We are a community that centers itself around the celebration of the Eucharist and service to parishioners and the surrounding community. We have a wonderful parish setting for worship, for parish programs of youth and adult education, and for the enjoyment of our local community with our spacious grounds. Enjoy the uniqueness that is St. Joseph Church as you browse through this Tour of St. Joseph.
 

Entering The Church









Our beautiful church is located at 10 North Long Street and was dedicated in 1912 by then Archbishop Glennon (see Parish History for pictures of our past).











The Narthex

As you walk through the main doors of the church, you enter the narthex, a vestibule leading to the nave of a church. Ushers and greeters cheerfully welcome you in this gathering space. When people enter the church, they prepare themselves to receive Jesus at Mass. This area is also where liturgical ministers gather for the procession that starts Mass. Various information is distributed here as well as collections, fundraisers, and other events.  As the faithful leave Mass, they prepare to bring the light of Christ to others making it a very important area.

The Nave

Upon entering the church proper, we find ourselves in a large room, the nave. This is the main section of the church where the assembly of the faithful gathers for Mass. At the end of the aisle, you can see the sanctuary and the altar. 


The Crucifix

One of the first things we see is the large crucifix hanging above the altar.  The crucifix is a principal symbol of the Christian religion, primarily used in the Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox Churches. It emphasizes Christ's sacrifice, His death by crucifixion, his subsequent resurrection, and the grace and rebirth that he offers to believers. This history of the Crucifix goes back to the beginning of Christianity, and Christ's death on the cross. However, it was originally seen as a grotesque symbol, a sign of death. It was only over time that the Crucifix, through its many phases, was imbued with the meanings it now holds for Christian believers.

The Crucifix is a reminder of the trials and tribulations that human beings face and the hope that comes from the redemption offered through Christ's death on the cross to those who believe. It is a fusion of art and faith, and has been a consistent symbol of Catholicism for over 1500 years.

The crucifix vividly brings to mind the Apostle Paul’s divinely inspired words, “We preach Christ and Him crucified”  (1 Cor. 1:23).

Baptismal Font

Baptismal font, reminding Catholics that every time they come to Eucharist they come through baptism. We dip our hand in holy font water located by each door of the church and mark ourselves anew with that sign in which we were baptized - the sign of the cross.


The water of river is symbolic of life giving sanctifying grace that wash away original sin and give us the promise of eternal life. The shell is symbolic of God the Father pouring forth salvation to the world. The large fish, which was used in the early church as a gathering sign for believers, stands for Christ. The smaller fish represent the members of the Church today living in the waters of faith. Lastly, the dove represents the Holy Spirit who came down on Our Lord at his Baptism by John in the Jordan River. 

Standing by the baptismal font is a large candle, the paschal candle. At the Paschal Vigil on the eve of Easter Sunday this candle was dipped into the waters of the baptismal font as the Church prayed that the Holy Spirit unseal this font to become the womb of new life for the Church. As the candle is placed in the water we pray: "May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life" (Prayers for the Easter Vigil). This prayer takes on special meaning at funerals when this water is sprinkled on the casket as it arrives at the church door.

The Ambry

Also in this baptismal area, you will see a little chest on the wall, the ambry, which contains three vessels of oil: the oil of catechumens which is used to bless and strengthen those preparing for baptism; the oil of the sick with which the priest brings Jesus' strength and healing to those who are joined with the suffering Christ in serious illness; and the sacred chrism which is used in celebrating the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. The word "Christ" means "anointed," and when one is anointed with holy oil it is a sign of a special relationship with Christ, the Anointed One.





Focus of the Sacred Action

From wherever we stand in the church, our attention is drawn to the focal area of the liturgical action and to the three pieces of furniture we find there: the presider's chair, the ambo, and the altar. 

Presiders Chair




In the front of the assembly area we find a very special seat for the one presiding and leading the assembly. This seating is arranged so that the presiding and functioning ministers are "clearly part of the assembly, yet conveniently situated for the exercise of their respective offices".









