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SPOTLIGHT

Annual church tour focuses on Duryea

Fourth annual event begins next Sunday at 1 p.m. at Brick Methodist

Melissa Hoover Dispatch Correspondent

Nestled in a lush mountain range along a roaring river is the small town of Duryea, Pennsylvania.

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One of the many statues inside of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Duryea.

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A stained glass window at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

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Driving through you notice a prime example of small town America: Mom and Pop shops, children peddling around on their bikes, friends and family gathering for an afternoon cookout.

But there’s more than that. Something which lies practically in the backyard of every resident which means so much more than businesses and barbeques.

From the top of Foote Avenue through the bottom of Stephenson Street six unique structures embody the heart of this town. They are houses of worship that townspeople simply call “church”.

They represent Roman Catholic, Independent, Methodist, and Polish National denominations.

For decades, Sunday services at these churches have been a time to catch up with neighbors or family members as well as a time to worship. These churches have been places for Duryeans and congregation members from surrounding towns to rediscover themselves.

If you’re one of the many who never had the opportunity to experience the elegance of Duryea’s churches, now’s your chance.

The 4th Annual Greater Pittston Church Tour, scheduled next Sunday, June 21, focuses on the churches of Duryea. It begins at the Brick Methodist Church located on Foote Avenue at 1p.m. The tour proceeds to Stephenson Street stopping at Sacred Heart of Jesus then down toward the Independent Bible Church, St. Mary’s Polish National, St. Joseph’s and Holy Rosary.

Atty. Jan Lokuta, a native of Dupont and the founder of the church tour, will reveal the majesty of these six churches, both in their architecture and their rich, religious and ethnic heritage.

“I picked Duryea knowing that Sacred Heart and Saint Joseph’s will close as active churches and I want people to experience them while they are still active houses of worship,” Lokuta said.

“I will let any member of the church highlight whatever they feel is most important. If no church member is present I will focus on the artistic, historical, cultural, and spiritual traditions that make each church a special part of the community.”

In the year 2010, these two monumental churches will cease to exist. The question is where will these parishioners go? Their members have embedded their lives and memories around these church communities.

Watching one fade away will be hard on everyone. As a member of Sacred Heart Church, this writer along with five generations of my family and many other parishioners received the Holy Sacraments here. We remember our First Holy Communion, strolling down the aisle dressed like little angels patiently waiting the arrival of the sacred wafer.

Some even found love within the church community and displayed their dream weddings here. Some even had to say good bye to loved one’s here for the last time.

Some memories contain the aroma of potato pancakes or the taste of Manhattan clam chowder. This writer’s memory will always surround my mother and my late grandmother working the doll stand for so many years. Oh how my grandmother loved to watch the people pass by.

Everyone is invited to share in these memories next Sunday. A trolley will be provided by Luzerne County Transportation Authority.