About St. Joseph (Latin Mass Parish) · Toledo, Ohio
St. Joseph Parish is a diocesan Catholic parish in downtown Toledo, Ohio, dedicated exclusively to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, 1962 Missal). Founded in 1854 to serve French and Canadian Catholic families in early Toledo, the parish remains the third oldest in the Diocese of Toledo and continues in its mission of providing reverent, ad orientem worship with instructional homilies. Located at 628 Locust Street, it draws parishioners from across the region who value its liturgical traditions, confessional life, and tightly knit parish community.
- Established
- 1854
- Patron
- St. Joseph (spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, foster father of Jesus Christ)
- Rector
- Fr. Nathan Bockrath
- Diocese
- Diocese of Toledo (in America), Ohio, United States
Why belong here
St. Joseph is the home of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Toledo, offering the 1962 Roman Missal in a beautifully adorned downtown church with ad orientem worship and instruction-minded homilies. The parish pairs that liturgical life with a rich devotional rhythm — weekly and first-Saturday Masses, the Rosary before Sunday Mass, confession before each Mass and by appointment, and a tightly woven community through the Men's Group, Latin Class, Young Adult leadership, and parish bulletin. For Catholics seeking the Extraordinary Form in northwest Ohio, it is the historic, authorized, and welcoming place to belong.
Mass times at St. Joseph (Latin Mass Parish)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 8:00 AM (before the 9:00 AM High Mass)
- First Saturday 7:15 AM (before the 8:00 AM Mass)
- Also by appointment
Parish Identity and Mission
St. Joseph Parish is a downtown Toledo Catholic community wholly dedicated to the Traditional Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (1962 Missal). The parish mission statement, highlighted on the home page, frames the community as being 'about saving souls for Christ' — a goal pursued through reverent liturgy, sacramental focus, instructional homilies, and an urban parish life marked by traditional Catholic devotion.
- Pastoral mission: saving souls for Christ through reverent Traditional Latin liturgy
- Threefold identity: confessional, ceremonial, and community-based Catholic parish
- Welcoming to newcomers, including instructional videos for those new to the ad orientem Mass
History of St. Joseph Parish
Founded in the summer of 1854 by the French missionary Father Charles Evrard, St. Joseph is the third oldest parish in the Diocese of Toledo. Fr. Evrard built a small brick chapel on Ursuline convent grounds on Erie Street to serve some 150 French and Canadian families. Fr. James Rouchy became the first resident pastor in February 1863 and laid the groundwork for the present church, which began on Locust Street in 1870, was completed under Fr. Sauvadet, and was dedicated December 8, 1879.
- 1854: Parish founded by Fr. Charles Evrard as a French national parish
- 1854: First chapel built on Ursuline grounds on Erie Street for $1,800
- 1863: Fr. James Rouchy becomes the first resident pastor
- 1870: Lots acquired at Erie and Locust Streets; current brick church begun under Fr. Jecker
- 1878: Fr. Andrew Sauvadet begins pastorate; interior work completed
- December 8, 1879: Church dedicated by Fr. W. Kockerols as Bishop's delegate
- 1889: Rectory building at 626 Locust Street purchased for $2,800
- 1892–1913: Fr. Nougaret renovates sanctuary, installs new pews, stations, and frescoing
- 1920: Fire destroys high altar; statues of St. Joseph and others preserved
- 1943: Parish school consolidated with St. Francis de Sales under Bishop Alter
- 1951–1957: Fr. Joseph Kaufman's decade of renovations, organ, pews, redecoration
Architecture and Sacred Furnishings
The Locust Street church shows traces of French Gothic influence, although, as the parish history notes, its style is not easily classified within a single historical category. Its interior reflects a century and a half of accreted devotion: red oak pews, a Schantz pipe organ, electrified bells, and historic statues that survived the 1920 fire.
