Visitation: St. David of Wales in Denton
Bishop Rob Price confirmed 20 youth and adults at St. David of Wales in Denton on Trinity Sunday, and blessed a newly installed stained glass window.
This parish is a gem in the diocese. After building a new and bigger worship space their average Sunday attendance has climbed to the 230s and the pews are full in the build-it-and-they-will-come kind of way. Lay leader Jesse Davis is excited about the new energy and said they are talking about the possibility of adding a third Sunday service. New folks are attracted to the church and its liturgical offerings, Davis said. As an example, the Sunday service was a pontifical high mass with holy confirmations and the blessing of a new window, which in whole lasted two hours.
Bishop Price enjoyed his visitation immensely. "It is extraordinary to be able to make a visitation in a church that is 90 percent full, let alone on the last Sunday of May," he said. "With extraordinary music, excellence in the liturgy, and an enormous class of confirmands, St. David's is full of energy and promise. I came away inspired by this growing congregation, and grateful for Father Paul Nesta's leadership.
The congregational demographics hit every age from babies to eighties, which newly confirmed parishioner Matthew Ganoa said is a joyful part of the church. It's a wonderful mix of people, he said. The congregation reflects the two-college town with young families, students, professors, retired professors and former students packing the pews. The colleges bring a lot of students to Denton with the University of North Texas numbering 47,000 students and Texas Woman's University at 15,500. The academic vibe of the town seeps into St. David's bringing a group of highly educated and experienced teachers who are able to skillfully offer meaningful formation for youth, Vacation Bible School and adult studies, Ganoa said. The influence of theses colleges on St. David's has resulted in parish life that is high-level cerebral and artistic - brilliant and beautiful.
Part of that beauty is seen in the gorgeous robes worn during the service. "All our vestments were made by Watts and Co. when we entered the new building,"Nesta said "The gold set, with black orphreys, features colors taken from the shield of St. David of Wales."
Not enough can be written about the parish's incredible worship music where they draw top talent from UNT which has one of the largest and best music programs in the world, and Texas Woman's University where they are known for their interdisciplinary teaching in the creative arts. Their organist/çhoir director is Canon Dr. Pam Youngblood who has served at St. David's for 50 years and is held in high regard as a gifted musician and teacher. Some students are in the St. David's choir just to work with her while others get a small stipend or class credit. As a result their choir ranks easily as one of the best in the diocese, and not surprisingly evangelizes those who come to sing. The new members of the choir often cross their arms over their chest when it comes to communion and receive the blessing, but as time goes by they take communion and eventually become entrenched in church life, Davis said.
Bishop Price blessed the new stained glass window in the church. St. David's commissioned Bryan Marshall, who is well known in the Dallas diocese and many others as a longtime representative of the iconic J. Wippell & Co., to consult on the design, build and installation of a stained glass window to be placed behind the altar. Marshall attended the blessing of the stained glass window and said it was the last to bear the name J. Wipple & Co because the company had been sold. Over the many decades at Wippell's he has come to know and be known by so many in the diocese and is much loved and respected for his astute guidance.
The installation of the window marks the completion of the building project, Nesta said. "Two major donations received for the window in the fall of 2024 as part of an incentive to grow our budget to meet the needs of a growing congregation in a larger building," he said."This window is the last designed by J. Wippell and Co. before they closed, is inspired by the ancient canticle, Te Deum laudimus, and captures the whole host of heaven declaring 'Tu rex Gloria Christe' (Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.")
The photos accompanying this story were taken by the highly skilled photographer Tony Sidharta. St. David's takes professional photos for most services then posts them on their social media accounts which has brought many newcomers through their doors. Well done St. David's, well done!