By TARA CONNOLLY Staff writer
One hundred and twenty five years ago, St. Joseph, Sheppton began humbly with Mass being celebrated in a local gathering hall. Through the years, the parish continued, even rising after a devastating fire in 1940.
Founding members constructed the original church at the corner of East Oak and Shepp Streets. Father John Pribyl, a priest assigned to St. Joseph, Hazleton – part of the Scranton Diocese – administered the sacraments and celebrated Mass for the early parishioners who were part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Father Joseph Kasparek, then-pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption, McAdoo and a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, began visiting the parish Sundays and holy days to administer to the spiritual needs of the people.
The church was consecrated Aug. 15, 1895. The first Mass was celebrated by Father Kasparek in April 1896 before he was appointed the parish’s first pastor in May 1896.
On March 19, 1940, St. Joseph’s feast day, faithful gathered to celebrate their patron saint. About an hour afterwards, a fire started and destroyed the church.
That didn’t deter parishioners, who laid a cornerstone for a new church on Nov. 28, 1940. The 250-seat building was constructed of quartzite hauled from nearby riverbeds in parishioners’ trucks.
The first Mass in the almost finished church was Christmas morning. A Solemn High Mass on March 19, 1941 marked the completion of the new church built by the congregation. Blessings took place Nov. 27, 1941 during a Solemn High Mass.
Through the years, several renovations improved the church. One of note occurred in 1971. To commemorate its 75th anniversary Schulmerich Carillon bells were added. The bells ring for the Angelus three times daily, and before Mass on Sundays and holy days.
Using religious elements from St. John the Baptist Chapel, Oneida – which formerly served the faithful in that region a chapel was created in the parish rectory. The first daily Mass was celebrated Feb. 5, 2013 in the rectory chapel. Daily Mass continues to be held in the rectory chapel.
Parishioners gathered on Sept. 22 to observe their 125th anniversary, with Bishop Schlert celebrating Mass with the current and former pastors as concelebrants. A reception was held afterwards in McAdoo.
