Photos by Jane Winstead
Parishioners gathered as Father Tim celebrated the final Mass in the old church on Sunday afternoon, August 14. The Mass marked the end of the use of the original St. Raphael Catholic Church building as a worship space. The first Mass was celebrated there in October 1962 and it has been in continuous use since then. A new church building was dedicated in June 2005 and the old church was used for daily Masses. After the pews are removed and minor renovations made, the building will be used as a meeting and event space for parish activities. A long range plan will be developed for permanent renovations and use of the building as a parish facility, serving the needs of various ministries and the school.
Showing posts with label old church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label old church. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Final Mass in the old church
Photo by Jane Winstead
The space will be converted to a Parish Hall to provide a much-needed medium meeting room for various events and organizations. It will take several weeks for the conversion to occur.
Pews will be removed and the space made ready to accommodate meetings. The immediate renovations are expected to be minimal. Plans will be developed later for permanent use of the building, including space for St. Raphael Catholic School. Father Tim is seeking suggestions from all parishioners for the final use of the building.
In the meantime, parishioners will be able to use the space for larger meetings, coffee and donuts and other activities.
There are no plans to change the outside facade of the building. It will retain its historic appearance of a Spanish mission-style church.
The first Mass was celebrated in the church in October 1962 by Father William J. Weinheimer, the first pastor. Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley of St. Augustine officially dedicated the church in February 1963.
Original church building under construction in 1961.
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