Shawn Josephson, a recently converted Catholic, works on the main altar and communion rail that were dedicated Dec. 7 at St. Francis Borgia, Cedarburg. (Submitted photo)
When Shawn Josephson sat down with Fr. Patrick Burns of St. Francis Borgia in Cedarburg for Josephson’s initial Order of Christian Initiation for Adults one-on-one sessions in 2023, Fr. Burns made a point of mentioning the future convert’s last name.
Joseph’s son.
Not only does the surname evoke the image of Jesus of Nazareth, but it’s especially fitting given Josephson’s line of work. He’s a fourth-generation carpenter who practically grew up in his grandparents’ furniture and cabinet shop; other relatives were experts in boat-building, pattern-making, house-building — “you name it,” said Josephson.
In other words, carpentry is in his blood.
“If wood was involved — at any level — we were there,” said Josephson of his family. “I’ve been using table saws, skill saws and driving trackers since I was in kindergarten.”
Josephson was born and raised in Cedarburg, and he always knew he was destined for the family line of work. Trained professionally by Joe Rodgers from 2004 to 2010, Josephson eventually ran his employer’s custom furniture and cabinet shop until the business closed its doors. After that, he struck out on his own.
“I started with a 600-pound table saw in my mother’s living room, which I quickly grew out of and into a cozy, 2,000-square-foot studio in downtown Cedarburg,” he said.
Over the years, he has created “anything and everything,” from custom-built kitchens, libraries, built-ins, staircases, custom one-off furniture and even the hand-built bar and copper counters at Foxtown Brewery in Mequon.
His decision to enter the Catholic faith was perfectly timed — almost providential, one could say.
Since 2018, St. Francis Borgia has been making plans to renovate its historic South Church building. Dedicated in 1870 and located on a prominent corner in downtown Cedarburg, St. Francis Borgia “quickly became an important landmark and a great reminder of the faith to our community,” said Fr. Burns. It was where the parish worshipped exclusively until a larger space was needed in the mid-20th century.
In 1970, part of St. Francis Borgia split off to form Church of the Divine Word Parish, located in a newly constructed building just north of Highway 60; the two parishes merged again in 2002, when the newer building became the North Church. St. Francis Borgia’s parish school and administrative offices are now located there, but the South Church has remained a vital part of the soul of the parish. Since 2020, Eucharistic Adoration has been held in the South Church, making it a wellspring of prayer and grace right in the heart of Cedarburg’s downtown area.
But the aging building had been in need of an update for some time.
“The plans for the South Church were initially more moderate in their scope, but the enthusiasm of parishioners and the fact that we exceeded our fundraising goal led to a more extensive plan,” said Fr. Burns.
The parish’s Love One Another campaign funded the renovations, which included restoring side altars and a communion rail to the space in an effort to bring the sanctuary more in line with its original architectural purpose.
That’s where Josephson came in. The parish commissioned the brand-new Catholic to handcraft a main altar and communion rail that would match the style of the altars that had been salvaged from the now-closed St. Mary in Lake Church.
“In these pieces, you’ll find an array of different building techniques, with over 600 hours spent,” said Josephson. The result is the work of “hundreds of molding cutter heads, silicone mold making, jointing, table saw work, bandsaw, shaper, lathe, mortise and tenons, and lots of hand and chisel work, just to name a few,” of the techniques utilized.
Josephson’s inspiration for the project wasn’t just his dedication to true craftsmanship and attention to detail, but his new faith journey.
“Words can’t describe the meaning and importance of this project to me, knowing what I poured into these two pieces, but more importantly, how and for what purpose they will be used,” he said. “The contribution of these pieces in God’s house, knowing that they will be still standing 150 years from now in the most historical church in my hometown, is truly humbling.”
“We are very blessed to have brought him into the project due to his care for the finest details and his desire to render the absolute best for God,” said Fr. Burns.
The new altar was dedicated Dec. 7 by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki.
“This project has deepened my newfound Catholic faith and brought me closer to wholeness,” said Josephson, who, fittingly, added that he has developed a deep devotion to St. Joseph. “This project has even inspired me to the point where I want to continue building — but building for the Church and church ministries. I feel that the Lord has been preparing me my entire life for this work, to work for him, and now the door is wide open.”
