50 year celebration for Queen of Heaven

Nick Ianniello

Mineral Independent

Members of the Superior St. Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church gathered together Sunday afternoon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the construction of the church building.

"This celebration is very important to them because of all they've accomplished over the last 50 years and I feel privileged to have been a part of that for the last five and a half," said Fr. Kevin Christofferson, the church's pastor.

The building was finished in November of 1958, and has been the center of worship for Catholics in Superior ever since.

The anniversary was commemorated by a special Mass celebrated by Bishop of Helena George Thomas, who said it was a great honor for him to be a part of the church's celebration.

"You are the living stones that we are here to celebrate today," Thomas said about the congregation.

The Superior St. Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church is part of a group of three churches served by Christofferson. The pastor leads three Masses each Sunday, one starting in Frenchtown, and other in Alberton and his last takes place in Superior.

"Coming to Superior is always kind of the highlight of Sunday. You could look at it as I have another mass to say when I've already said two, but I always look forward to coming to Superior because the people here are so generous and hospitable," Christofferson said.

After the celebratory Mass, the congregation proceeded to the basement of the church for lunch and to talk about the history of the church. Around the basement posters and pictures decorated the walls, telling the story of the Superior St. Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

The opening of the church was marked by a week-long mission led by Raymond Lassell of the Redemption Fathers.

Since its opening the church has served Catholics and community members of Superior.

Rosemary Semanko, the first woman to ever be married in the church, was present at Sunday's mass.

Semanko was married on July 25, 1959 and barring a short time when she and her husband moved away from Superior, she has always attended the church.

Semanko said that being around for the 50-year anniversary of the building she was married in was a very special experience for her.

She said that she will keep coming back to the church as long as she is able because she enjoys the building and all of the people that attend church there.

Mineral County Attorney and church member Shaun Donovan gave a speech at the beginning of the luncheon where he recounted stories he had heard about the construction of the church and how community members, many that were not even Catholic, helped to make sure the building was built.

"I think that's one of the great things that happens here in a small town. It's the spirit of community and collegiality that we enter into every day here," Donovan said.