The History of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Port Gibson
The Archivist of the Jackson, Mississippi Diocese, Ms. Mary Woodward, found the following narrative in Bishop Elder’s Civil War Diary, which the Bishop dedicated St. Joseph Church Port Gibson on April 26, 1863. In that year it fell on the Feast of St. Joseph.
He has a very nice account (see below) in his diary including the fact that he recycled his sermon from another church consecration ceremony in 1858.
“April 26th, III S, after Easter, Patronage of St. Joseph. Said Mass at 6 ½ at Mr. Moore’s. After breakfast drove in to Port Gibson. – At 9 AM. blessed the Church under the patronage of St. Joseph. Fr. Bannon said the Mass. – I preached – sermon altered from the one I preached at the Consecration of St. Alphonsus Church, New Orleans, April 1858.
The Church was beautifully finished by Mr. Daniel Foley who gives however all the credit to his young son Daniel, just 18 years of age. The wood carvings of the altar & of the sanctuary railing form the chief part of the decorations.
The Corner Stone of this Church was laid on this same festival, April 19th, 1849, by Rev. Mr. Raho, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Guillou & Babonneau. It was laid originally on the lot now occupied by Dr. Wharton, & removed with Bp. Van de Velde’s approbation to this site, being much more desirable. – The First Mass was said in it on low Sunday 1857, by Rev. Mr. Grignon.” The Cemetery was blessed -1854 by Rev. Mr. Grignon, assisted by Rev. Mr. Alyward.
According to church archives, 15 pastors, 19 associate pastors, and numerous other priests have served St.Joseph parish from 1844-1969, including Reverend Father Dominic Cangemi. Other priests who have been pastors of the church since 1969 include the following Reverend Fathers: Linus Nickerson (1969-1980), John Vollor (1980-1985),Thomas Delaney (1985-1986), Anthony L.Pudenz (1986 – 1988) and (1993 – 1998), Samuel Messina (1988 – 1990), William Englehart (1990 – 1993), Msgr. Thaddeus Harkins (1998 – 2007), Msgr. Patrick Ferrell (2007 – 2008), and Faustin M. Misakabo O.Praem, who is the pastor since 2008.
Today, 164 years later, St Joseph Catholic Church, one of the oldest surviving Catholic churches in Mississippi, is located on Church Street and surrounded by an ornate iron fence. With the exception of the more recent additions of the blue cobalt window panels, the carved Stations of the Cross, and the statues of Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the original architectural structure of the church remains intact, and is a fine example of 19th century Gothic Revival.
The Church provides a place of worship for Catholic families throughout the county and beyond. Members of the church strive to serve their faith- community and to help others. We are also blessed by many visitors and tourists who come to worship with us on Sundays.
The Reverend Father Faustin M Misakabo O.Praem, a member of the Norbertine Order, was installed as pastor on the 21st day September 2008. He has led the Church through its restoration process and blessing by the Bishop of Jackson, the Most Reverend Joseph R. Kopacz D.D. on Sunday, January 4th, 2015, on the Epiphany of the Lord.
The Archivist of the Jackson, Mississippi Diocese, Ms. Mary Woodward, found the following narrative in Bishop Elder’s Civil War Diary, which the Bishop dedicated St. Joseph Church Port Gibson on April 26, 1863. In that year it fell on the Feast of St. Joseph.
He has a very nice account (see below) in his diary including the fact that he recycled his sermon from another church consecration ceremony in 1858.
“April 26th, III S, after Easter, Patronage of St. Joseph. Said Mass at 6 ½ at Mr. Moore’s. After breakfast drove in to Port Gibson. – At 9 AM. blessed the Church under the patronage of St. Joseph. Fr. Bannon said the Mass. – I preached – sermon altered from the one I preached at the Consecration of St. Alphonsus Church, New Orleans, April 1858.
The Church was beautifully finished by Mr. Daniel Foley who gives however all the credit to his young son Daniel, just 18 years of age. The wood carvings of the altar & of the sanctuary railing form the chief part of the decorations.
The Corner Stone of this Church was laid on this same festival, April 19th, 1849, by Rev. Mr. Raho, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Guillou & Babonneau. It was laid originally on the lot now occupied by Dr. Wharton, & removed with Bp. Van de Velde’s approbation to this site, being much more desirable. – The First Mass was said in it on low Sunday 1857, by Rev. Mr. Grignon.” The Cemetery was blessed -1854 by Rev. Mr. Grignon, assisted by Rev. Mr. Alyward.
According to church archives, 15 pastors, 19 associate pastors, and numerous other priests have served St.Joseph parish from 1844-1969, including Reverend Father Dominic Cangemi. Other priests who have been pastors of the church since 1969 include the following Reverend Fathers: Linus Nickerson (1969-1980), John Vollor (1980-1985),Thomas Delaney (1985-1986), Anthony L.Pudenz (1986 – 1988) and (1993 – 1998), Samuel Messina (1988 – 1990), William Englehart (1990 – 1993), Msgr. Thaddeus Harkins (1998 – 2007), Msgr. Patrick Ferrell (2007 – 2008), and Faustin M. Misakabo O.Praem, who is the pastor since 2008.
Today, 164 years later, St Joseph Catholic Church, one of the oldest surviving Catholic churches in Mississippi, is located on Church Street and surrounded by an ornate iron fence. With the exception of the more recent additions of the blue cobalt window panels, the carved Stations of the Cross, and the statues of Saint Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the original architectural structure of the church remains intact, and is a fine example of 19th century Gothic Revival.
The Church provides a place of worship for Catholic families throughout the county and beyond. Members of the church strive to serve their faith- community and to help others. We are also blessed by many visitors and tourists who come to worship with us on Sundays.
The Reverend Father Faustin M Misakabo O.Praem, a member of the Norbertine Order, was installed as pastor on the 21st day September 2008. He has led the Church through its restoration process and blessing by the Bishop of Jackson, the Most Reverend Joseph R. Kopacz D.D. on Sunday, January 4th, 2015, on the Epiphany of the Lord.
