Bricks whisper stories. These stories tell of faith tested by storms and a community’s unwavering spirit at Saint Josephs Catholic Church.
Saint Josephs Catholic Church began its journey in 1879. Reverend Father Thomas Hennessy saw a need for a church and school in Houston’s Old Sixth Ward. Sisters from the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Order arrived. Reverend Mother Gabriel Dillon sent them to open a school. The school was on Houston Avenue at Kane Street. Classes started in a small rented house near where Saint Josephs Church stands today.
By 1880, the school needed a larger building. It would serve as both a school and a church. Saint Josephs Parish was then organized. Services were held in the school building until a wood-framed church was ready. In 1881, Saint Josephs was officially a separate parish. Father James Grabinger became the first pastor. He oversaw the construction of a chapel during his five years.
Father Anthony Maury replaced Father Grabinger in 1885. He built the first rectory and several classrooms. In 1893, the parish bought the schoolhouse from the sisters. Father Maury served until 1895. Father J. B. Quinlin, the first Jesuit, followed him for six months.
Then came Father Thomas Banfield. He served for forty-two years.
The Great Galveston Hurricane struck on September 8, 1900. It destroyed Saint Josephs Church. Only a statue of the Sacred Heart survived. It was displayed in the current sanctuary but was later given to another parish in the 1970s. The school served as the parish church again.
The approaching storm rang the bell in the steeple. The bell barely survived the storm. It was first cast in Houston in 1843. It was installed in the old St. Vincent de Paul Church. When St. Vincent’s closed in the 1870s, the bell went to the Church of the Annunciation. In 1881, it was donated to Saint Josephs.
In 1901, construction started on a new brick church. Father Banfield wanted it to be an ornament to the city. He had the new church built on Kane Street. The sounds of the city were too distracting on Houston Avenue. The present brick structure was completed in late 1901. The cornerstone was laid on May 19, 1901. Pews from the old building were salvaged.
Patrick S. Rabbit, a Galveston architect, designed the building. George E. Dickey supervised the construction. It took one year to build the church.
The style is Victorian Italian Romanesque using a Basilican plan. The exterior dimensions are 53 feet wide and 123 feet long. The building has a clear height of 40 feet. It features a composition gable roof, stone trim, and opus spicatum brickwork. The Romanesque arches give the church a rich character. It is one of Houston’s architectural gems.
The main entrance has a triple set of double doors. Corinthian stone columns flank the portal. A large rose window sits over the entry gable. Each side and front clerestory window is round arched.
Inside Saint Josephs, the main altar is made of American marble with Italian marble trim. It was installed in March 1910. It was given in memory of Adam and Frances Clay. They were the first family entered in the church register in 1880. The Ott Memorial Company of Galveston built the altar. The Estey organ was once displayed at the World’s Fair in St. Louis.
Saint Josephs was officially dedicated on February 23, 1902. Bishop Gallagher of Galveston gave the address. The church was immediately recognized as an architectural asset.
Under Father Banfield, a rectory was built in 1911. A parish school building followed in 1922. This building now houses church offices.
Saint Josephs weathered the Depression of 1929. It remained open when many Houston churches closed. Father Banfield died in September 1938.
The church faced challenges after Father Banfield’s death. Church membership declined. The school closed in 1967.
Thankfully, Father Maurice Dho revitalized the church in 1971. A restoration followed in 1974. The Society of Jesus assumed responsibility. In 1977, Saint Josephs and Sixth Ward residents started a Multi-Ethnic Festival.
Stained glass windows were added in 1911. The Franz Myer Company of Munich, Germany, created the twenty-four memorial windows.
In 1981, Saint Josephs Church was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Today, Saint Josephs serves a diverse congregation. It is a hub for community activities. Saint Josephs is a model of inner-city church revitalization. It is a valuable contribution to Houston’s history and culture. Take a moment to appreciate this enduring landmark.