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ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH HISTORY
1835 - German Catholics would make yearly trips to Albany, NY in order to get children baptized and receive sacraments because the closest German Catholic Church was located in Albany, NY. The rest of the year the Rochester German Catholics used St. Patrick’s Church in Rochester
1841 - Prost purchased property on Franklin Street for $1400 and the new pastor for the German Catholics, Rev. Simon Sandrel purchased adjacent lots on Franklin Street
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1843 - The plan for a simple 125’ x 60; rectangular structure with each chapel being 40’ x 20’ developed in 1843 and construction was done in 1846, the total cost of construction was $32,000. The structure was built of Lockport Stone and other local resources
Location: Monroe County, Downtown Rochester, NY
Parish formed: 1835
Built: 1846
1851 - Galleries were added which increased the seating capacity within the church, seating around 1000 people.The extension of the rear wall created a larger sanctuary and two additional sanctuaries were added to the two side chapels.
1849 - Opening of the German Catholic Church led to an increase in the growth of the congregation which resulted in the expansion of the church.
1865 -Highest number of parishes, 6300, in Rochester.
1864 - Clock was added in addition to St. Josephs Church Tower.
1908 - Clock Stopped Functioning. George Eastman would check his watch with the clock on his way from his home on East Ave to work at Kodak. Annoyed at the inconvience Eastman contributed $100 to the repair. Eastman declared the clock a “public service” to the community of Rochester, NY.
1974 - Electrical fire. Started with entire wall of the Perpetual Help Shrine. The fire was decalred under control at 5:53 AM
1974
- Electrical fire. Started with entire wall of the Perpetual Help Shrine.
1:15 AM – Alarm set off. Fire trucks at scene in minutes.
2 AM – Fire Chief determined that the church most likely would not be saved. Flames broke through roof.
3:45 AM – Roof collapsed & pews destroyed.
5:53 AM – Fire declared under control.
