About St. Joseph · Meridian, Mississippi
St. Joseph Catholic Church is one of two parishes that make up the Catholic Community of Meridian in Meridian, Mississippi, alongside St. Patrick Church. Located in the city's East End Historic District at 1914 18th Avenue, St. Joseph was founded in 1910 by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) as Mount St. Joseph Mission, originally serving the African-American Catholic community of East Mississippi. Today it is a multicultural parish within the Diocese of Jackson that hosts Sunday Mass in English and shares the broader community's Spanish-language liturgy and devotions, including adoration, Divine Mercy chaplet, vespers, and the rosary. St. Joseph remains a vital worship site even though its historic school closed in 1970.
- Established
- 1910
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Father Augustine Palimattam
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jackson
Why belong here
St. Joseph welcomes anyone seeking a culturally diverse, prayerful Catholic home in Meridian. The parish celebrates Sunday Mass, a Tuesday evening daily Mass, First Friday healing Mass, and a wide range of devotions — adoration, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, vespers, and the rosary — often shared with St. Patrick. Families benefit from an active PSR (Parish School of Religion), Confirmation preparation, a Catholic Youth Organization, and a vacation Bible school, while adults can grow through the OCIA process, the ACES seniors group, prison ministry, and various liturgical roles.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every Mass
- First Friday of the month 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
- Saturday 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Each Thursday 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. in the St. Aloysius Chapel, St. Patrick Parish Center
Our Parishes & Catholic Community of Meridian
St. Joseph and St. Patrick parishes together form the Catholic Community of Meridian, a single canonical community with two historic worship sites, plus ministry to Naval Air Station Meridian and the surrounding Hispanic, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Korean communities. St. Patrick, the older of the two, traces to 1868, while St. Joseph — originally Mount St. Joseph Mission — was dedicated in 1910. Together they proclaim the reign of God through the Gospels, the teachings of the Church, and service to one another and the wider community.
- St. Patrick Church — first building dedicated 1868; St. Patrick School has served students of all faiths since 1873.
- St. Joseph Church — dedicated September 19, 1910 by Bishop Thomas Heslin.
- Joint pastor Father Augustine Palimattam and parochial vicar Father Carlisle Beggerly.
- Parish office: 2601 Davis Street, Meridian, MS 39301 (open 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Mon–Fri).
History of St. Joseph
Mount St. Joseph Mission was dedicated September 19, 1910 by Bishop Thomas Heslin as a mission church for African-American Catholics in Meridian. The first building, erected by Fr. John Hoenderop, SVD, was a two-story brick structure housing the Holy Spirit sisters upstairs and a chapel and classrooms below. Fr. James Wendell, SVD, became the first pastor on October 15, 1910. The parish operated a coeducational school until 1970 and offered adult literacy classes; the school building is long gone, but its legacy of faith and education endures. In 1995 Rev. Elvin Sunders became St. Joseph's first diocesan priest and 12th pastor, and under his leadership St. Joseph, St. Patrick, and St. Joseph of Cupertino at NAS Meridian formed the Catholic Community of Meridian. The parish celebrated its centennial September 10–12, 2010 with Bishop Joseph Latino as principal celebrant and received a papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI.
- Founded 1910 by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).
- Mother Katharine Drexel donated $11,000 toward construction.
- School closed April 1970 due to declining enrollment.
- Centennial celebrated in 2010 under the theme 'Honoring our Past, Celebrating our Present, Securing our Future.'
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Parish School of Religion (PSR) provides formal Catholic religious education for students in grades K–12 who attend area public schools and non-Catholic private schools. Children in 2nd grade prepare for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and 9th–10th graders complete a two-year Confirmation preparation program in accordance with the requirements of the Diocese of Jackson. Over fifty adults serve as catechists, co-catechists, and classroom aides across 13 classroom groups. Stewardship of time and talent is actively encouraged, with parents and parishioners involved in many ways.
- PSR meets Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
- Fees: $25 one child / $35 two children / $45 three or more.
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist prepared in Grade 2.
- Confirmation Prep in 9th grade, with reception of the sacrament following a two-year process.
- Contact: John Harwell (K–8th) at 601-693-1321 Ext 9; Angela Dove (Confirmation) at Ext 8.
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Catholic Community of Meridian's basic yet comprehensive faith formation program for those considering full communion with the Catholic Church. Sessions cover Church doctrine, the Sacraments, moral and social justice, Divine Revelation (Scripture and Tradition), and other key faith topics, with ample time for reflection, questions, and discussion. OCIA meets each Sunday from 9:00–10:30 a.m. in the Father Vally Room at the St. Patrick Parish Center, from September through Pentecost, and individuals may join at any time during the year.
- For the unbaptized, those baptized in another tradition, returning Catholics, Catholics completing the Sacraments of Initiation, and practicing Catholics seeking to refresh their faith.
- Contact: Ken Woodward, OCIA Coordinator, 601-693-1321 Ext 5, [email protected].
