Long-awaited stained glass windows top off renovation

Intermountain Catholic

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Statues of St. Joseph holding the child Jesus and Mary now stand on either side of the tabernacle. The statues were created by a Polish artist.IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

TAYLORSVILLE — There are a lot of new faces at St. Martin de Porres Parish, Taylorsville, and parishioner hand-picked them. There are new statues of the holy family, and 11 new stained-glass windows honoring saints new and old, and some yet to be canonized.

"I am happy and looking forward to the future of this parish," Pastor Father Jan Bednarz said. "The saints remind us of how we should live our lives and they bring us closer to God."

The stained-glass windows, created by Jenkyn Powell and Powell Brothers and Sons, were blessed and dedicated by Bishop John Wester Nov. 3. The Powells donated much of the labor. In addition to St. Martin de Porres, the parish’s patron, the new windows honor St. Joseph, St. Rose of Lima, St. Francis of Assisi, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, Pope John Paul II, Our Lady of Fatima, Blessed Mother Cabrini, St. Padre Pio, and Blessed Mother Teresa.

"Not only is St. Martin the patron of our parish," Fr. Bednarz said, "but we have a first-class relic of him given to the parish by Bishop Weigand."

Fr. Bednarz, a native of Poland, said he is especially grateful for the support of the church renovation project by the parish at large. The project included a new reconciliation room, a chapel of St. Martin de Porres, and a re-designed welcome space. "Parishioners were so generous, contributing financially and their labor to the windows, the statues, the new altar, ambo, and chairs."

Throughout the church are the names of generous donors, on plaques and windows, including Lorraine Garrett, Luís Maldonado, José Celada, Bea Arnelas, and Dora Zucca.

"We move forward," said Fr. Bednarz.