Mission Statement

We, the people of St. Joseph Parish, are called to express our Catholic identity

in joyful worship and in the responsible sharing of our gifts, as we reach

out to others in our community and grow in our faith, knowledge and love of God.

The Stories Of St. Joseph Catholic Church

This first account is from the book, "McHenry County Illinois 1832-1968":

The Catholic community at Richmond was in the early days a part of St. Patrick parish, McHenry. In 1858, Father Andrew Eustace, the pastor at McHenry, was living for a time in Richmond, and he built a small church which served the congregation for forty years.

In 1899, a legacy, left by the Walsh family, enabled the congregation to build a new church, located across the road from the present (1967) parish cemetery. This church was dedicated November 26, 1899 and placed under the patronage of St. Joseph. Father M. J. McEvoy and the priests of St. Patrick, McHenry, administered to the needs of the mission congregation until the appointment of its first resident pastor in 1925.

The Barker Number Company was located at the Northwest corner of Commercial and Liberty Streets, on the site that is now the parish parking lot. Father Carl Ostenkoetter was appointed in 1925. During his pastorate the old church was abandoned and a former non-Catholic church was purchased, located in Richmond proper. Father Ostenkoetter was pastor until 1930.

Father John Crotty served from 1930 to 1934. He was succeeded by Father John Blake, who acquired additional land and built a new rectory. By 1948, funds had been collected and plans drawn for a new church. The rectory was moved to its present site and construction on the new church was begun on the spot where the rectory had stood. The foundation was completed and some of the steel erected when Father Blake was killed in an automobile accident, July 29, 1948.

Father Francis Miller was appointed by Bishop Boylan on August 1, 1948. He continued his predecessor's work and completed the erection of the new church. By Christmas time it was possible to have the Midnight Mass in the new parish hall, The solemn dedication took place on May 30, 1949. That same afternoon, Bishop Boylan administered the sacrament of Confirmation.

In February, 1955, the old church, which still stood to the rear of the new church, was torn down and construction was begun on a parochial school. Four classrooms were provided, a large playroom, washrooms, boiler and heating system. Provision was also made for constructing a convent at a future date, to be connected to the school. The cornerstone was blessed by Monsignor Charles Nix on May 15, 1955.

In 1956, Mother Corona of the School Sisters of St. Francis, Milwaukee, was able to send three sisters, and a suitable home, including a private chapel, was provided for them. Matt Freund was the other teacher.

Father Francis Miller, pastor, died April 22, 1965. Soon after Father Miller's death, Father Edward Lehman was appointed. During Father Lehman's pastorate, the church was decorated and other buildings were repaired and painted. Father Lehman retired on October 24, 1967. Father Clement Caine, the present pastor, assumed the pastorate on October 25, 1967.

The author of this second account is un-credited:

For approximately 75 years, St. Joseph existed as a mission parish of St. Patrick’s in McHenry--in spite of the fact that near its beginning the small congregation in the northeast corner of McHenry County actually had a pastor in residence.

The "resident pastor" circumstance came about in 1858 when Father Andrew Eustace (1857-1859), Pastor of St. Patrick in McHenry, moved his residence from McHenry to Richmond after he built a small log church in Richmond.  Richmond was still in its mission status, but he chose to live there.  He was the only pastor to do so until the Richmond congregation became a parish and received its first official resident pastor in 1925.

The church that Father Eustace had constructed served Richmond area Catholics for just over 40 years.  A donation left to the parish by the Walsh family enabled its members to construct a new church in 1899.  The frame building, located north of town across Twin Lakes Road and a bit north of the present cemetery, was dedicated on November 26, 1899, and renamed in honor of St. Joseph.

When Father Karl Ostenkoetter (1925-1930) became St. Joseph’s first resident pastor, the parish attained independent status.  During his pastorate, the church built in 1899 was sold and Father Ostenkoetter arranged for the pruchase of an unused Protestant church, which was renovated for use as St. Joseph’s third church.  The building was located a half block west of U.S. Highway 12 and a block south of Illinois 173, which later became the site of the parish school.

