St. Pius X in Owensboro celebrates renovated church
BY SUSAN ZOGLMANN, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Bishop William F. Medley blesses the new baptismal font at newly-renovated St. Pius X Parish in Owensboro on April 25, 2021. COURTESY OF TOM RHODES
There is no better smell than that of fresh paint and new wood. No better sound than the clack of heels on polished tile floors or water flowing into a new baptismal font. After years of planning, deciding, deliberating, and finalizing the dream became a reality. On April 25, 2021 at 4 p.m., Bishop William F. Medley, pastor Fr. Tom Buckman, along with Fr. Bruce Fogle, Fr. Julian Ibemere, Fr. Ray Clark, Fr. Stephen Van Lal Than, Deacon Martin Ma Na Ling, and an “at capacity” congregation celebrated Mass in renovated St. Pius X Catholic Church in Owensboro.
The dedication Mass, on a beautiful spring Sunday, included blessing the font, placing the relic, and blessing the altar by Bishop Medley. This was an amazing culmination of a project that started in November 2016. The committee was not sure where to start or what the end would be during those early meetings. Brother Martin Erspamer, OSB, was called upon to guide us. He was present to commemorate the occasion along with David Allen (project architect) and Steve Hayden (project general contractor).
A man leads the procession at the beginning of Mass in newly-renovated St. Pius X Parish in Owensboro on April 25, 2021. COURTESY OF TOM RHODES
Demolition of the interior, originally built in 1957, started mid-June 2020 with construction close behind. It truly did “take a village” as parish members were called upon to help any way they could. The altar was built by Steve Hollman, the ambo by Don Logsdon, and the ambry (where the Holy Oils are kept) by Gene Strehl. The pews, while built by a company out west, were assembled with the help of many parishioners only days before this first Mass.
Alteration of the COVID-19 sanctions were announced by Bishop Medley on April 22 allowing 60% occupancy and congregational singing while masked. This authorized a muffled joyful noise to be lifted in glorious praise and thanksgiving to God at this awesome celebration!
Susan Zoglmann belongs to St. Pius X Parish in Owensboro.
