KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) -- Hundreds of Harley-Davidson owners gathered at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Kenosha to have their motorcycles blessed.

They attended the 19th annual bike blessing Sunday held for the Lake Shore Chapter of the Harley Owners Group.

The bikers first met at Lake Shore Harley-Davidson in Libertyville, Illinois, and then headed north to St. Paul's.

St. Paul's pastor Mark Jaramillo led the ride on his own Harley-Davidson and gave his blessing, while still wearing his chaps, from a ladder in the church parking lot.

The pastor said riding a motorcycle and fellowship with God are not mutually exclusive.

As he put it: "Some people see me (riding) and say, 'You're a pastor. What are you doing?' I say 'I'm doing it because I'm a pastor and I love life."'

Information from: Kenosha News, http://www.kenoshanews.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)