At the time of Father John Blake (1934-1948) became pastor, Bishop Edward Hoban attached Hebron Township, formerly part of Hartland, to the Richmond parish.  With this growth of the parish, it became necessary to build a new church. Father Blake supervised the construction of the present rectory and helped draw plans for a new church.  The rectory was moved to its present site, just north of the new church on U.S. 12, and the church’s construction began in 1948.

Father Francis Miller (1948-1965) completed the building of the church.  A new parish hall was available for Midnight Mass by Christmas of 1948, and the dedication of the new church building took place on May 30, 1949, with Bishop John Boylan.

St. Joseph Parish celebrated its 50th anniversary as a parish on August 15, 1975, with a Mass concelebrated by Bishop Arthur O’Neill and Father Thomas Neville (1970-1989), pastor.

In 1985, a new parish office and religious education office were built by Chuck Helein's Construction Company.

On March 19, 1999, the feast of St. Joseph, Bishop Thomas Doran celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the parish’s 100 years of patronage under St. Joseph.

The parish has held a St. Joseph’s Day potluck for over 20 years.

In the summer of 2008 many members of the Confirmation Class led by Youth Director, Katie Jorgensen, journeyed to Rome along with adult chaperones including the pastor, Monsignor James McLoughlin (2007-2011).

In 2009 the interior church took on a beautiful new look with an extensive paint project which included stenciling on the ceiling and walls.  The tall pillars and trim on the exterior of the building were also repainted.  

In 2010 the planning work began for the installation of a vertical lift for the church's entryway to enable handicapped and elderly to better access the three levels of the church:  sanctuary level, parking lot level, and the parish hall basement level.  A Silent Auction & Dinner fundraiser was held to support this project in April of 2011.  

In July of 2011 we welcomed, Father Andrew Lewandowski CR as our pastor.

In the spring of 2012 the vertical lift was installed in the church's entryway.  Bishop David Malloy blessed our lift the following September.  

In September 2012 parishioners joined Fr. Andrew for an 8-day Pilgrim Tour to Poland.  They visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Krakow, Auschwitz-Birkenau Camp, and Wadowice where Pope St. John Paul II was born.  They also toured the salt mines--one of the most unique places in the whole world, Gdansk where Lech Walesa started the solidarity movement, Warsaw, and Fr. Andrew's hometown of Chelmno--a beautiful 850 year-old city surrounded by a wall from the 12th century.

In July of 2014 we welcomed our current pastor, Msgr. Martin Heinz.  As our spiritual father, Msgr. Heinz has led us into a deeper understanding of our faith through his sermons, Bible Studies, and talks throughout the year.  We are challenged to live our life of faith and share our beliefs of the one true Church.

The following addendum is provided by Edward Varga, PE, volunteer parish communications director 2020-2021: 

Facing the paralyzing effects of the Corona Virus pandemic in 2020, churches in the Rockford Diocese shut their doors. In response, St. Joseph underwent a technological transformation, adding wifi internet service to the church which enabled live-streaming of masses under the supervision of volunteers Edward Varga and Frank Brannon. The pair also supervised the installation of a low-power FM transmitter, allowing the sound system to be broadcast to worshipers participating in Mass from their cars in the Church Parking Lot. The resumption of Mass during the quarantine took place in August of 2020, when pastor Monsignor Heinz ordered windows removed from one of the old church school classrooms so he could say a Mass to those in the parking lot. To aid in spiritual closeness to the community, he also established a Park and Pray area with Holy Eucharist placed in a window overlooking the parking area for 24 hour adoration. Heinz also used the time in quarantine to repaint the church halls and renovate the bathroom facilities. 

Photos of Note

This is a post card depicting the former protestant church which would become St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at the corner of Liberty Street and Commercial Street. This site now contains the Church School addition.

This photo was taken at the intersection of Liberty Street and Main Street and depicts the Church and Rectory, which is where the current church building is located.

This photo was taken around 1949 and depicts the newly completed church building as well as the rectory which was relocated northward to make room for the church. The statues flanking the Church main entrance are of St. Therese of Lisieux and St. John Bosco. In the background, the old church building can still be seen. It is unclear what the sign resting against the statue of Fr. John Bosco says, but it likely has something to do with the opening of the church. In 1985 a parish office addition was constructed connecting the rectory with the Church.

