ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER CATHOLIC CHURCH

ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER CATHOLIC CHURCH. Serving the tenth Catholic parish in Dubuque, St. Joseph's parish officially came into being with the installation of Msgr. Michael J. Martin on December 4, 1949, at Washington Junior High School ( later WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL). Archbishop Henry P. ROHLMAN officiated at the ceremony. Msgr. Martin's temporary parish church was established at the Mercy Hospital chapel with Masses conducted at Washington Junior High.

The site for the church, at 90 South Algona, was blessed on December 11,1949. Work on the school began in the spring of 1950 with Archbishop Henry P. Rohlman officiating at the laying of the cornerstone on June 8th. A temporary church, capable of seating six hundred people, was built and later converted into an auditorium and gymnasium when the church was constructed.

Building Committee of the church: Frank Oromon, Monsignor Martin, Graham?, Bill Clemons, Karl PAGE. Photo courtesy: Catherine Page

Construction on the new church began with groundbreaking ceremonies on October 4, 1967. The new circular church was constructed of native limestone with faceted glass windows. Stations of the cross were hand carved from linden wood brought from northern Italy. An exterior carving of St. Joseph the Workman and the stone altar table were created from Farley limestone.

Professor Robert Leader of the University of Notre Dame designed thirty stained glass windows to completely surround the church. Eight of the windows depict the Beatitudes, eight are abstract in design and offer a background for the sanctuary area, seven show the Passion, six depict Joseph and one is dedicated to vocations. On December 8,1968, the Most Reverend James J. BYRNE, Archbishop of Dubuque, officiated at the dedication and offered a con-celebrated High Mass in the new church.

The 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed 90 S. Algona.

The 1993 Dubuque City Directory listed 2105 St. Joseph Street.

The address in 2014 was 2001 St. Joseph Street.