Church of St. Joseph 90th Anniversary Celebration

is getting ready to mark a major milestone in its history. On May 27, the parish will celebrate its 90th anniversary.

St. Joseph’s can trace its roots to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which once stood at 51 Sixth Ave. S, according to the . The 840-square-foot building was known as the Irish Catholic Church because of the immigrant community it served. (St. Margaret’s, on Bren Road east of Shady Oak Road, was known as the Bohemian Catholic Church.)

St. Mary’s parishioners bought the current St. Joseph’s site with plans to replace their small church. But by the time money and materials were available to build it, Archbishop Austin Dowling had staked out opposition to ethnic churches because he saw them as “inconsistent with American nationalism,” according to the Historical Society.

In 1922, workers completed a parish house, nuns’ home and school building designed to be used as a temporary church. The parish intended to build a permanent church building in 10 to 15 years. But the depression and World War II postponed that dream until 1954, when the current Church of St. Joseph was completed.

St. Joseph’s will commemorate the church’s history May 27 with a 90th Anniversary Celebration that’s open to the public. Anniversary Mass will take place at 8:30 a.m. Archbishop (Emeritus) Harry Flynn will preside. Music will be provided by St. Joseph’s special 90th Anniversary Choir, the Festival Choir, the Bell Ensemble, cantors and the St. Croix Brass Ensemble.

A reception will take place at 9:30 a.m. in St. Joseph’s social hall. There will be refreshments, fellowship and special displays about the history of St. Joseph’s.