St. Joseph’s Church invites community to Prayer Hour
The bell of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Tuolumne is ringing to invite the community to come to Prayer Hour from 5 to 6 p.m. each Thursday and from 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
“The Catholic community of St. Joseph's extends an invitation to the community at large to join us for Prayer Hour,” said Pastor Jeffrey Wilson in a news release. “Given these times of stress and troubles, we welcome everyone to spend quiet time in prayer and silent reflection to deepen their relationship with the Lord, to seek forgiveness, and find comfort.”
The church was established in 1908 on land donated by the West Side Lumber Company. Emma Johnson, wife of the coowner of the lumber company, led the ladies of the town in organizing fundraising for the construction of the church.
Historical aspects of the church include the steeple, which was part of the original structure and houses the bell, which was added in 1912. In 1955, parishioner William Howard Scott obtained wood from Pickering Lumber Company to construct the pews. In 1952 portions of the movie “High Noon” were filmed at the church.
The historic bell was rung for 50 years by Beatrice Cimoli, and then her son, the late Tony Malgesini, carried on the tradition for many years. The bell inscription is Vox Dei (The Voice of God) and Tempus Fugit and Memento Mori — Time Flies; Remember you are mortal.
There are 10 stained-glass windows in the church, installed in 1960 and 1961. Families came forward to sponsor costs of the windows, and each window has the sponsoring families' name. The windows depict Catholic Saints. Two earlier stained glass windows were discovered in the attic recently and are now installed in the hall.
“We have a most beautiful and Holy church here in Tuolumne,” said Tom Ingalls, president of St. Joseph's Guild. “Our community has been utilizing the church for more than 100 years. Many families have depended on St. Joseph's in good times and bad. I'm sure it is the desire of St. Joseph to fill to overflowing the small mis
sion chapel in Tuolumne and lead us all to his foster son Jesus the Christ.”
Ingalls extends an invitation to the entire community to attend Prayer Hour on Thursdays or Saturdays and enjoy the beauty and history of the church.
The bell rings before Mass on Sundays, and will be rung for Prayer Hour.
For more information, call (209) 586-3161.