About St. Joseph · Springfield, Illinois
St. Joseph Parish is a Roman Catholic parish located on the north side of Springfield, Illinois, at 1345 North Sixth Street. Founded in 1875 to serve the English-speaking Catholics north of Carpenter Street, it is now part of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and ministers to roughly 439 families (about 952 parishioners). The parish celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025 with a Centennial Campaign. Today it is led by Rev. Manuel P. Cuizon, Ph.D. ('Fr. Manny'), with a small staff that includes a Pastoral Associate for Music Ministry, a Director of Religious Education who is an Ursuline Sister, and a Bereavement Minister.
- Established
- 1875
- Patron
- St. Joseph
- Rector
- Rev. Manuel P. Cuizon, Ph.D.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
Why belong here
St. Joseph is a welcoming, diverse north-Springfield Catholic community committed to lifelong faith formation for all ages — preschool through adults. The parish offers Catholic Faith Formation for K-8 youth, a rich RCIA process for those exploring Catholicism, adult faith enrichment (including JustFaith, Why Catholic?, and small church communities), and active social ministry for the practice of charity and justice. With daily and weekend Masses, Saturday Reconciliation, Thursday Eucharistic Adoration, and ministries of care for the sick and homebound, St. Joseph provides a true sense of parish family grounded in 150 years of Springfield history.
Mass times at St. Joseph
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday 5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Welcome to St. Joseph Parish
St. Joseph Parish has been a part of the Springfield, Illinois community since 1875 and remains a vibrant faith community. The faith community is described by the parish as very welcoming; its liturgy is prayerful and a source of nourishment. The parish is committed to ongoing faith formation for all ages, with programs for pre-school children, public-school children, teens, and adults, as well as small church communities and a rich RCIA process. Its social ministry offers opportunities for the practice of charity and justice locally and globally.
- Pastor: Rev. Manuel P. Cuizon, Ph.D. ('Fr. Manny')
- Vision: A diverse, welcoming Catholic community committed to discipleship and stewardship
- Mission: to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by word and deed, build Christian community, serve the people of God near and far, and celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord
History of St. Joseph Church
St. Joseph Parish traces its history to 1875, when a request was made to Bishop Peter Baltes of Alton to establish a new parish on Springfield's north side to serve English-speaking Catholics north of Carpenter Street. Local industry was bringing a growing population into the area. Rev. Manasses Kane was sent in 1876 to found the parish, which began with 111 families, many of them of Irish heritage. Property owned by George N. Black in the 1300 block of Sixth and Fifth streets was made available, and construction began on a church and school. The first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1877.
- 1875: Parish requested from Bishop Peter Baltes
- 1876: Rev. Manasses Kane sent to establish the parish
- 1877: First Mass on Christmas Day
- 1892: Ursuline Sisters assume leadership of the school
- 1907–1930: Fr. P.J. O'Reilly serves (longest tenure)
Foundations: Fr. P.J. O'Reilly Era (1907–1930)
Reverend Patrick Joseph (P.J.) O'Reilly served the longest term of any pastor assigned to St. Joseph. An Irishman with a strong personality, quick wit, and soft heart, his reputation became legendary in the parish's annals. He was deeply committed to Catholic education, expanded parish organizations, and elevated parish liturgy with choirs and musical accompaniment. He died unexpectedly in February 1930 after a brief illness.
- 1910 cornerstone laid for a new three-story school
- Athletic programs and scout troops established
- Two-year commercial course created for students entering the job market
- 'St. Joseph's Gem Minstrels' began in 1912 and endured for 36 years
- Holy Name Society and Altar and Rosary Society established
- Church redecorated, rectory expanded
Years of Change: Viatorian Service (1930 onward)
In 1930, Bishop Griffin invited the Clerics of St. Viator (C.S.V.) to create a Catholic high school for boys in Springfield and assigned St. Joseph Parish to their pastoral care. A succession of Viatorian priests and Ursuline Sisters provided educational and spiritual leadership in the decades that followed, including during the post-war expansion and the years surrounding Vatican II.
