St. Joseph

Parish History

St. Joseph's roots reach back to 1891, when area Catholics gathered for Mass in a private home in Millersville offered by Mrs. Easby Smith. A small frame church followed in 1902 on land donated by Mrs. Josephine Cecil, and in 1909 the first Mass was celebrated at Woodward Memorial Chapel. The Redemptorists built the first St. Joseph church on Becknell Avenue in 1924 largely from Fort Meade discards, and Fr. Joseph Borgmann celebrated its opening Mass on September 28, 1924. After the parish moved to its present Odenton Road campus in 1962, it grew rapidly, transitioned through the Vatican II era, became independent in 1973, dedicated a new worship space in 1980, and watched its Redemptorist pastors give way in 1999 to its first diocesan pastor. In 2014 it merged with the Church of the Holy Apostles–Gambrills to form the Greater Odenton Catholic Community, and in 2024 it celebrated its centennial.

• 1891 — Catholics gather in the Millersville home of Mrs. Easby Smith
• 1902 — small frame church built on land donated by Mrs. Josephine Cecil
• 1909 — first Mass at Woodward Memorial Chapel
• 1924 — Redemptorist-built church opens on Becknell Avenue; first Mass by Fr. Joseph Borgmann, CSSR (September 28, 1924)
• 1962 — Fr. Otterbein relocates the old church to 9.3 acres on Odenton Road; first resident pastor
• 1973 — St. Joseph becomes an independent parish under Fr. Hugh Corrigan
• 1980 — new church, offices and hall dedicated by Archbishop William Borders (September 28, 1980)
• 1982 — RCIA program begun by Fr. Friel and Sr. Mary Lita Friia; Fr. Poux named Associate
• 1986 — C. Richard Swann ordained a permanent deacon for the parish
• 1993 — Fr. Harrison becomes pastor; modernizes records
• 1999 — 75th Anniversary; Redemptorists withdraw; Deacon David Page ordained; Fr. William Viola becomes first diocesan pastor
• 2000–2001 — church and Corrigan Hall expanded
• 2004 — Holy Spirit stained-glass window installed over the entrance
• 2011 — Corrigan Hall renovated
• July 1, 2014 — merger with Church of the Holy Apostles–Gambrills takes effect at the St. Joseph campus, forming the Greater Odenton Catholic Community
• 2024 — 100th anniversary celebrated

Mission, Vision and Identity

The parish describes itself as grounded in its '4 B's' — to BUILD a community where people BELONG, BELIEVE, and BEAR WITNESS to God's love, hope, and mercy. Its stated vision is 'to be a beacon of God's love and hope in service to all people.' Since 2014 the parish has also been known as the Greater Odenton Catholic Community, reflecting the merger with the former Holy Apostles–Gambrills community.

Parish Staff and Leadership

The parish is led by Fr. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP, supported by Deacon David Roling (Pastoral Associate, contact for OCIC) and an office team. Together they handle everything from sacramental records and weddings to music ministry, faith formation, and facility reservations.

• Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP — Pastor (contact for funerals, weddings, spirituality)
• Deacon David Roling — Pastoral Associate (contact for OCIC)
• Briana Kaczmarek — Office Manager and VIRTUS Coordinator (VIRTUS, bulletin, baptisms, facilities, Mass cards, sacramental records)
• Allyson DeLozier — Director of Music / Music Ministry
• Brian Ten Eyck — Director of Religious Education (Family Faith Formation, First Communion, Confirmation, VBS)
• Diane Aragon — Bookkeeper (giving records, taxes, BINGO)
• Don Williams — Facilities
• Parish Pastoral Council chaired by Jason Pinkerton, with Andrea Ten Eyck (Vice Chair) and Stephanie Cottman (Secretary)

Sacrament Preparation and OCIA / OCIC

Initiation, Confirmation, First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, Infant Baptism, and Marriage each have dedicated preparation paths. Adult and children seeking initiation journey through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) and OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation of Children) respectively. Families register children for sacraments through the Director of Religious Education.

• OCIA — Adults, contact Deacon David Roling
• OCIC — Children, contact Deacon David Roling
• Confirmation (grades 4–8, integrated into Family Faith Formation from 2026–2027) — Brian Ten Eyck
• First Eucharist preparation — Brian Ten Eyck
• First Reconciliation preparation — Brian Ten Eyck
• Infant Baptism — Parish Office
• Marriage preparation — Fr. Augustine
• Anointing of the Sick / homebound visits — Fr. Augustine
• Funeral arrangements — Parish Office (410-674-9238)

Family Faith Formation (Pre-K through 8th Grade)

Family Faith Formation is presented as more than a class: it empowers the whole family through classroom experiences, at-home activities, community-building events, and parent faith-formation. Beginning in 2026–2027, the typical age of Confirmation shifts from 9th grade to 4th grade, so the Confirmation preparation course is being integrated into the Family Faith Formation curriculum for that year. Registration for the following academic year is open. Sacramental tracks (Eucharist Prep grades 2+, Confirmation grades 4–8, Confirmation grade 9, etc.) each have their own schedule, registration, and fees.

