Gettysburg tour offers look back at churches' role in famed battle

Published: 2004-06-22

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (CNS) -- Of all the houses of worship in this world-famous Pennsylvania borough, "one of the crown jewels" is the Diocese of Harrisburg's St. Francis Xavier Church, according to Gettysburg historian and resident Dan Markle. "I love history and I love the history of St. Francis," said Markle, a parishioner. His mission to share the 151-year-old church's rich mother lode of historical facts and personal remembrances is benefiting from some timely support from the Interchurch Concern for Tourists, a Gettysburg ecumenical coalition. St. Francis Xavier is one of seven churches with connections to the Civil War's July 1-3, 1863, Battle of Gettysburg that have been placed on the itinerary of the coalition's 2004 summertime "Historic Church Walking Tours." St. Francis Xavier was one of numerous Gettysburg churches frantically pressed into service as field hospitals to treat the overwhelming numbers of Union and Confederate casualties during and after the battle, and to comfort the dying.

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