The first Mass offered in Winslow on February 1888, was celebrated in the Downs residence located where the La Posada Hotel stands today. Father LeBrune traveled from Albuquerque and would hold Mass once a month in the old schoolhouse. In 1891, a church was built under the ministry of Father Dolje at 220 W. Second Street. Its construction was single brick masonry and after a few years was deemed unstable.

In 1897 Father Connelly was the first resident priest who built an external wall around the church to strengthen the wall and “keep the dust out and the religion in”. For many years he lived in two small rooms in the back of the church; one was his study and the other his bedroom. This structure is now the parish hall at the rear of the church.

From 1912 to 1917, Father George Marx was pastor of the church. The Sanctuary stained-glass window is dedicated to him, and his remains are entombed here in the basement, situated under the Alter, and marked with a headstone.

The church records read: “Father Albuoy of Flagstaff was instrumental in building this church. Bob Fenton was the contractor who built the walls and I (Charles Daze) hauled every rock with team and wagon”.  Robert (Bob) Fenton hand cut and shaped the sandstone blocks on site.  Dave Porter was the carpenter who helped on the roof and did the inside work.  Mr. Aspinwall and Mr. Campbell donated the main section of the altars.

The seventeen Munich style stained-glass windows were ordered by Father Edward Albuoy, a native of France; manufactured in Europe and installed in 1921.  Parishioners’ names who donated money for the windows were put on the windows.  The church, designed in the Gothic Revival architecture, was officially dedicated on April 8, 1923.  Upon completion, the church, parish hall, and furniture cost the local congregation $30,000 (around $492,000 today).

In 2001, Father Dan Hussey and the Parish Council recognized the need for a complete renovation of the church. Under the supervision of Dr. Greg Hackler, work began which included:

• stabilizing the bell tower, steeple and roof

• installing a new electrical and lightening protection system throughout

• installing a new air conditioning system

• returning the interior to its original grandeur

• refurbishing antique altar set and pews

• replacing the doors with period Italian doors and French hardware.

• replacing the slate steeple tiles with custom, handmade copper tiles; designed and constructed by Glenn Blake

Today’s St. Joseph Parish is part of the Diocese of Gallup, which also includes Madre de Dios Parish in the Coopertown neighborhood, the Holy Family Chapel on Hillview Street, and the Madonna House Lay Apostolate in the Southside neighborhood. Father McCarthy opened Madre de Dios in 1950 and Father Hannon, its first priest, oversaw the launch of the Madonna House in 1957. Winslow’s parish council recently completed renovations to Madre de Dios and is currently renovating the Holy Family Chapel.

Thank you to Dr. Greg Hackler and OTM Director Ann-Mary Lutzick for this information.