A History of Devotion to Saint Anne in Appalachian Roman Catholic Churches
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Adler
Mentor Home Department
History
Short Abstract
This research documents devotion to Saint Anne in Appalachia, through exploration of Catholic churches named for her and how these connect to the broader Appalachian Catholic tradition. This research is important because despite Roman Catholicism being the second-largest Christian denomination in Appalachia, it is often overshadowed by Protestantism in Appalachian studies. This research illuminates a diverse religious landscape in the region, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of Appalachia's culture and demographics, challenging stereotypes, and emphasizing the need for further scholarly exploration of Appalachian Catholicism. This research is being conducted via oral history interviews with Catholics in parishes named for Saint Anne, photography, archival research, and a literature review. Over spring break, I visited multiple Appalachian Catholic churches named for Saint Anne over a six-day trip. I have also researched these churches and traditions through online sources. This research yields various findings, with a primary focus on documenting the historical significance of Saint Anne in Appalachia. It explores the possibility of a unique devotion dating back to the earliest Catholic settlers in the region; the devotion is also contemporary, reflecting a vibrant, modern community. Differences in devotion to Saint Anne across the broader Appalachian region may arise from cultural and geographical variations, showcasing Appalachian diversity. The most direct outcome of this research is contributing to ongoing documentation of the importance of Catholicism in Appalachia.
Category
Social Sciences
Start Date
5-4-2024 2:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2024 3:30 PM
Location
D.P. Culp Center Multicultural Center Presentation Room
A History of Devotion to Saint Anne in Appalachian Roman Catholic Churches
D.P. Culp Center Multicultural Center Presentation Room
This research documents devotion to Saint Anne in Appalachia, through exploration of Catholic churches named for her and how these connect to the broader Appalachian Catholic tradition. This research is important because despite Roman Catholicism being the second-largest Christian denomination in Appalachia, it is often overshadowed by Protestantism in Appalachian studies. This research illuminates a diverse religious landscape in the region, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of Appalachia's culture and demographics, challenging stereotypes, and emphasizing the need for further scholarly exploration of Appalachian Catholicism. This research is being conducted via oral history interviews with Catholics in parishes named for Saint Anne, photography, archival research, and a literature review. Over spring break, I visited multiple Appalachian Catholic churches named for Saint Anne over a six-day trip. I have also researched these churches and traditions through online sources. This research yields various findings, with a primary focus on documenting the historical significance of Saint Anne in Appalachia. It explores the possibility of a unique devotion dating back to the earliest Catholic settlers in the region; the devotion is also contemporary, reflecting a vibrant, modern community. Differences in devotion to Saint Anne across the broader Appalachian region may arise from cultural and geographical variations, showcasing Appalachian diversity. The most direct outcome of this research is contributing to ongoing documentation of the importance of Catholicism in Appalachia.