Nine Lancaster city houses of worship are collaborating on open houses, bell ringings and a reading of the Declaration of Independence at Penn Square as part of the America250 celebrations.
Here’s what you need to know about the events.
Bell ringings
Several Lancaster city congregations will ring their bells at noon on Sundays, July 5 and July 12.
Declaration of Independence reading
While the Declaration of Independence was famously signed on July 4, it took several days before Lancaster residents heard it read aloud. The historic reading took place July 8, 1776, in Penn Square – which was the location of Lancaster’s courthouse at the time. To honor this history during the semiquincentennial, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence at Penn Square at noon on July 8. (The individual to do the reading has yet to be confirmed as of press time.)
Open houses
The following houses of worship will host open houses 1-4 p.m. July 12:
— Congregation Shaarai Shomayim, 75 E. James St., Lancaster. (Shaarai Shomayim will also host a special America250-related ceremony in its cemetery July 5. Find more details here.)
— Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 540 West Walnut St., Lancaster.
— Grace Lutheran Church, 517 N. Queen St., Lancaster.
— Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 S. Duke St., Lancaster.
— First Presbyterian Church, 140 E. Orange St., Lancaster.
— First Reformed United Church of Christ, 40 E. Orange St., Lancaster.
— Lord’s House of Prayer, 133 E. Vine St., Lancaster.
— Historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 S. Prince St., Lancaster.
Note: While Saint James Episcopal Church, 103 N. Duke St., Lancaster, is participating in the bell ringings, the church hosted its open house events in June.
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