Saint Joseph Catholic Church
Saint Joseph, Michigan
| Our Parish History |
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The history of the Catholic Church in the St. Joseph
area begins over 300 years ago. It appears that a
Catholic mission had been established in this area by
Jesuits even prior to the explorer LaSalle’s arrival in
1679. Following the completion of LaSalle’s fort at
the mouth of the St. Joseph River, a mission was
maintained for the spiritual benefit of the French
settlers as well as Pottawatomie converts.
area begins over 300 years ago. It appears that a
Catholic mission had been established in this area by
Jesuits even prior to the explorer LaSalle’s arrival in
1679. Following the completion of LaSalle’s fort at
the mouth of the St. Joseph River, a mission was
maintained for the spiritual benefit of the French
settlers as well as Pottawatomie converts.
From this time until the mid-nineteenth century, the
history of the Catholic presence in the area is a bit
unclear. It is known, however, that priests of the
Congregation of the Holy Cross would occasionally
celebrate Mass in the private homes of area Catholics
or in a one-room school house located on Ship Street.
history of the Catholic presence in the area is a bit
unclear. It is known, however, that priests of the
Congregation of the Holy Cross would occasionally
celebrate Mass in the private homes of area Catholics
or in a one-room school house located on Ship Street.
| Fr. Joseph Van Watershoot Our First Resident Pastor 1867-1874 |
In 1850 a wooden church was constructed for
the Catholic community and was dedicated as St.
Louis. The priests of the Holy Cross continued
to serve this community until they turned it over
to diocesan priests in 1857.
Fr. Joseph Van Waterschoot became the first
resident pastor in 1867. It was under his
direction that the local Church built the present
church building in 1869. This new structure was
eventually embellished by the addition of the spire
in 1891.
A Catholic school was founded in St. Joseph in
the 1890’s. From 1910 a group of Dominican
Sisters of Adrian dedicated their lives to the
education of the community’s young Catholics.
The present school building was opened in 1948
and was added to significantly in the 1950’s and
1960’s. The present elementary school, located
on Washington St., was opened in 1991.
the Catholic community and was dedicated as St.
Louis. The priests of the Holy Cross continued
to serve this community until they turned it over
to diocesan priests in 1857.
Fr. Joseph Van Waterschoot became the first
resident pastor in 1867. It was under his
direction that the local Church built the present
church building in 1869. This new structure was
eventually embellished by the addition of the spire
in 1891.
A Catholic school was founded in St. Joseph in
the 1890’s. From 1910 a group of Dominican
Sisters of Adrian dedicated their lives to the
education of the community’s young Catholics.
The present school building was opened in 1948
and was added to significantly in the 1950’s and
1960’s. The present elementary school, located
on Washington St., was opened in 1991.
St. Joseph Church 1910 |
Other tidbits of St. Joseph Catholic Church History:
- The Rose Center, named after Fr. Cletus Rose, pastor from 1966 to
1984, was donated to the Parish by the Whirlpool Company in 1978. - Our Stained Glass windows were installed in 1904.
- Resurrection Cemetery, our parish cemetery, was established in 1882 at
its Lakeshore Drive location.
