WISCONSIN DELLS — Before it begins its official life as a place of worship, St. Cecilia Church in Wisconsin Dells will serve for one afternoon as a musical venue.
The new church building, which officially will begin serving the parish when it is dedicated on Sunday, Aug. 28, will play host to a “dedicatory” organ concert by Geoff Pautsch, organist at St. Mary of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Chicago, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14.
The church’s new pews will serve as seating for the concert, which will take place utilizing the church’s brand-new digital organ. A blessing ceremony at the entrance plaza of the new church building at 603 Oak St. will precede the performance.
Pautsch is the director of music and organist for St. Mary of Perpetual Help, where he performs on the church’s historic, 1928 “four-manual” Austin Organ.
St. Cecilia Church’s organ system and pews were installed recently, as the year-long construction of the church building neared its final week.
The newly constructed building will be “turned over” to its owner Friday, Aug. 5, according to Project Superintendent Jim Daniel of Kramer Brothers Construction, following a year-long effort that saw the previous church building torn down and the new church built.
All are invited to the blessing ceremony and organ concert on August 14. Fr. Eric Sternberg, pastor, will preside at the blessing. Following the blessing, guests will be seated in the new church for the concert.
The dedication on August 28 will conclude a 13-year, $11.5-million effort by the parish to construct the new building, on the site of the previous 113-year-old church.
All are also invited to attend the Solemn Mass of Dedication on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 2:30 p.m. with Bishop Robert C. Morlino presiding.
A dinner will follow. Those planning to attend the dinner should RSVP by August 10 to Laurie Grill, 608-254-8381 or [email protected]