St Joseph the Worker Oratory

About St Joseph the Worker Oratory

The first initiative for a Polish language parish occurred in 1895. As a result the St. Joseph Society was organized. A priest was sent to Jackson in 1901 but was removed only months later. There was a tremendous controversy over the location of the parish. Rev. Joseph F. Herr, considered the first pastor of the parish, was assigned to the community in the fall of 1902. The first Mass for the parish was offered in White Hall at Columbus and Michigan Avenue.

The following September two Felician sisters taught forty-five pupils in a converted brick barn. In 1908 a four-room school was built. Eight more rooms were added in 1914. The Felician community started their centennial of service to the parish in 2003.

The first St. Joseph church was completed in the fall of 1904. The Polish native, Rev. Joseph Przbylski, pastored St. Joseph parish from 1925 until 1963. A new convent and rectory were built. R. Przybylski celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination on July 6, 1963. He retired the same month and Rev Marian J. Lesniak began his thirty-nine year pastorate. Fr. Lesniak immediately began plans for a new church. Bishop Alexander M. Zaleski dedicated the present parish church in May 1968.

In 2010, by decree of Bishop Boyea, St. Joseph Parish became an oratory of St. John the Evangelist Parish. In the years since, our parishes have worked to merge our respective heritage and parish families.

In the summer of 2024, the St. Joseph Campus became a “youth hub,” a spot for the youth of our Jackson parishes to meet for Youth Group. A 5pm Sunday Mass is celebrated between middle school and high school sessions on Sunday. This is a Mass open to the whole Jackson community (not youth specific). See our Youth Group page for more info about our that ministry.