St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Rhineland, Texas. (original) (raw)

St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rhineland
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010
Rhineland German Catholic Colony settled in 1895 by Rev. Joseph Reisdorff. St. Joseph's Church, an edifice of German-Gothic architecture, was designed by Rev. Boniface Spanke, O.S.B. Construction started in 1927, completed structure dedicated,November 8, 1951. Construction, interrupted by depression and WWII, was through donated labor, materials and funds by dedicated parishioners. Over 80 thousand homemade bricks were made 6 at a time by parishioners. Interior is of same Gothic design with white columns and Gothic ribbing supporting the high vaulted, acoustical ceiling. Faceted glass windows portray the life of Christ and Biblical scenes. Hand carved altar, designed by Grier Bros. in 1890, serves as the main altar of the Cathedral in the Colony. Donated by Rhineland Council 1766 Knights of Columbus September, 1995.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010

St. Joseph's Catholic Church Sanctuary
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010


St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010

St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010

St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010

St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010

St. Joseph's Catholic Church Plaque
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010



Side view of St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, May 2004

St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Photo courtesy Gerald Massey, June 2010
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