Bishop Anthony B. Taylor spreads chrism oil on the altar for the consecration Mass as Deacon Tim Costello watches. (Travis McAfee)
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Blessings in Washington County

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor consecrated a former Presbyterian church as the new home of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln Oct. 10. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, six priests and over 250 people attended the dedication Mass. It was standing room only, with over 60 people in the overflow section of the parish.

Pastor Father Martin Siebold addresses parishioners at the end of the dedication Mass. (Travis McAfee)

Father Martin Siebold, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln and associate pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale, arrived at the parish in July 2023. Moving to a new location will allow the Catholic flock to grow, he said. The parish is this year’s One Church partner. Funds will help pay off the church loan and renovation costs. 

The congregation watches as Bishop Anthony B. Taylor begins the dedication Mass Oct. 10 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln. (Travis McAfee)

“The first Mass was amazing,” Father Siebold said. “… We have steadily been growing every year since the parish started. I look forward mostly to all the sacraments we will be celebrating now in a church building, an incredible worship space. We have already had our first baptism … and first wedding … and a First Communion. These people, whose faith has made them the living Church for all these years, now get to celebrate these precious moments in their lives in a beautiful sanctuary.”

The congregation of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Lincoln prays at the bilingual Mass Oct. 10. (Travis McAfee)

Father Alex Smith, pastor of St. Anthony Church in Weiner and St. John Newman University Parish in Jonesboro, served as a sacramental minister at Sts. Peter and Paul Church from 2021 to 2023. He attended the dedication Mass Oct. 10. 

Former pastors and associate pastors of Sts. Peter and Paul Church and local priest concelebrate Mass with Bishop Anthony B. Taylor Oct. 10. (Travis McAfee)

“It’s a joy to see them grow and to see life in both the English and Spanish communities, as well as seeing the community so active in discipleship and wanting to be a family,” he said. “It is incredible to see, after years of wanting to have a church, being able to move from downtown to now a church of their own. What a joyous moment seeing the bishop bless and consecrate the altar in the church. It’s not something you get to see every day, and I think for that community, that was such an impactful moment, especially for myself, who got to serve and walk with them and see the seeds of love and community grow through the years and see where they are today.”

 —  Katie Zakrzewski

Katie Zakrzewski

Katie Zakrzewski joined Arkansas Catholic as associate editor in 2023 after working in local media and the environmental sector. A member of St. Mary Church in North Little Rock, she recently completed her master’s degree in public service from the Clinton School.

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