About Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Macon, Georgia:
Sitting on the top of a hill overlooking Macon, its steeples can be seen from every part of the city. When you enter the church, you will be struck by an old-world beauty that is sadly lacking in many modern churches. Over the high altar is a great dome, the apex of which is 125 feet above the floor. The massive columns inside the church rise to a distance of 80 feet to meet the roof. There are over 60 stained glass windows, almost all are from the Mayer workshops in Munich. The white marble carvings, statues, and altars are from Italian quarries. The columns, though, are all from Georgia’s own quarries.
The original organ, a three manual Pilcher instrument, was installed in 1903 by Pilcher’s & Sons of Louisville, Kentucky. After 82 years the organ had deteriorated, and in 1985 the Schlicker Organ Company of Buffalo, New York, was engaged to build the new organ. Schlicker agreed to utilize portions of the façade and the console, as well as some of the pipes from the Pilcher organ. A Mass of Thanksgiving and Dedication of the Organ was celebrated on the Feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury, May 27, 1986.
Under the leadership of Monsignor John Cuddy, the parish embarked on a major capital improvements program in 2002. This ambitious project was aimed at renovating the 1950’s school building and restoring the church. After the Second Vatican Council, the magnificent old high altar was no longer used for the celebration of Mass. In 2005, Rolf Rohn and Associates designed a new altar table to replace the 1970’s era altar. It is modeled after the old high altar and is on the same level as the old high altar-table. A new ambo (pulpit) was commissioned with symbols of the four Evangelists on its facade. New priest and deacon chairs were commissioned as well. The new altar was dedicated by Bishop J. Kevin Boland on July 1, 2006.
In addition to the main altar, there are two side chapels:
The Sacred Heart Chapel contains stained glass with images of Jesus and is better suited to meditation as it is away from the side entrance with its traffic.
Our Lady’s Chapel houses an ambry for the storing of the Holy Oils, that of catechumens, sick and sacred chrism. The original baptismal font has been placed in front of this chapel and elevated, along with the paschal candle. Along with the font being placed in close proximity to the side door and in front of the image of the Blessed Mother, the sacramental celebration of welcoming new members into Christ’s Church is made clear.
Finding Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Macon, Georgia:
Physical Address: 830 Poplar St., Macon, GA 31201
Mailing Address: 538 High Place, Macon, GA 31201
Tel: +1 (478) 745-1631
email: church@st-joseph.cc
Click here for the official website of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Macon, Georgia
