Archbishop Joins IHM For 50th Anniversary Celebration

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on October 21, 2018
- 1:13 pm

Archbishop John C. Wester, left, and Pastor Glenn Jones of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church celebrate with parishioners and guests on the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the church Saturday evening in the parish hall on Canyon Road. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

IHM parishioners and guests enjoy dinner catered by Bob’s Bodacious BBQ as part of the 50th anniversary celebration Saturday evening at IHM. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK

Los Alamos Daily Post

caclark@ladailypost.com

Archbishop John Wester traveled to Los Alamos Saturday to join parishioners and guests in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the building that houses Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church at 3700 Canyon Road.

“We are pleased to have the Archbishop celebrate Mass for us this evening,” Fr. Glenn said Saturday. “We are also grateful for all the blessings that God has bestowed upon our parish in these 50 and more years, and ask that these wonderful blessings continue in the future.”

Church history reveals that the local parish was established in 1946, by Archbishop Edwin Byrne who consecrated it to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At the time, Mass was celebrated in the theater buildings and the priest lived in a dorm room.

In the 1960s, Archbishop James Davis wished to encourage the construction of a parochial school, but after visiting the parish, he decided that there was greater need for a new church building. Design work began in 1965, construction began in 1967 and Oct. 20, 1968, the current church building was dedicated.

To commemorate this 50th anniversary of the building’s dedication, Archbishop Wester celebrated a special Mass Saturday evening in the church. A dinner for all in attendance followed the Mass in the Parish Hall.

IHM parishioners and guests make their way through the buffet line catered by Bob’s Bodacious BBQ Saturday evening at IHM. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com