Greenville St. Joseph Church marks 100th By Fabvienen Taylor VIEW GALLERY (use keyboard arrow keys to navigate)
GREENVILLE — “It’s more inviting and so beautiful,” said Sandra Avritt of the renovations to St. Joseph Church. “The walls covering the side altars are gone and we have statures there, the interior has been painted a lighter color, the front doors replaced and other improvements. It’s like a brand new church.”
Avritt spoke after the Mass on the Sunday, Nov. 23, marking the 100th anniversary of the church building which was dedicated Nov. 23, 1908, by then-Bishop Thomas Heslin.
The church was designed by the first pastor Father Paul Korstenbrock who also paid the $40,000 to have it constructed from his own pocket. He served as pastor for 33 years.
The renovations took a year to complete and cost $600,000. “The generosity of Katherine Reilly and her brother Joseph Reilly made this possible,” said Father Somers, who is pastor for the 650 families of St. Joseph.
Bishop Joseph Latino was the principal celebrant of the Mass with retired Bishop William Houck, Father Somers and Father Frank Corcoran, in residence, concelebrating.
“As we celebrate today the feast of Christ the King, we celebrate this place where the king, the prince of peace, has resided among the faithful for 100 years.This is a beautiful, beautiful house of God,” Bishop Latino said.
