Special to The Message
All Saints Parish is preparing to celebrate the history of one of its church buildings: St. Joseph Catholic Church on Virginia Street in Evansville. This August marks 100 years since the building was completed and dedicated.
The cornerstone of the current church was laid May 20, 1923, and construction was completed in the summer of 1924. The church was designed in neo-Romanesque style. The architecture is highlighted by its round arches, stately limestone columns and exquisite marble sanctuary furnishings donated by Francis Joseph Reitz in memory of his sister, Mathilda Reitz. Italian artisans came to install all of the marble pieces including statues, side altars, communion rail and the mosaic of the Death of St. Joseph in the baldachino of the main altar.
The altar was dedicated by Bishop Emmanuel B. Ledvina of Corpus Christi, Texas, on Aug. 9, 1924. Later that year, the main altar was designated as a “privileged’ altar. The church building was dedicated the following day by Bishop Chartrand with great ceremony and much pride.
Aug. 10 will mark 100 years since the altar and building dedications of St. Joseph Catholic Church. The parish is preparing to mark the occasion during the 4 p.m. Mass Aug. 10 followed by a small reception to commemorate this special occasion. Please join parishioners to celebrate the 100 years this sacred space has provided in faith and fellowship to the Evansville community.
