About Saint Joseph · Conway, Arkansas
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a historic parish in Conway, Arkansas, serving the Catholic community of Faulkner County in the Diocese of Little Rock. Founded in 1879 by the Spiritan (Holy Ghost) Fathers, it is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in central Arkansas and remains a vibrant bilingual (English/Spanish) community with about 1,965 families. The parish campus includes St. Joseph School (PreK3–12), a 1,100-seat church, and a Perpetual Adoration chapel that is open 24 hours a day. The parish is staffed by a pastor (who is also Vicar General of the diocese), an associate pastor, and seven deacons, and runs an extensive catechetical, youth, Hispanic-ministry, and outreach program.
- Established
- 1879
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Father John Connell, VG
- Diocese
- Diocese of Little Rock
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers the rare combination of a deeply rooted Catholic history (founded 1879 by the Spiritans) and a fully present-day, multilingual parish life. Parishioners can attend daily and Sunday Mass in English or Spanish, spend time with the Lord in the 24-hour Perpetual Adoration chapel, send their children to an on-site Catholic school (PreK3–12) or the parish's Youth Faith Formation program (K–9), and serve through more than a dozen ministries including the Knights of Columbus (Fr. Dellert Council 4143, 500+ members), Boy Scout Troop 78, Senior Saints, the Hispanic Ministry, KAIROS prison ministry, and parish missions outreach.
Mass times at Saint Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 am (except First Saturday)
- Saturday 1 hour before the Vigil Mass
- Tuesday 5:00–5:55 pm
- Thursday 5:00–5:55 pm
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the Adoration Chapel
History & Heritage
St. Joseph Parish traces its roots to the great Catholic immigration into Faulkner County in the 1870s. The first Mass in Conway was said in the home of Jacob Schichtl on the Lewisburg Road before any church existed. In 1878 Father Joseph Strub, C.S.Sp., Provincial of the Holy Ghost Fathers, came to Arkansas with the permission of Bishop Fitzgerald and negotiated land with the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad. By 1879 the first frame church (60 by 30 feet with an 80-foot bell tower) was built and blessed by Bishop Fitzgerald on February 23, 1879; a special train brought the Bishop, priests, Cathedral Choir and visitors from Little Rock. In 1880 Father Strub wrote 'The Guiding Star,' a guidebook to help Catholic emigrants — fleeing the Kulturkampf in Bismarck's Germany — reach the St. Joseph Colony in Arkansas.
- 1878 — Father Joseph Strub, C.S.Sp. opens the mission with Bishop Fitzgerald's permission
- 1879 — First church blessed by Bishop Fitzgerald on February 23
- 1881 — Catholic school opened, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, France
- 1880 — 'The Guiding Star' emigrant guide published by Father Strub
- 1983–1995 — Major building program under Fathers Deniger, Duffy, Carr and Epperley
- 1995 — New 1,100-seat church built; old church becomes Perpetual Adoration chapel
- 2000 — Bishop J. Peter Sartain dedicates St. Joseph Primary School
- June 2010 — After 131 years, parish transitions from Spiritans to Diocese of Little Rock
- 2010 — Father John Marconi named first diocesan pastor by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor
Clergy & Staff
St. Joseph is staffed by a pastor (who also serves as Vicar General of the diocese), an associate pastor, and seven deacons, supported by a full lay team in faith formation, religious education, music, Hispanic ministry, youth ministry, business, and sacramental coordination.
