St. Joseph Roman Catholic in Winsted reopens its doors with a new look and a bright future.
Story and Photos by Karen A. Avitabile
Parishioners of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Connecticut’s northwest corner is experiencing a renewal and rebirth of the Holy Spirit after a six-year plan to renovate the church was completed in time to celebrate Easter earlier this year in April.
“People saw that things needed to be done,” says Father Bruce Czapla, pastor. “This is something people in general wanted. People love their church and they wanted to see a sense of continuity.”
The 114-year-old church building in Winsted closed after the new year for painting, rebuilding of the front stairs, gilding and reconstructing finials on the steeple corners and other exterior work. During the closure, Mass was celebrated at the nearby parish center.
Inside the church, work included installation of new floors, pew refurbishment, restoration of the sanctuary, crack repairs and a host of other improvements – all with a timeline of reopening before Easter.
Father Czapla’s prayers were answered – Holy Thursday and Good Friday services were celebrated in the restored church prior to Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.
“I am always amazed how God plans things,” he says. “Everybody coming in was speechless.”
From afar, the commanding view of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church atop a busy Main Street does not go unnoticed. Serving as the only Catholic Church in Winsted, it has been an integral part of the whole community at large.
“You come down (Route) 44 from New Hartford and as soon as you get into town, you can see this Catholic Church on the hill,” Father Czapla says. “You can see the steeple from miles away. It acts as a beacon. It is this focal point. St. Joseph’s has been a constant presence in town. ”
The parish is proud of the many generations that have worshipped in the church. About 800 people can worship at one time.
“One of the things that is incredible about the church community is it is generational,” the pastor says. “Since the Church reopened, I’ve seen new faces and families coming in. This tells people something about life. God’s plans are not finished. There’s a lot that can be done and will be done.”
Father Czapla, a member of the Franciscans of Immaculate Conception Province, initiated the church renovation when he returned to St. Joseph as pastor about six years ago. In this assignment and previous ones in the priesthood, he says he was an integral part of renovating church buildings, putting his artisanship skills to good use.
“As a young boy, I wanted to be an architect,” he says. “Every place I have been, I have been able to redo the church. This is my fourth church.”
Father Czapla, who shepherds St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church with Parochial Vicar and Spiritual Director Father Roger Hall, says he is “very humbled” to be part of the church and its parishioners.
“People come here to celebrate the Eucharist and to find peace,” the pastor says. “This is a sign of strength going forward.”
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church is located at 186 Main St., Winsted. To learn more about the church, visit stjoseph-winsted.org.
