St. Joseph Church, Jasper, Celebrates 175 Years
From 39 families in 1837, to more than 1,800 families in 2012, St. Joseph Church, Jasper, has blossomed into one of the largest and most vibrant parishes in the Diocese of Evansville. On Saturday, Dec. 1, the people of St. Joseph gathered to celebrate the rich and lengthy history of their parish in a special 175th anniversary Mass that was celebrated by Bishop Charles C. Thompson, with concelebrants Father Father Raymond Brenner, pastor of St. Joseph, Father William Traylor, associate pastor, and deacons Anthony Mullek and Levi Schnellenberger. A number of other priests and deacons from the diocese were on-hand for the Mass, which also marked the beginning of Advent.
In his homily, Bishop Thompson touched on the legacy and proud history of St. Joseph, noting how the faith and charity of its parishioners have guided its growth over the decades.
“Here tonight we celebrate the 175th anniversary of St Joseph parish and how the church and its people have taken their place in the course of salvation history,” said Bishop Thompson. “Throughout these 175 years, there have been moments of great crisis and moments of great hope, and through it all the gift of steadfast faith has seen the people of this parish, the people of Jasper, through it all.”
Tom Vollmer has been a St. Joseph parishioner for more than half of those 175 years – 84 to be exact. He also has been a member of the church choir for 73 years. When asked what makes St. Joseph such a special parish, he said it’s “just like home – like your church family.”
“It’s devout Catholics that make the parish strong,” said Vollmer. “It’s love of church, love of parish and love of God.”
Vollmer said the biggest change he has noticed over the years is the addition of “so many more things to connect people – so many activities and ministries.”
Mary Ann Huls, who joined the parish when she was a high school sophomore and who has joined Vollmer as a choir member for the past three decades, also pointed out the addition of “a lot of wonderful programs” and meetings that take place at the Parish Center.
“There are meetings and more meetings, and we have a youth organization with wonderful young adults,” she said.
Huls said she loves the priests who serve St. Joseph as well as the people who make it feel like home. She said the church has “such majesty and tradition.”
Saint Joseph Parish was founded in 1837 by a missionary priest from Croatia named Joseph Kundek. Initially church services were held in a log cabin. Within three years the congregation had grown to nearly 100 families, outgrowing the cabin.
A new brick church was begun in 1840 and finished in 1841. The first service in the new church was held Dec. 8, 1841.
The current church building, which was completed and blessed in 1880, was the result of extensive effort put forth by Benedictine Father Fidelis Maute, who served as architect, contractor, foreman, laborer, fundraiser and pastor. It was renovated in 1954.
The church’s signature bell tower was completed in 1904 under the direction of Benedictine Father Basil Heusler. It stands at 235 feet, and the design was inspired by London’s Big Ben. The tower’s bells can be heard 10 miles from the church.
According to Father Brenner, reaction to the 175th anniversary Mass and reception that followed has been “very, very positive.” He said “the faith life of the people” is what has made St. Joseph such a strong parish over the past century and two-thirds.
“Our parishioners are proud of their Catholic heritage and they truly live it,” Father Brenner said.
At the conclusion of his homily, Bishop Thompson told the St. Joseph congregation that the church’s future is bright.
“For 175 years, the priests, deacons, religious and lay people of this parish have never forgotten the importance of being Eucharist-centered and Christ-centered people,” he said. “As glorious as the history of the last 175 years has been, the best is still yet to come.”
