About St. Joseph · Petersburg, Virginia
St. Joseph Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Richmond, located in historic downtown Petersburg, Virginia. The parish was organized in 1820, making it one of the oldest Catholic communities in the Richmond diocese, and its current French Gothic Revival church building on West Washington Street has anchored the city since the 1890s. St. Joseph serves a diverse community that includes the affiliated Saint Joseph Catholic School (JK–8, founded 1876), a parish cemetery on South Crater Street, prison ministry at the Petersburg City Jail and Jail Farm, and pastoral care at Southside Regional Medical Center. Worship is offered in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms of the Roman Rite, with daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil, and two Sunday Masses.
- Established
- 1820
- Patron
- Saint Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Gino Rossi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a historic, downtown parish that warmly welcomes new members and offers the full rhythm of Catholic liturgical life — daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil, two Sunday Masses, the Extraordinary Form on Thursdays, weekly confession, a Tuesday Holy Hour, and the Rosary before every weekend Mass. Families can send their children to the parish's own Saint Joseph Catholic School (JK–8), and the parish runs a full faith-formation program for Pre-K through high school, a young adult council (Petersburg Catholic Young Adults, 18–35), and Exploring Catholicism/OCIA classes for those curious about the faith. Active outreach to the Petersburg City Jail, the Jail Farm, and Southside Regional Medical Center, plus a parish cemetery on South Crater Street, give parishioners concrete ways to serve the wider Petersburg community.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:00–6:00 PM (during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Saturday 3:30–5:00 PM (parish schedule) / 3:00–4:45 PM (Diocese of Richmond listing)
- Sunday 30 minutes prior to Mass (Diocese listing gives 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM)
Adoration times
- Tuesday 5:00–6:00 PM — Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Confession
Parish History
St. Joseph was organized in 1820, with Mass first celebrated in a Petersburg home. The first church, a frame, temple-form building at Washington and Market Streets, was built in 1841–42 and dedicated by Bishop Richard Vincent Whelan. The present French Gothic Revival church replaced it on the same site in 1894–1896 and has anchored downtown Petersburg ever since.
- Parish organized: 1820
- First church built: 1841–42, dedicated 1842
- Present Gothic Revival church built: 1894–1896
- Saint Joseph Catholic School founded: January 17, 1876 by the Daughters of Charity
- School relocated to 123 Franklin Street: first building 1916, second building 1956
- Parish hall built next to school: 1932
The Building and 2021–22 Renovation
Designed in the French Gothic Revival style, the red-brick church features two dramatic towers topped by copper-colored spires, pointed-arch windows between strip pilasters, and an ornate tin ceiling and high altar inside. Beginning around 2017 under former pastor Father Brian Capuano, the parish undertook a roughly $350,000 restoration — completed in late 2021 — that returned the high altar to its original central position in the sanctuary and refinished the tin ceiling, soapstone floors, wood floors, pews, and kneelers. Bishop Barry C. Knestout dedicated the renovated church on January 8, 2022, during the Year of St. Joseph.
- Style: French / Victorian Gothic Revival
- Construction: 1894–1896 (red brick with stone trim)
- Restoration completed: late 2021
- Dedication Mass: January 8, 2022 by Bishop Barry C. Knestout
- Total renovation cost: approximately $350,000
Devotions and Holy Hours
The parish keeps several traditional devotions woven into its weekly rhythm, including a Tuesday Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the Rosary prayed before every weekend Mass.
- Tuesday Holy Hour: 5:00 PM (with Confession and Exposition)
- Most Holy Rosary: 30 minutes before each weekend Mass
- Holy Day Masses: 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Joseph is described by the parish as a 'relational ministry' — rooted in encounter with Christ rather than just curriculum. The Coordinator of Religious Education, Cassandra Smith, oversees programs for children, youth, and adults that meet primarily on Sundays at the parish school or hall.
- Pre-K 4 through 5th grade — Sunday classes, 9:45–10:50 AM at St. Joseph School
- Middle School Ministry (grades 6–8)
- Confirmation preparation (high school, SJLT) — Sunday afternoons 3:00–5:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- Exploring Catholicism / OCIA — Tuesday 6:30 PM and Sunday 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall
- Adult Forum — Sunday 9:45–11:00 AM at St. Joseph School cafeteria
- Lenten Book Study — five-week Tuesday series after the 8:30 AM Mass
- Saint Joseph Young Adult Council / Petersburg Catholic Young Adults (ages 18–35, founded Summer 2025)
Saint Joseph Catholic School
Saint Joseph Catholic School (JK–8), located at 123 Franklin Street in Petersburg, has been rooted in Catholic values since 1876. Founded by the Daughters of Charity under Pastor Father Thomas Wilson and Bishop (later Cardinal) James Gibbons's approval, the school originally opened at 25 South Market Street and moved to its current Franklin Street campus in 1916, with a second building added in 1956. It partners with parents and nurturing teachers to promote scholarship, discipleship, and citizenship.
- Founded: January 17, 1876 by the Daughters of Charity
- First principal: Sister Mary Elizabeth Roche, D.C.
- Grades: JK–8
- Address: 123 Franklin St., Petersburg, VA 23803
- Phone: (804) 732-3931
- Website: http://www.saintjosephschool.com
Sacraments
St. Joseph prepares parishioners for the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Parents of young children begin with a baptism preparation course; older youth prepare for First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation through the Religious Education office; adults journey through OCIA; and the parish priest remains available for Anointing of the Sick and pastoral emergencies.
- Baptism: parent preparation course; celebrations typically the first Sunday of the month between Masses
- First Penance and First Holy Communion: contact Religious Education Coordinator
- Confirmation: usually received in 10th grade (age 16+) after Baptism, First Penance, and First Communion
- Marriage: contact the parish office
- Anointing of the Sick / pastoral emergency: (804) 733-3115 ext. 1
- OCIA (Exploring Catholicism): Tuesday evenings 6:30 PM and Sunday evenings 6:00 PM
Outreach and Special Ministries
Beyond its worship and formation programs, St. Joseph serves the wider Petersburg community through prison ministry, hospital visitation, and care of its own parish cemetery. Deacon Robert Young and Deacon Charles Funk assist with this pastoral work alongside Father Rossi.
- Prison Ministry — Petersburg City Jail and Petersburg Jail Farm
- Pastoral Care — Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg
- St. Joseph Cemetery — South Crater Street, Petersburg, VA 23803 (parish phone 804-733-3115)
Clergy and Staff
St. Joseph is led by Pastor Father Gino Rossi, who was installed at the January 2022 dedication Mass after serving since July 2021. He is assisted by two Permanent Deacons and a lay Coordinator of Religious Education.
- Pastor: Rev. Gino Rossi (since July 2021; installed January 8, 2022)
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Robert Young
- Permanent Deacon: Rev. Mr. Charles (Herb) Funk
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Cassandra Smith ([email protected])
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
The parish invites anyone who has been attending Mass and has not yet registered to call the office so they can be added to parish communications. The parish office, the church, and Saint Joseph School are all within walking distance of one another in central Petersburg.
- Parish address: 151 W. Washington Street, Petersburg, VA 23803
- Mailing address: PO Box 2006, Petersburg, VA 23804
- Phone: (804) 733-3115
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:00 PM
- School: 123 Franklin St., Petersburg, VA 23803 — (804) 732-3931
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Brian Capuanoserved before July 2021
Developed the renovation plan for the church and is now diocesan vicar for vocations.
- Fr. Gino Rossisince July 2021
Oversaw completion of the $350,000 church renovation and was installed as pastor at the January 8, 2022 dedication Mass by Bishop Barry C. Knestout.