About St. Joseph · New Orleans, Louisiana
St. Joseph Church is a historic Roman Catholic parish in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in February 1844 and entrusted since 1858 to the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission, C.M.). The present sanctuary — dedicated on December 18, 1892 — is one of the city's most striking houses of worship, with a 150-foot interior ceiling, a 12-by-150-foot main aisle (the longest in New Orleans), and seating for 1,800 to 2,000 people. Today the parish describes itself as a diverse, multicultural family drawing worshippers from across the Greater New Orleans area, and the church grounds also house the St. Joseph Rebuild Center, a collaborative ministry serving homeless and poor neighbors through daily meals, showers, medical care, and housing case management.
- Established
- 1844
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Ed Murphy, C.M.
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
St. Joseph welcomes worshippers from every corner of the Greater New Orleans area to a historic, multicultural parish where the Eucharist sits at the center of community life. Daily noon Mass, two Sunday Masses (10:00 AM and 8:30 PM), and a weekly confession schedule make it easy to plug in. Beyond the liturgy, parishioners join a Vincentian family rooted in service to the poor — supporting the on-site Rebuild Center that feeds, clothes, and houses neighbors in need, and growing in faith through lifelong formation, RCIA, the Marian Sodality, and active parish ministries.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 11:50 AM – 12:10 PM
- Fridays 11:50 AM – 12:10 PM
- Sundays 7:45 PM – 8:15 PM
About St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Parish is a welcoming, multicultural Catholic family in downtown New Orleans whose members travel from across the Greater New Orleans area to worship together. The parish community describes itself as a growing, vibrant family that strives to be inclusive of everyone who joins, celebrating each member's growth in Christ's love. Through prayer and service, the parish family works to bring together the diverse community in which it lives — to love, heal, and support one another.
- The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.
- Life-long Faith Formation is a constant priority.
- Diversity is cherished and celebrated.
- The needs of the poor and disenfranchised drive us to serve.
- Family is welcomed and supported.
- The sharing of time, talent and treasure is a way of life.
Our History
St. Joseph Parish was founded in February 1844 to serve a growing population in the New Orleans area. The original Gothic church stood on Tulane Avenue opposite Charity Hospital and was later renamed St. Katherine Church before being demolished in 1964. In 1858, the Archdiocese of New Orleans entrusted the parish to the Vincentian Fathers (Congregation of the Mission, C.M.), making Fr. John Hayden, C.M. the first of many Vincentian pastors. Father Hayden built schools for boys (1859) and girls (1864) and purchased the very square where the present-day church stands (1866). The current building was dedicated December 18, 1892 and opened January 1, 1893.
- 1844 — Parish established; first pastors Edward D'Hauw and B. M. Poyet.
- 1858 — Parish entrusted to the Vincentians; Fr. John Hayden, C.M. first Vincentian pastor.
- 1859 — Boys' school opened (Christian Brothers).
- 1864 — Girls' school opened (Daughters of Charity).
- 1866 — Hayden purchases the square where the present church stands.
- 1892 — Current church dedicated on December 18.
- 1893 — Officially opened for parochial services on January 1.
- 1895 — Original church placed under the patronage of St. Katherine.
- 1964 — Original St. Katherine Church demolished.
- 2005 — After Katrina, Fr. Perry Henry, C.M. helps found the Rebuild Center on parish grounds.
- 2011–2023 — Fr. Tom Stehlik, C.M. serves as pastor and expands the Rebuild Center.
- 2023 — Fr. Ed Murphy, C.M. becomes the current pastor.
A New Orleans Icon
The present St. Joseph Church is one of the most visually arresting houses of worship in the city. Its sheer scale — a 100-by-200-foot interior, a 95-foot ceiling, a 150-foot-tall exterior, and 1,800–2,000 seats — makes it a downtown landmark. The main aisle, 12 feet wide and 150 feet long, is the longest in New Orleans. Medallions over the front exterior entrance represent Pope Pius IX and Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché (1805–1883).
St. Joseph Rebuild Center
Founded after Hurricane Katrina by then-pastor Fr. Perry Henry, C.M., the St. Joseph Rebuild Center (1803 Gravier St., on the parish grounds) is a coalition of Catholic and other faith-based organizations that provides a safe, dignified environment where the homeless and those in need can rest, get services, and find food. The Center feeds approximately 150 people a day and is built around the collaboration of several religious communities and agencies.
