Dance groups pose for a photo with Father Guillermo Trevino at St. Joseph Parish in West Liberty March 19. The parish recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of its church building.
By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
St. Joseph Parish in West Liberty celebrated the 75th anniversary of its church building on March 19, the feast day of its patron saint. The pastor, Father Guillermo Trevino, presided at Mass with former pastors Father Greg Steckel and Father Dennis Martin concelebrating. Two dance groups performed at the Mass and the potluck reception that followed.
Catholics in West Liberty originally celebrated Mass in family homes, according to a parish directory. The community grew with the expansion of rail service in the 1850s. “Soon, there were enough Catholic families to support a church,” the directory notes. St. Joseph was first a mission parish of St. Mary Parish in Wilton and then of St. Mary Parish in Nichols until a full-time pastor was available.
The parish celebrated the completion of a larger church in 1891. It burned down in 1946, just a month after the parish made its last mortgage payment. “The faith community responded to the need, giving of their time and talents and committing to another mortgage,” the directory states. The parish dedicated the present church in 1950 and later added a parish center.
St. Joseph Parish consists of about 200 families, Father Trevino said. The parish celebrates Mass in English and in Spanish to serve the multicultural community.
