When the 44 year-old historic building was literally destroyed by fire, plans to build a new church were immediately started. Masses, at that time, were transferred to the school hall (completed in 1955) and Portuguese halls.
On February 23, 1961, the permit was issued for the construction of the new church and rectory at the northwest corner of North St. and Fremont Ave. Monsignor William Burke officiated the Ground-Breaking Ceremonies on April 30, 1961.
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| The Manteca community watched the new church walls go up with great interest. The church was built of basalt block with a seating capacity of 1,000. The marble altar, predella, altar rail, and baptismal font were imported from studios in Pietrasanta, Italy. The hand-carved statues of Our Lady of Fatima, St. Joseph the Worker, and St. Anthony were also from Italy. |
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On November 21, 1961, the six hundred-pound, fourteen-foot, bronze cross was placed on top of the new church by helicopter. Scores of townspeople cheered and cameramen recorded the event as the helicopter neatly positioned the cross in place.
The formal dedication of St. Anthony Church was on May 6, 1962, by the newly appointed Bishop of Stockton, the Most Rev. Hugh A. Donohoe. St. Anthony has the distinction of being the first church to be dedicated in the new Stockton Diocese. |
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