St. Mary's is a Marian Pilgrim SiteAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
-
St. Mary’s Church was granted a special spiritual bond with St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome on February 5, 2009!
With the special spiritual bond, comes the privilege of a Plenary Indulgence for each member of the faithful who makes a pilgrimage to the church under certain prescribed conditions.
In announcing the granting of the spiritual bond, Bishop Rhoades told The Catholic Witness, “[Historic] St. Mary’s Church in Lancaster is one of the most historic and beautiful churches of our diocese. The original chapel was the third place of public Catholic worship in Pennsylvania. This parish, and indeed our whole diocese, is honored by the wonderful privilege bestowed upon St. Mary’s Church – the special spiritual bond with the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. Only 80 Marian shrines in the world share this privilege.”
Father Leo Goodman, then pastor of Historic St. Mary’s Church, expressed joy in the spiritual bond, and said “I think it’s going to be a real blessing that what the papal basilica is to Rome and the universal Church, St. Mary’s will be to Lancaster and the United States – a real place of pilgrimage.”
Pilgrim Site Brochure – Spiritual Bond to St. Mary Major and Plenary Indulgences- Parking
- Directions to Historic St. Mary’s Church
- Handicap Accessibility
- Mass Times
- Hotels
- History of St. Mary’s Church
For more information or group tours, please call or e-mail the rectory office, 717.392.2578.
Parking is available in the garage across the street from the church on Vine Street 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here for Parking Garage Procedures.
- For Saturday evening, as well as some special events, parking is paid by the parish (you must get a ticket).
- On Sunday mornings, the gate to the parking garage will be open until 12:30 p.m.
- All other times, parking can be paid for by each individual
Directions to St. Mary's
From the Northeast
Take Pennsylvania Turnpike to Route 222 South to Lancaster. Follow signs for Route 30 West. Take exit for Fruitville Pike South. Fruitville Pike turns into Prince Street. Go through city, and turn left on Vine Street. Church is on the southeast corner of South Prince and Vine Streets.From the Northwest
Take Route 283 East to Lancaster. Follow signs for Fruitville Pike South. Fruitville Pike turns into Prince Street. Go through city, and turn left on Vine Street. Church is on the southeast corner of South Prince and Vine Streets.From the West
Take Route 30 East toward Lancaster. Follow signs for Fruitville Pike South. Fruitville Pike turns into Prince Street. Go through city, and turn left on Vine Street. Church is on the southeast corner of South Prince and Vine Streets.From the East
Take Route 30 West toward Lancaster. Follow signs for Fruitville Pike South. Fruitville Pike turns into Prince Street. Go through city, and turn left on Vine Street. Church is on the southeast corner of South Prince and Vine Streets.
Handicap Accessibility Information
The church is accessible by wheelchair via an outside ramp. The bathrooms are not large enough to accommodate a wheelchair. However, St. Mary’s Church is looking at the feasibility of renovating the two bathrooms.
Hotels
There are many hotels to choose from in Lancaster County. The three closest are:
