St. Joseph's Catholic Church

St. Joseph's is a Catholic church located at 1012 French Street in Wilmington, built with brick and cast stone in a late Gothic Revival style. The structure features three bays arranged beneath a gable roof, creating a recognizable silhouette along the downtown street.

The church was founded in the late 1880s by the Josephites as a parish for Black Catholics in Wilmington. The current building dates to 1947, replacing an earlier structure lost to fire.

The church serves as a spiritual home for the Black Catholic community in Wilmington, playing a central role in the neighborhood's religious and social life. Visitors can feel the deep connection this community has maintained with their faith over generations.

The church is easy to locate in downtown Wilmington on French Street, with good access via public transportation and nearby parking options. The building's exterior can be viewed from the street, and the area offers convenient access to other downtown attractions and services.

A single-story passage connects the church to a rectory built in 1954, linking the main worship space with the residence in an unusual integrated design. This architectural arrangement shows how the spiritual and residential spaces were meant to function as one cohesive complex for the parish community.

Location: Wilmington

Inception: 1947

Website: https://stjosephfrenchst.org

GPS coordinates: 39.74500,-75.54583

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:04