St. Joseph Church History and Photos
The first Mass was celebrated in what would become St. Joseph Parish on August 6, 1835 by Father Christian Hoecken, a Jesuit from St. Louis. Mass continued to be celebrated in people's homes until a log church could be built. In 1848 the cornerstone of the present church was laid. In 1883 the bell tower was added. In that same year the Jesuits turned the community over to the Archdiocese of St. Louis, and Father Anton Diepenbrock became the first diocesan priest assigned to St. Joseph. The church was consecrated on October 24, 1894 by Archbishop Kain, with Bishop Bonacum of Lincoln offering a Pontifical Mass.
The church was expanded in 1905 and given a larger sanctuary, a higher ceiling, a clerestory and the present stained glass windows. The windows were made by Emil Frei Company of St. Louis. The double balcony that resulted from this expansion is still in use today.
In 2020 the church was again renovated, including structural improvements and electrical work, as well as care for the murals, windows, and other aesthetic concerns. The former mural of Christ welcoming the children was moved to overlook a major side entrance, and a new mural of the crucifixion was painted above the sanctuary.
The church was expanded in 1905 and given a larger sanctuary, a higher ceiling, a clerestory and the present stained glass windows. The windows were made by Emil Frei Company of St. Louis. The double balcony that resulted from this expansion is still in use today.
In 2020 the church was again renovated, including structural improvements and electrical work, as well as care for the murals, windows, and other aesthetic concerns. The former mural of Christ welcoming the children was moved to overlook a major side entrance, and a new mural of the crucifixion was painted above the sanctuary.
Stained Glass Windows
Thank you to Connie Reichart for the church history and window information.
Relics
Catholics believe in the communion of saints. One element of this is the belief that not even death (Romans 8:38) can separate us from those who form part of Christ's mystical body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). The saints, i.e., those in heaven, are connected with Christ and therefore also still connected with the Church on earth. We do not worship anyone but God, but we do honor the saints, even as God himself honors them (John 12:26). We look to them as an example. And, we ask them to pray for us, just as we ask Christians on earth to pray for us. Further, we believe that God will raise up the bodies of the saints on the last day (John 5:28-29).
The Church has always venerated the relics (remains) of the saints, ever since the Christians of the first centuries gathered up the remains of their friends who had suffered martyrdom in times of persecution. Even in the Bible, God works spiritual effects through the bodies and possessions of holy people (Luke 8:40-48; 2 Kings 13:21; Acts 19:12).
St. Joseph is privileged to have a large collection (about 300) of relics of the saints displayed for public veneration. Let us call upon their intercession and follow their example as followers of Jesus!
The Church has always venerated the relics (remains) of the saints, ever since the Christians of the first centuries gathered up the remains of their friends who had suffered martyrdom in times of persecution. Even in the Bible, God works spiritual effects through the bodies and possessions of holy people (Luke 8:40-48; 2 Kings 13:21; Acts 19:12).
St. Joseph is privileged to have a large collection (about 300) of relics of the saints displayed for public veneration. Let us call upon their intercession and follow their example as followers of Jesus!
Corpus Christi (The Body of Christ)
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St. Joseph Parish has a long history of solemn processions with the Blessed Sacrament on the feast of Corpus Christi.
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