Dexter in Washtenaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, April 25, 2012

1. St. Joseph Catholic Church Marker

Inscription. The Catholic church in this village dates back to 1840 with Fathers Cullen, Hennesy and Pulsers serving the predominantly Irish parishioners for nearly thirty years. The present brick edifice, completed in 1874, is an example of simple Gothic style. Stained glass and carved woodwork enhance the interior. St. Joseph Catholic Church was dedicated on January 3, 1875, with almost 700 persons attending, and Bishop Caspar Henry Burgess performing the rite of consecration. The bell, weighing almost two tons, was placed in the belfry in 1885. One of St. Joseph's most notable resident pastors was Father Charles T. Walsh, who served the parish for thirty-five years. Associated with the church, the oldest in the village of this denomination, are a school, rectory and convent.

Erected 1979 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L0626.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1785.

Location. 42° 20.232′ N, 83° 52.969′ W. Marker is in Dexter, Michigan, in Washtenaw County. It is at the intersection of Dover Street and 4th Street, on the left when

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traveling east on Dover Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3430 Dover St, Dexter MI 48130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan

and in Greater Detroit.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dexter Depot / Track Pans (approx. ¼ mile away); Dexter Area Civil War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Alice Frances House•Library (approx. ¼ mile away); Frederick Pelham: Bridge Engineer (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Pat and Paul Cousins Memorial Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); Forest Lawn Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); History of Mill Creek Dam (approx. 0.4 miles away); Labyrinth (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dexter.

More about this marker. The marker refers to Bishop Caspar Burgess. The correct spelling is Borgess.

Regarding St. Joseph Catholic Church. In 2008, a new church was built north of Dexter. This church is still being used for daily mass and special occasions. The school and convent are no longer in use.

Also see . . . A Brief History of St. Joseph Parish. A history of the church on the church's website. (Submitted on November 10, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)

St. Joseph Catholic Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, April 24, 2012

2. St. Joseph Catholic Church

St. Joseph Catholic Church 150th Anniversary Brick image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, April 25, 2012

3. St. Joseph Catholic Church 150th Anniversary Brick

St. Joseph Catholic Church Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, April 25, 2012

4. St. Joseph Catholic Church Cornerstone

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, April 25, 2012

5. St. Joseph Catholic Church Marker

St. Joseph Catholic Church Rectory and Grotto image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dave Wilcox, April 25, 2012

6. St. Joseph Catholic Church Rectory and Grotto

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, March 25, 2021

7. St. Joseph Catholic Church Marker

View of marker in relation to the church

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 24, 2019

8. Rectory

Former St. Joseph Catholic School / Parish Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, August 24, 2019

9. Former St. Joseph Catholic School / Parish Center

Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. This page has been viewed 1,038 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on April 27, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 26, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. 7. submitted on April 3, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 8, 9. submitted on November 10, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.