Youth Ministry (CYO & JCYO)
Angela Dove directs the Catholic Youth Organization, building Catholic faith among high-school-age youth through regular gatherings, service projects, and summer camp. The Junior CYO (JCYO), led by Mrs. Kristen Augustine, serves middle-school youth in grades 5–8. Both groups meet in the Family Life Center and complement the parish's Vacation Bible School each June.
- High School CYO: 9th–12th grades, meets 2nd and 4th Sundays at 4:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.
- Junior CYO: 5th–8th grades, led by Mrs. Kristen Augustine.
- Summer Camp at King's Camp in Mer Rouge, LA — girls July 13–16, boys July 16–19, $100 per participant.
- Vacation Bible School: June 23–27.
- Contact Angela Dove, Youth Director, 601-693-1321 Ext 8, [email protected].
Groups & Organizations
Beyond faith formation, the parish offers fellowship and outreach opportunities for parishioners of every age. The Active Christian Enthusiastic Seniors (ACES) brings together adults 50 and older for shared activities and service. Prison Ministry brings the Body of Christ to those incarcerated. Parishioners can also join the Music ministry or serve as Liturgical Ministers — altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and greeters and ushers — according to their gifts and schedules.
- Active Christian Enthusiastic Seniors (ACES) — adults 50+.
- Prison Ministry.
- Music Ministry.
- Liturgical Ministers: Altar Servers (4th grade and up), Lectors (adults and teens), Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Greeters and Ushers.
Liturgical Ministers
Volunteer liturgical ministers assist the clergy at every Mass. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are selected by the pastor from practicing Catholics in good standing who complete formation. Lectors proclaim Holy Scripture during the Liturgy of the Word after training and pastor approval. Altar servers (4th grade and up) assist at Mass, baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals. Greeters and ushers warmly welcome parishioners and visitors, distribute information, and take up the collections. Each ministry works on a rotating schedule and asks ministers to arrive 15 minutes before their assigned Mass.
- Altar Servers — children 4th grade and up.
- Lectors — adults and teens.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion — selected by the pastor.
- Greeters and Ushers — weekly commitment, rotating schedule.
Sacraments
The Catholic Community of Meridian prepares parishioners for the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist — as well as Reconciliation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Children prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion through the 2nd-grade PSR class; Confirmation requires a two-year program in 9th and 10th grades, per the Diocese of Jackson. The First Friday Healing Mass at St. Patrick Church includes the Anointing of the Sick. Couples and families seeking Baptism, Marriage, or other sacraments are invited to call the parish office.
- Baptism — contact the parish office.
- First Reconciliation and First Communion — 2nd-grade PSR.
- Confirmation — two-year preparation in 9th–10th grades.
- Anointing of the Sick — First Friday Healing Mass, 12:05 p.m., St. Patrick Church.
Our Staff & Contact
The Catholic Community of Meridian is served by two priests and a team of lay staff in the parish office. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with an emergency line for medical or sacramental emergencies. St. Patrick Catholic School, led by Principal Rob Calcote, continues the educational mission begun by the Holy Spirit sisters more than a century ago.
- Father Augustine Palimattam — Pastor, 601-693-1321 Ext 7.
- Father Carlisle Beggerly — Parochial Vicar, 601-693-1321 Ext 6.
- Kenneth Woodward — OCIA Coordinator, Ext 5.
- Mary Davis — Accountant, Ext 4.
- Angela Dove — Youth Director / PSR 9th–12th / Confirmation, Ext 8.
- John Harwell — Office Manager / PSR K–8th / Parish Administrator, Ext 9.
- Rob Calcote — Principal, St. Patrick Catholic School, 601-482-6044.
Giving, Bulletin & Visiting
Parishioners and friends can support the Catholic Community of Meridian and St. Patrick School by mail, online through the parish website, or through Scrip gift cards. The bulletin is delivered weekly by email through ParishesOnline; updates on funerals, weather cancellations, and parish news go out through Flocknote from Father Augustine. The parish office is ready to help homebound parishioners, those in nursing facilities, or anyone in the hospital — ministers are available to pray with families following hospital guidelines.
- Online giving link on the homepage at catholicmeridian.org.
- Mail contributions to St. Joseph Church (PO Box 532), St. Patrick Church (PO Box 529), or the Parish Office (2601 Davis Street), Meridian, MS 39301/39302.
- St. Patrick School donations: 2700 Davis Street, Meridian, MS 39301, or online at stpatrickcatholicschool.org.
- Bulletin by email: parishesonline.com/organization/st-patrick-church-39301.
- Hospital and homebound visits: call the parish office.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Wendell, SVD1910–
First pastor; mission grew 'phenomenally' under his leadership.
- Rev. Elvin Sunders1995–
St. Joseph's first diocesan priest and 12th pastor; organized St. Joseph, St. Patrick, and NAS Meridian into the Catholic Community of Meridian.
- Father Frank Cosgrovec. 2010
Pastor of the Catholic Community of Meridian at the time of the 2010 centennial.
- Rev. Matthew Simmonsc. 2016
14th pastor of St. Joseph; parish reported 243 members of many cultures.