About St. Joseph · Dayton, Ohio
St. Joseph Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish located at 411 East Second Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio, founded in 1846–1847 by English-speaking (largely Irish) parishioners who withdrew from the German-speaking Emmanuel parish. It is the second-oldest Catholic parish in Dayton and has served the city continuously since the cornerstone was laid by Bishop John Baptist Purcell on July 11 (or 12), 1847. The parish is currently part of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes and is staffed by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.). Its present church, an Italian Renaissance–style structure dedicated in July 1910, is regarded as one of the finest church buildings in Dayton.
- Established
- 1846
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony (Tony) Fortman, C.PP.S. (Pastor of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes, which includes St. Joseph)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
St. Joseph offers downtown Dayton's historic Catholic community a daily-Mass schedule (including a noon Mass Monday through Saturday) in a landmark Italian Renaissance–style church, plus Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses and daily confessions before the noon Mass. As part of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes, parishioners draw on the spiritual resources and shared ministries of six parishes served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood — including OCIA (formerly RCIA), faith formation, Stephen Ministry, Catholic Life discussion groups, and family-centered outreach. The parish's Irish roots, downtown Dayton location, and long history of daily Eucharistic devotion make it a natural spiritual home for anyone seeking traditional Catholic worship in the heart of the city.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Saturday: 11:30–11:55 AM (before noon Mass)
- Saturday: 4:00–4:30 PM (before Vigil Mass)
History of St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Parish was born in the closing months of 1846 when the English-speaking, predominantly Irish members of Dayton's oldest Catholic church — Emmanuel, established in 1837 — withdrew to form their own congregation. Because those parishioners had always sat on the side of Emmanuel's sanctuary facing the statue of St. Joseph, they chose him as patron under the scriptural motto 'Go to Joseph.' Father Patrick O'Mealy, a 22-year-old priest, led the first planning meeting on November 1, 1846; the group bought two lots at the corner of East Second and Madison Streets for $2,000 and began stockpiling lumber. The venture nearly ended before it began when the catastrophic flood of January 2, 1847 washed more than $1,500 of material down the Mad and Miami Rivers, but most of it was recovered. Bishop John Baptist Purcell laid the cornerstone on July 11, 1847; the original church (88 by 45 feet, with a spire) was dedicated in the summer of 1848 and received its clock tower and largest-in-the-city bell in 1859 under Father David Kelley.
- 1846 – Parish organized by English-speaking Catholics from Emmanuel Church
- 1847 – Lots at E. Second & Madison purchased for $2,000; cornerstone laid July 11 by Bishop Purcell
- 1848 – Original church dedicated
- 1859 – Clock tower and largest bell in Dayton added to steeple
- 1909 – Last service in old church, Easter Sunday
- 1910 – Present Italian Renaissance church dedicated in July
The Italian Renaissance Church (1910)
Under the long-tenured Father William D. Hickey, the parish outgrew its 1847 building and erected a new Italian Renaissance–style church on the same Second–Madison corner, dedicated in July 1910. Local histories describe the building as 'very stately in character' and 'regarded architecturally as one of Dayton's finest churches.' It remains the parish's worship home today. Hickey also acquired adjoining public-school property to the east and built a stately parochial residence, now the Dayton Deanery.
- Italian Renaissance–style design
- Dedicated July 1910
- Built under Father William D. Hickey (pastor c. 1891–1917)
- Adjoining Dayton Deanery (former parochial residence)
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
St. Joseph has been served by a long succession of pastors beginning with its founder Father Patrick O'Meally in 1847. Notable among them was Father Richard Gilmour (pastor 1869), who later became Bishop of Cleveland, and Father William D. Hickey, whose quarter-century pastorate saw the building of the present church and the parish residence. In recent decades the parish has been entrusted to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.). Under the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light pastoral planning, St. Joseph is now part of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes led by Father Anthony (Tony) Fortman, C.PP.S., with parochial vicars and a team of deacons serving the cluster.
- Rev. Anthony (Tony) Fortman, C.PP.S. — current pastor
- Rev. Seraphine Lesiriam, C.PP.S. — parochial vicar
- Rev. James 'Santiago' Gaynor, C.PP.S. — parochial vicar
- Rev. Epitasy Makala, C.PP.S. — parochial vicar
- Deacon Brian Seibert — Director of Evangelization
- Six deacons serving the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes
St. Gaspar Family of Parishes
St. Joseph is one of six parishes combined as the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes (NE-6) in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Beacons of Light initiative. The cluster includes Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, Precious Blood, St. Joseph, St. Paul and St. Rita — all served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. The family shares clergy, staff, faith formation, music and outreach across parish boundaries under a Family Leadership Team.
- Six parishes combined: Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, Precious Blood, St. Joseph, St. Paul, St. Rita
- All served by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood (C.PP.S.)
