Franciscan Friars (Croatian Franciscan Commissariat)

Being strong catholics and descendents of one of the oldest Catholic nations in the world, a group of immigrants from Croatia sought to establish a parish where they could serve God as they did in their fatherland.

These pioneer Croatians in 1902, almost exclusively of the working class, pulled together to organize a national parish, according to historical accounts. With the guidance of Msgr. Davorin Krmpotic, pastor of a Croatian parish in Kansas City, Kan., their endeavors slowly were realized after they received permission from Archbishop John J. Glennon to establish the parish.

They welcomed a Croatian priest, Father Oscar Suster, and began to attend masses at St. Wenceslaus parish in South St. Louis. Then, parishioners were able to purchase a Jewish synagogue on the corner of 11th street and Chouteau avenue. Archbishop Glennon dedicated the St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church on Sept. 25, 1904.

Contacts

• Reverend Stjepan Pandzic – Pastor