St. Joseph

About St. Joseph Parish

St. Joseph Catholic Church sits in the heart of South Texas at 710 S. 19th Street in Corpus Christi. The parish calls itself a vibrant Catholic community that is both historic and fresh — a place that welcomes people of all ages and all walks of life. Its mission is to serve God and neighbor both in the city of Corpus Christi and in the wider world. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Corpus Christi and offers Mass in English, Spanish, and bilingual form to serve its diverse community.

History

St. Joseph Parish has roots in Sacred Heart Parish on Comanche Street, where Father Alvarez built a small wooden chapel on 17th Street in 1932 to serve the growing south-side population. Construction of the present church began in 1948, and Bishop Mariano S. Garriga — the first Texas-born bishop — dedicated the completed building on July 4, 1950 as a memorial to those who died in World War II. On January 9, 1952, the parish was formally established under its first pastor, Father Elsing; the original 17th Street chapel was moved to the present 19th Street site and reused for catechism and parish gatherings. From 1950 to 1967 the Maryknoll Sisters directed the CCD program, and the parish also ran a school and junior high (grades 7–9) staffed in part by Sisters of Mercy from 1972 to 1977.

• 1932 — Wooden chapel built on 17th Street by Father Alvarez of Sacred Heart Parish.
• 1948 — Construction begins on the present St. Joseph Church.
• July 4, 1950 — Church dedicated by Bishop Mariano S. Garriga, first Texas-born bishop.
• January 9, 1952 — Parish formally established; Father Elsing becomes first pastor.
• 1950–1967 — Maryknoll Sisters serve the parish and direct CCD.
• 1969 — Our Lady of Guadalupe becomes a separate parish under its first pastor, Fr. Peña.
• 1972–1977 — Sisters of Mercy teach at the parish school.

Pastoral Team & Office

The parish office is staffed Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends. Office hours and contact details are published on the parish website.

• Parish office: 710 S. 19th Street, P.O. Box 5196, Corpus Christi, TX 78465-5196
• Phone: (361) 882-7912
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon 9 am–5 pm; Tue–Fri 9 am–6 pm; Closed Sat & Sun

Ministries & Outreach

St. Joseph's outreach has historically centered on faith formation for young people and on care for the surrounding community. The Maryknoll Sisters ran the original CCD program, and the parish once operated its own school and junior high for grades 7 through 9 with the help of the Sisters of Mercy. Today the parish runs a Food Pantry/Food Bank as a practical ministry to neighbors in need, alongside its regular sacramental and liturgical life.

• Food Pantry / Food Bank — current outreach ministry
• CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) — historical faith-formation program run by the Maryknoll Sisters
• Parish School and Junior High (grades 7–9) — historical; staffed by Sisters of Mercy 1972–1977
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Mission — historical mission church on Balboa Street

Planning Your Visit

St. Joseph's central south-side location makes it accessible from Highway 286 via the Morgan Avenue exit onto 19th Street. Visitors are encouraged to plan around the Saturday Vigil, the four Sunday Masses (in English, Spanish, and bilingual), or any of the daily morning and evening Masses. Confession is available every Saturday afternoon before Vigil Mass, and First Fridays offer evening Mass, Confession, and Adoration.

• Drive: From Hwy. 286, exit onto Morgan, then onto 19th Street (per parish-listed directions).
• Weekend access: Saturday Vigil 6 pm and Sunday Masses at 8 am, 10 am, and 12 pm.
• Weekday access: daily morning and evening Masses Monday through Saturday.