In the years 1820 and
30’s German immigrants began to settle in Mobile. St.Joseph Church was built to
minister the German speaking Catholic Community.
Northern view
Bishop Michael Portier appointed a Jesuit
priest, Father Peter Ismand as the first pastor of St.Joseph Parish in the year
1857.
Southern view
Early place of worship:
In the beginning, the congregation used to assemble at the southwest corner of Caliborne and Conti streets. A church was constructed in that location and solemnly dedicated on August 15, 1858.
Altar
Preparation for New Church:
Membership of the Parish began to swell and a
need arose to plan and constructs a larger church. The present land at Springhill
Avenue was purchased from Prador family.
View from the Altar with pipe organ at top
A magnificent church
building with its soaring nave
and spectacular, stained glass windows was designed in Gothic style.
Tablet showing the history
The corner stone was laid by the then Bishop Allen on August 8, 1907. Construction was completed within a year and the present sanctuary was dedicated on August 4, 1908.
Stained glass on the windows
Inside this House of God contains statues, exquisite stained glass windows and wall paintings that display a rich and subtle Christian belief.
In 1907 several organizations were established by the church under the leadership of Father Linus Schuler. Among these were: The Altar Society, The Holy Name Society, St.Vincent de Paul Conference, The Society for Propagation of Faith and The Holy Child Association.
Statues
On the 5th of August, 1924, ownership of the property was transferred from the Jesuits to the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mobile, who paid $ 1.00 for the church property and $ 1.00 for the school property.
Wall paintings
Services:
During its formation a Parish School was also established. It provided catholic education for children of the parish. However, the school was closed in 1967, due to declining enrollment.
The place where school was functioning
The Sisters of Mercy came to Mobile in 1884 for service in St. Joseph's Parish. Their social works mission included visiting the sick, the destitute and prisoners. They founded St. Joseph's School, later to be called the Convent of Mercy Academy. The convent was moved to another location in 1969.
Convent of Mercy
Father Peter Ismand was a popular priest who ministered the soldiers of both the Confederacy and the Union Armed Forces. He was also very active during the Yellow Fever epidemic.
US Marine Hospital where Fr.Ismand served the soldiers
Sisters of Mercy administered the Mobile City Hospital for 83 years between 1861 and 1959 during agonizing period of wars, yellow fever and epidemic and undertook selfless service to the people of Mobile.
Mobile City Hospital
A Faithful group of Parishioners:
The year 2007 marked the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the “German Church”. Families of the Parish started migration to the western part of the city due to variation reasons and the number of parishioners began to decline. In 1997, the parish census dwindled to 60 members. Nonetheless, the parish continues on with a small, but faithful and dedicated group of parishioners."
Courtesy: Church resources
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