EAST BRISTOL — St. Joseph Church in East Bristol suffered serious storm damage on Tuesday, April 14.  

Around 1 a.m., high winds tore off a portion of the church roof, allowing water inside the building.

No one was injured, but the wind and water damage was substantial.

After the storm ended, part of the church’s roof was resting on top of the rectory building, and debris was scattered around the property.

One of the first questions parishioners asked was, “Is Jesus okay?”

Thankfully, the Blessed Sacrament was unharmed.

Nothing serious had happened to the tabernacle, and Fr. Jim Leeser, pastor of Nativity of the Lord Parish of which St. Joseph Church is a part, was able to move the Blessed Sacrament to a safe location.

Paul Davis Restoration of South Central Wisconsin was called in.

The crew arrived early on April 14 to secure the building and make sure there were no further risks to anyone.

The most pressing concern was the forecast — another storm was predicted for that night.

The crew worked rapidly to get the roof half capped by the end of the day Tuesday, and placed tarps as well, aiming to protect as much as possible.

That quick response saved the church from further damage. The torrential rain of Tuesday night’s storms could have caused the whole ceiling to collapse.

After the second storm, on April 15, the crew was able to fully cap the roof, ensuring the church was ready for the weekend forecast, which contained more severe weather.

With the temporary roof in place, the crew was able to turn their attention to drying out the interior, cleaning up debris, and making a more full assessment of what to do next.

“We are honored to have been able to step in and help protect St. Joseph Church,” Paul Davis Restoration of South Central Wisconsin commented.

“We have such an amazing crew that worked quickly to secure the structure, and we’re grateful the interior was spared from further damage. This church is more than a building, it’s a cornerstone of the community with deep roots and meaning for so many families.”

The aftermath of the storm brought many voices offering assistance — from locals who volunteered their hands and skidloaders to those around the diocese who offered their prayers and asked how they could donate.

Father Leeser was grateful for the immediate support from the diocese, which included the work of Kris Twining, insurance claims risk manager, and Paul Lang, former director of the Office of Buildings, Construction and Real Estate, who volunteered his help.

There will be much work to do to accomplish the restoration of the church building, which was built in 1890.

The church’s roof and interior will need significant repair.

Several trees on the property are beyond saving.

The rectory — which the church roof fell on — is still being evaluated for damage.

Some areas of the property were spared.

The sanctuary furnishings, made of marble, narrowly avoided damage.

The church had built an addition in 2024, and that portion of the building was undamaged.

The cemetery was also mostly unharmed. A few headstones have damage, but as they are older stones, it is unknown if the damage is from this storm or from prior erosion.

The parish hall is secure and fully functional.

The St. Joseph’s Church community was able to gather there for Sunday Mass the weekend after the storm.

Masses will continue to be held there for the immediate future.

St. Joseph Church has insurance that will cover some of the repairs, but it is likely that there will be additional costs.