St. Joseph’s Parish celebrates 125th anniversary

RENOVO, PA- St. Joseph’s Parish of Renovo concluded their simultaneous 125th Celebration of their church along 9th and Erie Avenue over the weekend as the events were held simultaneously along with the annual parish festival held at the same location.

The festival was a three-night affair as the dedicated handful of perennial all-stars for the church volunteered to bring food, entertainment and fellowship for young and adults alike.

As the weekend approached many activities turned towards the Quasquicentennial milestone was celebrated by hundreds with three events in addition to the festival.

On Saturday afternoon 125th coordinator Louis Rotegliano hosted a tour of church that offered much more than history lessons, although even that information turned out to be a highlight for many.

After the church was closed for the majority of last year due to water damage, Rotegliano’s return home allowed the former church designer to concentrate on his first love, St. Joseph’s in Renovo.

Along with repairs from the water, the coordinator had spent countless hours and donated generously to bring the church back to a more traditional look after decades of being rearranged through the years.

From floor to ceiling, really nothing in the church has not received some form of makeover or touch up over the last year or so.

About 75 people, many St. Joseph’s High School alumni attended the over two-hour tour that included explanations on just about every relic in the church as well as photo displays of the interior through the years.

Sunday Mass was of course the highlight as again alumni and former parishioners flocked to attend the mass celebrated by Father Orr, Deacon Heiser and Deacon Young and Deacon Williams, as well as the Catholic Daughters and Knights of Columbus.

One final event was a luncheon as the Sportsmen’s Hotel and Restaurant following mass where approximately 225 people celebrated friendship and faith.