- Lantern Light / Feed Jesus — daily breakfast and lunch (504-273-5573)
- Harry Tompson Center — showers, restroom facilities, mail, phone, notary, ID help, medical, mental-health, hygiene kits
- Presentation Sisters — meals five days a week, ID assistance, mail for the homeless, TB testing, prescription assistance
- DePaul USA New Orleans — emergency groceries, financial assistance, and housing with case management (504-273-5561)
- Birth Certificate Assistance — Mondays
- Legal Aid — Mondays & Wednesdays, 8 AM
- ID Assistance — Tuesdays, 8 AM
- Phone & Notary — Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 12:15 PM
- Computer — Wednesdays, 9:30–11:30 AM
- Resume Typing — Thursdays
Faith Formation & Sacraments
The parish welcomes all who wish to grow in Christ, offering lifelong faith formation and sacramental preparation for every stage of life. Baptisms are not typically celebrated during Lent or Advent except in emergencies; parents and godparents must first attend an instruction session presented by Sr. Claire, D.C. Couples are asked to contact the parish at least 4–6 months before a wedding; the wedding director (Gina Fulton, ext. 141) reserves the time and date after the priest is contacted.
- Baptism (instruction required)
- First Communion & Reconciliation Formation
- Confirmation & Youth Sacramental Preparation
- Adult Sacramental Preparation
- Marriage Preparation (4–6 months)
- Anointing of the Sick / Communion of the Sick
- Funerals
Parish Ministries & Community Life
Beyond the liturgy and the Rebuild Center, the parish supports a wide range of ministries and devotional groups, including the RCIA program for adults entering the Church and the Marian Sodality of the Miraculous Medal. Newcomers are encouraged to register so the parish can welcome them into the full life of the community; Father Ed Murphy, C.M., sends a personal welcome letter to each new registrant.
- RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Marian Sodality of the Miraculous Medal
- New Parishioner Registration (online form or in person)
- Volunteer Corps — opportunities at the church and Rebuild Center
- Marriage Preparation couples
- Baptismal instruction (Sr. Claire, D.C.)
Parish Staff
St. Joseph is led by Fr. Ed Murphy, C.M., a Vincentian priest from Chicago who joined the parish in August 2023 after 42 years of ministry in St. Louis, Missouri. He is assisted by a Daughters of Charity pastoral associate, two receptionists, a Mission and Service coordinator, and a housekeeping team.
- Rev. Ed Murphy, C.M. — Pastor
- Sr. Claire Edwards, D.C. — Pastoral Associate
- Gina Fulton — Receptionist, Wedding Director
- Kelly Kethman — Receptionist
- Tasheena Butler — Mission and Service Coordinator
- Rose Mary McDonald — Housekeeping
- Jane Tonglet — Housekeeping
Contact & Visiting
St. Joseph's church office sits right at 1802 Tulane Avenue, in the heart of New Orleans' Central Business District. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (per the website) or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (per the parish bulletin), excluding holidays. Visitors and newcomers are warmly invited to stop by, register online, or call ahead with questions about sacraments, volunteering, or the Rebuild Center.
- Address: 1802 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112
- Phone: 504-522-3186
- Fax: 504-522-3171
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.stjosephchurch-no.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/SJCNOLA
- Rebuild Center address: 1803 Gravier St., New Orleans, LA 70112
- Parish office hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM – 3 PM (website) / 9 AM – 5 PM (bulletin), excluding holidays
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Edward D'Hauw1844 (first pastor)
One of the two founding diocesan priests of the parish.
- B. M. Poyet1844 (first pastor)
Co-founding diocesan priest alongside Fr. D'Hauw.
- Rev. John Hayden, C.M.1858–
First Vincentian pastor; built a boys' school (1859) and girls' school (1864); purchased the square of ground where the present church stands (1866).
- Fr. Perry Henry, C.M.
Pastor in the years following Hurricane Katrina (2005); instrumental in founding the St. Joseph Rebuild Center by bringing together Catholic and other faith-based agencies on the parish grounds.
- Fr. Tom Stehlik, C.M.2011–2023
Grew the parish's diverse, active community; expanded the Rebuild Center's services.
- Rev. Ed Murphy, C.M.2023–present
Joined St. Joseph as pastor in August 2023; previously served 42 of his 44 priestly years in St. Louis, MO.