Follow
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church also known as "Conewago Chapel" has a long and distinguished place in the history of the Catholic Church. The Conewago parish was founded in 1730, The original log chapel was built in 1741 and enlarged in 1768. The oldest part of the present field stone and brownstone church and rectory was built in 1787. At the time, the Jesuits of Conewago ministered to the Catholic missions of York, Carlisle, and Lorretto and made visits west to the Allegheny mountains and north to Elmira, New York, all on horseback. In 1847 the transept and apse were added. The original church was kept intact, except for the sanctuary which was removed. The beautiful paintings depicting the redemption of man were done at this time. In 1962 Pope John XXIII proclaimed the church a Minor Basilica and conferred upon it all the spiritual privileges of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The canopy, called a Pavilion, and the staff and belfry in the sanctuary are symbols of this honor. An Apostolic Delegate, seven bishops and over one hundred priests, attended the proclamation.