Celebrate History at St Francis Xavier

Civil War history, music, and remembrance come together at the Historic Church of St. Francis Xavier in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 2026, during a special Civil War Mass and living history program tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the church served as a hospital where the Daughters of Charity cared for wounded soldiers, making the site an important part of Adams County’s wartime story and the nation’s larger journey through conflict, sacrifice, and freedom.

The morning begins with Mass at 9 a.m., followed by a concert of Civil War music performed by Gregory & the Poor Souls. Living historians will share readings from Civil War memoirs while costumed interpreters and historic photo displays help bring the era to life inside one of Gettysburg’s historic churches.

Presented as part of the nationwide America250 commemoration, the free public program reflects on the Civil War’s lasting impact on liberty, equality, and the evolving story of the United States.

25 W. High Street, Gettysburg