The first Catholic Church for St. Joseph’s Parish dates its origin prior to the Civil War, where the original cemetery still remains. The original church stood on a tract of land a little more than one acre, donated by the Wheelehon family, and located north of Bonne Terre on Highway 67. Prior to 1873 the Catholic people of the community were served by priests who rode horseback from Old Mines and Ste. Genevieve. Later St. Joseph Parish became a mission of St. Anne’s Church in French Village, and ironically, today St. Anne’s is a mission of St. Joseph Church.
The first church was built by Father Daly. The original church burned in 1879 and the second church was constructed on the north side of St. Joseph Street in 1881. The Desloge Lead Company donated the lot upon which the second church building was erected at a cost of $3,000.00. The Lead Company also gave $700.00 toward the building of the church. This church, a frame structure with dimensions 32’ x 50’ was built by Rev. E. J. Dempsey, who was the first resident priest. The Church’s baptismal records point to his being in charge from December 20, 1879 to August 16, 1880. The trustees were Firmin Desloge, J. A. Raney and L. A. Thomure. J. A. Raney was the builder and the records indicate that “To the efforts of Firmin Desloge, principally, the development of St. Joseph parish and school we’re indebted.”