At 76, Martha Lachowska is only one year older than St. Joseph Church, where she has been an organist for more than 60 years. Considering that she was alive for all of the church's history, it's no wonder she's excited to see it reach its Diamond Jubilee anniversary. "We've reached a milestone," she said. "Seventy-five years is a long time."

St. Joseph Church on Jewett Street recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of its first Mass. To mark the event, the church will hold a special Mass Sept. 9 at 11:30 a.m. and a banquet Sept. 16.

The Rev. Marek Sobczak, who is pastor and has been with the church five years, said he is proud of the parish's accomplishments and hopes it will continue to thrive.

"We try to make this parish alive," he said. "We don't want it to die after 75 years. We want it to grow." According to the book "History of St. Joseph Parish," which chronicles the church's history from 1926 to 1976, St. Joseph Church grew out of a desire to have a Catholic school in Ansonia geared toward the city's Polish community. Prior to the founding of the church, many of the city's Poles sent their children to St. Michael's in Derby

However, transportation to that school was expensive, so Ansonia's Polish community endeavored to have its own Catholic school and church. The first Mass at the new church was said on Aug. 22, 1926.

In addition to the parish, school and rectory, St. Joseph also owns Warsaw Park, about 35 acres located two miles from the church.

Today, about 500 families belong to the church, Sobczak said. That's smaller than some of the city's other churches, including Holy Rosary, which Sobczak said has about 1,800 families.

The church still emphasizes Polish culture, Sobczak said. One of the church's four weekend Masses is said in Polish, and Polish-Americans still make up a large portion of the congregation. However, Sobczak said, the church's congregation has expanded to include a variety of cultures, including Italian and Ecuadorian. "Throughout the years, more and more people from different regions are joining us," Sobczak said. "We are a multicultural parish. "

The church is constantly looking for ways to expand its congregation and provide more opportunities to the public, Sobczak said. Lachowska agrees, and said music, in particular, has evolved throughout the years. "The songs are newer," she said. "The musical accompaniment is newer."

Sobczak said he and other church officials are always willing to listen to what parishioners want. "We try to listen to people's suggestions," he said. "If people want to have a get-together, we try to do it."

For more information about either of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, call the church at 734-0402.