St. Joseph Church at 61 N. 23rd St, Battle Creek, MI 49015-1726 US - About Us

Our Mission

We of St. Joseph Parish are a body of Catholic Christians guided by the Holy Spirit and dedicated to participating more fully in spreading the Good News. We are committed to building community, celebrating God’s work through the sacraments and liturgy, witnessing God’s presence through evangelization, loving and servicing all people, and continuing the education of our parish family, thereby enabling all to grow in the love of Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Our History

On June 14, 1942, the original St. Joseph Church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph H. Albers. When our parish was established it served about 230 families on the south side of the city of Battle Creek. In February 1947 Father Patrick Kenny, the first Pastor, announced that the time was ripe to erect a parish school. On July 1, 1947, Fr. Kenny was transferred and Father Adolph Oser became Pastor of St. Joseph’s.

The school building was erected in 1949 at a cost of $140,000. When the debt was paid on the school building, Father Oser announced plans for building a new church, the approximate cost of which was $325,000. Groundbreaking took place on August 9, 1954, and on Sept. 18, 1955, the dedication of the new church was held with Bishop Joseph Albers officiating. Read more about our Early History...

St. Joseph Parish had continued to grow – from the 230 families in 1942 to over 1,350 families currently registered.

The parish has prospered through the efforts of dedicated parishioners and spiritual leaders. It is proper that we include in this short history the names of those Pastors who have served this parish:

Monsignor Maurice Walsh, who helped organize this “Church in the Fields”;
Monsignor Patrick Kenny Pastor 1942-1947
Father Adolph Oser Pastor 1947-1962
Father Norbert B. Wheeler Pastor 1961-1975
Father John M. Steffey Pastor 1975-1983
Father Howard Murray Pastor 1983-1984
Father Donn Taylor, Pastor 1984-1993;
Father James O’Leary, Pastor 1993-2004
Father John D. Fleckenstein, Pastor 2004-2009
Father Robert F. Creagan, Pastor 2009-2011
The Very Reverand Mark J. Vyverman, V.F. 2011-Present