St. Joseph's Church

• St. Joseph's Church (Roman Catholic) is at 135 Lafayette Street at the corner of Dow St. This new structure was a replacement for the original Romanesque Revival church built c 1910/11. The former church was burnt to a hollow shell after the 1914 Salem Fire.
• For years the parish used the renovated cellar and tower bases of the old church, until 1949, when they started the new church.
• St. Joseph's Church is indicative of the International Style of architecture, with a minimum of ornament.
• In the park in front of the church is the Mourning Victory statue, dedicated to the men and woman of St. Joseph Parish who served in W.W. I and II for God and country.
• After many active years as a parish, the Boston Catholic Archdiocese decided to close St. Joseph's in 2004. They cited declining attendance, deteriorating finances, crumbling buildings and an aging priesthood as the reasons so many parishes must close.
• The St. Joseph's food pantry is now being run out of Immaculate Conception Church

See Also

• St. Joseph's Parish, Salem, Ma., 1873-1973 by St. Joseph's Parish, 1973.
• Vertical File in Salem Collection - St. Joseph's Church
• "Four local churches to close; Plans to affect Peabody, Salem, Beverly, Danvers" Salem Evening News, May 26, 2004, p. A1
• St. Joseph's will appeal closing plan" Salem News, May 27, 2004, p.A1
• Architecture in Salem by Bryant F. Tolles, p. 233-4.
• Visitor's Guide to Salem Essex Institute, 1953, p. 183