This photo is likely from the completion of the church building and depicts the confessional with three doors instead of the current two, and a baptismal alcove where the cry room is today.

This is the only known color photo from the time of the church construction. Note the communion rail and velvet rope, as well as the lack of forward altar. The statues of Mary and Joseph have features painted in color. 

This photo of the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade in our Parish School was taken in 1959.

This antique bell outside of the Church was donated in 1978 by Dorothy Orsolini as a memorial to her husband Nello who built a restaurant and motel court in Richmond which catered to those travelling north from Chicago to Wisconsin in the days before an interstate highway system. 

In 2020, the Parish Office was contacted by a woman in Texas who found a document she believed we might want back. It was a 1932 Papal Blessing to the people of St. Joseph Catholic Church from Pope Pius the XI. She found it in an estate sale. All she asked in return was the cost of postage, which along with the cost of framing it was provided by the Varga-Soule family. The image is a screenshot from the parish facebook page announcing its arrival. The document now hangs in the Parish Office.

A panoramic view of the first parking lot Mass implemented in response to the 2020 Novel Corona Virus Pandemic

Monsignor Martin Heinz saying Mass from a classroom in the school to worshipers in the parking lot.

In 2020 the Varga-Soule family donated new signs to the Parish which featured the "red square" logo, featuring the symbol of a carpenter's square which is often associated with St. Joseph.

In 2020 Pope Francis declared 2021 to be the year of St. Joseph. To commemorate the occasion, Monsignor Heinz ordered the Orsolini Bell to be rung 10 times at the conclusion of the New Year's Vigil Mass on December 31, 2020. After Deacon Al Dietz rang the bell, Monsignor Heinz prayed for the protection of St. Joseph over our Families, Community, Country, and Church. This was the first time the bell had been rung during a St. Joseph service since it was donated in 1978.

During the Coronavirus Pandemic which started in 2019, the diocese closed it's facilities to prevent the spread of the disease. Worhipers and celebrants eventually were allowed to return with the requirement to wear masks inside of the Church. Here we see Peterson Soule' assisting before a Christmas Service by lighting the candles while wearing a Santa themed mask.

By the end of 2021, plans to demolish the two disused residences on the north side of the parish campus and construct a new garage and pavilion structure in their place  began to take shape. Pictured below are members of the ad-hoc building committee, from left to right, Pastor Monsignor Martin Heinz, Jeff Brumm, Deacon Norm Kocol, and Bill Weber. Not pictured are committee members Deacon Dennis Holian and Edward Varga, PE. Underneath is the preleiminary building design.

By December of 2023, building demolition and principal work on the construction of the new covered pavilion and garage space was complete. With funds on hand remaining, it was decided that the parking area along the North edge of the Church building leading to the new structure should also be reconstructed. Parishioner Edward Varga, PE, undertook the design of the new parking area to reconfigure it to enhance stormwater drainage and provide increased accessible parking spaces. Also redesigned was the accessible entrance and stairway along the north side of the church. Webber Concrete Construction installed the concrete, as they did in 1985 when the initial accessible ramp was installed.

With construction in full swing during 2023, the decision was made by the building committee to replace the church roof which was aging and had been damaged by a hail storm in 2019. As the church steeple was still clad in the original asbestos based shingles, it was included in the renovation, as was the cross adorning the top of the steeple. 

At the start of 2024, the parish is preparing to celebrate the 125th year of its patronage under St. Joseph, which was conferred in November of 1899, and the 75th year for the current church building. It is interesting to consider the new additions that have taken place versus the way it was described in the Richmond Gazette in 1949...

