Polish immigrants founded St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in 1887. It stands at 4821 South Hermitage Avenue. This church is a testament to faith and community. St. Joseph’s is a prime example of the Polish Cathedral style. Its opulence and grand scale dominate the Back of the Yards skyline along with St. John of God and Holy Cross.
In the beginning, St. Joseph’s was a mission of St. Mary of Perpetual Help. It became the first Polish parish in the Back of the Yards. St. Joseph proved an apt patron saint. The parish served immigrant workers near the Union Stockyards. The Polish population grew so much that two more parishes formed from St. Joseph’s. These were St. John of God in 1906 and Sacred Heart in 1910.
Many early parishioners were Gorals. They were Polish Highlanders from the Carpathian Mountains. In 1914, the current church building was dedicated. Artist John A. Mallin redecorated the church in the early 1950s. The Union Stockyards closed in the 1970s. Some Polish immigrants left. Yet, St. Joseph’s still celebrates Mass in Polish.
St. Joseph survived archdiocesan budget cuts in 1990. Other nearby churches closed. Restoration work began at St. Joseph’s in 1996. In 1997, St. Joseph Church became a shrine. The Shrine of Saint Joseph, Patron of Family Life, was dedicated in 1998. Restoration finished in 2000. The Shrine of Saint Joseph was rededicated on June 4 that year.
The church celebrated its 125th anniversary on September 1 2012. In 2015, the parish received a relic of Pope John Paul II. A new St. Joseph Plaza was inaugurated in August 2015. It features a paver stone rosary. In 2017, the parish received a relic of Saint Joseph. St. Joseph’s celebrated its 130th anniversary in October 2017. A procession featured images of the Virgin Mary.
In 2021, St. Joseph’s united with St. Michael and Holy Cross. They formed Holy Cross and SS. Mary, Joseph, and Michael Parish.
Today, St. Joseph’s serves a multicultural community. In 2012, 75% of parishioners were Mexican-American. The remaining 25% included Americans, Polish-Americans, and African-Americans. St. Joseph’s offers Mass every day in Polish English and Spanish.
Joseph Molitor designed the current Baroque church in 1914. It seats 1,200 people. Molitor also designed Holy Cross Church and Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church. These served Lithuanian and Bohemian congregations. St. Joseph’s stands as a testament to Polish heritage. It also shows the evolving face of faith in Chicago. The church is more than bricks and mortar. It is a living story of community, perseverance, and devotion.