By Rita McInerney

The challenge has not ended with the reconsecration of their remodeled church, parishioners of St. Joseph’s Church in Athens were reminded during the joyful liturgy on Friday, Dec. 6. Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan was celebrant for the reconsecration and Father Henry Gracz was homilist.

Taking his theme from the readings and the Gospel for the evening liturgy, Father Gracz, who was pastor from 1970-72, told the parishioners that to worship authentically in spirit and truth, John 4:19-24, is their challenge now that the program to restore their church is completed.

He likened the new church to the “awesome shrine” Jacob was led to by God, Genesis 28:11-18, and reminded them that they are members of the household of God, Ephesians 2:19-22.

Noting the presence of clergymen of other denominations representing the Downtown Athens Ministerial Association, Father Gracz voiced the hope for unity of worship in the future.

Father Gracz began his homily with an anecdote about the first pastor, Father Henry Clark, who, after the parish was established in 1910, spent two years traveling in the North to raise funds. The story goes, Father Gracz said, that he would get off the train anywhere he noticed a brick factory and buy a supply for the anticipated church.

Father Richard Kieran, pastor, and Father Don Kenny, associate pastor, concelebrated the liturgy with the archbishop. Several priests of the archdiocese also concelebrated. Father Kieran mentioned the sad note that underlined the happy event, the death, just the previous day in a downtown Athens store, of George Minor, chairperson of the building committee.

The new church has been created by joining the old church and the former school building under one roof. According to Peter Norris, of Hall, Norris and March, Atlanta, architects for the project, the old school building was gutted, the west wall of the church demolished and connecting area constructed. This provided seating for 240 more people, a spacious entry leading into the church, and a small chapel opening off the entry hall. The school building area of the new structure now serves as a rectory and parish center with offices for the priests.

The nine stained glass windows from the west wall were relocated with three on each side of the connecting area and three along the back wall where the altar used to be. The altar now is centered on the intact east wall and is backed by three stained glass windows. Seating for the choir and congregation are on both sides of the new altar. The main congregation space slopes down to the altar.

The original trusses were removed, strengthened and replaced and the hanging lamps are in place with the exception of one which hangs above the relocated church entrance and another on the stairway up to the rectory. A covered portico leads to the new church entrance.

The placement of the stained glass windows in the new area unifies this section with the old church area. The rich hues of the windows are dramatic contrast to the unadorned white walls and pale blue carpeting. The old ceiling trusses covered with brightly stenciled wood veneer, and the hanging lamps add a note of the past to an otherwise contemporary environment.

A classic marble table of generous proportions dominates the large altar area. Just off to the side is the golden tabernacle. The large crucifix which used to hang over the old altar is now in a prominent position about the former main entrance.

The renovation of the two buildings cost $900,000. This was Phase II of the building and development program. Phase I, the construction of a new education building, was completed in September, 1984, at a cost of $846,000.