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The history of the Catholic Church in the United States bears
witness to the fact that the majority of the original parishes were
organized and built by the immigrants who came to this country from
Europe. Because of the various languages they spoke, it was only
natural that they organized and built parish life around their specific
language. They wished to pray and worship God in their native
tongue. So it was with St. Joseph Parish.
Originally, St. Mary's Parish was the only Catholic church in
Appleton, which was started in 1857 by the Irish immigrants. When
the Germans began to migrate to Appleton, they could not understand
English and therefore longed to have their own community where they
could sing and pray to God in German. On March 18, 1867, the feast
of St. Joseph, Archbishop Henni of Milwaukee gave permission for the
Germans to build their own church, which was dedicated on December 13,
1868 by Bishop Melchoir, the first Bishop of the new Green Bay Diocese.
On February 26, 1869, St. Joseph Parish received its first resident
pastor in the person of Rev. Joseph Nussbaum.
From the beginning, there were problems between the parishioners
and the pastors, which reached their breaking point at the beginning of
1875, a situation which lasted until 1877. Bishop Krautbauer
looked for help to the Capuchin Franciscan Friars, with whom he was on
very friendly terms. The Capuchins accepted the pastorate of St.
Joseph and took possession of the parish on April 22, 1877. Fr. Didacus Wendel was the first Capuchin Friar to be pastor. Since
then, many Capuchins, both clerical and non-clerical, have served the
parish until the present.
Little by little what had been started in 1867 continued to grow -
buildings were raised for a school, meetings, living quarters for the
Friars and a convent for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, who taught
the children. The Friars were interested not only in the physical
part of the parish, but mainly in its spiritual development, and so
parish societies were organized - Holy Name, Christian Mothers, as well
as societies for young men and women, married women, children who had
received their First Communion, and others. Basically the pastor
let and the people followed.
With Vatican Council II, parish life changed. The church
began to once more recognize the gifts and talents of its lay members.
The old societies were replaced with the Parish Council, Finance
Council, Ministers of the Word, Eucharist, Hospitality, Music,
Assistants of the Altar, Maintenance, etc. Decision making for the
direction of the parish was now on a broader base, with the lay members
of the parish expressing their desires. Education of children has
improved as we evolved from our own school to be fully integrated in the
Appleton Catholic Education System (ACES/Xavier).
Today, St. Joseph Parish is an alive, welcoming community.
We have recently added an addition that gives us the space for growing
parish groups and activities. Our focus, as it has always been, is
the full, active and participated worship of God. Our mission is
to serve all those who choose to come to us.
May God continue to bless St. Joseph Community.
Interior 2007
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St. Joseph Parish in earlier times showing the old school and school
annex.
The interior of St. Joe's before the changes to the front of the
church.
St. Joseph School and Hall built in 1894 and 1907 with the convent
behind the school before the school and hall were razed for the new
school building.
Old classroom photo, date unknown.
Old classroom photo, date unknown.
Interior during the 1960's.
Interior of St. Joseph Church - 1992 - 125th Year of Jubilee |
