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. Marys Church on 6th and Pine Streets. Incorporated as St. Josephs 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 churchs role in the community to include an orphanage, a school and a free dispensary. One of the schools 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. Marys Church on 6th and Pine Streets. Incorporated as St. Josephs 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 churchs role in the community to include an orphanage, a school and a free dispensary. One of the schools 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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Caesar Rodney Monument (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
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 1,637 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
