About St. Joan of Arc · Mobile, Alabama
St. Joan of Arc Parish is a small, intimate Catholic parish tucked into Mobile's historic Oakleigh Garden District, serving the neighborhood for over a century. Founded in 1920 by Bishop Edward Allen, the parish is known for its close-knit community life, weekly Sunday Brunch gatherings, and a welcoming spirit for families, singles, young adults, and retirees alike. The parish belongs to the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile and is currently led by Very Reverend Stephen Vrazel, who became pastor in 2020. Its modest brick church and converted school building (now 'Hall of Angels') anchor the parish's identity as a neighborhood parish rather than a large institutional one.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- St. Joan of Arc
- Rector
- Very Rev. Stephen Vrazel
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile
Why belong here
St. Joan of Arc is a small, beautiful neighborhood parish where parishioners genuinely know one another. Weekly Sunday Brunches after the 8:00 AM Mass (with home-cooked food prepared by the Sunday Brunch Social Committee) create natural fellowship across generations—from retirees to young families to single adults. With nearly 40 ministries ranging from RCIA and faith formation to lectors, choir, altar servers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the Purgatorial Society, and social outreach, every member can find a way to share their time and talents. Tucked on Elmira Street in the historic Oakleigh Garden District, the parish offers a convenient vigil or morning Mass with the warm, intimate feel of a close-knit Catholic community.
Mass times at St. Joan of Arc
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM
- By appointment
Parish History
Bishop Edward Allen established Saint Joan of Arc Parish on October 21, 1920 with Father E.J. Hackett as the first pastor. In its earliest days, Mass was celebrated under a canvas shelter on the south side of Elmira Street, until the men of the parish erected a frame building that served until the brick church could be built. Bishop Allen blessed the cornerstone on February 22, 1925 and dedicated the present church edifice on February 21, 1926. An adjacent property was purchased and renovated as the rectory. The parish school, staffed by the Sisters of Mercy, opened in 1953 and reached its peak enrollment of 220 students in 1956, before closing in 1980; its building now serves as the parish hall and artists' studios.
- Founded: October 21, 1920
- First Mass: held under a canvas shelter on Elmira Street
- Cornerstone blessed: February 22, 1925
- Church dedicated: February 21, 1926
- School built: 1952 ($150,000); opened August 31, 1953
- School closed: 1980
Sacraments
St. Joan of Arc offers preparation for the sacraments of Baptism and Marriage, with downloadable guides on the parish website for both. Reconciliation (Confession) is regularly scheduled before the Saturday Vigil Mass. Holy Communion is offered under both species of bread and wine at weekend liturgies, with extraordinary ministers also bringing Communion to the sick and homebound.
- Baptism (Baptism Guide available on website)
- Marriage (Wedding Guide available on website)
- Reconciliation (Saturday 3:30 PM or by appointment)
- Holy Communion under both species at weekend liturgies
Parish Staff
St. Joan of Arc is a small parish with a lean staff supported by its many lay ministers. Very Reverend Stephen Vrazel serves as Pastor. Richard Jones is the parish Organist, and Tamara McClendon serves as Parish Secretary. The parish office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Stephen Vrazel
- Organist: Richard Jones
- Parish Secretary: Tamara McClendon
- Office Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Pastor Succession
The parish has been served by a long line of priests since 1920. Father E.J. Hackett was the founding pastor (1920-1927), followed by Father E.B. Kennedy (1927-1946) and Father James Madigan, whose 31-year pastorate (1946-1977) is the longest in parish history. Subsequent pastors include Fathers Anthony McDevitt, John Robinson, John O'Hara, James Oberkirch, Joseph Walsh S.J., Stephen Staff, Jim Dane, Bill Folsom, Kenneth Klepac, Warren J. Wall, and Matthew Venuti. Very Reverend Stephen Vrazel has been pastor since 2020.
- Father E.J. Hackett (1920-1927) – founding pastor
- Father E.B. Kennedy (1927-1946)
- Father James Madigan (1946-1977) – 31-year pastorate
- Father Anthony McDevitt
- Father John Robinson
- Father John O'Hara
- Father James Oberkirch
- Father Joseph Walsh, S.J.
- Father Stephen Staff
- Father Jim Dane
- Father Bill Folsom
- Father Kenneth Klepac
- Father Warren J. Wall
- Father Matthew Venuti
- Very Rev. Stephen Vrazel (2020-present)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation Committee coordinates the parish's catechetical and spiritual formation efforts, with opportunities for parishioners to lead Bible Study, sponsor RCIA candidates, assist with children's activities, and coordinate the annual Box of Joy drive. The committee also oversees the Purgatorial Society, which meets on the first Friday of each month to pray for souls in purgatory in front of the Blessed Sacrament and invites all parishioners to add the names of deceased loved ones to a prayer book remembered during the monthly Holy Hour.
