Thank you for visiting St. Joseph Parish of Appleton. I would like to share with you what St. Joseph’s is all about.

St. Joseph’s is a downtown parish. It is also the second oldest parish in the city of Appleton. It was founded in 1867 by German speaking settlers. Capuchin Franciscans have staffed the parish since 1877. Over the years the ministry of St. Joe’s has changed and adapted to the needs and the call of this downtown community.

St. Joseph’s is made up of people from every age group. We have Senior members, empty nesters, young families, newly married, and singles. Teens and children are very evident at our 10:00AM and 6:30 PM Liturgies on Sundays. Due to our location we have many people from the Appleton business community who come to our weekday 12:05 liturgy. Many of the visitors to the Fox Valley also find a welcome at St. Joseph’s and choose to worship with us.

Schools and Religious Education have always been an important part of our ministry.

For many years we operated a school that went through 9th grade. St. Mary’s is our neighboring parish and since the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s we have worked together in many areas, but especially in education. We have worked together in Religious Education and Sacramental preparation for the past twenty years. There are eight parishes in the city of Appleton, and with all of them we sponsor the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School System. This is a system that deals with PreK through 12th grade. Check out the links to these educational possibilities.

  Together with St. Mary’s Parish we sponsor our Inter-Parish Religious Formation Program (IPRF). Both parishes are committed to providing the best religious formation possible. Hundreds of people from the two parishes are involved in the program. Religious formation does not stop with the children. We also have many programs for Adult enrichment. Programs for Moms and Dads, Scripture studies and book study clubs, etc.

A number of programs that are now citywide have their roots at St. Joe’s. They would include: St. Joe’s Food Pantry and Leaven – a program to lend assistance to those with financial need; the Fox Cities Warming Shelter (an overnight facility open every day of the year) is also a program that began here, at St. Joe's. As a parish we attempt to remain socially aware of needs within and beyond our city.

Our weekend worship together is the most important thing we do. We come together to give praise to God as the unique family of St. Joe’s. When asked why people come to St. Joe’s to celebrate we invariably hear: “We feel welcome here” or “we feel invited” or simply, “we feel at home here.” If you have the opportunity to come to Appleton, know that you are truly welcome at St. Joe’s.

Click your way through our site. Let us know what you think. Send us your questions and your suggestions.

Here is more on the history of St. Joe's along with some photos.

May you be surrounded with God’s love expressed in the love of those around you.