St. Joseph New Church Building Project
St. Joseph is considered a mission because we do not have a pastor in residence. However, we are fortunate in that Fr. Steve Parlet, who resides at St. Rose of Lima in Buena Vista, is available and willing to drive approximately 80 miles round trip each Sunday, Holy Day of Obligation, and every First Friday of the month to serve our parish to hold mass. His dedication is an example to us all, as some of our parishioners live as much as 15-20 miles from the church as well. While the mountains are beautiful in the summer, the drive can be quite stressful during the winter months. For this reason, we cannot simply add additional masses on the weekends–Fr. Steve simply cannot make any additional trips to Fairplay to cover more mass times.
The old St. Joseph seated 64 people, with room for another 4 folding chairs in the rear aisle. We have had as many as 135 people attending mass on any given weekend, with most summer weekends bringing at least 100 people to Sunday mass. The overflow had to be seated in the coffee room, others had to stand in the entryway, and even outside on the steps in good weather.
Obviously, this situation challenged ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and local government building and fire codes. It was a situation that we could no longer endure in good conscience. Everyone who attends Mass should have a place to honor God, worship, and receive the sacraments with dignity.
Obviously, this situation challenged ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and local government building and fire codes. It was a situation that we could no longer endure in good conscience. Everyone who attends Mass should have a place to honor God, worship, and receive the sacraments with dignity.
It is obvious that our Catholic community is growing. For instance, three years ago we had five children in Religious Education. Today we have 17, and the number keeps increasing. We currently have 3 teachers, and that number is expected to grow along with our parish family.
After 3 years of analysis and planning (and having the project placed on hold for a time), Fr. Steve announced on March 16th, 2008, that it was time to move forward. St. Joseph Church was simply too small to serve our parish adequately. Even though there have been 2 expansions added to the main structure over the years, these were to provide for a coffee room and a restroom, and did nothing to alleviate overcrowding. In addition, there was no sacristy or confessional. A storage closet was being used by our pastor to change garments and to hear confessions.
After 3 years of analysis and planning (and having the project placed on hold for a time), Fr. Steve announced on March 16th, 2008, that it was time to move forward. St. Joseph Church was simply too small to serve our parish adequately. Even though there have been 2 expansions added to the main structure over the years, these were to provide for a coffee room and a restroom, and did nothing to alleviate overcrowding. In addition, there was no sacristy or confessional. A storage closet was being used by our pastor to change garments and to hear confessions.
Taking all of these situations into consideration, we are in the midst of a capital building fund campaign to raise enough money to pay for our new, larger, but modest church, that seats approximately 150 people. Plans also include room for future expansion to seat an additional 70 as the parish grows more, for a total seating capacity of 220 people.
Now that the new church is completed, the old church will be treated with reverence in accordance with Canon Law, and will be converted into a parish hall. We broke ground in June of 2009, and the new church was dedicated on June 25, 2010.
Fr. Steve and the building committee have worked diligently and walked the extra mile to ensure that our fellow parishioners have been involved, our finances are in order, and planning has followed ‘built of Living Stones’ guidelines.
As with many churches, St. Joseph is managed by volunteers. Nothing is accomplished within the parish without their input, contributions, and service. Our parish is also very small compared to the number of people who attend mass weekly, as we serve a large community of visitors to our area as well. It has been very difficult for a parish of approximately 80 families to raise enough funds to pay for a church that will seat 220 people. Although we were successful in raising about 70% of the total cost for the project, we had to take out a mortgage to finish the project.
We would like to invite you to be a part of our family by contributing towards our Building Fund. What you donate will be very much appreciated, and you will be remembered for your generosity.
Please send tax deductible donations to:
St. Joseph Parish Building Fund
P.O. Box 308
Fairplay, CO 80440
Thank you–and we hope to have you join us to celebrate mass in our new church!
Now that the new church is completed, the old church will be treated with reverence in accordance with Canon Law, and will be converted into a parish hall. We broke ground in June of 2009, and the new church was dedicated on June 25, 2010.
Fr. Steve and the building committee have worked diligently and walked the extra mile to ensure that our fellow parishioners have been involved, our finances are in order, and planning has followed ‘built of Living Stones’ guidelines.
As with many churches, St. Joseph is managed by volunteers. Nothing is accomplished within the parish without their input, contributions, and service. Our parish is also very small compared to the number of people who attend mass weekly, as we serve a large community of visitors to our area as well. It has been very difficult for a parish of approximately 80 families to raise enough funds to pay for a church that will seat 220 people. Although we were successful in raising about 70% of the total cost for the project, we had to take out a mortgage to finish the project.
We would like to invite you to be a part of our family by contributing towards our Building Fund. What you donate will be very much appreciated, and you will be remembered for your generosity.
Please send tax deductible donations to:
St. Joseph Parish Building Fund
P.O. Box 308
Fairplay, CO 80440
Thank you–and we hope to have you join us to celebrate mass in our new church!
Copyright 2012-2021, St. Joseph Catholic Church
455 Castello, P.O. Box 308, Fairplay, CO 80440
Phone: 719-836-2042
[email protected]
455 Castello, P.O. Box 308, Fairplay, CO 80440
Phone: 719-836-2042
[email protected]