| National Shrine of Saint John Neumann | |
|---|---|
| St. Peter the Apostle Church | |
 | |
 National Shrine of Saint John Neumann | |
| Location | 1019 N. Fifth St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Status | National Shrine/Parish church |
| Founded | 1842 (St. Peter the Apostle Parish) |
| Founder(s) | Rev. Louis Cartuyvels, C.Ss.R. |
| Dedicated | February 14,1847 |
| Relics held | John Neumann |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Joseph Koecker |
| Style | Romanesque Revival |
| Completed | 1847, 1897 (rebuilt) |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | one |
| Spire height | 230 feet (70 m) |
| Materials | Port Deposit granite |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Philadelphia |
| Clergy | |
| Priest | Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer |
TheNational Shrine of St. John Neumann is aCatholic nationalshrine dedicated toJohn Neumann, the fourthBishop of Philadelphia and the firstAmerican male to becanonized. The shrine is located in the lower church of St. Peter the Apostle Church at 1019 North 5th Street, inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The construction of the main church began in 1843.
Adjoining the lower church is a small museum, which displays exhibits relating to the life of the saint. The National Shrine of St. John Neumann and St. Peter's Church are under the care of theRedemptorists, the religious community of which St. John Neumann was a member.
When Bishop Neumann died suddenly in 1860 he was buried, as requested, at St. Peter's Church beneath theundercroft floor directly below the high altar.[1]
Pope Paul VIbeatified Neumann during theSecond Vatican Council and declared him a saint in 1977. The undercroft at St. Peter the Apostle Church underwent several renovations after Neumann's initial interment. The space served for years as the lower church of St. Peter the Apostle parish and eventually became theNational Shrine of Saint John Neumann after his canonization. The body of the saint lies in a glass-enclosed reliquary under the mainaltar. It is dressed in theepiscopal vestments with a mask covering the face.[2]
The saint's body has undergone multiple vestment changes since it was first displayed at the time of his beatification. In 1989, during the course of a major renovation of the shrine, the body of the saint was clothed in a set of modernvestments cut in the Gothic style.[3] On December 27, 2007, the body received a new mask and was clad with a set of traditional Roman vestments, including a lacedalb,stole,maniple,episcopal gloves, and traditional Roman fiddlebackchasuble. The Cardinal Archbishop of Philadelphia,Justin Francis Rigali, was present to assist with the vesting.[4]
Fire broke out in the lower church on May 13, 2009. Thepulpit, located near the body, was reduced to ashes, but the body of the saint was left intact. Theplaster covering over the face did not show any signs of heat. The pastor, Fr. Kevin Moley, C.Ss.R., called itmiraculous.[5]
Three stained-glass windows at the Shrine were damaged by vandalism in the early morning hours of February 19, 2024.[6]
Media related toSt. Peter the Apostle Church - National Shrine of St. John Neumann at Wikimedia Commons
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39°58′09″N75°08′42″W / 39.969203°N 75.14505°W /39.969203; -75.14505
