A look back: Oct. 15, 2010
SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Lehighton is celebrating its 125th anniversary with the Most Rev. John O. Barres, fourth Bishop of Allentown, to serve the anniversary Mass later this month.
Catholicism in Lehighton dates back to 1850, when there were seven Catholic families in the area. During this time, German Catholic immigrants settled in the area, followed by people from Ireland Poland, Italy and Slovakia.
These families were instructed in their faith by Father John G. Freude, who traveled by horse and buggy, visiting the Lehighton area only once a month, celebrating Mass at the Schwartz home on First Street. Later, this became Smith’s Home Appliance Store.