- 1930: Rev. Daniel O'Connor, C.S.V. named principal and pastor
- 1931: Roles split; Rev. Joseph Moisant, C.S.V. named pastor
- Weekly Holy Hours, novenas, parish missions, and a Sodality for young women established
- 1949: Fire in the third-floor school auditorium leads to extensive reconstruction
- 1956: Parish gym built; additional classrooms added
- 1962: Rev. Edward Gorman, C.S.V. appointed pastor, just months before Vatican II
The Modern Church-in-the-Round
Under Fr. Edward Gorman, C.S.V., the convergence of Vatican II's new directions, a growing parish population, and the need for major repairs led to the decision to replace the 1877 church. In March 1966, the old church and rectory were torn down to make way for a modern 'church-in-the-round.' Construction began in spring 1966, the church was completed in November 1967, and the first Mass was celebrated on Thanksgiving Day 1967. It was dedicated on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1968, at a total cost of $540,000, and seats 890 persons.
- 1966: Demolition of the old church and rectory
- 1967 (Thanksgiving Day): First Mass in the new church
- March 19, 1968: Dedication on the feast of St. Joseph
- 1986: Additions to St. Joseph School; 1910 building demolished
- 1988: Parish offices added
Parish Staff
St. Joseph is served by a small but dedicated staff under the leadership of Pastor Rev. Manuel P. Cuizon, Ph.D. Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U. — an Ursuline Sister — serves as Director of Religious Education and as the parish's Pastoral Associate and Director of Evangelization. Paul Johnson directs Music Ministry; Bobbi Ozanic is Office Manager; Karen Siciliano is Bereavement Minister and a Pastoral Associate. The deacon position was listed as vacant effective December 2024.
- Rev. Manuel P. Cuizon, Ph.D. — Pastor
- Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U. — Director of Religious Education / Director of Evangelization / Pastoral Associate
- Mr. Paul Johnson — Director of Music Ministry / Pastoral Associate
- Bobbi Ozanic — Office Manager (Direct dial: 217-303-5805)
- Karen Siciliano — Bereavement Minister / Pastoral Associate
- Deacon — vacant effective December 2024
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Joseph offers Catholic Faith Formation (CFF) sessions for young people in grades K-8, held Monday evenings from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Age-appropriate Gospel Weeklies focus on the Sunday Mass readings and provide the foundation for growing in knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith, sacraments, Christian living, prayer, and the Church's social teachings. Catechists trained and commissioned by the Church facilitate the learning experience.
- CFF sessions: 6:30–7:30 p.m., Mondays
- Family Thanksgiving/Advent session in November
- Lenten family session in February
- Student fees: $30 one child / $40 two / $50 three or more
- Perfect or near-perfect attendance recognized each semester
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) at St. Joseph is a parish ministry under the leadership of the Pastor or his designated director. Members attend the 8:30 a.m. (parish bulletin times refer to 9:30 a.m. Mass) Sunday Mass and participate in the Liturgy of the Word, then are dismissed with the Director and Catechist for their session, refreshments, and continued instruction until about 11:15 a.m. Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U. serves as RCIA Director. The process begins with the Rite of Acceptance, typically in September, though new members can be folded in later.
- RCIA Director: Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, O.S.U.
- For the unbaptized and those baptized in another tradition
- Inquiry sessions welcome questions
- Members are called to the Sacraments of Initiation by the Bishop of the Diocese
Catechetical Ministries & Echoes of Faith
Catechists at St. Joseph minister to adults, youth, and children through parish faith formation programs, youth ministry, sacramental preparation, RCIA, family programs, Scripture study, and more. The parish has received a diocesan grant for Echoes of Faith Plus, a video-assisted catechist formation program with three modules (The Catechist, Methodology, and Theology). Catechists who complete all three modules receive diocesan certification.
- RCIA Catechist opportunity
- RCIA Sponsor ministry
- Catholic Faith Formation (CFF) Catechist opportunity
- Echoes of Faith Plus certification program
Sacramental Preparation
Through baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, the Initiation sacraments give Catholics their identity. At St. Joseph, young people baptized as infants grow in their Catholic faith through family life and Sunday Mass participation, supported by the CFF program. Adults and older children prepare for the Initiation sacraments through RCIA, culminating at the Easter Vigil. First Holy Communion is typically received in 2nd grade, after First Reconciliation.
- Baptism — infant and adult (through RCIA)
- First Reconciliation (prior to First Eucharist)
- First Holy Communion — typically 2nd grade
- Confirmation — through Religious Education (youth) or RCIA (adults)
Marriage Preparation
Couples considering marriage at St. Joseph are asked to contact the parish office at least six months before the desired date. Attendance at a Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter program, along with counseling with the priest, is required. The parish describes marriage as the intimate communion of life and love, raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament, signifying the union of Christ and the Church.
