"St Joseph's Chruch (German)
is situated on the corner of Eleventh and
Biddle Streets, and is attended exclusively by Germans. The formation of this parish dates
back to 1845, and is consequently one of the oldest in the city. The old church, which
still stands and forms the front portion of the present structure, was built this year by
Rev. Father Cotting, who was the first pastor. The ground upon which it is built was
donated by Mrs. Biddle, a lady whose municipal charities are well-known to the St. Louis
public. This old structure was 110 by 55 feet, facing the west, and served as a place of
adoration for the Germans in this section of the city until 1865, when their increased
numbers called for a more capacious building. In 1865, Father Weber, the then parish
priest of the parish, added what is known as the new portion of the church, running 130
feet on Eleventh Street by 85. It is a handsome brick structure of Romanesque order of
architecture. This addition was built by Rev. Joseph Weber, S.J., who has been connected
with this church for twenty-three years, and cost $93,000. The old church cost $30,000,
making the entire cost $123,000. The interior has received the attention of the artist
Pomerade, who has succeeded in making it one of the most attractive west of the
Mississippi. The chancel, wherein is situated the main altar, is 30 feet deep, and this
grand altar was erected at the a cost of $10,000. The parish priest is Rev. Peter
Tschieder, S.J. He is assisted by Fathers Weber, Wippern, Hagerman and Jansenius, of the
same order. This parish contains about 1,200 German Roman Catholics, who justly feel proud
of their beautiful temple of worship.
St. Joseph's Parochial Schools. - The school for boys is situated on Eleventh Street,
between Cass Avenue and O'Fallon, Street. There are three brick buildings, each three
stories high, in which both male and female children are instructed, but always in
separate apartments. Three classes for the younger boys taught by the sisters of Notre
Dame, and two classes for higher scholars conducted by secular teachers. The school for
girls consists of six classes, taught by fourteen sisters of Notre Dame. The average
attendance of boys and girls is over 1,000. These schools were built by Father Weber, in
the years 1857, 1858, 1863, and 1868. The cost of the building was about $36,000, the
ground about $23,000."
