“A church built on pennies? That’s quite a story!” you might say. And you’d be right. Standing here before the St. Joseph Catholic Community, we are reminded of the power of small acts of faith. Now, while the current structure dates back to 2003, the spirit of St. Joseph Catholic Community stretches back over 150 years.
It all started in 1868, with a humble wooden structure nestled between the towns of Rosemount and Lakeville. The community, largely German immigrants, yearned for a place to worship in their new homeland. That first church, built with the sweat and sacrifice of those early settlers, would later be destroyed by a tornado in 1880! But the spirit of St. Joseph Catholic Community persevered. They rebuilt, their faith unshaken.
Over the next century, the community thrived, but with a growing population came growing pains. By the 1950s under the leadership of Father James Furey, the dream of a parish school became a reality. What’s remarkable is that he promised not to return until he secured nuns to staff it! And he succeeded. The Father Carey Memorial Building, dedicated in 1952, is a testament to his dedication.
But, the story doesn’t end there. Remember the stained-glass windows I mentioned? They were Father Furey’s vision. He encouraged the schoolchildren to donate their pennies. Those pennies, symbols of small acts of faith, helped bring brilliant colors and sacred stories to life within the church walls.
But why are we standing here, in New Hope, if this story starts in Rosemount? The turn of the millennium saw the community facing a new challenge: space. Through careful planning and a leap of faith, the St. Joseph Catholic Community embarked on a new chapter. In 2003, this beautiful new building we stand before was dedicated.
So, as we stand here before the St. Joseph Catholic Community, remember that its story is still being written. It’s a story of resilience, growth, and faith – a faith built not just with bricks and mortar, but with small acts of love, symbolized by those pennies.