- Contact parish office at least 6 months in advance
- Required: Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter program
- Required: Counseling with the priest
Pastoral Council & Faith Enrichment
The Pastoral Council shares leadership responsibilities with the pastor and staff, interpreting the Parish Mission Statement, assessing parish needs, formulating goals and pastoral plans, and evaluating programs and activities. Membership is open to all parishioners. The Faith Formation / Evangelization Committee coordinates faith-enrichment courses, study groups, speakers, and programs that address the spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational needs of the whole person.
- Pastoral Council: Jane Schmidt (Chair), Michael Dura (Vice Chair), Diane Mounce (Secretary)
- Ex-officio members include Fr. Manny and the parish staff
- Diocesan programs hosted: Small Church Communities, JustFaith, Why Catholic?, Generations of Faith
- Soup-supper / reflection series weekly during Advent and Lent
- Scripture classes
Ministers of Care & Bereavement
Volunteer parishioners and the parish nurse visit sick or homebound members of the parish, those who are hospitalized, and those in nursing homes and other care facilities. Ministers of Care bring Communion to these persons and offer support to families who have lost a loved one through death, through visits, telephone calls, and notes. Karen Siciliano coordinates this ministry.
- Coordinator: Karen Siciliano
- Volunteers: Lois Jirgal, Bob Fanale
- Visits to sick, homebound, hospitalized, and nursing home residents
- Bereavement support for families
Music Ministry
Music Ministry at St. Joseph is directed by Paul Johnson, Pastoral Associate for Music. The parish has a long tradition of liturgical music, going back to Fr. P.J. O'Reilly's era in the early 1900s, when he enhanced the quality of parish liturgies with choirs and musical accompaniment. The Sunday 7:30 a.m. Mass is celebrated without music.
- Director of Music Ministry: Paul Johnson
- Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass features music; 7:30 a.m. Mass is celebrated without music
Centennial Campaign 2025
In 2025 St. Joseph Parish marked 150 years since its founding in 1875 with a Centennial Campaign. The parish describes itself as standing at the threshold of its second half of the second century, 'ready to write the next chapter of our shared story far more diverse and inviting.' The campaign supports the ongoing life and mission of the parish.
- Campaign Goal: $750,000
- 128 families responded at last report
- $262,815 received / $120,877 pledged (19.3% of goal at last report)
About Our Building
The first St. Joseph Church was the third Catholic Church established in Springfield. The red-brick Gothic structure seated 424 and served five generations of north-side Springfield families. In March 1966 it was torn down, along with the rectory, to make way for the modern church-in-the-round that stands today. The current church, with 890 seats, was built to incorporate the liturgical changes of Vatican II and was dedicated on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 1968.
- Original 1877 church: red brick, Gothic, 424 seats
- 1966: Old church and rectory demolished
- 1967: New church completed; first Mass Thanksgiving Day
- 1968: Dedicated on the feast of St. Joseph (March 19)
- Cost: $540,000; capacity: 890
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at the parish office. Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Messages can also be sent through the website, and the parish Facebook page keeps the community connected.
- Address: 1345 North Sixth Street, Springfield, Illinois 62702
- Phone: 217-544-7426
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Manager direct line: 217-303-5805
- Website: https://www.stjspringfield.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjosephfamilychurch/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Manasses Kane1876–
First pastor assigned by Bishop Peter Baltes of Alton to found the parish; led construction of the original church (first Mass Christmas Day 1877) and school.
- Rev. Patrick Joseph (P.J.) O'Reilly1907–1930
Longest-serving pastor; legendary Irishman who built the 1910 three-story school, established athletic programs, scout troops, the commercial course, the 'St. Joseph's Gem Minstrels,' Holy Name Society, and Altar and Rosary Society. Died unexpectedly in February 1930.
- Rev. Daniel O'Connor, C.S.V.1930–1931
Viatorian; first pastor after Bishop Griffin assigned the parish to the Clerics of St. Viator; also served as principal of the new Catholic high school for boys.
- Rev. Joseph Moisant, C.S.V.1931–
Viatorian; remembered for youth ministry, weekly Holy Hours and novenas, parish missions, the Sodality for young women, and youth summer camps.
- Rev. Edward Gorman, C.S.V.1962–
Viatorian; appointed just before Vatican II. Led construction of the modern 'church-in-the-round' (1966–67), dedicated March 19, 1968.