Founded in 1940 in Tuskegee, AL....St. Joseph Catholic Church
In 1924, there were about ten catholic people living in Tuskegee. One of their numbers, Mrs. Evelina Wilkerson, asked the Josephite priests at St. John the Baptist in Montgomery if they would come to Tuskegee for Mass. From that time until the first church was built, priests from St. John the Baptist offered Mass at Mrs. Wilkerson’s home, the Home Economics Building on the campus of Tuskegee Institute, or the Tuskegee VA Hospital. Periodically they were assisted by the daughters of Charity from St. Margaret’s Hospital who taught hymns and catechism.
In 1940, at the request of Bishop Toolen, the Josephite Fathers built the first St. Joseph Church under the direction of Father Ryan, S.S.J. The first resident pastor was the Reverend Leo J. Farragher, S.S.J., who lived in the rooms behind the sanctuary of the church. Under Father Farragher’s care and that of pastors throughout the succeeding years, many individuals have studied and embraced the Catholic faith.
In 1944, largely through the efforts of men stationed at the Tuskegee Army Air Base, a convent was built. Four Dominican Sisters from Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, arrived to begin educational and social work in the area. In September of that year, under the direction of Sister Norina Daily, a nursery school and kindergarten were opened in the church basement. In October, Sunday religious instruction classes for older children began and in January, a Newman Center was formed for instruction in the Catholic faith to college students.
In subsequent years, the educational efforts of the parish expanded to provide quality education for students in grades kindergarten through eight. From 1955 on lay teachers joined the Sisters as faculty members. In 1974, Mr. Clima J. White, Jr. was hired as the first lay principal.
Besides educational efforts, St. Joseph Parish records show consistent spiritual care for members of the Armed Forces stationed here in the early years; for faculty, staff and students at Tuskegee Institute; and for patients and staff at the Tuskegee VA Hospital. Special concern for the poor of the areas has been characteristic of the Pastors, Sisters and members of the congregation.
In 1973, the parish was instrumental in obtaining funds from the Campaign for Human Development for the establishment of the South Macon County Co-op. Bishop may came to bless the Center which was built at Warrior Stand and the project has since expanded to include summer school for children of the rural area. All of these services have been offered to people no matter what their religious affiliation.
As the parish community worshipped the Lord and reached out to people in His name, they began to dream of building a new St. Joseph Church. Through gifts and the untiring efforts of parishioners, the dream materialized into the groundbreaking held on April 17, 1977 and the Dedication held on June 11, 1978.
From 1970-72, Joseph Doyle, S.S.J. was Newman Chaplain fro Tuskegee Institute. Some other Josephite priests who served for the summer or a short time were Fathers Monohan, Tyne, Burns, Bowen, Fallon and Eichman.
Buildings constructed on St. Joseph Property: 1940 first church, 1944 convent, 1945 five-room school building, 1951 rectory, 1956 two classrooms, 1960 two classrooms and cafeteria and 1978 new church.
Parish organizations: 1946 St. Joseph PTA, 1946 St. Joseph Students Club, 1947 Holy Name Society and Legion of Mary, 1952 Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality, 1970 Parish Council, 1972 School Board and 1979 Sons of St. Joseph.
The original church has become the Family Hall. The space below the old church continued to be used for the kindergarten classes. In the Spring of 1979, Mrs. Edrice Leftwich, principal, arranged for a dividing wall in this space creating two classrooms. The new room was assigned to first grade.
In December 1989, a white steeple was added to the church in memory of Dr. Elmer A. Taylor. The steeple, donated by the Taylor Family and the Sons of St. Joseph, was blessed on Sunday, December 31, 1989.
The family Hall entrance doors were refinished and fitted with new locks in January 1990. Major renovation for the interior, included an enlarged kitchen, two bathrooms, central heating and air conditioning were added with other renovation to the Family Hall, parishioner Mr. J.C. Moye donated most of the equipment and supplies for the project.
In August of 2002, the parish raised funds from pledges and purchased a 14 passenger mini bus. This vehicle allowed the parish to provide transportation for the students at Tuskegee University and also allow a better means of transportation for other parish activities and the school.
Through the graciousness of a donor left in his will, a canopy was placed on the front of the church. This allows for persons attending functions before and after Mass or other ceremonies, to be out of the weather.
In 2010 with a loan from the Archdiocese of Mobile assisted the parish in renovating the rectory, a full bathroom was installed on the first floor, the kitchen was moved and enlarged and a dining/meeting room was established, also the master bath, bedroom and study was updated. The George Bulls Construction Company donated most of the work for the major repairs.
In 2011-2012, the convent, which is now occupied by the Sisters of the Handmaid of the Holy Child Jesus, was renovated. Once again with the assistance of the Archdiocese, the Catholic Charities Fund and Bulls Construction.
Shepherds of the Archdiocese of Mobile
Bishop Thomas J. Toolen D.D. 1927-1976
Archbishop John L. May D.D. 1969-1980
Bishop of Mobile
Archbishop Oscar Hugh Lipscomb, D.D., Ph D, Emeritus 1980-2008
Archbishop Thomas J. Robi, J.D. M Div., D.C. – J.C.L. 2008 – Present
Pastors and Administrator
Reverend Leo Farragher, S.S.J. – 1940
Reverend Henry G. Bouchie, S.S.J. – 1947
Reverend John O’Connell, S.S.J. – 1953
Reverend Dominic Marchese, S.S.J. – 1958
Reverend Alphonse O’Reilly, S.S.J. – 1964
Reverend James Faherty, S.S.J. – 1965
Reverend A.L. Flynn, S.S.J. – 1968
Reverend Joseph Begay, S.S.J. – 1974
Reverend Jeremiah Brady, S.S.J. - 1978
Reverend David Frueh, S.S.J. – 1979
Brother James Foreman, S.S.J. – 1979
Brother Kenneth Howard, S.S.J. – 1983
Reverend Dayton Salisbury, S.S.J. – 1985
Reverend James Fallon, S.S.J. – 1988
Reverend Joseph Calamari, S.S.J. – 1990
Reverend William D. Hogan, S.S.J. – 1997
Reverend Charles McNeice, S.S.E. – 2002
Reverend Michael Screboth – 2003
Deacon Stanley Maxwell (Administrator) – 2004
Reverend Alfred Umagu, M.S.P. - 2007
Reverend Romanus Ezeugua, M.S.P. – 2012
Reverend Stanley Deresienski, S.S.E. – 2012 to 2016
Reverend Mateusz Rudzik, - 2016 to Present
Ordination
Deacon Stanley B. Maxwell
Ordained June 30, 2002
For
The Archdiocese of Mobile
From 1970-1972, Reverend Joseph Doyle, S.S.J. was Newman Club Chaplain for Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University).
Some other Josephite priests who served for the summer or a short time were Fathers Monohan, Tyne, Burns, Bowen, Fallon and Eichman.
