HISTORY OF SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH
The history of San Jose started with a donation of property by Mr. Peter Gallaghaer to the Bishop of Galveston on September 22, 1871. Fatehrs Claude Jaillet and Adlolfo Guicon served the area from 1872 to 1873. In 1874 Father Mathurin Perrier come to Fort Stockton and it was probably he who took charge in laying the foundation of the church with help of Peter Johnson in 1875. On November 26, 1876, Father Ferra came and continued the construction of the church. Competion of the church was not done until Father Ferra left in 1877 by Mr. Corbett. Father Joseph Hoban then continued to serve San Jose from Fort Davis. Various priests served the church from 1880 to 1889 including the Oblates from Eagle Pass. In 1890 Father Albert Wagner, a Carmelite from Stanton came to work in the vast area. Later Father Brocardo joined him and had the charge of San Jose. Father Brocardo continued to work with the people of San Jose until 1916 by visiting the church every other month. When Father Brocardo was not prestent much of the spriritual direction was under the supervision of Matilda Pina and Monica Barron. In 1914, Fort Stockon became part of the new Diocese of El Paso.
The first project was obtaining a pastor of San Jose. The Jesuits were looking for a place to start their Noviciate and they chose Fort Stockton. Father Geraldo ecome became the first pastor of San Jose on October 23, 1916. Father Decorme began to build up the parish with religious instructions and missions. He also improved the buildings and landscape. A school was opened in 1919 with the Sisters of Mercy from Stanton in charge. Remodeling of the church was started and later completed by Fr. Cudrado who came in 1925. Father Cuadrado continued to work in the parish until 1937 when he was followed by Fr. Pedro Ruiz and Fr. Felipe Grive. Father James Franchi came to the parish in 1940. He continued the repairs of the church and expanded the buildings. The chapel and sacristy were added to the church, bedrooms and bathrooms were added to the house. A new convent was constructed. A number of organizations were started to help the church. Fr. Franchi continued to serve as pastor until 1964 when he retired . Fr. John Lucassen came to serve as pastor until 1970.
In 1970, Fr. Alvin Wilde came to serve as pastor and major project of the period was the construction of the new hall which included a kitchen, meeting rooms and serveral CCD classrooms. Another major event celebrated was the Centennial of the parish on March 19, 1975. A major event for each year of the parish is the Fiesta de San Juan celebrated the weekend closest to June 24. In 1984, Fr. Joe Vasquez became pastor until 1994. He is currently Bishop of the Diocese of Austin. It was during his pastorship that Saint Agnes and Saint Joseph shared pastors and continue to do so to this day. Fr. Vasquez He was replaced with Fr. James Chalmont until 1997. Fr. David Herrera then became pastor of Saint Joseph until 2003. From 2002 until 2006, Fr. Floro Hinacay, and by Fr. Arturo Pestin, OP, both from the Philipenes. Father Thomas Manimala in 2008, Fr. George Thirumgalam, OMI in 2010 and Father Quirino Cornejo in 2011, Father Serafin Avenido in 2012, Father Lorenzo Hays in 2018 and currently Father Francis Njoku in 2021
Saint Joseph was consolidated with Saint Agnes in June 2014 into the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The history of San Jose started with a donation of property by Mr. Peter Gallaghaer to the Bishop of Galveston on September 22, 1871. Fatehrs Claude Jaillet and Adlolfo Guicon served the area from 1872 to 1873. In 1874 Father Mathurin Perrier come to Fort Stockton and it was probably he who took charge in laying the foundation of the church with help of Peter Johnson in 1875. On November 26, 1876, Father Ferra came and continued the construction of the church. Competion of the church was not done until Father Ferra left in 1877 by Mr. Corbett. Father Joseph Hoban then continued to serve San Jose from Fort Davis. Various priests served the church from 1880 to 1889 including the Oblates from Eagle Pass. In 1890 Father Albert Wagner, a Carmelite from Stanton came to work in the vast area. Later Father Brocardo joined him and had the charge of San Jose. Father Brocardo continued to work with the people of San Jose until 1916 by visiting the church every other month. When Father Brocardo was not prestent much of the spriritual direction was under the supervision of Matilda Pina and Monica Barron. In 1914, Fort Stockon became part of the new Diocese of El Paso.
The first project was obtaining a pastor of San Jose. The Jesuits were looking for a place to start their Noviciate and they chose Fort Stockton. Father Geraldo ecome became the first pastor of San Jose on October 23, 1916. Father Decorme began to build up the parish with religious instructions and missions. He also improved the buildings and landscape. A school was opened in 1919 with the Sisters of Mercy from Stanton in charge. Remodeling of the church was started and later completed by Fr. Cudrado who came in 1925. Father Cuadrado continued to work in the parish until 1937 when he was followed by Fr. Pedro Ruiz and Fr. Felipe Grive. Father James Franchi came to the parish in 1940. He continued the repairs of the church and expanded the buildings. The chapel and sacristy were added to the church, bedrooms and bathrooms were added to the house. A new convent was constructed. A number of organizations were started to help the church. Fr. Franchi continued to serve as pastor until 1964 when he retired . Fr. John Lucassen came to serve as pastor until 1970.
In 1970, Fr. Alvin Wilde came to serve as pastor and major project of the period was the construction of the new hall which included a kitchen, meeting rooms and serveral CCD classrooms. Another major event celebrated was the Centennial of the parish on March 19, 1975. A major event for each year of the parish is the Fiesta de San Juan celebrated the weekend closest to June 24. In 1984, Fr. Joe Vasquez became pastor until 1994. He is currently Bishop of the Diocese of Austin. It was during his pastorship that Saint Agnes and Saint Joseph shared pastors and continue to do so to this day. Fr. Vasquez He was replaced with Fr. James Chalmont until 1997. Fr. David Herrera then became pastor of Saint Joseph until 2003. From 2002 until 2006, Fr. Floro Hinacay, and by Fr. Arturo Pestin, OP, both from the Philipenes. Father Thomas Manimala in 2008, Fr. George Thirumgalam, OMI in 2010 and Father Quirino Cornejo in 2011, Father Serafin Avenido in 2012, Father Lorenzo Hays in 2018 and currently Father Francis Njoku in 2021
Saint Joseph was consolidated with Saint Agnes in June 2014 into the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe.