History

The First Settlers

The area that would become Cobden was first known as South Pass. Catholic settlers began arriving in 1853 — among them the families of Mathias Clemens, Joseph Bigler, Frank Manzer, Joseph Metz, Benjamin Basler, and John Sweitzer. Most were German immigrants who established themselves as farmers, particularly in truck farming of sweet potatoes and strawberries.

As early as 1861, Mass was offered in the home of Mathias Clemens. In those years the small community was served by priests traveling from Anna, Cairo, and Mound City.

Parish Established — 1879

The parish of St. Joseph was formally established in 1879. The first baptism recorded was that of Magdaline Blum on March 30, 1879. The first funeral was that of Gertrude Clemens on February 23, 1880, and the first wedding was celebrated on March 6, 1881.

From 1881 the Benedictine Fathers of Weataug Monastery cared for the parish. In 1894 the first resident diocesan pastor, Rev. Christopher Goelz, was appointed.

The Present Church — 1926

Under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Brumleve the old frame church was demolished and a new brick church was raised by the labor and sacrifice of the parishioners themselves. The present church was dedicated on May 31, 1926 by Bishop Althoff.

The stained-glass windows, pews, altars, and many of the furnishings still in use today date from that building campaign.

Mid-Century and the Jubilee

In 1946 the rectory was destroyed by fire; a new brick rectory was completed by 1948. Under Rev. Victor Sulkowski the parish prepared for its Diamond Jubilee, celebrated in 1954 with extensive renovations to the church, school, and rectory.

Continuing the Work

In the decades that followed, the parish school was closed (1962), the present parish hall was built (1974), and the first native son of the parish, Arthur Basler, was ordained to the priesthood in 1975. Through every change the people of St. Joseph's have continued the work begun by those first German Catholic families in the 1850s: the worship of God, the handing on of the Faith, and the care of one another under the patronage of St. Joseph.