- Bible Study leaders
- RCIA Sponsors
- Children's Activities volunteers
- Box of Joy annual drive
- Purgatorial Society (first Friday of the month)
- Monthly Holy Hour
Liturgical Ministries
St. Joan of Arc draws on the gifts of lay faithful for its liturgical life. Lectors proclaim the Word of God at Masses and special celebrations (must be confirmed). Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with distribution under both species at weekend liturgies and bring Communion to the sick. Sacristans prepare the altar, bread, wine, water, and lectionary before Mass. Altar Servers (grades 5 through 12) serve Masses, weddings, and special feasts on a rotating basis. The Choir and Cantors lead the congregation in song at all Mass parts and hymns.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Sacristans
- Altar Servers (grades 5-12)
- Choir & Cantors
Parish Life & Fellowship
Community life is central to St. Joan's identity. The Social Committee coordinates several groups including the Parish Social Events Committee, the Sunday Brunch Social Committee (which prepares the weekly home-cooked brunch after the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass), the Bereavement Reception Committee, and Special Events. The Recruiting & Welcoming Committee helps newcomers feel at home at any Mass or event. Ushers, Greeters, and Gift Bearers greet everyone entering the church, assist with the collection, and bring up the gifts at every Mass on a rotating basis.
- Sunday Brunch Social Committee (weekly brunch after 8 AM Mass)
- Bereavement Reception Committee
- Special Events Committee
- Ushers / Greeters / Gift Bearers
- Recruiting & Welcoming Committee
Stewardship & Service
The parish lives by the conviction that every member is a gift, called to share their time and talent. With nearly 40 ministries, St. Joan offers opportunities at every level. The Stewardship Committee helps coordinate annual drives such as the Catholic Charities Appeal and the Time & Talent Weekend. The Building and Grounds Committee maintains the Church, Hall of Angels (former school), and Rectory, with an annual deep clean and bi-annual yard clean-up. The Altar Society prepares the altar and church for special occasions—cleaning, decorating, arranging flowers, laundering linens, and polishing brass.
- Stewardship Committee (Catholic Charities Appeal, Time & Talent Weekend)
- Building and Grounds Committee
- Altar Society
- Box of Joy drive
- Communion to the sick
Buildings & Facilities
St. Joan's campus consists of three buildings: the 1926 brick church, the former school building (built 1952 and now known as the Hall of Angels), and the rectory (acquired shortly after the parish's founding). The former school building—after serving the parish school until 1980, then as temporary home for Leinkauf School after a fire, and later as the Mobile Police Academy—now houses local artists' studios and the parish hall used for community events.
- Church (brick, dedicated 1926)
- Hall of Angels (former school building, built 1952)
- Rectory (purchased and renovated after founding)
Visiting & Becoming a Parishioner
The parish warmly welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, and visitors exploring the faith for the first time. Located in the heart of Mobile's Oakleigh Garden District, St. Joan offers a convenient option for vigil or morning Mass with opportunities for fellowship across generations. Those interested in formally joining are invited to register as parishioners and explore the many ministries listed on the parish website.
- Convenient vigil and morning Mass options
- Family-friendly (babies and small children welcome)
- Weekly Sunday Brunch fellowship
- Online parishioner registration available
- Nearly 40 ministries to get involved in
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father E.J. Hackett1920-1927
First pastor; parish established October 21, 1920. Transferred to Montgomery in 1927.
- Father E.B. Kennedy1927-1946
Succeeded Father Hackett; served the parish until 1946.
- Father James Madigan1946-1977
Began a thirty-one year pastorate.
- Father Anthony McDevitt
Succeeded Father Madigan.
- Father John Robinson
Past pastor.
- Father John O'Hara
Past pastor.
- Father James Oberkirch
Past pastor.
- Father Joseph Walsh, S.J.
Past pastor; Jesuit.
- Father Stephen Staff
Past pastor (also served earlier as associate).
- Father Jim Dane
Past pastor.
- Father Bill Folsom
Past pastor.
- Father Kenneth Klepac
Past pastor.
- Father Warren J. Wall
Past pastor.
- Father Matthew Venuti
Past pastor before Vrazel.
- Very Rev. Stephen Vrazel2020-present
Current pastor.