By Kyle Stucker
Hampton Union, August 15, 2014
[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]
HAMPTON — Hundreds are expected to help a popular Hampton Beach church mark its 100th anniversary Saturday as part of a relaxed celebration filled with surprises, barbecue and a special visit from Bishop Peter Libasci.
St. Patrick's Church, a Catholic church located off Church Street, will celebrate its centennial with a 4 p.m. mass and 5:30 p.m. barbecue in the parking lot across the street for the church.
St. Patrick's has a capacity of 600, and Father Jason Jalbert said he and Monsignor Charles Edward Crosby are expecting a "capacity crowd" Saturday.
"People seem pretty excited," said Jalbert. "People who have been coming here for years and people who have great affection for this church will be coming, and they're excited to celebrate this milestone."
The history-rich church has largely gone unchanged since it was erected 100 years ago, according to Jalbert. Many of its hand-carved structures and features are still in use and on display, including the church's wooden high altar, communion rail, hardwood floors, and more.
Jalbert said the biggest change the church has endured structurally is the replacement of the building's original brown shingles with white siding in the 1970s.
A small wooden version of the church, depicted with those brown shingles, will be sold Saturday as part of the celebration.
Jalbert said the centennial itself will be celebrated "beach style" and will be less formal than other parishes' anniversary celebrations because the church is a "summer church."
Other planned activities include a surprise Jalbert said will delight anyone with a love of St. Patrick's.
The church will also hold a mass at 9:15 a.m. Friday to recognize the assumption of Mary. Jalbert said this holy day will tie into the centennial.
More information about the church's centennial and mass times is available by calling the church at 926-2205.