- Father John Connell, VG — Pastor ([email protected])
- Father Duwan Booker — Associate Pastor
- Deacon David Westmoreland
- Deacon Gerald Harrison
- Deacon Richard Papini ([email protected])
- Deacon David French ([email protected])
- Deacon Juan (Ramon) Argueta ([email protected])
- Deacon Calvin Pearcy
- Deacon Douglas Adams
- Matt Mallett — Business Manager (501-327-5528)
- Celeste Bailey — Bookkeeper (501-327-5528)
- Brenda Navarro — Receptionist / Bulletin & Website ([email protected])
- Yolanda Berumen — Secretary (501-327-6568)
- Tyler Jones — Adult Faith Formation Director
- Susie Acosta — Sacramental Coordinator (Baptism, Marriage) ([email protected])
- Elijah Bailey — Director of Religious Education ([email protected], 501-513-6812)
- Flor Argueta — Assistant Director of Religious Education ([email protected])
- Amy Testone — Youth Minister
- Courtney Burmester — Music Ministry
- Deacon Ramon Argueta — Hispanic Ministry (501-513-6810)
- Sonia 'Lupita' Peña — Hispanic Ministry Assistant (501-513-6810)
- Denay Minett — Head Sacristan
St. Joseph School (PreK3–12)
St. Joseph School, founded in 1879 — the same year as the parish — is a private, coeducational Catholic school serving PreK3 through 12th grade on a 22-acre campus in downtown Conway. The school shares its colors (purple and gold) and Bulldog mascot across the elementary, middle, and high school divisions, and reports a 100% college acceptance rate.
- Founded 1879; Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny were the first teachers
- Grades PreK3–12 (Coeducational)
- Mascot: Bulldogs; Colors: Purple and Gold
- 14:1 student-faculty ratio; 7.5-hour school day
- Three locations on 22 acres: 818 4th St. (PreK3), 415 Harkrider St. (4–6), 1101 College Ave. (7–12)
- Principal: Dr. Matthew Tucker, Ed.D. ([email protected])
- Elementary Assistant Principal: Hannah Belew
- Middle School Assistant Principal: Amy Rehm
- Preschool and Afterschool programs available
- School website: www.stjosephconway.org
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Youth Faith Formation program for students in Kindergarten through 9th grade who are not enrolled in St. Joseph School, plus a two-year Confirmation preparation beginning in 7th grade. Adult formation is led by a separate director and complemented by the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
- Youth Faith Formation — K through 9th grade (Elijah Bailey & Flor Argueta, 501-513-6812)
- Sunday morning class option 9:10–10:10 am OR Wednesday evening 6:00–7:00 pm
- 2 catechists/teachers per grade; mid-September through early May
- Confirmation — two-year program (7th & 8th grade); register by September 15
- Confirmation Mass 2024–2025: Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 4:00 pm
- Adult Faith Formation — Tyler Jones
- OCIA (Adult) — Deacon David French, [email protected], x1110
- Youth OCIA (ages 7+) — Flor Argueta, [email protected]
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) is the formal process by which non-baptized adults, and adults baptized in another Christian community, become Roman Catholics. Participants are paired with a sponsor and journey through inquiry, catechesis, and the Easter Vigil sacraments with no commitment required until they are ready.
- Adult OCIA — Deacon David French ([email protected], 501-327-6568 x1110)
- Adult baptisms celebrated at the Easter Vigil
- Already-baptized Christians make a Profession of Faith and receive Confirmation and Holy Communion when ready
- Youth OCIA — Flor Argueta ([email protected], 501-513-6812)
- Registration for Youth OCIA opens in summer; classes weekly September–April
Sacraments
Susie Acosta, the parish Sacramental Coordinator, handles Baptism and Marriage inquiries. Parents and godparents must attend a baptism class (renewed every 5 years), and couples are asked to contact the parish at least 6 to 9 months before their intended wedding date to allow time for diocesan marriage preparation.
- Baptism (0–6) — Susie Acosta, [email protected], 501-327-6568
- Baptism class required for parents AND godparents; renewed every 5 years
- Godparent requirements: registered Catholic, Confirmed, received First Communion, in good standing, Letter of Good Standing if from another parish
- Confirmation — two-year prep, contact Elijah Bailey
- Marriage — 6–9 months notice required; first appointment with Marriage Prep minister
- Documents needed: Baptism certificates (issued within past 6 months), Prenuptial Questionnaire, Civil Marriage License (for convalidation)
Parish Life & Ministries
St. Joseph runs a wide range of parish-life ministries, from the parish's large Knights of Columbus council to Boy Scouts, Senior Saints, the Hispanic Ministry, KAIROS prison ministry, and the parish missions outreach program that pairs volunteers with local service projects.
