Saint Joseph Orthodox Christian Church

“Did the aroma of incense ever lead you to an unexpected place?” Right here before us stands Saint Joseph Orthodox Christian Church. It’s a relatively young church in Houston, established in 1992. Saint Joseph Orthodox Christian Church is part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese. It falls under the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. The church serves under the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. The pastoral team includes Fr. James Early, Fr. Joseph Huneycutt, and Dcn. Meletios Marx. Saint Joseph Orthodox Christian Church began as a small mission. It started with five families from St. George Orthodox Christian Church. They wanted to establish an Orthodox presence on the west side of Houston. In the beginning, they held services in a rented community center. A deacon from St. George would rush over after services there. He would often vest as he walked through the door. The church received an iconostasis from a conference in El Paso. They set it up in an old dance studio, their makeshift sanctuary. The first full Holy Week and Pascha services were a turning point. They affirmed their commitment to becoming a permanent Orthodox presence. In 1994, with seventeen families, the mission officially became Saint Joseph the Betrothed. This is a unique name among Orthodox churches. The iconostasis depicts the earthly Holy Family. Jesus, Mary, John the Baptist, and their protector, St. Joseph, are all represented. The growing congregation, reaching thirty families, soon outgrew the rented space. With St. Joseph’s guidance, they bought land and built a multi-purpose metal building. They worshipped and held events there for four years. As the community expanded to fifty families, the need for a proper church became clear. After fundraising and construction, a traditional Byzantine-style church was completed. Bishop Basil consecrated the new church in 2004. Saint Joseph Orthodox Christian Church has thrived. It now includes around one hundred families, a mix of cradle Orthodox and converts. This diverse community brings a wonderful blend of traditions. This is most evident in their potluck dinners. The church continues to be a vibrant part of the Houston Orthodox community. You can experience the Divine Liturgy on Sundays at 10:00 am. Orthros is held at 8:45 am on Sundays and Vespers at 6:00 pm on Saturdays.