During the Battle of Gettysburg,
our church on High Street, a mere 10 years old at the time, was the second church to open its doors to the the wounded and was in use by noon of July 1st. The most seriously wounded were brought here for amputation and treatment. The Sisters of Charity from Emmitsburg, MD were part of those who tended the wounded and dying at SFX. Listen to their account: "The Catholic Church was filled with wounded, mutilated men... The first man put in the sanctuary was soon Baptized with truly Christian sentiments. His pain was excruciating and when sympathy was offered to him he said, 'Oh! What are these pains I suffer in comparison with those my Redeemer suffered for me.' In these sentiments he died..."
Because of the severity of the wounds of those who had been brought to our church, it remained a hospital until the end of September, 1863. A stained glass window was dedicated to their act of mercy.
