What’s distinctive about your parish? St. Joseph’s was founded in 1915 at the request of several black Catholics who wanted to worship God freely and be active members of the church but encountered discrimination in their own parishes. Priests and brothers of St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart, an interracial order also known as the Josephites committed to serving the African American community, joined with this group. With permission from the bishop of Richmond, they bought land, built a church and established a parish.
Patrons included the Black and Indian Mission Office in Washington and St. Katharine Drexel, who signed the deed for the land and walked down the church’s center aisle. Above the altar, a round, stained-glass window depicting Our Lord’s crucifixion pays tribute to the contributions of St. Katharine and her sister Louise with the words “To our Parents.”
The Josephites continue to minister to the parish today, even though its composition is more racially mixed now.
Our parish has a special concern for the establishment of justice and equality in all aspects of government, society and church. We are members of ALIVE! and a founding member of VOICE, both interfaith organizations dedicated to fighting issues such as hunger, poverty and the lack of affordable housing.
From our establishment, St. Joseph’s has been a place where all people — no matter their color, race, language or place of origin, rich or poor — are welcome to come and celebrate the sacraments and participate in all our groups and organizations.
What’s the one unique thing visitors to your parish should do or see while there? An outdoor shrine to our Blessed Mother on the street side of the church often attracts people during the day to stop and pray. The walkway leading to it is made of engraved bricks celebrating baptisms, marriages, deaths and simple memorials to loved ones. Special sections are dedicated to the Oblate Sisters of Providence, who previously taught in the old school, to the Josephites and to the victims of racial violence, dating back to two Alexandria men lynched in the late 19th century. Two plaques on the front of the church note the building’s historic status and the many benefactors who supported its construction.
What’s new with your parish ministries? Oct. 10 we hosted a Winter Coat Giveaway. More than 600 brand new or gently used and dry-cleaned coats were handed out. In addition to St. Joseph Church, supporters included the Knights of Columbus Fitzgerald Council, the Knights of Peter Claver, Concerned Citizens of Alexandria and the Lions Club. Tables with information about voter registration, local health care, and senior and family services were available as were representatives from nearby fire and police departments.
Our parish maintains an emergency assistance program. Last year, $97,000 was donated in food, rent and utility assistance. People in need call a separate phone number from the parish office and we arrange for food or whatever other aid we can provide. It’s supported through donations as well as parish income from renting out the space previously occupied by St. Joseph School to a day care center. Many COVID-19 assistance programs have ended, which has placed a greater burden on churches.
Earlier this year, we established a fourth degree for the Knights of St. Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary. Originally established here in 2014 with the support of Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde, the group also offers junior divisions for boys and girls.
What should people know about your liturgy? Nobody is in a hurry. Our parishioners enjoy church and attend not in a sense of obligation but in one of purpose. People are attracted by the style of celebration, which has an African American flavor, and the hospitality. We have a Gospel choir at the 11 a.m. Mass on the first and third Sundays of the month. The other Sundays, it’s a choral, which is the same flavor of music but in a different style. Free coffee and donuts after Sunday Masses foster fellowship, whether for a parent waiting for their kids to finish religious education or just to chit chat. It also brings together people from different Masses.
What’s something we should know about your clergy? Josephite Father Donald Fest, pastor, is from Pittsburgh and a diehard Steelers fan. His sister, Sister Maria Fest, is congregational leader, or general superior, for the international Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence. Deacon Albert A. Anderson Jr. was the first African American permanent deacon ordained in the Arlington diocese in 2011. His wife, Beverly Anderson, is the parish business manager.
Quick facts
St. Joseph Church
711 N. Columbus St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
703/836-3725
Website: stjosephva.org
Social media: facebook.com/StJosephChurchAlexandriaVa
Pastor: Fr. Donald Fest, S.S.J.
Permanent deacon: Albert A. Anderson Jr.
Mass Schedule:
Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m.
Tuesday: 7 p.m. (in chapel)
Wednesday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. (in chapel)
Confession: Sunday: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and upon request
Additional liturgy: Monday 7 p.m. holy hour and novena to St. Joseph (in chapel)
Year established: 1915
Total parishioners: 425
