Church Building


St. Joseph, Modern Church in the Round, was designed and built to promote the glory of God and community worship. To attain this spirit of community worship and active participation of the faithful, a table-type white marble altar was made the focal point of the entire edifice with all lines converging towards it: the pews have been arranged semi-circular around the altar to bring the people of God closer in divine worship: the floor slopes toward the altar affording all the worshippers a clear view of the sacrifice; the folded, white ceiling sweeps with breath-taking awe toward the altar creating an atmosphere of majesty with the tendency of lifting our hearts and thoughts towards God in prayer.

- Reverend Edward W. Gorman, C.S.V., Pastor 1962-1976.


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The first St. Joseph Church was the third Catholic Church to be established in Springfield. The first Mass was celebrated in the beautiful Gothic structure on Christmas Day, 1877. Father Manasses Kane was the first Pastor assigned by Bishop Peter Baltes of Alton. The red brick building had a seating capacity of 424 and served five generations of families on the north side of Springfield.

In March, 1966, the former Church and Rectory were torn down to make way for the new, modern, "church-in-the-round."
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Under the direction of Father Edward Gorman, C.S.V., Pastor, the ultra modern church incorporated all the liturgical changes resulting from the Second Vatican Council. Construction began in the Spring of 1966, and the church was completed in November, 1967. The first Mass was celebrated on Thanksgiving day, 1967. The church, which cost a total of $540,000 has seating for 890 persons.


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