About St. Joseph · Athens, Georgia
St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 958 Epps Bridge Parkway in Athens, Georgia, is the oldest Catholic parish in Clarke County and one of the largest in northeast Georgia, home to over 2,000 active families. Founded in 1873 when roughly ten Catholic families petitioned Bishop William Gross of Savannah for a parish of their own, it has grown from a small wooden chapel into a vibrant, multicultural community serving Clarke, Madison, Oconee, and parts of Oglethorpe counties as part of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. The parish offers Mass in both English and Spanish seven days a week, maintains a perpetual Adoration chapel, runs St. Joseph School (pre-K through 8), operates local Athens Catholic Radio 105.7 FM, and is currently building a new sanctuary that will reinstall its 18 historic German stained-glass windows.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- The Very Rev. Paul C. Moreau
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta (Deanery: East)
Why belong here
St. Joseph is the spiritual home of more than 2,000 families across northeast Georgia and offers something for nearly every stage of Catholic life: weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, a perpetual Adoration chapel open from Monday morning through Saturday morning, daily and weekly Reconciliation, robust faith formation through St. Joseph School (pre-K–8) and youth programs, the Knights of Columbus Council 6514 and Columbiettes, and outreach such as St. Joseph Charities and Athens Catholic Radio 105.7 FM. A new sanctuary is being built to ensure the parish's historic German stained-glass windows continue to inspire worship for generations.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 7:30 AM – 7:55 AM (line forms in the hallway outside the parish office)
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Exposition Monday 8:30 AM through Benediction Saturday 8:00 AM (guardians commit to one holy hour)
Our Story of Faith — Parish History
St. Joseph was founded in 1873 when roughly ten Catholic families approached Bishop William Gross of Savannah for a parish of their own. The first church — a modest wooden building purchased in 1881 for $2,000 off the Thomas R. R. Cobb estate — served as the only Catholic church in Athens for nearly four decades, with visiting priests sometimes celebrating Mass only once a month. The arrival of the first resident pastor, Fr. Harry Clark, in 1911 ushered in a period of rapid growth capped by the March 30, 1913 dedication of the Prince Avenue church with its 18 German stained-glass windows. The parish has continued to grow across its 21 pastors, the addition of St. Mary's Hospital (1937), the founding of the parish school (1949), the inclusion of Sacred Heart's African-American parishioners in the 1960s, Fr. William Calhoun's 1982 capital campaign, and the 2005 relocation to the present Epps Bridge Parkway campus under Fr. David McGuinness.
- 1873: Bishop William Gross meets with ~10 Catholic families
- 1881: First church purchased on the T.R.R. Cobb estate (~$2,000)
- 1911: Fr. Harry Clark becomes first resident pastor
- March 30, 1913: Prince Avenue church dedicated
- 1937: Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart help found St. Mary's Hospital
- 1949: Fr. Walter Donovan opens the parish school
- 1960s: Parishioners of closed Sacred Heart welcomed
- 1982: Fr. William Calhoun's $800,000 capital campaign
- 1984: New school; 1985: church dedication
- 2005: Move to Epps Bridge Parkway begins under Fr. David McGuinness
- 2012: New school and multi-purpose building open
- 2015: Prince Avenue property sold; worship on Epps Bridge campus begins
- 2023: Parish celebrates sesquicentennial (150 years)
Our Patron — St. Joseph
St. Joseph is remembered for his quiet strength, deep compassion, and unwavering faith — a man who chose mercy over judgment and opened his heart completely to God's plan as husband to Mary and earthly father to Jesus. He is honored as the patron of fathers, workers, the universal Church, and those seeking a peaceful death, and the parish celebrates his spirit each year through the St. Joseph Award, recognizing members who embody his virtues of joy, generosity, and quiet initiative in service to others.
- Patron of fathers, workers, the universal Church, and a holy death
- Feast day March 19
- Annual St. Joseph Award recognizes parish members who live his virtues
Sanctuary Campaign — A New Church for the 1913 Windows
St. Joseph is in the middle of building a new sanctuary on its Epps Bridge Parkway campus, an effort the parish describes as 'a renewed chapter of worship, community, and growth for generations to come.' The new building will keep the 'Classic City style' and preserve the parish's 18 historic German stained-glass windows from the 1913 Prince Avenue sanctuary. A bell tower is planned as a second phase of construction, and contributions to the Capital Campaign are funding the project.
- New sanctuary under construction on Epps Bridge Parkway
- Reuses the 18 stained-glass windows originally dedicated in 1913
- Phase 2 will add a bell tower
- Capital Campaign accepting pledge cards and gifts
St. Joseph School and Catholic Education
Founded in 1949 by Fr. Walter Donovan, the parish school has served generations of Athens-area Catholic families. It currently operates as St. Joseph School (pre-K through grade 6) on the Epps Bridge Parkway campus, and beginning with the 2025–2026 school year grades 7 and 8 will move to Monsignor Donovan Catholic School, providing students with a seamless Catholic education from pre-kindergarten through high school in partnership with the Archdiocese.
