08/25/2026
Another gem from the archives is this letter to parishioners written by Fr. Redmond, OP, one of our first pastors. Fr. Redmond was behind much of the construction and fundraising for the current church building. In 1955, the current church was still being constructed, although the letter indicates both the walls and roof were going up in May of 1955.
Fr. Redmond notes that various parishioners had come together to donate or fund many of the beautiful church furnishings that even today are present in the church. This includes, the tabernacle, the statues of St. Jude and the Blessed Mother, the altar of St. Joseph, etc. One of the final pieces to be installed was the high altar which Fr. Redmond desired every parishioners to contribute to given its special significance as the site where the Sacrifice of the Mass was to be offered.
The total cost for the high altar in 1955 was $26,000. Today, due to inflation and other factors, the estimated cost would be around $324,000.
We give thanks today and every day for the generosity of our parishioners and benefactors who both built this church and who continue to sustain it from generation to generation.
