History:
Preface: To compile the following historical narrative, it was necessary to rely on church lore handed down verbally. Accounts written earlier seem to take much the same approach. The chronology of priests and land costs come from church and public records. In 1821 John and Adam Sheets received the first land deed to a part of Section 15 in Spencer Township. It was in this same section that a settlement known as Buena Vista, or Four Corners, would grow. Between 1835 and 1839 many other deeds were granted in the area to families whose names denote an Irish origin. These settlers, along with an influx of German settlers, became the foundation for what was to become St. Joseph's parish. However, the parish of St. Catherine's (nicknamed "The Little Irish Church") was the first Catholic parish in the area. It was established in 1841 in the Indian Creek neighborhood which was about three miles east of Buena Vista. A log church was built in 1841. By 1843 the parish numbered approximately twenty Irish and seven German families. Parish development was probably hindered by Irish-German friction, as, by 1871, the parish no longer existed. The cemetery, though, still remains. As St. Catherine's was beginning to decline, Buena Vista was beginning to prosper. The parish of St. James, which would become St. Joseph's, was officially established in 1850 with the first church being built. The first priest was Father Munschina. Jacob and Elizabeth Cline sold the property for $1.00. As the cross roads, now known as Four Corners rather than Buena Vista, a thriving community existed. On the northeast corner was St. James church, rectory, and cemetery. Directly across, on the northwest corner, was a school, general store, dance hall, and saloon. On the remaining corners were a blacksmith shop and a residence, but conflict exists as to which structure was on which corner. By the mid 1860's, it was felt that the cemetery used for St. James would soon be filled. Land records show that in 1866 "for The Sum of fourteen Hundred (sic) and fifty Dollars to be paid by the St. Jacobs (Latin for James) congregation (sic) of Bunavista" forty acres (with the exception of a square half acre) was purchased from Henry and Chatrina Young. It appears that by 1871 a two-acre site had been laid off for the new cemetery and lots sold. Tombstones in the cemetery actually date from 1869. In the early 1890's, Reverend Gillig started the idea of building a new church on the acreage purchased in 1866. Reverend Joseph Thie began plans for building the church and soon construction began. Foundation stones were quarried from John Barrier's property. During the winter months, the stones were brought down on horse drawn sleds. Brick also had to be hauled. A crew was hired and Mrs. John (Frances) Elsner fed them. Construction proceeded and on May 7, 1892 Bishop Chatard laid the cornerstone. In October of 1892, Bishop Chatard returned and dedicated the new church St. Joseph's. Much of the work and materials were donated. The new church cost $6,400. Louis Richart, Joseph Mang, and Susanna Weitzel donated the altars. Those whose names still appear on them donated the stained glass windows. Phillip Speckner donated the lumber for the wooden benches that were sawed out of native lumber. The Riordon estate donated the original front doors. Since the building of the new church, there have been many changes to the property. Under the direction of Reverend John Schueth there was a school built between the years of 1906 and 1913. After this there was a school for the parish children every spring. Within the next few years, during the time Father Henry Hunger was here, a new rectory was built. Father Hunger lived in the school house until the new rectory was finished. The rectory cost $2,800, and as in the past, the parishioners donated a lot of the material and work. Reverend Omer Eisman became pastor in 1920. He paid off the debt and installed moderm conveniences in the rectory. The most notable change in the appearance of the church came in the late 1930's. The steeple was in need of repair and had begun to leak. One popular belief is that a tornado passed over and blew down a part of the steeple. Workers were hired to tear down and rebuild a new structure. That steeple is what we see today. As stated previously, of the forty acres, there was a half-acre square not included. On this property was what was known as the "old brick hall". At one time it was known to have been a store and dance hall. It was a two-story structure and was the site of many dances on the first floor and card parties on the second. It was donated to the church by the John Nicklaus estate in 1924. Because of needed repair, it was decided in 1940 to build a new building to replace the "old brick hall." The "new" hall built in 1940 was built just a few feet from the schoolhouse. It is said that there was just enough room to walk between the two buildings. In the 1960's the schoolhouse was torn down. About the same time, under the direction of Father Ed Eisenmann the church pews we now have were purchased. The last major renovation in the church building took place in the late 1960's and early 1970's under the direction of Father James Dede. The old altars and Stations of the Cross were replaced. The old oak doors were replaced around this time. The church took on a new look. In the mid- 1990's talk of replacing the parish hall was beginning. In 2001-2002 a new hall was built and dedicated on the site of the old hall. Many activities centered on the church are fondly remembered. The picnic grove has been the site of many reunions. Before World War ll, there were the big Labor Day picnics. There were fundraisers; there were chicken dinners and contests such as turtle races and bowling. Around Thanksgiving there was a shooting contest for turkeys. These activities usually concluded with a square dance. These were often held on an outdoor platform set up for the occasions.