Centralia, PA only has a handful of buildings remaining. One of these is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. It’s a Ukrainian Greek-Catholic church and is located on North Paxton Street overlooking the nearly abandoned town.
The church was actually spared from destruction since is it is outside of the Centralia mine fire impact zone. Services are still held at the church weekly, and the cemetery behind it is well maintained too.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church was completed in 1912. Over the years, the church became an important part of the Centralia, Pennsylvania community. Even as the town was razed beginning in the 1980s, the church remained. During the 1990s, there were significant renovations to keep the church and its grounds in good condition.
The inside of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church is quite ornate and beautiful. Along with numerous stained glass windows, the church has an impressive Iconostasis. This forms a wall of icons and other religious paintings near the altar.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church from opposite hill in Centralia. Credit: Flickr/fireballsedai
Today, with so little left of the Centralia, Pennsylvania, the church serves as a poignant reminder of its once vibrant past. Besides visiting the church and the graveyard directly, many visitors to the town choose to ascend the opposite hill and gaze back at the church.
Not only does this position provide an excellent view of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, but it also is a terrific way to take in what remains of Centralia, PA and the surrounding countryside.
Good evening – I read an article in Reader’s Digest stating that the European leader of the Ukrainian church visited this church and declared it a ‘shrine’ and thousands of people have visited since. I don’t have the article nor remember the complete story. Do you have and can you provide a copy? Respectfully Submitted.
Hello Robert,
I have that Readers Digest issue. It should still be on sale as it is a December 2018/January 2019 issue.
I would be able to provide you a copy or send the book if you are still interested.
I read the article in Reader’s Digest and my husband and I are planning a trip to see the church, We would like to be there for Sunday mass. We would probably be there late April. Would you please give us the time for mass. Thank you.