Renovations being looked at for Holy Family Hall as well

St. Joseph’s in Boyd is due to get new steps, the current steps dating from 1928 and in need of repair.

All Saints Parish has undertaken many projects since its formation via merger in 2013, with the steps at St.

Joseph’s in Boyd still in conceptual stage, with no engineering or official bid being done at present. Former projects within All Saints Parish have included roof repairs and renovation at St. Rose of Lima at Cadott as well as Holy Family at Stanley. The parish has also reestablished a central Catholic school building, following the previous closure of parochial education at Boyd.

Calling for equal sacrifice if not equal giving, the new stair design by River Valley Architects would include two curved stair approaches from either side in front, with a basement entry level with the street.

Also included in the renovation plans at St. Joseph’s is an elevator that could accommodate caskets and prevent their needing to be carried up the church steps, while a stair tower on the west side would accommodate moving between levels. The church currently has an elevator for handicapped use, with the new elevator replacing this for daily use.

The addition of a central basement door would provide a third exit in case of fire, while a platform in front of St. Joseph’s would allow for events like Triduum around Easter to take place at sanctuary level, rather than the base of the stairs as at present.

Also in the mix for upcoming improvements in the parish include a renovation of Holy Family Hall, built in the 1970s and declining in recent years for parties or other events.

Looking to update and revitalize the Third Avenue venue, All Saints Catholic Parish is working with Red Wing Cabinets of Boyd on different ideas to spruce up the interior.

Among these are a potential more industrialized look while fixing wall and water issues on site, the cost of hall renovation thought to be around $300,000 and doable in stages.

The renovated hall would be called “All Saints Parish Hall” after the name of the merged parish. With prior improvements paid for in part by the gifts of past generations, Deacon Ned Willkom shared his thoughts on the present and future of All Saints and the question of investment in an uncertain future.

“We are, in my mind, a rather young parish,” Willkom shared at a parish event recently, with the three church parish based in solid communities (Stanley, Boyd, and Cadott) that are sustainable in the long term, rather than rural areas that have seen their Catholic populations dwindle and churches close.

“The only way these churches would ever close is if we close them ourselves and refuse to support them,” Willkom shared, with Father William Felix saying he had made his contribution “because I want to be a part of this and see it happen.” With the youth well represented in CCD, donations by adults to secure the new steps at St. Joseph’s in Boyd and other parish improvements are confidential, based on good will rather than contract.

Holy Family Hall at Stanley could see a drop ceiling tearout and other updates, in a bid to increase usage. Photo by Joseph Back.