Pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Harpers Ferry, from 1857 - 1867. A native of Ireland, Father Costello was the pastor of St. Peter's during an interesting time in American history. During John Brown's raid in 1859, he was called upon to adminster last rites to several people, including U.S. Marine Luke Quinn, who is buried just a short distance from Father Costello. Later Father Costello met with John Brown at the jail in Charles Town. During the Civil War, despite an offer to come back to Ireland, Father Costello stayed with his church, despite the heavy artillery fire often going on in and around Harpers Ferry. Many buildings around the church and its school were damaged or destroyed, but St. Peter's was somehow spared. Father Costello carried on conducting services as best he could through out the war, even though the church was sometimes used as a hospital for the wounded. Father Costello became ill and passed away just two years after the end of the war.
Pastor of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Harpers Ferry, from 1857 - 1867. A native of Ireland, Father Costello was the pastor of St. Peter's during an interesting time in American history. During John Brown's raid in 1859, he was called upon to adminster last rites to several people, including U.S. Marine Luke Quinn, who is buried just a short distance from Father Costello. Later Father Costello met with John Brown at the jail in Charles Town. During the Civil War, despite an offer to come back to Ireland, Father Costello stayed with his church, despite the heavy artillery fire often going on in and around Harpers Ferry. Many buildings around the church and its school were damaged or destroyed, but St. Peter's was somehow spared. Father Costello carried on conducting services as best he could through out the war, even though the church was sometimes used as a hospital for the wounded. Father Costello became ill and passed away just two years after the end of the war.