• Family Faith Formation for Pre-K through 8th grade
• Confirmation (grades 4–8) integrated into the FF curriculum (Fall '26 or Spring '27 Mass)
• Eucharist Prep (grades 2+) — separate schedule, separate registration, separate fee
• Confirmation (grade 9) — separate schedule and registration
• Director: Brian Ten Eyck ([email protected])

Liturgical Ministries

A full team of liturgical volunteers supports each Mass at St. Joseph, from the sanctuary to the sound booth. The parish also has a Cultural Diversity Committee and a Worship Council that help shape the liturgical experience.

• Altar Servers
• Environment
• Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
• Lectors
• Mass Coordinators
• Music Ministry (Director: Allyson DeLozier)
• Audio/Visual Ministry
• Ushers & Greeters
• Cultural Diversity Committee
• Worship Council

Parish Life, Fellowship and Discipleship

Faith formation extends well beyond the classroom into community life for every age and stage. Walking with Purpose, Our Lady's Sodality, the Men's Group, the Craft Group, a Young Adults community, and Middle School and High School Youth Ministry all keep parishioners connected outside of Mass.

• Walking with Purpose
• Our Lady's Sodality
• Men's Group
• Craft Group
• Young Adults
• Vacation Bible School
• Middle School Youth Ministry
• High School Youth Ministry

Sick, Bereavement and Pastoral Care

The parish maintains an extensive network of lay ministers who walk with the sick, homebound, and bereaved. The 'Bernadette Ministry' umbrella organizes visitation and prayer support; Rosary Makers supply spiritual aids; Grief to Growth accompanies mourners; and dedicated teams welcome families after funerals.

• Bernadette Visitation Ministers
• Prayer Shawl Crafters
• Fleece Blanket Crafters
• Rosary Making
• Grief to Growth
• Home-bound Ministry
• Funeral Receptions
• Fishes & Loaves
• Nurses Ministry
• Prayer Ministry

Outreach and Charity

Outreach is core to the parish mission. In addition to ongoing partnerships, the parish runs an annual Advent Outreach appeal, and members regularly serve at area shelters and in international mission work.

• Advent Outreach
• Arundel House of Hope
• Christian Assistance
• Giving Back / Linda's Legacy
• Haiti Ministry
• Immigration Assistance Ministry
• Our Daily Bread
• Support the Troops
• Hospitality

Parish Organizations and Youth Service

St. Joseph is home to active fraternal and scouting organizations, as well as a BINGO program that supports parish finances.

• Knights of Columbus Council 2563
• Venturing Crew 3141
• Boy Scouts Pack 127
• Parish BINGO

Parish Pastoral Council (PPC)

The PPC is led jointly by the pastor and the lay executive committee, and provides parishioners a direct line to its work. Council members represent a cross-section of the parish, and any parishioner concerns or comments can be sent to [email protected].

• Fr. Augustine Inwang, MSP — Pastor (ex officio)
• Dcn. Dave Roling — Pastoral Associate (ex officio)
• Jason Pinkerton — Chair
• Andrea Ten Eyck — Vice Chair
• Stephanie Cottman — Secretary
• Council members: Bryon Bracey, Mary Hankinson, Betty Brooks, Laurie Curry, Terri McKernan, Ryan Arnold, Robert Mutschler, Louise Casamento

Campus, Architecture and the 'Old Church'

The parish campus, set on Odenton Road, contains the present worship space dedicated in 1980, parish offices, Corrigan Hall (expanded and renovated in 2000–2001 and again in 2011), and the original 1924 Redemptorist church — relocated from Becknell Avenue in 1962 — which still stands at the top of the hill. A 2004 Holy Spirit stained-glass window was installed over the main entrance, and additional stained-glass windows were added in the church and chapel.

• Present church dedicated September 28, 1980 by Archbishop William Borders
• Corrigan Hall expanded/renovated in 2000–2001 and 2011
• The 'Old Church' relocated to Odenton Road in 1962, still on the property
• Holy Spirit window installed 2004; further stained-glass windows added in church and chapel

Contact and Pastoral Support

The parish encourages visitors to use the staff page and ministries list to direct inquiries to the right person. The general email address is [email protected] and the parish office number (410-674-9238) is staffed during business hours; after-hours emergencies are routed through the same line.

• 1283 Odenton Road, Odenton, MD 21113
• Phone: (410) 674-9238
• Email: [email protected]
• Office Manager: [email protected]
• After-hours emergencies: call the office line

Archdiocese of Baltimore

St. Joseph is one of the parishes of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the oldest Catholic diocese in the United States (established 1789). The archdiocese lists the parish under the name 'St. Joseph (Odenton)' and confirms the pastor as Rev. Augustine Inwang, M.S.P., as well as the current Mass and Confession schedule.