Station Churches: A few treasured facts & finds
April 6, 2022 at 2:16 p.m.
Over the past nine years since the Station Churches of Mercer County was started, a highlight for pilgrims who are journeying from parish to parish is learning about their histories and seeing some unique, historical and sacred elements that are found in the churches. A few of surely many examples are shown on this page.
Sacred Heart Church, Trenton
In Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, the main altar, elevated five steps above the floor of the apse, is 24 feet high, more than 18 feet wide and weighs more than 11 tons. The immense weight is supported by solid masonry piers and 16-inch iron girders installed in the church basement. Each of the side altars is 7’5” long x 7’6” high.
Holy Cross Church, Trenton
In Holy Cross Church, Trenton, which is part of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, the paleotto, which is the front of the altar, was crafted in Algerian onyx and the Tabernacle was hewn out of rose coral marble. The white oak baldachino, which is the dome, of the main altar is supported by six 15-foot columns of Breccia marble. The main altar is made of light Botticiono marble as well as the side altars. The marble from the walls was imported from Italy. Msgr. Kasprowicz personally visited the quarries in Italy to choose the marble. The burgundy marble and Algerian onyx wainscoting were imported from Morocco.
St. Paul Church, Princeton
One of the few churches in the area to claim this, St. Paul Church, Princeton, has real working bells. The 88-foot high bell tower houses five bells – three of which were cast in bronze at the Paccard Foundry in Annecy, France, and were installed in 1957 by Professor Arthur L. Bigelow, Princeton carillonneur, who also donated the smallest of the bells, dedicated to St. Vincent De Paul. The largest bell was a gift of St. Paul’s parishioners; the retuned center bell was taken from the former 1870 church. The bells play the Angelus each morning, noon and evening, and are controlled by electric clock mechanisms. They toll for the faithful departed and ring in accompaniment of religious ceremonies.
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Over the past nine years since the Station Churches of Mercer County was started, a highlight for pilgrims who are journeying from parish to parish is learning about their histories and seeing some unique, historical and sacred elements that are found in the churches. A few of surely many examples are shown on this page.
Sacred Heart Church, Trenton
In Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, the main altar, elevated five steps above the floor of the apse, is 24 feet high, more than 18 feet wide and weighs more than 11 tons. The immense weight is supported by solid masonry piers and 16-inch iron girders installed in the church basement. Each of the side altars is 7’5” long x 7’6” high.
Holy Cross Church, Trenton
In Holy Cross Church, Trenton, which is part of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, the paleotto, which is the front of the altar, was crafted in Algerian onyx and the Tabernacle was hewn out of rose coral marble. The white oak baldachino, which is the dome, of the main altar is supported by six 15-foot columns of Breccia marble. The main altar is made of light Botticiono marble as well as the side altars. The marble from the walls was imported from Italy. Msgr. Kasprowicz personally visited the quarries in Italy to choose the marble. The burgundy marble and Algerian onyx wainscoting were imported from Morocco.
St. Paul Church, Princeton
One of the few churches in the area to claim this, St. Paul Church, Princeton, has real working bells. The 88-foot high bell tower houses five bells – three of which were cast in bronze at the Paccard Foundry in Annecy, France, and were installed in 1957 by Professor Arthur L. Bigelow, Princeton carillonneur, who also donated the smallest of the bells, dedicated to St. Vincent De Paul. The largest bell was a gift of St. Paul’s parishioners; the retuned center bell was taken from the former 1870 church. The bells play the Angelus each morning, noon and evening, and are controlled by electric clock mechanisms. They toll for the faithful departed and ring in accompaniment of religious ceremonies.