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April 22, 2021Enduring more than their share of hardship, the people of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Union City have persevered and prospered for more than 120 years. In the beginning, it was largely a German and Czech community.
Mass was first offered in Union City early in 1893, at Joseph Strunk’s hotel. 1894 saw the first regular visits of a priest in the person Father A. G. Borremans, resident pastor of Okarche. A church was constructed with the carpentry work supplied by parishioners and dedicated on May 1, 1894, under the patronage of Saint Theophile. It was the only church in Oklahoma of that name being an homage to Bishop Theophile Meerschaert, Vicar Apostolic of Oklahoma (later Diocese of Oklahoma).
The first of many catastrophes befell the community as the church was destroyed by a tornado in 1896. It was not until 1899 that the new building was dedicated, this time to Saint Joseph.
Growth was slow as a resident pastor was not assigned until 1909 in the person of Father P.P. Shaeffer. Even before the residence of Father Schaeffer, the parish was determined to provide Catholic education, and built a school in 1907 (closing in 1963) under the care of the Sisters of Divine Providence. This type of tenacity and devotion to the faith would characterize Saint Joseph throughout its history.
Another tragedy occurred when the second church burned to the ground in 1929. From the parish history: “A new, lovely brick church was built on the grounds between the school and the priest’s home. Notwithstanding the parish had only sixty families, this church was built without any debts, thanks to the financial wisdom of Father Vander Grinten. The church was dedicated on December 16, 1930, by Bishop Francis Clement Kelley.”
Father Van would serve as pastor until 1939 and was much beloved.
The third significant event occurred in 1973 when a massive tornado demolished the school, convent and parish hall. The church suffered extensive damage. Undaunted, the parish repaired the church and added new stained-glass windows.
A testament to the strength of this country parish can be observed by the number of vocations it has produced, including Monsignor Daniel Fletcher and the revered Father John Michalicka. In all, five priests called Saint Joseph their home parish as well six religious sisters.