Ambo

Also in this focus area we see a reading stand, the ambo from which we proclaim the Word of God and upon which is placed the lectionary, the book of readings from Sacred Scripture. Preaching can be done from the ambo, the chair or elsewhere.






Altar
The altar is the holy table upon which we celebrate the Lord's Supper. It functions as both altar of sacrifice and banquet table for the Eucharist, and is both "a memorial of Christ's death and resurrection" and "a paschal banquet. 

When the Eucharist is celebrated the table is covered with an altar cloth or table cloth. On the altar is placed the bread and wine for Mass. The bread is on a bread plate or paten (frompatella, meaning "platter," "plate") and the wine is poured into a chalice (from calix, the Latin word for "cup" or "goblet").

The Eucharistic Tabernacle

The Eucharist is kept in the tabernacle as a designated space for the consecrated host, the Body of Jesus. The purpose of this reservation is to bring communion to the sick and to be the object of private devotion. A red votive candle serves Catholics as the sign that the consecrated bread is present there.





Sacristy


The sacristy is where the priests, deacons, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, and lectors prepare for Mass. Everything for Mass set-up as well as the vestments of the priests and deacons are kept here. 














Statue of Mary and Side Altar

The Blessed Virgin Mary altar was donated by Ms. Marie and Ms. Genevieve Huss in memory of their sister Ms. Elizabeth Huss.  Mary is very special because she is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. Devotions to Mary take place during May crowning and other special observances.






 

Statue of St. Joseph and
Side Altar

St. Joseph's altar was donated by Ms. Mary and Ms. Emma Lang in memory of their father who died a month before the church was finished. St. Joseph being the foster father of Jesus and the patron saint of our parish is the greatest example of God's love second only to Mary.  









 

Stained Glass Rose Window

A most unique feature of our church at St. Joseph's is the stained glass rose window above the choir loft. On the outside edges of the window there are 12 children, of former parishioners, pictured with angel wings.

Confessional

In the corner of the church is the confessional. The faithful have the choice between speaking face-to-face with the priest or the anonymity provided by the confessional screen. St. Joseph's also participates in communal penance services within the Ste. Genevieve deanery during Advent & Lent.

Choir Loft

Above the entrance of the church you will find the choir loft.  Cantors, choir, and instrumentalists are all an important and enhancing part of the sacred liturgy. The Ministry of Music provides music during weekend Masses, holy days, weddings, funerals and Reconciliation services.
 

Stations of the Cross



Along the walls of the church you will find the Way of the Cross, pictures (numbered from 1 to 14) of incidents in the last journey of Jesus from Pilate's house, where he was condemned to death, to his entombment. The faithful go to each of the stations and meditate on an event of the passion typically during the season of Lent.

St. Joseph Parish School 

Our parish school sits to the south of the church.  The school building, has 9 classrooms, a library, cafeteria, kitchen, administrative offices, and restrooms. Currently, the space is used for our PSR program, parish group meetings, events and activities, meetings and activities.

For a look at this legacy of quality Catholic education,
please visit our St. Joseph history page.

Rectory

The rectory is located on Carleton Street, on the eastern side of the parish grounds. The present rectory was built in 1969 under the pastorate of Father Jerome Buchheit.

Driving north on Carleton Street you'll notice our school playgrounds and the back of the church and parish center. 
 

Lober Building
As you come around the corner, you will see the church parking lot and the  Paul and Velma Lober building which is also used for parish storage and the Knights of Columbus Meeting Room.

Parish Center and Offices

Directly across the street from the Lober building is the parish center.  The parish center was built in 1999.  On the bottom floor you will find the parish office,  secretarial and bookkeeping offices, and the preschool classrooms.  The second floor consists of the RCIA office,  parish center social hall,  kitchen, and the main restrooms for the church.