Research Timeline

Part 1

Rochester's oldest Catholic church burned down 40 years ago. Declared a landmark of the city. Constructed in the 1840s on Franklin St. Downtown life of the city flourished around the presence of the church.

Known as the "oasis of grace".

On October 18th, 1974, a massive fire erupted within the structure. Threat to take away the peace and spirituality of the city.

Two adjacent side walls and the facade stood through the fire.

167-foot tall bell tower withstood the fire.

Recreation of the church was seeming tough at this point in time.

Fun Fact

George Eastman set his watch to the correct time every time he saw the clock on the steeple of St. Josephs's Church.

For those who believed, it was a miracle that the church walls had survived.

St. Joseph's church supprted...

orphanages grammer schools highschools business schools miraculously the statues of St. Joseph, the church Patron, and St. Anne were still intact.

In 1979, a plan was created to repurpose St. Joseph's church while preserving its original remains. The church was transformed into a Garden Park with the help of the Landmark Society, the Redemptorist Fathers, and the State University College at Brockport. The restoration plans were modeled after those used for Coventry Cathedral in England, which successfully preserved the original structure after damage. Today, St. Joseph's church is a gathering place for the people of Rochester, featuring lunchtime concerts with musical resources from the Eastman School of Music and Eastman Community Music School. The Landmark Society allows for the church to be used for remembrance and events, serving as a reminder of its purpose and significance in people's lives.

St. Joseph's Park (today)

Rochester's oldest Catholic church burned down 40 years ago.

Declared a landmark of the city. Constructed in the 1840s on Franklin St. Downtown life of the city flourished around the presence of the church.

Known as the "oasis of grace".

Fun Fact

George Eastman set his watch to the correct time every time he saw the clock on the steeple of St. Josephs's Church.

Rochester's oldest Catholic church burned down 40 years ago.

Declared a landmark of the city. Constructed in the 1840s on Franklin St. Downtown life of the city flourished around the presence of the church.

Known as the "oasis of grace".

For those who believed, it was a miracle that the church walls had survived.

St. Joseph's church supprted...

orphanages grammer schools highschools business schools miraculously the statues of St. Joseph, the church Patron, and St. Anne were still intact.

In 1979, a plan was created to repurpose St. Joseph's church while preserving its original remains. The church was transformed into a Garden Park with the help of the Landmark Society, the Redemptorist Fathers, and the State University College at Brockport. The restoration plans were modeled after those used for Coventry Cathedral in England, which successfully preserved the original structure after damage. Today, St. Joseph's church is a gathering place for the people of Rochester, featuring lunchtime concerts with musical resources from the Eastman School of Music and Eastman Community Music School. The Landmark Society allows for the church to be used for remembrance and events, serving as a reminder of its purpose and significance in people's lives.

Story: The notion that purpose does not diminish once it has served its initial function is an essential philosophy shared by both Recover and the envisioned reenvisioning of St. Joseph's Church. While Recover transforms discarded water bottles into beautiful and sustainable apparel, the repurposing of St. Joseph's Church aims to restore the building's original purpose of hope and faith for the people of Rochester. This ambitious project seeks to imbue the historic structure with a renewed sense of purpose while also spreading positivity and goodwill throughout the community, thereby preserving its lasting impression for generations to come.