PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The church where John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier wed is inviting visitors in to kneel where the couple knelt, listen to the music that played and imagine the day.
St. Mary’s Church, in Newport, Rhode Island, was the site of the wedding on Sept. 12, 1953, when Kennedy was a senator from Massachusetts. The couple often spent weekends and summers in Newport, where her family owned property. During those visits, including during his presidency, the couple worshipped at St. Mary’s, always sitting in pew 10.
People fascinated with the Kennedys regularly turn up at the church. Often they find the doors locked. The church typically isn’t open when Mass isn’t scheduled.
The Rev. Kris von Maluski wanted to welcome them in. He’s giving a presentation about the wedding, Tuesdays through October. He’s calling it “Return to Camelot .”
“I hear from people all the time, ‘I haven’t been to that church. I can’t get in,’” he said. “We wanted to be a bit more friendly, and contribute to the tourism of Newport, too. We’re doing our part to make Newport a nice place to come by adding another interesting thing to do.”
Maluski will talk about how elaborately the inside of the church was decorated, with vines and flowers wrapped around every column and arch. Locals went into the church after the wedding hoping to get a piece of history, and walked out with armfuls of flowers, he said.
He’ll discuss the controversial place where the photographer stood to capture photos of the couple kneeling. It’s clear from the angle that the photographer was in the sanctuary to the side of the altar, a place where only clergy can go, so they must’ve gotten special permission, Maluski said.
The cost is $15. The proceeds will be used for the restoration of St. Mary’s choir loft and the preservation of the newly refurbished organ.