A Legacy of Faith
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
— Hebrews 13:8
The story of Saint George Parish began long before the parish itself was established. In 1863, Schulfrau Katherina Uhr opened a Catholic school for German Catholics in Kearsarge in her father’s store. At its height, the school served approximately 60 students, teaching both basic academics and the Catholic faith.
In 1922, Reverend Alfred J. Fischer was appointed to establish Saint George Parish. The first red-brick church was completed and dedicated on August 6, 1922, at a cost of approximately $12,000. Father Fischer served as pastor until 1942.
Under Monsignor W. Lawrence Franklin, who became pastor in 1942, Saint George experienced tremendous growth. A parish school was established with the Sisters of Mercy, and enrollment quickly increased. A new school opened in 1957, followed by the construction of our present church, which was dedicated on October 7, 1959. Built in a modern style, the church was designed to accommodate approximately 1,000 worshipers.
Monsignor Franklin retired as pastor in 1974 after more than three decades of service. He was succeeded by Reverend Daniel M. Martin, an Erie native, who continued to guide the parish’s growth. During his pastorate, a new parish office and rectory complex was completed in 1976.
Today, Saint George continues the legacy begun generations ago—a community centered on Jesus Christ, the Eucharist, Catholic education, and service to others.
We give thanks for the priests, religious sisters, educators, families, and parishioners whose faith and sacrifice built our parish. Their story is our heritage, and our faithfulness today helps write the next chapter of Saint George.
Saint George, Our Patron Saint
Saint George is one of the most widely venerated saints in the Catholic Church and has long been honored as a model of courage, faith, and steadfastness.
Although little is known with certainty about his early life, tradition holds that George was a Christian soldier in the Roman army during the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Diocletian. When ordered to renounce his Christian faith, George refused. For his faithfulness to Christ, he was martyred, traditionally on April 23, around the year 303 A.D.
Saint George became a symbol of the courage required to remain faithful to Christ, even in the face of suffering and persecution. Over the centuries, he became the patron saint of soldiers and numerous countries, cities, and communities throughout the world.
The familiar image of Saint George defeating the dragon comes from later Christian tradition. The dragon represents the forces of evil, while George’s victory symbolizes the triumph of faith over fear and good over evil.
As we look to Saint George as our patron, we are reminded of his example: to stand firm in faith, to live courageously, and to remain faithful to Christ in every circumstance.
For Our Young Disciples!
