St. Peters Roman Catholic Church in Harper's Ferry Art Print

An original premium Quality Art Print of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Harper's Ferry for sale by Brandywine General Store. This was the 3rd Church erected in the town of Harpers Ferry. Construction started in 1830 and finished in 1833 and was built on land that belonged to Robert Harper. Harper's Ferry is on the border between Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and as such this town changed hands between Confederate and Union forces 14 times during the Civil War. St. Petersburg Roman Catholic Church was the only Church in this war ravaged town that was not destroyed or severely damaged during the heavy fighting. The Reverend Michael A. Costello is credited with saving this magnificent Church. When hostilities broke out between the North and South, he declined an invitation from Bishop McGill to travel to Ireland to escape the war. He stayed instead with his Church. During the War, Reverend Costello reportedly raised a Union Jack Flag over the Church so the Confederate Soldiers would not fire upon it as they considered England their ally during the war. The flag also kept the Union troops at bay, because they did not want to risk causing an international incident by destroying this Church and maybe risk bringing Great Britain into the war for the Confederate Cause. The Church was also used as a hospital during the Rebellion with the Reverend Costello also doing his part to wait on and help the injured. This picture is shot from a little different angle than most shots you see of this Church. Picture #230 an original historical photographic art print made from a photograph in the Brandywine collection.