Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Saint Joseph Church
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008
1. Saint Joseph Church Marker
Inscription.
Saint Joseph Church. . The cradle of African-American Catholicism in Delaware, St. Joseph Church was organized in 1889 by Father John A. DeRuyter of the Josephites. Services were first held in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on 6th and Pine Streets. Incorporated as St. Joseph’s Society for Colored Missions on March 4, 1890, the first church structure was dedicated in October of the same year. During the next few years, Father DeRuyter expanded the church’s role in the community to include an orphanage, a school and a free dispensary. One of the school’s most prominent students was State Senator Herman M. Holloway, Sr., the first African-American to serve in the Delaware State Senate.
The cradle of African-American Catholicism in Delaware, St. Joseph Church was organized in 1889 by Father John A. DeRuyter of the Josephites. Services were first held in the basement of St. Mary’s Church on 6th and Pine Streets. Incorporated as St. Joseph’s Society for Colored Missions on March 4, 1890, the first church structure was dedicated in October of the same year. During the next few years, Father DeRuyter expanded the church’s role in the community to include an orphanage, a school and a free dispensary. One of the school’s most prominent students was State Senator Herman M. Holloway, Sr., the first African-American to serve in the Delaware State Senate.
Erected 1995 by Delaware State Archives. (Marker Number NC-94.)
Location. 39° 44.714′ N, 75° 32.739′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. Marker is on French Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is between 10th and 11th Streets. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008
2. Saint Joseph Church
Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,464 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
