Photo: Author
Originally, the San Fernando Cathedral served as the place for Catholic worship in San Antonio, until in 1855 the Bishop of Texas, Bishop Odin, began the St. Mary’s Parish which became the center of Irish and German-speaking Catholic worshippers.
At that time, the majority of those in the San Antonio German community were either Lutheran or Roman Catholic. The Reverend P.F. Zizelmann organized the St. John’s Lutheran Church on the corner of South Presa and Nueva streets in 1860. The steeple, which was constructed in 1875, was unique because of the weathervane on top…resembling a rooster. This church became known as “The Rooster Church.” The weather vane, which did cause some amusement within the community, was removed, and never replaced, in 1886, but the nickname remained.
Photo: Author
For a time, the missions of Valero ( better known as the Alamo) and San Jose were considered for places of worship for the Roman Catholic German congregation; however, there were obstacles with both of these locations. The Alamo, although owned by the Catholic Church, was being used by the military, and the costs of utilizing Mission San Jose were considered too great.
Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis of Galveston had requested the Army to allow the Alamo church to be used by the German Catholics; however, the Army informed him that the space was needed for storage.
Photo: Bishop Claude Marie Dubuis…stjsa.net
The Bishop went in search of another location, and found a plot of land near the Alamo Madre Ditch, which was behind the Menger Hotel on what was then known as Avenida de la Alameda ( now known as East Commerce Street ). This became the site for their new church, which came to be known as St. Joseph’s. This was near the eastern town limits of the day.
Ironically, this had also been the location of the Mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo, after it was moved from its original location on San Pedro Creek, and before it was removed following a hurricane in 1724, to where we find it today.
One hundred and fifty-five years ago today, November 5th, 1868 was a cold day in San Antonio; however, it did not halt the procession through the streets, consisting of some of the most prominent German families, heading to the site for their new church for the official laying of the cornerstone.
This had been originally planned for May 8th that year, but nature intervened again, and as a result of another hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, unsavory weather deluged the city, so the ceremony was postponed. The cornerstone at the front of St Joseph’s Church still displays the original May date.
The stone displays the inscription, “ Siehe die Wohnung Gottes bei den Menschen den 8 Mai 1868, “ meaning “ See the Dwelling place of God Among Men, May 8, 1868.“
Photo: Author
There is also a latin inscription, “Domus Dei. Perta Coeli,“ which translates to, “The House of God. Reached Heaven” Some say this means “Habitation of God. Entrance to Heaven.“
Photo: Author
The church was named St Joseph in honor of the Virgin Mary’s husband, Joseph and the and San Jose Mission.
St. Joseph’s is a stunning example of Gothic Revival architecture, originally designed by Gustav Friesleben and Theodore Giraud. High atop the church is the dramatic spire designed by James Wahrenberg, and it took thirty years to complete.
Visitors to the church are captivated by the paintings of the “Ascension of Jesus” and of “The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin“ on the opposite sides of the altar. These are attributed to one of the early Pastors, Father Pefferkorn, soon after he began serving at St. Joseph’s in 1878.
Father Pefferkorn was also instrumental in the establishment of the St. Joseph Society, and in the formation of the Liederkranz, an all-male German choir who are still delighting parishioners and audiences to this day.
Photo: saliederkranz.org
The stunning stained glass windows were installed in 1902 from the Emeril Frei Art Glass Factory in Munich for $3,000.
Photo: Pamela Williams
Photo: St Joseph’s Catholic Church and East Commerce Street c. 1922 before the Riverwalk extension…UTSA Special Collections
There are still many who refer to St. Joseph’s Church as “St. Joske’s” after the unanimous decision not to sell to the department store in 1939, which led to Joske’s building around the church on three sides. In Real Estate terms, this holdout by property owners to sell is referred to as a “nail house” It’s ironic that the church has outlasted the department store.
Photo: Wikipedia
The church was without a steeple until 1898 when the ornate Gothic structure designed by architect James Wahrenberger was erected. The finished product is often described by architects as, “the most beautiful Victorian church spire in America.”
Photo: Hamish Carpenter Photography
Photo : St Joseph’s Catholic Church prior to the steeple. Note the Dullnig Building in the background ( now concealed by the old Joske’s Building )….San Antonio Conservation Society
Additional story:
- As St. Joseph’s congregation approached the Silver Anniversary of the laying of the corner stone, they added a number of refinements. Father Pefferkorn arranged for the purchase of four bells with matched tones. These bells were consecrated in August, 1891 by Bishop John Neraz, who was assisted by 15 priests. The largest bell, weighing 3,000 pounds, was named “Joseph;” the second ,weighing 1,500 pounds, was named “Mary;” the third bell, weighing 750 pounds, was named “Henry;” and the smallest, weighing 300 pounds, was also named “Joseph.”
They are all currently rung by electric motors.
Credits:
San Antonio..The Story of an Enchanted City…Frank W Jennings
San Antonio….A historical and Pictorial Guide…Charles Ramsdell
San Antonio….The Flavor of it’s Past, 1845 – 1898….Donald E. Everett
This Used To Be San Antonio….Gil Dominguez
San Antonio…Our Story of 150 Years in the Alamo City…The Staff of the San Antonio Express News
John H. Kampmann Master Builder….Maggie Valentine
San Antonio Architecture…Traditions and Visions…AIA San Antonio
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