The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace, Gettysburg’s Episcopal parish, is hosting two special activities in conjunction with Gettysburg Remembrance Day, especially appropriate as parish is the only church in Gettysburg specifically dedicated as memorial to those who served in the Civil War. Intended to be a place where all veterans, North and South, could be honored in a spirit of national reunion and reconciliation, the church building houses some 150 memorials to individual soldiers and sailors of the war as well as units, both Union and Confederate.
The church will be open on Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for visitors to see and learn about its memorials. Parish hosts and docents will be on hand to discuss the memorials and their history in the church,
The parish will also host the Fort Delaware Cornet Band at its 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Service on Sunday, November 16. The band’s appearance at the church is an annual event.
The band will accompany the hymns and service music at the Holy Eucharist rite, and present a short concert at the conclusion of the service. The band will also give a concert on the church’s front steps on Baltimore Street at 5 p.m. on Saturday the 15th.
The Fort Delaware Cornet Band is the premier Civil War Brass Band in the Delaware Valley, which represents an impression of the original Artillery Brass Band that was in residence at Fort Delaware during the Civil War. The band performs on original and replica Civil War Era instruments and performs music of the Civil War Era. The band performs regularly at balls, concerts and educational events throughout New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania
The band is made up of music educators and musicians with both an extensive history in the Civil War reenacting community as well as in musical excellence. The majority of the members are also direct descendants of Union veterans and are proud to bring their ancestors’ legacy to life.
“We’re honored to welcome this superb group of period musicians back to Prince of Peace,” said The Rev. Jim Strader-Strasser, Prince of Peace’s Priest-in-charge.
Everyone is welcome for both Saturday events and the Sunday service, and all Civil War reenactors and living historians are invited to come dressed in 1860s period attire.