- Founded 1949 by Fr. Walter Donovan
- Current parish school: St. Joseph School, 958 Epps Bridge Parkway
- Grades 7–8 moving to Monsignor Donovan Catholic School starting 2025–2026
- Adoration and frequent Masses available on campus
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The Music Ministry is composed of several choirs serving each of the parish's Masses. No formal training is required — only a love of singing and a desire to praise God. Choirs range from traditional chant and folk with organ to a vibrant Spanish Vigil ensemble accompanied by guitar, piano, and percussion.
- 11:00 AM Choir — traditional/chant/folk with organ (Thu 6 PM and Sun 9:30 AM)
- 5:30 PM Vigil & 8:00 AM Choir — contemporary and traditional (Mon 6 PM, Room 251)
- 2:00 PM Spanish Choir
- 7:30 PM Spanish Vigil Choir — Central/South American traditions
Parish Service Ministries
Liturgical and pastoral service is carried out by lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, and greeters, who all receive training and form the everyday backbone of the parish's worship life. Training for lectors is held throughout the year.
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers and Greeters
Community Care and St. Joseph Charities
Rooted in the belief that every human being — from conception to natural death — is created in the image of God, St. Joseph's community-care apostolates address poverty, hunger, homelessness, imprisonment, immigration, and more, partnering with local organizations like Habitat for Humanity. The flagship outreach is St. Joseph Charities, which provides financial assistance for rental and utility emergencies across Clarke, Oconee, Jackson, Madison, and Oglethorpe counties.
- St. Joseph Charities — by appointment Tue/Wed 10 AM–12 PM; phone 706-850-7777; no walk-ins
- Habitat for Humanity partnership
- Pastoral Hispano / Spanish Ministry (contact: Amada Lopez)
- Outreach to immigrants, prisoners, homeless, and the hungry
Parish Life Organizations
A wide range of parish-life organizations support fellowship, formation, and charitable service — including the men's and women's fraternal councils, a long-running women's auxiliary, and the local Catholic radio apostolate. The Knights' council draws members from both St. Joseph Parish and the UGA Catholic Center.
- Knights of Columbus — Deacon William P. Lakin Council 6514 (chartered 1973; Star Council award winner; partners with the UGA Catholic Center)
- Columbiettes (auxiliary of Catholic women)
- St. Joan of Arc Auxiliary (founded April 12, 2008; 2nd Thursday at 6:30 PM, Room 255)
- Athens Catholic Radio 105.7 FM (EWTN in English and Spanish)
Faith Formation for Youth and Adults
Faith formation at St. Joseph is coordinated through the parish office under a Director of Religious Education (Justin Cardona), with a separate Youth Formation Coordinator (Itzel Perez). The parish's sacramental preparation — including baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and marriage — is coordinated through the parish, with sacramental records maintained by Itzel Aguilera.
- Director of Religious Education: Justin Cardona
- Youth Formation Coordinator: Itzel Perez
- Sacramental Records: Itzel Aguilera
Clergy and Pastoral Staff
St. Joseph is currently served by a pastor and two parochial vicars together with three permanent deacons and a large lay staff. The Very Rev. Paul C. Moreau also serves concurrently as pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Church in Jefferson.
- Pastor: The Very Rev. Paul C. Moreau
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fabricio Robalino
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Matthew Howard
- Deacon Mark Sholander
- Deacon John Duffield
- Deacon Luis Polanco
- Director of Religious Education: Justin Cardona
- Business Manager / Facilities: Mark Sholander (also Deacon), Jim Brawley
- Youth Formation Coordinator: Itzel Perez
- Director of Communications: Jane Sullivan (per Georgia Bulletin reporting)
- Executive Assistant to the Priests, Sacramental Records: Itzel Aguilera
Visiting, Joining, and Getting Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed — the parish encourages online registration and provides inquiry forms for parish life, community care, liturgical service, and spiritual life. With more than 35 ministries and apostolates, English and Spanish Masses, perpetual Adoration, and a thriving school and Catholic radio station, there is a place for nearly everyone to serve and belong.
- Online registration available via the parish website
- Inquiry forms for Parish Life, Liturgical Service, Community Care, and Spiritual Life
- Spanish-language contacts available across ministries
- Free parking on Epps Bridge Parkway campus
Location and Pastoral Territory
St. Joseph Catholic Church anchors the East Deanery of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, with a territory that stretches across four northeast-Georgia counties. The parish office and worship site are located at 958 Epps Bridge Parkway in Athens.
- Address: 958 Epps Bridge Parkway, Athens, GA 30606
- Deanery: East (Archdiocese of Atlanta)
- County seat: Clarke County, GA
- Territory: Clarke, Madison, Oconee counties and part of Oglethorpe County (west of SR 22 and SR 77)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Harry Clark1911–
First resident pastor of St. Joseph; raised funds from Philadelphia and New York and dedicated the Prince Avenue church on March 30, 1913.
- Fr. Walter Donovan
Founded the parish school (later named Monsignor Donovan) in 1949.
- Fr. William Calhoun
First African-American pastor; led 1982 capital campaign that raised $800,000 and oversaw the 1984 school and 1985 church dedication.
- Fr. David McGuinnessby 2005
Led the expansion to the Epps Bridge Parkway campus; new school and multi-purpose building opened in 2012.
- The Very Rev. Paul C. Moreaucurrent pastor
Appointed pastor in 2020; concurrently pastor of St. Catherine Laboure, Jefferson.