St. Mary’s in the Mountains Catholic Church of Virginia City, will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of its founding with three days of celebration on September 14, 15 and 16, 2012. This icon of the Comstock is the birthplace of Catholicism in the State of Nevada.
The celebration will begin on Friday evening, September 14, with a wine tasting as well as guided tours of the historic and recently renovated church and museum, 4 pm to 6 pm. Wine from St. Mary’s Mad Monk Wine Cellar and commemorative glasses will be available for purchase.
The original baptismal font is on display as well as treasures serving the parish for the past 150 years.
On Saturday afternoon, Bishop Randolph Calvo, Bishop of the Diocese of Reno, will celebrate an Anniversary Mass at 4 p.m. Also celebrating will be Bishop Philip Straling, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Reno, Father Philip George, St. Mary’s Administrator, as well as other priests of the Diocese.
Following the Mass, a dinner will be held at the historic Delta Saloon at 6 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $50 and may be obtained by calling 775-847-9099. A silent auction will also be held.
On Sunday, the 11:30 am Mass will be celebrated Father Philip George, Administrator of St. Mary's. Knights of Columbus will host a barbecue following the 11:30 a.m. Mass. Again, tours of the Church and Museum will be available.
St. Mary’s Parish was established on September 14, 1862 by Bishop Eugene O’Connell, of the Diocese of Grass Valley, California. At that time, Patrick Manogue was a newly ordained priest and was appointed Pastor. This made Father Manogue pastor for the approximately 87,000 square miles of what is now the State of Nevada.
As his work continued with the faithful, Father Manogue later became Bishop of Grass Valley and then Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento.
For more information, contact St. Mary’s at 775-847-9099, fax 775-847-9098, email to stmarysvc@att.net or visit the website at www.Stmarysvc.org.