About Saint Joseph · Salida, Colorado
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Colorado Springs serving Salida and the surrounding upper Arkansas River valley in Chaffee County, Colorado. Located at the corner of 5th and D Street in a church built in 1909, the parish offers Vigil and Sunday Masses, weekday Masses, Saturday confession, Eucharistic Adoration, an active Religious Formation program, and a wide array of service groups and devotional ministries including the Knights of Columbus Council #1296 (chartered 1908), Altar Society, St. Theresa's Sewing Circle, Helping Hands funeral-dinner ministry, Respect Life Committee, and a Prayer Group. The parish marked its centennial in 2009 and continues to live out a heritage that traces back to the first Mass celebrated in the area in 1875.
- Established
- 1880
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Joe Dygert
- Diocese
- Diocese of Colorado Springs
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers the full rhythm of Catholic life in a small-town setting: Vigil and Sunday Mass, daily Mass Tuesday through Saturday, Saturday confession, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and a monthly Holy Hour. Children grow in faith through Religious Formation classes (Preschool–8th grade), Confirmation preparation for high-school sophomores and juniors, and a week-long Vacation Bible School each summer, while adults can join an Adult Education group that reflects on the Sunday Gospel each Thursday, walk the RCIA journey, or pray with the Tuesday-evening Prayer Group. Service is concrete and visible — Helping Hands funeral dinners, Knights of Columbus Council #1296 (chartered 1908), Altar Society, Respect Life, the centuries-old craft of St. Theresa's Sewing Circle (which has made nearly 800 Baptismal garments), and a Social/Fun Committee that makes newcomers feel at home.
Mass times at Saint Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays, 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- Monthly Holy Hour: Wednesday 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (check bulletin)
History of St. Joseph Parish
Catholic life in the upper Arkansas Valley began in 1875 when Fr. Henry Robinson — who had been ordained by Colorado's first bishop, Bishop Machebeuf, in 1872 — celebrated the first Mass in the home of the Burnett family in Poncha Springs. Fr. P.J. Gleason became Salida's first resident pastor in 1885 and celebrated in the old Central School while a small frame church (likely built by Fr. Robinson c. 1880) had been destroyed by fire. Fr. W.M. O'Reilly built a new church in 1889; it stood next to the present site, later served as the school, and was finally moved out of town to become the Grange Hall. By 1900, 56 Catholic families lived in Salida and Buena Vista.
The 1909 Church
The present church at 5th and D Street was built in 1909 by Msgr. Dean T. Wolohan and was listed among the most beautiful churches in Colorado. Its ceiling features six painted circular symbols, and the sanctuary is enriched with donated statues and Stations of the Cross. Fr. Manus Boyle supervised a redecoration in 1924, and Fr. Maurice Gallagher later oversaw a Vatican II interior remodeling.
- Painted ceiling with six circular symbols
- Donated statues and Stations of the Cross
- Redecorated 1924 (Fr. Manus Boyle)
- Vatican II-era interior remodeling under Fr. Maurice Gallagher
Parish School and Centennial
Fr. Maurice Gallagher initiated a fund drive that produced a new parish school building, which opened its doors in September 1957. The school was closed in 1992 due to lack of funds and families, and the building is now used for parish functions and Religious Education programs and leased to the Chaffee County Boys and Girls Club. In March 2009 the parish celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs and a parish family dinner; each family received a 100th Anniversary Book written by parishioner Jean Hanfelt.
- New school building opened September 1957
- School closed 1992
- Centennial celebrated March 2009 with Bishop Michael Sheridan
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Formation at St. Joseph propagates the faith among the youth of the parish through a curriculum of doctrine, sacraments, and prayer. The program runs from the first week of October through the last week of April, with classes for Preschool (age 4) through 4th grade meeting Sunday mornings 9:00–10:15 a.m. in the lower level of the parish office (no classes on the last Sunday of the month). A monthly Children's Liturgy takes place on the last Sunday of the month at the 11:00 a.m. Mass, and a week-long Vacation Bible School is held in late July/early August for Preschool through 4th grade.
- Preschool–4th grade: Sundays 9:00–10:15 a.m.
- Grades 6–8: October–April
- Youth Ministry Grades 5–8: first Thursday 6:30–8:00 p.m.
- Confirmation: 2nd & 3rd Thursdays 6:30–7:45 p.m.
- Adult Education: Thursdays 9:45 a.m. at Parish Office
- Vacation Bible School: late July/early August
Sacraments
Parents and godparents of children to be baptized are asked to attend a Pre-Baptism Instruction Class held on an as-needed basis before a baptism is scheduled. First Eucharist and First Reconciliation are received through the Religious Formation program. The parish follows the diocesan norm of a minimum two-year preparation for Confirmation; at St. Joseph the sacrament is open to high-school sophomores and juniors and is offered every other year. Couples planning marriage must contact the Pastor at least 12 months before the desired wedding date.
