Saint Joseph's School
Posted by: 
S5280ft
N 41° 54.005 W 084° 01.563
16T E 746692 N 4642960
Located on the west side of Ormsby Street, between Maple and Butler Streets. The marker is behind some trees to the left of the entrance. Parking available.
Waymark Code: WM14XK
Location: Michigan, United States
Date Posted: 01/15/2007
Views: 21
Narrative Description:
The Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church Complex is composed of the church edifice, a school, and a rectory. The church, erected in 1879, is classically-inspired with a basilica plan, and is constructed of brick with stone trim. The pedimented, three-bay-wide facade presents a projecting entrance pavilion whose pediment is supported by columns with composite capitals. The side elevations are composed of round-arch windows with cruciform keystones separated by stone piers. The eaves and pediments are embellished by a wide frieze embossed with a series of crosses. A dome and belfry surmounts the roof above the narthex while a cylindrical tower is situated at the apse. St. Joseph's Church school, erected in 1884, is a simple massed plan, two-story, brick structure with a shallow hipped roof and coursed ashlar stone foundation. The three-bay facade is a symmetrical composition and features a projecting gabled entry pavilion. A classical frieze is supported by a corbel table and culminates in an eave with modillions, devices which extend to the flanking facade bays. An octagon tower, now capped, rises from the roof of the central pavilion. St. Joseph's Church Rectory, erected in 1889, is a compound massed plan, two-story, asymmetrical composition constructed of brick with a shallow pitched, hipped roof. The widely overhanging eaves occur above a broad frieze and are supported by large corner brackets flanking decorative modillions.
Statement of Significance:
St. Joseph's Catholic Church was founded by fifty Catholic families of German descent in 1863. The parish flourished and outgrew several church buildings, prior to the erection of the present church edifice in 1877, which cost $30,000. It was designed by noted ecclesiastical architect Peter Dederichs of Detroit, who designed numerous Catholic churches, schools, and other parochial buildings in Michigan and the region. Dederichs may also have designed the St. Joseph School and Parish House. The St. Joseph School was the parish's second school building, replacing a frame structure dating from 1863. A wing was added to the school in 1912. The Rectory, built at a cost of $3,600, replaced an earlier frame dwelling. The church maintains an active role in the community. The St. Joseph's Church complex is an excellent example of high style ecclesiastical architecture designed by one of Michigan's most prominent church architects. It symbolizes the long and active role of the church in Adrian.
Parking nearby?: yes
D/T ratings: 
Registered Site #: Local Site #1716
Historical Date: Not listed
Historical Name: Not listed
Description: Not listed
website: Not listed
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