Holy Trinity Church 1 Ann Bovenzi Religion Research Project Holy Trinity Church Contact Information Holy Trinity Church 1460 Ridge Road Webster, NY 14580 Phone: (585) 265 1616 Fax: 265 1627 Web Address: www.mostholytrinityrc.org E Mail: wholytri@dor.org History The parish of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church began at a Mass held on May 22, 1859, at a parishioner s household. Most were of German descent. From there the 45 families gave $300 toward building a church. The first church was built in 1861 in its present location on Ridge Road. The church was small, but enough to house the parish at the time. In 1898, plans were made to rebuild the church, to fit 500 people. It was completed in 1901, placed on the east side of the original church. The church needed to expand again in 1969, adding wings on either side of the church, (looking like a cross from an aerial view). They also added meeting rooms, offices, and a rectory on the east side of the building. When the church first began, it was planned to also have a school. Classes were held in the original churches basement. During the 20 s, it was decided that to accommodate, the number of children, the original church would be torn down, and a 3 story school would be erected. The first classes were held in September of 1927, with an attendance of 216 children. In 1959, the school was expanded on its west side to hold the growing number of students. In 1923, west of the school, a convent was built to accommodate the Sisters of St. Joseph. After all the sisters left the church in 1986, it is now known as the Trinity House of H.O.P.E., an outreach program to this in need. In 1866, 6 acres of land were built north of the church for a cemetery. The first burial was made in 1867. In 1997, a black granite Memorial to the Unborn was built on the eastern side of the cemetery. On the eastern side of the church, below one of the church s parking lots, The Shrine to Our Lady Fatima was built and dedicated in 1987. The current baptismal font in the church was built in 1998. Further expansion of the church, is being held now. The Trinity Life center, a 2 phase campaign completed it s first phase in 2003, a large gathering room connecting the school and church, along with rooms below it, expanded driveways, and a bus loop, on the Life Center s north side. The church is still
Holy Trinity Church 2 raising money for the second phase, a multi purpose gym and auditorium for the school and parish. Church Leaders The church is run by many different people: Rev. William C. Michatek Pastor Deacon Leo A. Kester Deacon Charles Kohlmeier Deacon Raymond Mielcarek Jackie Harrison Pastoral Minister, Director of H.O.P.E. Mary Haas Religious Education Administer Pam Shultz Parish Secretary Michael Costello Music Ministry Christopher Meagher School Principal Jodi Rowland Youth Minister Father Bill Michatek is the pastor of Holy Trinity Church. He was ordained in 1966, making June of 2006 his 40 th year being a priest. Michatek decided his fourth year of school that he wanted to enter seminary school. He followed the examples of his teachers, sisters, and priests from his church, St. Helens in Gates. Michatek s favorite part of priesthood is knowing that he can help people. As a former fireman, he works closely with the Webster Fire Department, and is always on call. After a fire, Michatek comforts families and blesses the house that was burned. He is close with the parishioners of Holy Trinity, attends their bedside when they are sick, and helps them through difficult times. Parish Demographics Around 2,000 families attend Holy Trinity Church. Most of the Families are White, and live in Webster, or Wayne County. The age groups are fairly even between children, young adults, adults, and seniors. All Masses are said in English. The Mass Father Michatek leads the Mass. The music is provided by organist Michael Costello. 9 AM Masses also feature the church choir. The Mass is very basic with little audience participation. During the Sunday Morning Masses at 9, and 11 AM, the children can leave the church to a meeting room in the basement where they are read the readings and can discuss them. This is helpful to children because they can understand the liturgy in their own way, and helpful to parents so they don t have to watch them constantly, and can focus on the liturgy.
Holy Trinity Church 3 Parish Activities Holy Trinity offers many services, and activities for all age groups: Ministries: Liturgical areas: Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Musicians, Choir Members, Usher, Alter Servers Pastoral Outreach Services: Dove, Corpus Chirsti, Stephen, Friendly Visitors, Bereavement Trinity House of H.O.P.E Marriage Preparation Ministry Committees and Groups: Steering Committee, Parish Council, Legion of Mary, Children s Nursery, St. Joseph s Table, Williamson Community Center, Children s Liturgy, Consistent Life Ethic Committee, Community Action Committee, Finance, Facilities, Cemetery, Alter and Sanctuary Care, Intercessory Prayer Group, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), Vacation Bible School, Eucharistic Adoration, First Saturday Devotions, Seniors Group Organizations Holy Name Society The Webster Knights of Columbus, Trinity Council 4618, The Auxiliary of Trinity Council, Ladies Catholic Benevolent Association, Branch #1319 (LCBA), St Monica s Christian Mothers Society, Dramatics Club, Young People s League, Youth Sodality, Reality Groups, Youth Group, Boy Scout Troop 206, Cub Scout Pack 206, Girl Scout Troop 291. Community Relations Every week the church prints out a bulletin stating various happenings in the church. They vary between baptismal and wedding announcements, to advertising for charity events. These weekly bulletins bring the church together and are a good form of communication in the parish. Besides community relations through various groups, and organizations, Holy Trinity Works closely with the other catholic Churches in Webster area. In 1999, Holy Trinity Church, Holy Spirit Church, St. Paul s Church and St. Rita s Church, all in the Webster area, formed the Webster Penfield Catholic Connection (WPCC). The WPCC s goals are to bring the four churches together, and to reach out into the community. They work closely with families, and single parents. The group is important to the area because it really unites a community, and brings all Catholics together to achieve a common goal.
Holy Trinity Church 4 Church Layout There are three different entrances into the church, West, South and East. Once inside the church, you realize the church is in the shape of the cross. There are wooden pews in the west and east wings, as well as the main part of the church. In the back of the church there is a choir loft with a large pipe organ. The ceilings are very high, and there are stained glass windows along the walls. Each window has its own meaning. The Stations of the Cross line the main body of the church, between the windows. The sanctuary is large and spread out. Above it, a domed painting of angles, Mary, and St. Joseph surround the Holy Trinity (Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God). The painting was inspired by the name of the church. In front of the west wing, a large baptismal font, shaped like a cross sits. The back doors of the west wing open into the trinity life center; it is a large room, painted white, used for various activities. It connects to the school. The church is very brightly lit. Lights on the ceilings light every corner of the church, making it a bright and colorful place to pray.
Holy Trinity Church 5 Pictures The Church Façade
Holy Trinity Church 6 The Trinity Life Center (Right). Holy Trinity School (Left). Back of School (Right) Back of Trinity Life Center (Left)
Back of Church Holy Trinity Church 7
Holy Trinity Church 8 The Shrine to Our Lady Fatima Inside Church
Holy Trinity Church 9 Back of Church Window
Holy Trinity Church 10 Baptismal Font Holy Trinity Church Cemetery
Memorial to the Unborn Holy Trinity Church 11