founded in 1826, the parish predates the incorporation of Freeport borough and the Diocese of Greensburg.

A smaller, original church was constructed in 1827 before the current church — complete with the steeple — was built in 1849.

The end of a 40-hour celebration of the Eucharist — the Catholic consecrated bread believed to be the body of Christ — will officially kick off the parish’s bicentennial celebrations on Sept. 4.

That evening, churchgoers will walk with the Eucharist to the gazebo at Freeport’s Riverside Park to celebrate Mass with the same table used by parishioners 200 years ago, before a church had been constructed.

In the following months and throughout 2026, the church will hold frequent events and celebrations for the anniversary.