“Lost to fire but not forgotten”. That’s the story of the original St. Joseph Church in Los Angeles. Today we stand before its successor. It stands on the same ground as the original St. Joseph Church. Let me tell you about the phoenix that rose from the ashes.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish was established in 1889. It was on Santee Street between 12th and Pico. Its purpose was to serve the German-speaking Catholic families of Los Angeles. As their numbers grew, a grander church was envisioned.
In December 1900, ground was broken for a new St. Joseph Church. It was to be located at 218 East 12th Street. Brothers Adrian Wewer and Leonard Darscheidt, German Franciscan monks, were the architects. They had collaborated on church designs before. The cornerstone was laid the following July by Archbishop George Montgomery.
After nearly three years, St. Joseph Church was dedicated on May 3, 1903. The dedication occurred on the Feast of St. Joseph. It was a significant event in local Catholic history.
Apostolic Delegate D. Falconia came from Washington, D.C. to officiate. Archbishop Montgomery, Bishop Grace of Sacramento, and Bishop Peter Verdeguer of Brownsville, TX, assisted him. Delegates from most of the nine Franciscan houses in the West also attended. The visitors enjoyed five days of festivities. There were public receptions, private banquets, and theatrical performances. They also journeyed to the San Gabriels via the Mt. Lowe Railroad. Meetings with local politicians and tours of the local missions were also on the itinerary.
The original St. Joseph Church cost about $100000. The seven beautiful altars were made in Munich. The main altar was 47 feet high. The side altars were 30 and 28 feet high. The communion rail featured polished walnut with a marble top. The pews were made of white oak. Memorial windows displayed rich colors in cathedral glass. The Stations of the Cross were in bas-relief.
The main body of St. Joseph Church measured 150 x 66 feet. The transept spanned 96 feet. A basement provided space for a hall and Sunday school rooms. The house of the Franciscan Fathers was attached to the church.
Tragedy struck St. Joseph Church on September 4, 1983. An electrical fire destroyed the magnificent German Gothic structure. The roof collapsed. Only the towers and some brick walls remained. Some items were salvaged including stained glass lead and statues. Confessional doors, some pews, and antique vestments were also saved.
The Cultural Heritage Board wanted to incorporate the remaining steeples. They also wanted to keep the walls in the replacement church. The city approved a demolition permit. The remains of St. Joseph Church were deemed a safety hazard.
Construction began on the new church in 1985. It cost $1.8 million. Today, mariachi masses echo through the streets. The original church bells, crafted by German tradesmen, still ring.
The current structure may not mirror the grandeur of its predecessor. Yet it stands as a testament to resilience. It symbolizes the enduring spirit of the St. Joseph Church community. It continues to serve its parish. The church bells are a piece of the original St. Joseph Church. They ensure that the memory of the original church lives on.