About St. Joseph · Kingshill, Saint Croix Island
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish located at 1 Mount Pleasant in Frederiksted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, within the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The community traces its roots to a small group of Catholics who first gathered for the Eucharist at Castleberg in 1929, and it built its chapel at Mount Pleasant in 1946 under the pastoral care of the Redemptorist Fathers of St. Patrick. On January 8, 1973, Bishop Edward J. Harper canonically erected it as a parish, and it has grown into a worship and formation hub serving both English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics across the western end of St. Croix. Today the parish is led by Very Rev. Andrea Filippucci, S.T.L., who also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Thomas.
- Established
- 1973 (as a parish; chapel consecrated December 15, 1946; community origins trace to 1929)
- Patron
- Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Very Rev. Andrea Filippucci, S.T.L. (also Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Thomas)
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands (St. Croix Deanery)
Why belong here
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a bilingual, mission-driven parish where English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics worship side by side. It offers weekday and weekend Masses in both languages, a full schedule of devotions (Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our Lady of Fatima, Santo Niño, Divine Mercy, Pro-Life Rosary, Neocatechumenal Way), ongoing formation for adults and children, and a clear commitment to service through its core values of faith, worship, evangelization, discipleship, community and service. With twelve pastors in its history and roots going back to 1929, it is a deeply established community on the western end of St. Croix that welcomes people of all cultures and backgrounds.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
About St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish at 1 Mount Pleasant in Frederiksted, St. Croix, USVI, part of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The parish's mission statement describes it as a community 'Rooted in the Catholic faith' that proclaims the Gospel, celebrates the Sacraments, nurtures spiritual growth, and serves with 'love and mercy.' Its core value is 'Building together the Kingdom of God — by teaching, baptizing, and living the Good News in word and deed as one welcoming parish family.'
- Bilingual parish — English and Spanish
- Air-conditioned church
- Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands (St. Croix Deanery)
- Mission: to go forth and make disciples of all nations
- Core values: Faith, Worship, Evangelization, Discipleship, Community, Service, Legacy
History
The community traces its origin to 1929, when a small group of Catholics gathered for the Eucharist at Castleberg with no fixed meeting place. After itinerant Masses at Great House in Estate Adventure, Estate "Big Diamond," Estate Lower Love and at the Rodriguez family home at Kofresi, the Redemptorist Fathers of St. Patrick built a chapel at Mount Pleasant in 1946, consecrated December 15, 1946 by Bishop James Peter Davis. On January 8, 1973, Bishop Edward J. Harper, C.Ss.R., canonically erected the community as a parish and the Columban Fathers assumed pastoral responsibility. The parish has since grown into a thriving bilingual community on the western end of St. Croix.
- 1929 — First Eucharistic gathering at Castleberg
- 1941 — Redemptorists purchase 2 acres at Estate Lower Love ($100/acre)
- 1946 — Land exchanged with V.I. Company for Mount Pleasant site; chapel built under Father Mark Knoll and Mr. Henry D. Brown
- December 15, 1946 — Chapel consecrated by Bishop James Peter Davis
- 1947 — Mark L. Milligan becomes first person baptized in the chapel
- 1973 — Canonically erected as a parish on January 8; Columban Fathers arrive
- 1976 — Parochial house completed and blessed
From Mission to Parish (1946–1973)
Between the chapel's consecration in 1946 and its erection as a parish in 1973, St. Joseph grew as a mission of St. Patrick under Redemptorist care. The sacraments of baptism, First Communion, confession and matrimony were celebrated on a regular basis; religious education for First Communion was taught in parishioners' homes. After St. Croix's population surged from 20,000 in 1960 to 45,000 in 1970 and nearly 60,000 in 1980, Bishop Harper opened dialogue with the Columban Fathers and on May 17, 1973 asked Father Hugh O'Rourke to assume responsibility for the new parish.
- Served as a mission chapel of St. Patrick's Redemptorists (1946–1973)
- Bishop Edward J. Harper, C.Ss.R., led transition to parish status
- Columban Fathers invited in 1972–1973
Priests Assigned at St. Joseph's Since Becoming a Parish (1973–Present)
The parish website publishes a full list of pastors, administrators and parochial vicars since 1973, beginning with Father Charles E. Degnan, SSC, and continuing through twelve pastors to the current pastor, Father Andrea Filippucci, S.T.L.
- 1973–1978 — Father Charles E. Degnan, SSC (Pastor)
- 1978–1981 — Father Carlyle R. Blake, CSsR (Administrator)
- 1981–1985 — Father Arnold W. de Porter (Pastor); Father James Halloway (PV)
- 1985–1992 — Father Robert H. McGuigan (Pastor); Father Adalberto Martinez (PV)
- 1992–1995 — Father Jose G. Herrera (Pastor); 1994–1995 Father Serapio Lopez Cruz, OFM (PV)
- 1995–1998 — Father Serapio Lopez Cruz, OFM Cap (Administrator); 1996–1997 Father Michael Onyekwere (PV)
- 1998–1999 — Father Gervasio Malave (Administrator)
- 2000–2006 — Father Cecil Corneille (Pastor); 2001–2003 Father Charles Crespo (PV)
- 2007–2009 — Father Louis Kemayou (Pastor)
- 2009–2021 — Father John Mark (Pastor)
- 2021–2022 — Father Eduardo Ortiz Santiago (Pastor); Father John M. Fewel (PV)
- 2022–present — Father Andrea Filippucci (Pastor); Father Victor L. Vitug PV (2022–2024); Father Benito Moreno PV (2025–)
Devotions and Pastoral Activities
The parish's 'Pastoral Work' page lists a rich schedule of ongoing devotions, formation gatherings and ministries, in addition to its regular Masses. Groups meet weekly, monthly or on first-weekend patterns, and reflect the bilingual and multicultural character of the parish.
