Today’s pilgrim train stopped at a parish that was established in 1910 by the first bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah. Because of the introduction of mining smelters in 1907, many Catholic immigrant workers made Tooele their home. They were in need of a Catholic Mass, so in 1908, Bishop Lawrence Scanlan, an immigrant himself, authorized monthly masses for the workers. A year later, land was donated and Saint Marguerite Catholic Church was built. The original church was in use until they outgrew it and relocated in 1974. I felt blessed to attend the 10:30 a.m. Mass celebration at Saint Marguerite Catholic Church ∙ 15 South 7th Street ∙ Tooele, UT 84074 ∙ Phone: (435) 882-3860 ∙ Website: http://www.stmarguerites.org/.
Saint Marguerite Catholic Church is very easy to locate because it is on the corner of 7th and Vine Street. One of the first things you will notice at this corner is a church sign and a very tall reddish brick
Saint Marguerite Catholic Church is very easy to locate because it is on the corner of 7th and Vine Street. One of the first things you will notice at this corner is a church sign and a very tall reddish brick
tower that is topped with a white cross. The main parking lot can be accessed from Vine Street and there is plenty of parking. From the parking lot, Saint Marguerite Catholic School is on the left and they educate children from preschool through eighth grade. The church building is to the right of the school and shares its left wall with the parish hall. Along the right outside wall of the parish is a courtyard with a peaceful meditation garden area that overlooks Tooele Valley.
The entry to church is through a set of double doors that lead into the foyer, where there's a plethora of information, a hallway to restrooms and a stairway to a basement. From the foyer, there are double doors that lead you directly into the church. Since my pilgrimage visit was during Ordinary Time, the colors are green as you will see in the lovely linens and banners. Just into the entrance and along the back wall is an alcove that was incredibly painted by a parishioner. This wall mural reminds me of a Sonoran Desert sunset and it is an adoration area for Our Lady of Guadalupe and a beautiful tribute. It is very colorful and beckons you to come pay her a visit. I was so awestruck, that I was slightly shaking and had to return later to take a photo that was not so blurry. On the other side of the back wall is a lovely adoration area for their patron Saint Marguerite.
There are four sections of wooden pews facing the altar, two longer sections towards the middle and shorter ones along the side walls. The stained glass panels are on the right side of the church as you enter and they bring in soft peaceful glow into the area. Stations of the Cross are located on the left side of the church and have lights just above. A large life-like crucifix is centered on the wall behind the altar table and just above the tabernacle. The sanctuary lamp hangs just to the left of the tabernacle. There are two doors behind the altar that lead to the sacristy, supply area and such. A music area is to the left of the altar with plenty of seating for a choir. Many lovely statues can be found around the church and bring a sense of tradition. One of these statues is Our Lady of Fatima, which is beautifully detailed with a scapular and rosary in draped over her hands. She can be found toward the front right of the altar area.
Mass was wonderful and full of peace of the Holy Spirit. The Homily was about the social inequality between the rich and the poor. Fr. Sam Dinsdale stated how much wider the gap is between the rich and the poor today versus years past. He said that it's not a bad thing to be rich, but if you don't use it in a way to help less fortunate, it's a sin. I was fortunate enough to speak with Fr. Sam Dinsdale, the Pastor of St. Marguerite. I asked him what he felt made his church special right now and Fr. Sam said, "Our new school, because it is a part of our mission here to administer to our children."
I left St. Marguerite Church feeling blessed to have visited. The parishioners are beautiful and warm people with a kind and gentle priest. May God grant you peace, unity and blessings always. Amen.
The entry to church is through a set of double doors that lead into the foyer, where there's a plethora of information, a hallway to restrooms and a stairway to a basement. From the foyer, there are double doors that lead you directly into the church. Since my pilgrimage visit was during Ordinary Time, the colors are green as you will see in the lovely linens and banners. Just into the entrance and along the back wall is an alcove that was incredibly painted by a parishioner. This wall mural reminds me of a Sonoran Desert sunset and it is an adoration area for Our Lady of Guadalupe and a beautiful tribute. It is very colorful and beckons you to come pay her a visit. I was so awestruck, that I was slightly shaking and had to return later to take a photo that was not so blurry. On the other side of the back wall is a lovely adoration area for their patron Saint Marguerite.
There are four sections of wooden pews facing the altar, two longer sections towards the middle and shorter ones along the side walls. The stained glass panels are on the right side of the church as you enter and they bring in soft peaceful glow into the area. Stations of the Cross are located on the left side of the church and have lights just above. A large life-like crucifix is centered on the wall behind the altar table and just above the tabernacle. The sanctuary lamp hangs just to the left of the tabernacle. There are two doors behind the altar that lead to the sacristy, supply area and such. A music area is to the left of the altar with plenty of seating for a choir. Many lovely statues can be found around the church and bring a sense of tradition. One of these statues is Our Lady of Fatima, which is beautifully detailed with a scapular and rosary in draped over her hands. She can be found toward the front right of the altar area.
Mass was wonderful and full of peace of the Holy Spirit. The Homily was about the social inequality between the rich and the poor. Fr. Sam Dinsdale stated how much wider the gap is between the rich and the poor today versus years past. He said that it's not a bad thing to be rich, but if you don't use it in a way to help less fortunate, it's a sin. I was fortunate enough to speak with Fr. Sam Dinsdale, the Pastor of St. Marguerite. I asked him what he felt made his church special right now and Fr. Sam said, "Our new school, because it is a part of our mission here to administer to our children."
I left St. Marguerite Church feeling blessed to have visited. The parishioners are beautiful and warm people with a kind and gentle priest. May God grant you peace, unity and blessings always. Amen.
| |
RSS Feed
