Jackson Ward in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Saint Joseph Catholic Church
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, November 6, 2009
1. Saint Joseph Catholic Church Marker
Inscription.
Saint Joseph Catholic Church. . In 1884, Bishop John Keane bought this property and established Saint Joseph, making it the first-known Catholic congregation organized for African Americans in Virginia. The original congregation began in the basement of the all-white Saint Peter's Church in 1879, and grew to 50 members. During the years 1904-1968, this site also contained the Franciscan convent, still standing. Saint Mary's; a two-room school for grades K-12, later named Van de Vyver; a parish house; a trade school; and a two-year business college, Van de Vyver Institute. In 1969, the church and the school were formally cloed by Bishop John J. Russell.
In 1884, Bishop John Keane bought this property and established Saint Joseph, making it the first-known Catholic congregation organized for African Americans in Virginia. The original congregation began in the basement of the all-white Saint Peter's Church in 1879, and grew to 50 members. During the years 1904-1968, this site also contained the Franciscan convent, still standing. Saint Mary's; a two-room school for grades K-12, later named Van de Vyver; a parish house; a trade school; and a two-year business college, Van de Vyver Institute. In 1969, the church and the school were formally cloed by Bishop John J. Russell.
Erected 2008 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-79.)
Location. 37° 32.975′ N, 77° 26.203′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Jackson Ward. Marker is at the intersection of North 1st Street and East Duval Street, on the right when traveling north on North 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,712 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 6, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
