The Church of St. Joseph announced the beginning of a major capital campaign, Renewing Our Sacred Spaces, to preserve the historic church and make it accessible.
The campaign has exceeded the minimum goal of $1 million in pledges. A challenge goal of $1.5 million has been set.
The Church of St. Joseph is the oldest consecrated church in Minnesota. In order to preserve the church for future generations, repairs and upgrades are needed. In recent years, the church has added Heritage Hall, which is a fellowship space also available for community rentals.
Additional repairs to the church have also been made, including a new roof, copper gutters, insulation and air-conditioning.
“We have done so much to care for our church, but we still have work to do in the sanctuary,” wrote the Rev. Jerome Tupa. “Renewing our sacred spaces is essential to ensuring the Church of St. Joseph remains a vibrant and growing community.”
The plans for the sanctuary include structural improvements, new paint, flooring, upgraded lighting, sound system and fans, plus repairs to the pews and kneelers. A sprinkler system for fire safety will be added. A ramp along the east wall up to the altar and choir area will be added so everyone can fully participate in ministry.
“While we are doing these repairs to preserve our church for future generations, now is the time to honor our Benedictine heritage and make the church a safer, fully accessible space,” wrote Trustee Dede Budde, who co-chairs the capital campaign along with her husband, Dean, and Mike and Jeny Meyer.
Members of the church came together to study its facility needs. All members are being asked to make three-year pledges.
“We hope to break ground this winter so construction can take place over the spring and be completed by summer,” Tupa said.