- French Gothic hints in the exterior lines
- Schantz pipe organ installed 1954
- Appalachian red oak pews installed 1957, seating 322 in nave and choir
- Statues above the main altar of St. Joseph (1878), Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart, and St. John the Evangelist (1878)
- Statue of Our Savior in the Sepulcher, donated 1902
- Electrified bells and new wrought-iron lights added under Fr. Kaufman
Clergy and Parish Staff
St. Joseph Parish is currently served by its pastor and parochial vicar along with a small, dedicated lay staff. The parish contact page identifies each member of the team by role, and the parish regularly schedules the priests' availability around Mass and confession times.
- Pastor: Fr. Nathan Bockrath
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Kevin Moebius
- Young Adult Leader: Mr. Henry Keller
- Office Manager: Mrs. Jenifer Rizzi
- Maintenance: Mr. Michael
- Organist: Mr. Jim Burns
- Organist: Mr. Patrick Toneff
- Sacristan
Parish Ministries and Faith Formation
St. Joseph offers formation and fellowship rooted in the Latin Mass tradition. The Men's Group, Latin Class, and young adult ministry run on a regular post-Mass schedule in Sacred Heart Hall, while the parish website provides instructional videos for newcomers learning to follow the ad orientem Mass.
- Men's Group — meets after 9:00 AM Mass in Sacred Heart Hall (e.g., July 12, 2026)
- Latin Class — meets after 9:00 AM Mass in Sacred Heart Hall (e.g., July 26, 2026)
- Young Adult Ministry under Mr. Henry Keller
- Instructional videos on the Traditional Latin Mass for newcomers
- Sermon recordings and homily videos posted under 'Recordings' on the parish site
- Bulletin and announcements on the home page
Sacraments and Sacramentals
Beyond the Mass, the parish lists specific sacramental arrangements on its 'Who We Are' page, directing the faithful to contact the parish office for marriage preparation and to inquire about Holy Orders. Sacramentals such as the Rosary are integrated into the weekly schedule.
- Confession: Sunday 8:00 AM, First Saturday 7:15 AM, and by appointment
- Marriage: by appointment (contact the parish office)
- Holy Orders: vocations welcomed (contact the parish office)
- Rosary: Sunday 8:30 AM and First Saturday 7:30 AM
Contact, Location, and Office Information
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The church itself is at 628 Locust Street in downtown Toledo, while mail should be directed to the separate Lagrange Street mailing address. General office and Mass inquiries are handled during business hours, with announcements posted to the home page bulletin as needed.
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
- Office phone: 419-261-3928
- Email: [email protected]
- Church (worship) address: 628 Locust Street, Toledo, OH 43640
- Mailing address: 3233 Lagrange Street, Toledo, OH 43608
- Downtown / urban Toledo setting
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Charles Evrard1854–1863
French missionary founder of St. Joseph Parish; built the original brick chapel on the Ursuline grounds on Erie Street in 1854 with about $1,800 raised from a $600 subscription.
- Fr. James Rouchy1863–?
First resident pastor of St. Joseph, appointed February 1863; acquired the Erie and Locust Street lots in 1870 and began the present brick church.
- Fr. Jecker
Succeeded Fr. Rouchy and commenced the present Locust Street brick church but lacked the means to complete it.
- Fr. Andrew Sauvadet1878–?
Took over in January 1878; completed the church interior and oversaw its dedication on December 8, 1879; built a brick school addition in 1880.
- Fr. Braire?-1892
Converted the rectory into a two-room school; died in office in 1892.
- Fr. Nougaret1892–1913
Renovated the sanctuary, installed new pews, stations of the cross, and frescoing; oversaw enlargement of the sacristy.
- Fr. Joseph Kaufmanfrom September 1951
Administrator who reshaped the parish plant: 1954 Schantz organ, electrified bells, new doors and communion rail, 1957 redecoration, red oak pews seating 322.
- Fr. Stephen Majoroslate 1990s
Referenced in 1999 coverage as the parish priest who retained the parish's traditional liturgical character after Vatican II.
- Fr. Matthew R. Rader
Listed as former Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, Toledo and Priest Leader, Central Catholic High School (Diocese of Toledo appointments list).
- Fr. David D. Kidd
Listed as Pastor, Saint Joseph Parish, Toledo and Priest Leader, Central Catholic High School, Toledo (Diocese of Toledo appointments list).