St. Joseph's Catholic Church

St. Joseph's Catholic Church is a Gothic Revival structure built from sandstone quarried at the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, featuring three bells within its tower. The building displays pointed arches, stone walls, and traditional church design elements typical of late 19th century Catholic architecture.

Built between 1896 and 1897 under Belgian priest Cyril Van der Donckt's leadership, this structure became Pocatello's first Catholic place of worship. It marked the establishment of organized Catholic presence in the growing city during the late 19th century.

The church serves as a gathering place for the local Catholic community and reflects the religious traditions that shaped the region's spiritual life. Visitors can experience how this building continues to function as a center for worship and community events today.

The building is located on North Hayes Avenue and is easily accessible from downtown Pocatello. Visitors can approach the exterior at any time to view the sandstone walls and architectural details, while interior access may be limited to designated visiting hours or religious services.

The sandstone for the exterior walls came from the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and was provided with the consent of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes through the Department of the Interior. This partnership between the church and tribal authorities during construction is a notable detail that often goes unnoticed by visitors.

Location: Idaho

Inception: 1897

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Website: https://hscc.org

GPS coordinates: 42.86280,-112.45600

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:14