Needed Repairs to Church and Rectory Office Buildings

Saint Joseph Parish
Medford, MA

Since 1883, Saint Joseph Parish has served the spiritual needs of the people of Medford. We are blessed to still be using our current neo-Romanesque Church that was built 125 years ago. Thousand of families have used the Parish throughout the years. Because of so much use, lots of work has gone into keeping our parish infrastructure up to date. In 1980 and again in 2000, renovations and upgrades to the interior of the church enhanced its beauty and filled the parishioners with pride.

Today the parish is home to over 2750 households. Nearly one third of our active parishioners volunteer time and talent to the nearly three dozen ministries undertaken to serve those in our parish and our community. The ministries that take place at Saint Joseph Parish are truly and example of God’s presence in the world. Our parish school began in 1929 and now has an enrollment of over 400 children from pre-school through the eighth grade. Our Religious Education and Youth Program minister nearly 350 more families. In addition, thanks to many dedicated volunteers, there are nearly 300 children in the parish basketball programs. There are also numerous Christian Service activities for the elderly, ill, and needy in our area.

As our parish reaches 125 years old, the exterior of our church is showing its age. A study by a structural engineering firm indicates that a substantial amount of structural repair is needed, some of which must be done promptly to prevent more serious damage and to eliminate any danger. The study also indicates that repairs to the rectory office building are needed. While these issues are not as pressing as the repairs needed to the Church, they need to be addressed within the next two years before they too, become unsafe.

The Parish has been taking estimates from contractors. Due to the nature of the structural problems, these estimates vary greatly. There is no telling the depth of the damage to our church until the construction actually begins. The cost of the essential structural renovations that need to be undertaken within the next 7 1/2 years are as follows:

The task is a substantial one and we will only be successful with your sacrificial support. As we enter our 125th anniversary we invite you to join all parishioners in pledging to help restore our church and rectory office building so that our parish can continue to provide the many services that have nourished our parish community for so long a time.