It’s the talk of the town.

What began as the dream of a close-knit parish community nearly 50 years ago will be a reality celebrated by much of the community of Galt.

On Aug. 13, members of St. Christopher Parish join in the dedication of their new California mission-style church.

“There is a great deal of excitement in the community of Galt for a church that is a source of so much joy to the Catholic community,” said Father Gerald Ryle, pastor of the parish for the past five months. “What a gift to have landed here in Galt.”

The new California mission-style St. Christopher church in Galt, built to accommodate a fast-growing Catholic community, will be dedicated Aug. 13. Cathy Joyce/Herald photo

Located on a 10-acre site of land three-quarters of a mile southeast of the original church, the new $3 million church has a capacity seating of 515. The construction project also includes five meeting and religious education rooms, a choir room, hospitality area, parish office, bride’s room and religious goods store.

A second building phase will include a new pastoral center with catechetical offices and a rectory.

Galt, a city that had a population of approximately 5,000 just 10 years ago, has grown to more than 17,000 today. So for a parish with an equally ballooning population, moving day couldn’t come too soon. A recent weekend count revealed an attendance of 1,315 people scattered over six Masses in a church with 165-person seating capacity.

“During Holy Week this year,” Father Ryle noted, “we had liturgies in four locations because we were short of room.”

And the original church built in 1885, while much loved, had begun to deteriorate, evidenced by the fact that at one point a major portion of the roof collapsed.

Father Ryle said the first fund-raising drive dates back nearly 50 years ago and has had its share of setbacks. But the parish simply never gave up.

“The people opened their hearts, their homes and their souls to me,” said parishioner Edie Schaffhausen of her pledge drive efforts. “It took several generations of families, but we have a great community in Galt. We feel like a family.”

Mary Beeks, who has been a member of the parish for 25 years, says the new church was well worth the wait.

“We feel so wonderful because for years we have been pledging and it never happened,” she said. “Now it happened and we’re very excited.”

Schaffausen has noticed a renewed spirit among a growing number of young families attending St. Christopher. There are newly-formed groups for youth and mothers, and a child care program is in the works.

“The new church has lit a fire with everybody,” Schaffausen said.

It is the hope of people like John Baca, building committee chairman, that there will be an added bonus of a church tripled in size for liturgies.

“We’re trying to bring all our communities together to make St. Christopher one church,” he said.

Enthusiasm for the new church is not limited to St. Christopher parishioners. During months of construction, a good portion of the city’s residents visited the building site.

“There’s just a tremendous interest. Pastors have dropped by several times and taken tours,” Father Ryle said. “It’s a sign of support and joy, a mutual affection among Christians.”

Dedication day for St. Christopher will include two liturgies. At 8:45 a.m. parishioners will process with sacred books and statues to their new home where they will be greeted by Bishop William K. Weigand. Bishop Weigand will celebrate a 9:30 a.m. Mass during which Father Ryle will be installed as the church’s new pastor.

An afternoon Spanish Mass will also be preceded by a procession at 1 p.m. with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Both Masses will be followed by receptions.

An open house and ecumenical service is planned for Aug. 16 for the Galt community, beginning at 7 p.m.

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