St. Mary’s Church in Newport to celebrate JFK and Jackie’s 71st wedding anniversary

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — The 71st wedding anniversary between John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy is Sept. 12.

St. Mary’s Church in Newport, where the two tied the knot, is celebrating the anniversary.

“By being the pastor here at the church, I have come to have a greater appreciation for John and Jackie’s legacy and the layers of what he means to the Newport community, but really around the world,” Rev. Mark Sauriol said. “As a catholic, as an Irish immigrant.”

The church will host a “Return of the Camelot” event at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., where attendees could feel like they were at the wedding.

The event will show black and white footage from the wedding with live organ music to re-create the day.

“This is the oldest parish church in Rhode Island,” parishioner John Hirschboeck said. “Pew number 10, the reason I point this out because this is where the Kennedy’s came to worship, they reserved pew 10, along with their entourage and the secret service.”

Sauriol added that although it is a free event, the church will accept donations that will go to the Hot Lunch Program.