- Sacred Heart Society — First Sunday, 8:30 AM
- Pro-Life Rosary — Fridays, 5:00 PM
- Our Lady of Fatima — Mass, first Saturday, 7:00 AM
- Divine Mercy — Every other Saturday, 4:00 PM
- Religious Education — Saturdays, 9:00 AM
- Cursillo de Cristiandad — Sundays, 10:00 AM
- Santo Niño — First Saturday, 4:00 PM
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help — Wednesdays, 6:30 AM
- Neocatechumenal Way — Tuesdays 6:00 PM and Wednesdays 6:00 PM
- Grief and Loss Seminar — Last Tuesday, 1:00 PM
Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Very Rev. Andrea Filippucci, S.T.L., who serves both as pastor and as Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Thomas, and is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Benito Moreno, four deacons (one active and three retired), and a small lay and religious staff.
- Very Rev. Andrea Filippucci, S.T.L. — Pastor / Vicar General, Diocese of St. Thomas
- Rev. Benito Moreno — Parochial Vicar
- Dcn. James Verhoff (active)
- Dcn. Hector Arroyo, Dcn. Conrad Williams SFO, Dcn. Neville Charles (Retired)
- Ms. Carmen Romero — Parish Secretary
- Mrs. Petra Arroyo — Religious Education Coordinator
- Sr. Floriane Nkensi, S.S.T. — Director of Adult Formation
- Mrs. Esther F. Donelly — Parish Accountant (Volunteer)
Mission, Vision and Core Values
The parish's mission statement commits its members to going forth as disciples, proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the Sacraments, nurturing spiritual growth, and serving the community with love and mercy. Its vision is to be a 'visible sign of God's presence on St. Croix — welcoming all, forming disciples, and serving those in need.'
- Mission: Building together the Kingdom of God — by teaching, baptizing, and living the Good News
- Vision: A vibrant parish where faith, hope and love guide all that we do
- Core values: Faith, Worship, Evangelization, Discipleship, Community, Service, Legacy
Sacraments
St. Joseph celebrates the seven sacraments on a regular basis — baptism, Eucharist (First Communion), Confirmation, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders — as it has since its earliest years. The parish history notes that the sacraments of baptism, communion, confession and matrimony were celebrated on a permanent basis from the time of its erection as a parish in 1973, and that the first baptism in the chapel (Mark L. Milligan) took place in 1947.
- Baptism
- First Communion / Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Orders
Livestream and Online Connections
The parish livestreams Mass on both Facebook Live and YouTube, allowing parishioners at home or abroad to stay connected. Livestreams are scheduled for Saturday 4:30 PM and Sunday from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and the parish also accepts debit and credit card donations online.
- Facebook Live — St. Joseph's Channel (Saturdays 4:30 PM; Sundays 7:00 AM–12:00 PM)
- YouTube Live — St. Joseph's Channel (Saturdays 4:30 PM; Sundays 7:00 AM–12:00 PM)
- Debit and credit card donations accepted
- Bulletins available online
Visiting and Contact
St. Joseph Catholic Church welcomes all who wish to attend Mass, devotions, formation programs or simply visit the historic chapel at Mount Pleasant. The parish office can be reached by phone or mail.
- Address: 1 Mount Pleasant, Frederiksted, St. Croix, USVI 00840
- Mailing: P.O. Box 2150, St. Croix, USVI 00851
- Phone: 340-692-2005
- Fax: 340-692-2748
- Website: www.saintjosephvi.com (also www.sjccvi.com)
- Air-conditioned church
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Charles E. Degnan, SSC1973–1978
First pastor; a Columban Father. Began building the parochial house (completed 1976).
- Father Carlyle R. Blake, CSsR1978–1981
Administrator.
- Father Arnold W. de Porter1981–1985
Pastor; refreshed his Spanish in Mexico. Father James Halloway served as Parochial Vicar; Sister Clara Toebat, I.C.M., directed religious education (Aug 1981–Jul 1994).
- Father Robert H. McGuigan1985–1992
Pastor. Father Adalberto Martinez served as Parochial Vicar and intensified work with the Hispanic community.
- Father Jose G. Herrera1992–1995
First diocesan pastor of this diocese to serve St. Joseph; strengthened lay ministry (lectors, eucharistic ministers, altar servers). Father Serapio Lopez Cruz, OFM, joined as Parochial Vicar in Sept 1994.
- Father Serapio Lopez Cruz, OFM Cap1995–1998
Administrator; Father Michael Onyekwere served as Parochial Vicar (1996–1997).
- Father Gervasio Malave1998–1999
Administrator.
- Father Cecil Corneille2000–2006
Pastor; Father Charles Crespo served as Parochial Vicar (2001–2003).
- Father Louis Kemayou2007–2009
Pastor.
- Father John Mark2009–2021
Pastor; longest-tenured pastor in the parish's history.
- Father Eduardo Ortiz Santiago2021–2022
Pastor; Father John M. Fewel served as Parochial Vicar.
- Father Andrea Filippucci2022–present
Current pastor; also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Thomas. Father Victor L. Vitug served as Parochial Vicar (2022–2024), succeeded by Father Benito Moreno (2025–).