The Parish Pastoral Council has been involved in developing a comprehensive Master Plan for the Parish.  This process has been underway for approximately one year, and we hope to have more information and opportunities for additional input soon!

Our History
On June 14, 1942, the original St. Joseph Church was dedicated by Bishop Joseph H. Albers. When our parish was established it served about 230 families on the south side of the city of Battle Creek. In February 1947 Father Patrick Kenny, the first Pastor, announced that the time was ripe to erect a parish school. On July 1, 1947, Fr. Kenny was transferred and Father Adolph Oser became Pastor of St. Joseph’s.

The school building was erected in 1949 at a cost of $140,000. When the debt was paid on the school building, Father Oser announced plans for building a new church, the approximate cost of which was $325,000. Groundbreaking took place on August 9, 1954, and on Sept. 18, 1955, the dedication of the new church was held with Bishop Joseph Albers officiating.

St. Joseph Parish had continued to grow – from the 230 families in 1942 to over 1,200 families currently registered.

The parish has prospered through the efforts of dedicated parishioners and spiritual leaders.  It is proper that we include in this short history the names of those Pastors who have served this parish:

Monsignor Maurice Walsh, who helped organize this “Church in the Fields”;
Monsignor Patrick Kenny              Pastor 1942-1947;
Father Adolph Oser                      Pastor 1947-1962;
Father Norbert B. Wheeler            Pastor 1961-1975;
Father John M. Steffey,                Pastor 1975-1983;
Father Howard Murray,                 Pastor 1983-1984;
Father Donn Taylor,                      Pastor 1984-1993;
Father James O’Leary,                  Pastor 1993-2004;
Father John D. Fleckenstein,         Pastor 2004-

Who we are
Rev. John D. Fleckenstein, Pastor
Rev. Craig Lusk, Parochial Vicar

Rev. Joseph Xavier, Parochial Vicar

Rev. Arthur Howard, Parochial Vicar for Hispanic Ministry
Deacon Michael Moreno
Deacon Alfred Radford

Deacon James Nelson

Rectory Office: Shirley Springer, Parish Secretary and Ellen Tipton, Assistant Secretary; Olive Pessetti, Volunteer Secretary
David Rohr, Bookkeeper

Parish Ministries
Youth Ministry: Russ & Paula Cohen:
Religious Education: Linda Kriegbaum: 965-4079
Battle Creek Area Catholic Schools: Kathy Grosso, Executive Director: 963-1131
St. Joseph Elementary: Patricia Riley, Principal: 965-7749
St. Philip Middle School & Catholic Central High School: Marcy Arnson, Principal: 963-4503
BCACS Scrip: 963-3034
Knights of Columbus: Grand Knight Pat Daugherty, 963-0739
RCIA, Adult Education and Youth Ministry, Barbara Kincaid, 962-0165
Council of Catholic Women: Barb Kincaid 963-0739
Pastoral Ministry: Sr. Mary Cyrilla Jegla, R.S.M., 962-0165
Legion of Mary: Rosalie Gaudrault: 962-1824
Legion of Mary Men: Jim Hazdra: 962-8641
Stephen Ministry: Deacon Michael Moreno: 601-1977
St. Vincent de Paul Society: 969-5606
Hispanic Ministry:  441-2102
Liturgy and Music: James Zalewski 962-2133
Prayerline: Helen: 964-1676; Dorothy: 963-6295
Perpetual Adoration: Carrie: 963-8518; Patti: 968-8945

Pastoral Council                                                    Finance Council
Fr. John D. Fleckenstein (Ex-Officio)                        Fr. John D. Fleckenstein (Ex-Officio)                              

Fr. Joseph Xavier (Ex-Officio)                                  Ed Bauman (Chair)

Fr. Craig Lusk         (Ex-Officio)                              Ursula Case
Kelly Dechant - Appointed                                        John Gessner

Patrick Downey - Appointed                                     Al Haefner
Kathy Toth - Appointed (Chair)                                Thomas Harris
David Lucas - Appointed                                          Mary Pat Harter

Cathy Nelson - Elected (Term Expires in 2009)          Kathy Jewell
Peter Werner - Appointed                                        Andy Rockwell
Sr. Cyrilla Jegla                                                       Michael Toth