- Common pastor: Rev. Anthony Fortman, C.PP.S.
- Family Leadership Team includes deacons, directors of Evangelization, Music and Liturgy, Stewardship, and Love in Action
Faith Formation and Adult Education
Faith formation across the St. Gaspar Family is coordinated through several programs. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults), the parish's adult initiation process, is coordinated by Lynda Middleton. Catholic Life, a year-round adult faith-sharing program, meets Wednesday evenings at Precious Blood Church under Curtis Kneblik. Children's and teen evangelization is led by Erica Rudemiller. Stephen Ministry offers confidential one-to-one pastoral care.
- OCIA for adults (contact Lynda Middleton, 937-228-1223)
- Catholic Life adult faith program (Wed evenings at Precious Blood)
- Religious Education for children and teens
- Stephen Ministry — one-to-one pastoral care
- Adult Faith Formation directed by Curtis Kneblik
Music and Liturgy
Music at St. Joseph is directed by Music Director Bradley Wilson ([email protected]). Across the St. Gaspar Family, Marianne Pitts serves as Director of Music and Liturgy, supporting music at each parish and coordinating special liturgies, holy days, and family-wide celebrations.
- Music Director at St. Joseph: Bradley Wilson
- Family Director of Music and Liturgy: Marianne Pitts
Outreach and Parish Life
Parish outreach is organized at the family level through 'Love in Action,' directed by Matt Ruttle, and through the parish prayer list, which combines the intercessions of all six St. Gaspar parishes as a sign of their shared faith. Stewardship is coordinated by Sue Seibert, and communications across the family are managed by Joan Macpherson. Parish offices are reachable at (937) 228-9272, with the parish e-mail [email protected].
- Love in Action outreach directed by Matt Ruttle
- Director of Stewardship: Sue Seibert
- Combined family prayer list
- Communications Director: Joan Macpherson
- Office Manager: Gine Elliott; Business Manager: Christopher Lockhart
Visit, Contact and Location
St. Joseph Church is located at 411 East Second Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402, on the same downtown corner where the parish has stood since 1847. The parish office may be reached at (937) 228-9272 (fax 937-228-6144) and by e-mail at [email protected]. Visitors are welcome at all scheduled Masses and confession times, and the church's Italian Renaissance architecture is a point of interest for anyone touring Dayton's historic houses of worship.
- Address: 411 E. Second Street, Dayton, OH 45402
- Phone: (937) 228-9272
- Email: [email protected]
- Parish website: www.stjosephdayton.org
- Family hub: stgasparfamily.org
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick O'Meally (O'Mealy)1847–1849 (some sources 1847–1857)
Founder and first pastor; led the first planning meeting on Nov. 1, 1846 and oversaw the building of the first church dedicated in 1848.
- Rev. Joseph O'Meally1849–
Brother of Patrick; succeeded him as pastor.
- Rev. Thomas J. Boulger1852–
Listed as a successor in 1852.
- Rev. D. J. Kelly (David Kelley)1857–
Completed the church steeple, clock tower and largest bell in the city in 1859.
- Rev. William F. O'Rourke1867–
Pastor during late 1860s.
- Rev. Richard Gilmour1869–
Later became Bishop of Cleveland.
- Rev. William M. Carey1872–
Served in the 1870s.
- Rev. Gerald Grace1878–
Brief pastorate in 1878.
- Rev. James O'Donoghue1879–
Served in early 1880s.
- Rev. Patrick Cusack1883–
Late 19th-century pastor.
- Rev. William D. Hickeyc. 1891–1917
Longest-tenured pastor; planned and directed construction of the present Italian Renaissance church dedicated in 1910; built the parochial residence (now Dayton Deanery); served as dean of the Dayton Deanery and member of Archbishop Moeller's council and the Archdiocesan school board; later chaplain of the Convent of the Good Shepherd.
- Rev. Frank Varley1917–June 1928
Succeeded Hickey.
- Rev. James WardJune 1928–August 1930
Described in local histories as 'of revered memory.'
- Rev. David PowersAugust 1930–
Pastor as recorded in mid-20th-century Dayton histories.
- Rev. John Menscik, C.PP.S.early 2000s
Listed as pastor of St. Joseph among C.PP.S.-staffed Precious Blood parishes.
- Rev. Angelo Anthony, C.PP.S.2010s–
Pastor of the Dayton Region Seven parishes including St. Joseph; pastor of Emmanuel, Holy Trinity and St. Joseph.
- Rev. Anthony (Tony) Fortman, C.PP.S.2020s–present
Current pastor of the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes (Emmanuel, Holy Trinity, Precious Blood, St. Joseph, St. Paul, St. Rita) under the Beacons of Light initiative.