Stjosephstpete.org
Title
St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Petersburg, FL
Contact
- DNSpropagation.com
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- Network Datacenter AP
- United States 60000
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- +1.6302144947
Description
Through its 75-year history, St. Joseph’s church has evolved, adjusted, struggled with social upheaval and provoked social activism. Now, having recently celebrated its Jubilee year, the ever-resurgent parish with its multicultural following stands as one of the most unique Catholic congregations in Tampa Bay.
The church’s beginnings are humble enough. Born as a mission of St. Mary’s church, St. Joseph’s got its start in 1922 when St. Mary’s Pastor Father James J. O’Riordan bought the land on St. Petersburg’s south side. The mission was constructed four years later and reached parish status in 1930, with Fr. Michael J. Clasby serving as the first pastor and Fr. John H. Mullins as his successor.
In 1952, the parish opened its school on the site now housing the Immaculate Conception Early Childhood Development Center. Under the direction of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, the school, for white children only at the time, was the first Catholic school in St. Petersburg. For most of its existence, St. Joseph’s school served children from kindergarten through 8th grade. It would remain open until dwindling enrollment closed its doors in 1985.