- Knights of Columbus — Fr. Dellert Council 4143 (500+ members), charter organization for Boy Scout Troop 78 (kofcconway.com)
- Boy Scouts of America Troop 78 — Monday meetings 6:30–8 pm
- Senior Saints — parishioners 50+, every other Thursday 9:00 am at the K of C Hall (rosary, song, Bingo)
- Hispanic Ministry — Deacon Ramon Argueta, Sonia 'Lupita' Peña (501-513-6810)
- Music Ministry — Courtney Burmester
- KAIROS Prison Ministry — Deacon Richard Papini (501-454-9146); ecumenical 4-day weekend retreats
- St. Joseph Missions Outreach — charitable/social-justice service projects
- Cursillo — linked to KAIROS
- Funeral hospitality & bereavement support
Hispanic Ministry
The parish has a longstanding Spanish-language ministry led by Deacon Ramon Argueta and assistant Sonia 'Lupita' Peña. A Spanish Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 12:30 pm, and a bilingual Mass is offered on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm.
- Deacon Ramon Argueta — Hispanic Ministry (501-513-6810)
- Sonia 'Lupita' Peña — Hispanic Ministry Assistant (501-513-6810)
- Spanish Mass — Sundays 12:30 pm
- Bilingual Mass — Thursdays 6:00 pm
Visit, Contact & Campus
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office by phone or email Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, or join in any of the regular liturgies. A 2012 campus master plan identified additional meeting space, restrooms, a covered drop-off, and upgraded facilities as priorities for the parish's continued growth.
- Address: 1115 College Avenue, Conway, AR 72032
- Phone: (501) 327-6568 — Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Website: www.sjparish.org
- Diocese: Diocese of Little Rock — Central Deanery
- Mass schedule, confession times, and Adoration details updated on sjparish.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Joseph Strub, C.S.Sp.1878–early 1880s
Provincial Superior of the Holy Ghost Fathers in the U.S.; opened the Conway mission and negotiated the land grant with the Little Rock & Fort Smith Railroad.
- Father John Willms, C.S.Sp.1878–1879
First resident priest of St. Joseph, accompanied by Brothers Leo and Genes.
- Father Joseph Deniger, C.S.Sp.1983–1986
Began addressing school and parish needs; launched the major building era.
- Father Roger Duffy, C.S.Sp.1986–1988
Spiritan pastor.
- Father Michael Carr, C.S.Sp.1988–1990
Spiritan pastor; new elementary school erected in 1989.
- Father Wayne Epperley, C.S.Sp.1990–
Led the largest building program in parish history (1993–1995): new church, parish hall, Family Activities Center, and establishment of Perpetual Adoration.
- Father Byrne, C.S.Sp.until 2007
Returned to the Holy Ghost Fathers Provincial House in Houston for health reasons in June 2007 but continued as pastor.
- Father George Spangenberg, C.S.Sp.February 2008–2010
Relocated the tabernacle into the sanctuary; chapel refurnished for Perpetual Adoration; old gathering area became Baptistry.
- Father John Marconi2010–
First diocesan pastor, assigned by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor after 131 years of Spiritan ministry.
- Monsignor Richard Oswald2010–June 2011
First diocesan associate pastor.
- Father James Melnick2010–2012
Joined the parish in fall 2010; reassigned in 2012.
- Father Joseph Archibong2012–2014
Associate pastor.
- Father Robert Cigainerofrom 2014
Joined the parish newly ordained in 2014.
- Father John Connell, VGcurrent
Current pastor; also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese of Little Rock.