On this fine snowy first of May, I was blessed to attend the noon Mass celebrated at Saint Joseph Catholic Church ∙ 349 Main Street/U.S. 191 ∙ Monticello, UT 84535 ∙ Phone: (435) 259-5211 ∙ Website: http://www.stpiusxmoab.org/. This new church is just feet from where the original building was located and has been open just a few months. Entry from the double wooden doors into the vestibule and immediately to the right is the vestment room. Straight ahead is another set of lovely doors leading into the nave of the church, where I could tell it has that "new" fragrant of freshness.
Once inside the church I noticed the butter cream colored walls and smokey pine colored floors, accent area and ceiling. Rustic wrought iron chandeliers light up the room and provide a glow and ambiance of old world style along with the exposed beams that highlight the high pitched ceiling. Extra light beams in through the Gothic style windows along the side walls and in between the stations of the cross. The back wall has an adoration area for Our Lady of Guadalupe and a statue of their patron Saint Joseph with a cross in between. The other side of the back wall has an area for baptisms, complete with a beautiful tapestry of Saint John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, a gorgeous blue blown glass bowl on top of a pedestal. Just to the side of the tapestry is an area for the oils and holy water. A door to the confessional is next to the baptismal area. There are two sets of wooden pews, a wide center aisle with a gray runner and two smaller side aisles. Pockets are in back of each pew to hold the missalettes and song books.
The altar is a few steps up and is quite lovely with the white linen and Gothic woodwork highlighted on the altar table, podium and tabernacle table with white marble behind. There is a standing candle on each side of the altar table and the Pascal candle is to the left of the table and near the edge of the altar riser. An elegant golden etched Tabernacle and the Eternity candle are to the left of the altar just in front of a wood panel area. Three Gothic style wood chairs for the celebrants are behind the altar table and just below crucifix. The crucifix is the same shape as the famous one located at the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy painted by Cimabue and is quite captivating. A podium is to the right of the altar table and just behind and slightly to the right is a set of doors that lead to the hall and kitchen. There is a music area to the left of the altar area.
Saint Joseph Catholic Church is very peaceful and the hospitality of the parishioners and Father Bill Wheaton is plentiful. May God remain with you always as He gives you a spirit of unity to live in harmony as you follow Jesus Christ, so that with one voice you may glorify Him forever. Amen.