- Pre-Baptism Instruction Class
- First Eucharist & First Reconciliation
- Confirmation (HS sophomores/juniors, every other year, 2 years prep)
- Marriage Prep — 12-month notice
- RCIA for adults
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical life at St. Joseph is supported by Altar Servers (open to children in 3rd grade and above who have completed First Eucharist and First Reconciliation), Lay Ministers who bring Communion to the homebound every Sunday and on First Fridays, Music Ministries (choir, cantors, keyboard and guitar accompanists), and an Environment Committee formed in 1992 to enhance the worship space.
- Altar Servers (3rd grade+)
- Lay Ministries / Homebound Communion
- Music Ministries (singing, choir, cantors, keyboard/guitar)
- Environment Committee (formed 1992)
Service Groups & Organizations
A wide network of parish organizations supports worship, fellowship, and outreach. The Pastoral Council (five members appointed for three-year terms by the Pastor) and Finance Council advise the Pastor on parish life and stewardship. The Maintenance Committee oversees parish buildings and grounds with brief quarterly meetings. The Knights of Columbus Salida Council #1296 was chartered March 1, 1908 with 36 charter members and meets the second and fourth Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. The Welcoming Circle calls on new parishioners, while the Altar Society (open to all registered women) tends to altar and pew cleaning on the first Tuesday afternoon of each month. St. Theresa's Sewing Circle (originating in the late 1940s with twelve members) has produced nearly 800 Baptismal garments. Respect Life Committee implements diocesan and national pro-life projects. Helping Hands coordinates funeral dinners, and Los Amigos — founded in the fall of 1970 — supports funeral dinners and worthy community causes.
- Pastoral Council & Finance Council
- Maintenance Committee
- Knights of Columbus Council #1296 (chartered 1908)
- Welcoming Circle
- Altar Society
- St. Theresa's Sewing Circle (~800 Baptismal garments made)
- Respect Life Committee
- Helping Hands (funeral dinners)
- Los Amigos (founded 1970)
Prayer & Social Life
Spiritual and social life flourish side by side. The Prayer Group gathers every Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Office to pray for parish and community needs, and names can be added to its prayer list through the parish office. The Social/Fun Committee helps plan and host parish potlucks, summer Coffee & Donuts after Mass, and other events. The St. Joseph Supper Club groups couples and singles into foursomes who take turns hosting dinner four times over six months — a relaxed way to get to know fellow parishioners. On Wednesday of Holy Week the parish hosts a Seder Meal in the school building, by reservation, recalling the Hebrew Passover at the heart of the Eucharist.
- Prayer Group: Tuesdays 6:00 p.m.
- Social/Fun Committee (Coffee & Donuts, potlucks)
- St. Joseph Supper Club (4×/6 months)
- Seder Meal on Wednesday of Holy Week
Parish Staff & Contact
St. Joseph is served by a small, dedicated staff: Rev. Joe Dygert as Pastor; Carolyn Goetz as Office/Business Manager; Angels Flora as Religious Formation Coordinator; Judy Bullen as Organist; and Mary McGlasson as Housekeeper. The Parish Office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and can be reached at (719) 539-6419 (fax 539-7127) or by email at [email protected].
- Pastor: Rev. Joe Dygert
- Office/Business Manager: Carolyn Goetz
- Religious Formation Coordinator: Angels Flora
- Organist: Judy Bullen
- Housekeeper: Mary McGlasson
- Office: Mon–Thu 8–12 & 1–4
- Phone (719) 539-6419 / Fax (719) 539-7127
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Henry Robinson1874–c.1885
Ordained by Bishop Machebeuf in 1872; minister to the South Park mission and upper Arkansas River valley; built a small frame church in Salida c.1880 that was later destroyed by fire.
- Fr. P.J. Gleason1885
First resident pastor of Salida; offered Mass in the old Central School while the parish had no church.
- Fr. W.M. O'Reilly1889
Built a new church next to the present site (later used as the school, then moved out of town as the Grange Hall).
- Msgr. Dean T. Wolohan1909
Built the present St. Joseph Church on 5th and D Street.
- Fr. Manus Boyle1924
Supervised redecoration of the church interior.
- Fr. Bernard Gilliek1933–1956
Longest pastorate in parish history.
- Fr. Maurice Gallagherpost-1956
Initiated fund drive for new school (opened September 1957); supervised Vatican II interior remodeling of the church.
- Rev. James Williamssince August 2013 (per diocese)
Listed by the Diocese of Colorado Springs as pastor.
- Rev. Joe Dygert
Listed as current Pastor on the parish's official website.