National Register Listing

St. Joseph's Church

2202 Ave. K, Galveston, TX

Galveston was a major point of entry into the state of Texas for a large number of German immigrants during the nineteenth century. Many selected to remain in the port city while others moved immediately on or stayed only long enough to accumulate some capital before moving inland. The construction of St. Joseph's Church marked and recognized the religious needs of the German minority population living in Galveston.

By 1859 the German-speaking population of Galveston had increased to the extent that Bishop J. M. Odin recommended the construction of a church in which German language services might be held. Three lots on the northwest comer of Twenty-second Street and Avenue K were purchased and architect Joseph Bleicke was commissioned to construct the building. After an expenditure of $4,000, the new church was dedicated in April 1860, to the patronage of St. Joseph. The church constructed and operated the first parochial high school in Galveston, opening it in 1876, in a building on the same block. The school closed in 1926.

The Diocese closed the church in 1968, and its contents were sold at a public auction. The building itself was scheduled to become a warehouse. The Galveston Historical Foundation recovered most of the furnishings and succeeded in making arrangements with the Diocese to re-store and maintain the structure. It is now open to the public periodically and used for special events, including an occasional church service.

Architecturally, St. Joseph's Church is the oldest remaining example in Galveston of the simple wooden ecclesiastical style. The Gothic Revival structure provides a contrast to the larger brick churches with towering spires found elsewhere in the city. Although damaged by the 1900 storm, the church was repaired, enlarged and redecorated within the year. Subsequent minor changes have been made, but the structure retains its original architectural character.

The interior of St. Joseph's, with its painted and coffered wood ceiling is unique in Galveston, and one of very few in the state of Texas. In the church are the original cedar pews, poor box, Baptismal Fount, pulpit, and Stations of the Cross with German wording. The altars are believed to be original.

Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Religion; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.