St. Joseph Catholic Parish at 403 Harris Street, Pilot Grove, MO 65276 US - Our Parish History
Our Parish History
History of Saint Joseph Parish in Pilot Grove The Pilot Grove area was first settled in 1820 and was incorporated as a town in 1873. The first Church services were held beneath the canopy of the open sky, then in rude cabins, huts, and farmers homes. Then, in 1893, the St. Joseph Catholic Church was organized by Father John Conrad, from St. John’s in Clear Creek. A school was opened soon thereafter being staffed by the Benedictine Sisters. The School and Parish flourished. Parish societies of St. Joseph, St. Anne, the Holy Name and the Holy Childhood were developed. A two year high school program was begun in the early 1920s and lasted for several years. The current Church was actually the third Parish Church and was built by 1952. While simplistic in style, it has a beauty that lends grace and elegance to the many different services that take place. The history of St. Joseph’s parish would not be complete without recognizing the four other communities [Churches] that have been merged into the Parish over the decades. Over the years, the communities of Nelson, Martinsville, Clear Creek and most recently, Clifton City have been merged to make up the Parish Family now of St. Joseph. For over 165 years, the Catholic Church has been a part of the lives of the people of Cooper county. A lot of hard work and sacrifice has made it the parish it is today