The long expected dream of the parishioners and pastors of St. Joseph's Parish, Richmond, Illinois, are at long last being realized. After many years of study and planning to build a church conformable to the needs of the parishioners and the many visitors who flocked to the little frame church near U. S. Highway 12 Sunday after Sunday during the summer months, Father Blake, of blessed and happy memory, received permission from His Excellency, The Most Rev. John J. Boylan, Bishop of Rockford, to proceed with the building during the summer of 1948. Shortly after the foundations were placed, Father Blake was called to his eternal reward. His plans and ideas, however, were carried out by the architects, Barry & Kay, of Chicago, the general contractors, Henry Brothers of Chicago, who completed the brick work, and by the  Tonyan Construction Company of McHenry, Illinois, who took over the general contract Iast September, and finished the new Home of Our Lord in Richmond. 

The architecture of the church is Georgian-Colonial, as is that of the rectory, built by Fr. Blake some five years ago. The exterior is of red Williamsburg brick and the roof is of green asbestos shingles. The gold-leaded cross rises to a height of about 85 feet and will become a landmark for the Village of Richmond. Four white wooden columns grace the facade of the church, and two each at the side exits. Two beautiful solid marble statues of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus and St. John Bosco, donated by parishioners of St. Joseph's, adorn the two niches in the Portico. Eight stained glass windows in the church, also donated by parishioners and friends, with various shades of green background, are of Norman Slab glass, and portray the following: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Greece, St. John, the Evangelist, and St. Patrick, on the left: St. Joseph, St. Ann, St. Francis Assisi, and Bl. Katerine Tekawitha, (Lily Of the Mohawks), on the right (Lily of the Valley), on the right. The rose windows in the Choir Loft depict the Coat of Arms of His Holiness, Pope Pius, XII, gloriously reigning, and of our beloved Bishop of Rockford, His Excellency Most Rev. John J. Boylen, D.D. Windows by DaPrato. 

The main altar is surmounted by a large hand-carved crucifix, with six pair of lambs on each side, representing the twelve -apostles. The bronze tabernacle is surmounted by a Tabor for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The side altars, to be dedicated to Our Blessed Lady (Immaculate Conception) and St. Joseph, also contain tabernacles. The altars and Communion railings are of solid light oak, and were furnished by the DaPrato Statuary Company of Chicago and New York. All the wood-work in the new church is of birch, stained to a light oak, and varnished. The pews, arriving this week from the Josephinum Company of Columbus, Ohio, will be of solid light oak. 

The interior of the church was finished with colored plaster; ceiling in pearl-gray. and walls in blue and old rose. Twelve pilasters and hand-run cornice plaster work over the length of the church in white, provide a beautiful finishing touch for the entire interior of the building. The floor of the church and sacristies is made of Flex-O-Tile, the Sanctuary in 5 color green and cream; the nave in 2-color red and 5-color cream. The social hall floor is also Flex-O-Tile, 2-color red. Electrical fixtures are all of Colonial design from Beardslee Chandelier Mfg. Co. Chicago. 

A new electric Wurlitzer organ has been installed through the kindness of one of the families residing near Richmond during the summer months. In fact. all interior furnishings, including windows, altars, tabernacles, communion railing, mass vestments, ciboria, and many other articles were donated by the good parishioners and friends of the parish. The social hall beneath the church is very spacious and is not encumbered with any columns or obstructions. The kitchen will be fully equipped to enable the many friends and visitors to enjoy their chicken dinner here in July. The stove, donated by the Altar and Rosary Society, has eight large burners. a grill and a broiler on top, two large ovens below. The entire structure is heated by oil with convactor type hot water radiators. All copper work on the new church is by John Brda & Son of McHenry.

His Excellency, Most Rev. John J. Boylan, Bishop, will solemnly dedicate St. Joseph’s Church at Richmond, on Sunday, May. 29th, at 11 a.m. D.S.T., and wIll administer the Sacrament of Confirmation the same afternoon at 3 p.m. Dinner will be served to His Excellency, the Rev. Clergy, Archbishops, Contractors, and out-of-town friends at 1 p.m.

Holy Masses at Richmond (from May to October): 7:00, 8:30, 10 :00, 11:30 a.m. REV. FRANK J. MILLER, pastor.

To those unnamed faithful who produced the facility we are working with today, we say thank you.

In March 2024 plans for the Mary Schultz Garden begin.