St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (East Camden)
One of two Catholic churches in Camden named St. Joseph, the church lies on Federal Street in Camden, a few blocks east of 27th Street. St. Joseph's School, at the rear of the property, fronts on Westfield Avenue. The church originally stood on the corner of North 25th Street and Howell Street.
Founded in 1893, St. Joseph's church celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 1943. Below is the 80-page Golden Jubilee Year Book from that year, complete with photographs, a history of the church, and advertisements from local businesses.
A new church building was built in 1952, on the site of the old St. Patrick's Cemetery. This church was called St. Joseph's Pro-Cathedral, as its capacity — being larger than the downtown Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — allowed it to be an alternate facility to the main church.
On April 4, 2008 Bishop Galante announced the following changes, which affected churches in Camden and Pennsauken. The changes, taken from the text of the bishop's speech, are as follows:
- Merge the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Camden), Holy Name (Camden) and Our Lady of Mount Carmel & Fatima (Camden), with the primary worship site at the Cathedral and a secondary worship site at Our Lady of Mount Carmel & Fatima.
- Merge St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral (Camden), St. Cecilia (Pennsauken) and St. Veronica (Delair), with the worship site at St. Joseph Pro-Cathedral.
- Merge St. Joan of Arc (Camden) and St. Bartholomew (Camden) with the worship site at St. Joan of Arc.
- Cluster the new parish at St. Joan of Arc (Camden) with Sacred Heart (Camden).
- St. Anthony of Padua (Camden) and St. Joseph Polish (Camden) will remain as stand-alone parishes.
25th and Howell Street
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church stood at the corner of 25th and Howell Street in East Camden. It was the first Catholic parish in East Camden.
The petition to organize this parish was in the old Boyce residence on Cooper Street (now 27th Street) in the Town of Stockton, during the year of 1890. Early in 1892, Bishop O'Farrell of the Diocese of Trenton directed the Franciscan Fathers from Sts. Peter & Paul Church to minister to this Stockton mission. The early services were held in Wright's Hall, on Marlton Pike, near Federal Street, beginning on Sunday, February 7, 1892. On April 20th, 1893 a resolution was passed to build a new church and architect John D'arcy, of Camden, was engaged to plan the new church shown here. This church was completed in October and was dedicated December 16th, 1893.
The Rev. Alphonse Lehrscholl was the first priest of the parish and was followed in 1895 by Father Ambrose Ebeiner, who was succeeded by Father Hirschmeyer in February 1899. He was followed by Rev. Dr. Joseph Rathner on September 17, 1899. In July 1902 the Rev. Anthony C. Shuvlin became rector and continued for 28 years, when he was transferred to St. Peter Church, in Riverside, N.J.
In October 1915, the church was badly damaged by a spectacular fire beginning in the church steeple. The church building was abandoned in 1929, with the erection of the new school building on Westfield Avenue and 29th Street, and it was demolished as a fire hazard about 1939.
Remember when? St. Joseph's Church stood on the corner of 26th and Howell Streets at the turn of the century. Now, a playground is on the spot and the Church is located at 29th and Federal Streets. The photograph was submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hufner, of 2732 Polk Avenue. They were married in this church on June 19, 1901.
1893–1943 Golden Jubilee Year Book
St. Joseph's Church — 80-page Golden Jubilee Year Book, courtesy of Fred Kalt, a member of Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1957.
St. Joseph's Church — 1893–1943 — Golden Jubilee Year Book. Pages 8 & 9: Honor Roll of St. Joseph's people in uniform as of 1943. Pages 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 33, 38, 41: The History and Origin of St. Joseph's Parish. Pages 34 & 35: Mayor Brunner & the City Commissioners. Pages 36 & 37: Pictures of St. Joseph's Church Buildings. Pages 39, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53 & 55: St. Joseph's School Students. Pages 55, 57, & 59: St. Joseph's Clergy past & current as of 1943. Page 61: St. Joseph's Sisters. Page 63: Interior View of the 25th & Howell Street Church & the Westfield Avenue Church. Page 79: St. Joseph's Mother Superiors & Parish Members in the religious vocation.
Tag: st-josephs-church-east-camden
William L. Adams Sr.
William L. Adams Sr., 61, of 553 North 28th Street, died at home. Born in South Camden, he was a longtime East Camden resident, former Standard Oil employee, and Holy Name Society member. Survived by widow Mary C., two sons, five daughters.
Mrs. Anna E. McDermott
Mrs. Anna E. McDermott, 80, wife of retired city fireman James H. McDermott of 23 North Twenty-eighth Street, died Tuesday after a long illness. Funeral at Harry Leonard Funeral Home; solemn requiem mass at St. Joseph's Church.
Pupils Will Debate Ludlow War Curb
Eighth graders at St. Joseph's School, East Camden, planned a February 1938 debate on the Ludlow Bill, which would have required a national referendum before the country could go to war.
Fr. Turner to Speak at Retreat Meeting
Father Joseph Turner, C.SS.R., a pioneer of the Laymen's Retreat movement, was the principal speaker at the Camden Knights of Columbus Retreat Club's "East-Side night" at 603 Penn Street in February 1938.
St. Joseph P.T.A. to Plan for Supper
The Parent-Teacher Association of St. Joseph's School met in June 1933 to plan the supper for the parish carnival of July 12–15, with Mrs. George Meidt as committee chairman.
St. Joseph's Carnival Booked for July 12–15
St. Joseph's parish in East Camden fixed July 12–15, 1933 for its annual carnival, with suppers by the Parent-Teachers Association, nightly races, pony rides and musical entertainment.
St. Joseph's Stages 'Watch Your Step'
St. Joseph's parochial school students staged the rural musical comedy "Watch Yer Step" at 29th Street and Westfield Avenue in June 1933, repeating the performance after commencement exercises.
St. Joseph's Pupils to Graduate Friday
Forty students were to graduate from St. Joseph's School, East Camden, in June 1933, with the musical comedy "Watch Yer Step" presented after the exercises.
Carnival Is Planned by St. Joseph's Parish
St. Joseph's parish of East Camden met in June 1933 to plan its annual carnival on the school grounds at Westfield Avenue and 29th Street, set for July 12–15 for the benefit of St. Joseph's School.
Cabaret Show Billed by St. Joseph's Club
The St. Joseph's Dramatic Club announced a return performance of its cabaret show at St. Joseph's Auditorium, 29th Street and Westfield Avenue, in June 1933, with vaudeville star Walt Stanton as master of ceremonies.
St. Joseph School Plans Rural Revue
Pupils of St. Joseph's School, East Camden, rehearsed the rural musical comedy "Watch Yer Step" for performances on June 15 and 16, 1933 in the school auditorium at 29th Street and Westfield Avenue.
Friends Bid Adieu to Father Brennan
More than 200 friends and clergymen attended the June 1932 farewell dinner at St. Joseph's School, East Camden, for Rev. William J. Brennan, newly appointed pastor of St. Cecelia's Church at Iselin.
Parish Plans Party for Father Brennan
A June 1932 farewell party for Rev. William J. Brennan, assistant pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in East Camden, transferred to St. Cecelia's Church at Iselin; Bernard J. Tracy served as toastmaster.
Play to Be Given
The Sodality of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, East Camden, staged a minstrel show in the parish's new school hall at 29th Street and Westfield Avenue on June 27, 1929, with music by the Black Cat Serenaders.