About St. Joseph Cemetery

Egypt's St. Joseph Parish, traces its origin to August 14, 1852, when Cincinnati Archbishop John Purcell granted Egypt's residents permission to establish a church in their community. Traveling to Minster was difficult in those early years. Paths used as "roads" were often impassable, making it a hazardous trip, especially in cold, rainy or snowy weather, as travelers often made the four to five mile trip on foot. To make matters worse, many times there was no room inside and Mass goers would have to stand outside the church during Mass.

For the early Egypt settlers, it had been a longtime desire to have a church in their area that was close enough for women and children to regularly attend Mass; and for their children to receive religious instruction. When residents, Anton Wehrman, Henry Rolfes and Johann Albert Osterloh, presented this idea in a meeting with their neighbors, the men were elected to approach Archbishop Purcell with the request since he would be visiting St. John (Maria Stein) in a few days. On the 14th of August, 1852, His Grace, granted them permission to establish the parish of St. Joseph at Egypt.

A subscription drive was held and soon $800 was pledged. A meeting with contractors was held to let a contract for the new church which would measure 52x28 feet. Several contractors, noting the sum pledged, all agreed to do the job for $800. When Henry Rolfes offered to build a church for $300 for which he would furnish the rough lumber if the rest of the congregation furnished the flooring and siding; they agreed. When the little church was completed, enough money was left over to pay a priest's salary for one year; approximately $300.

The church was build due east of the present day St. Joseph Cemetery, in the southeast corner of Egypt Pike and today's St. Rt. 364, on land belonging to John Heitman. (Today it is the Heitbrink farm.) A small bell was donated by Henry Knapke. J.H. Stricker and Mary Brandewie were the first couple to be married there.

On September 11, 1852, Johann Albert Osterloh deeded land for the purpose of a cemetery for St. Joseph Catholic Church to Archbishop Purcell. The first funeral held there was for Anna Mary Knapke, a child of two years. Since they had no resident priest, Precious Blood Fathers came from Minster and Maria Stein every Sunday and twice during the week to administer to the spiritual needs of the congregation. With the building of "Mary's Flight Into Egypt" convent, (1857-1912) Father John Witmer became the resident priest and St. Joseph became the hub of religious observances until the convent chapel was completed in 1858. St. Joseph Cemetery has been the burial ground for the residents of the convent, as well. A total of 46 nuns, six brothers and 3 orphans are buried there. Over time the engraving on their tomb stones weathered to the point of becoming unreadable. In July, 2011, in order to preserve their history, Sisters of The Precious Blood erected a monument on the cemetery containing all their names.

In 1878, under the guidance of Father John Van den Broeck, the present brick church was built on the south side of the cemetery lot. Serving as contractor for the original structure, measuring approximately 84x36 ft., was Anton Gehr. Brick contractor was George Van Oss. In 1927, the building was remodeled to include an entrance/bell tower, upstairs choir loft and annexes to each side of the entry; larger sanctuary with enlarged sacristies and a basement to house a furnace. Father Van den Broeck is buried at St. Joseph's cemetery near the large crucifix that marks his grave.

In 1912, a rectory was erected between the church and the cemetery proper. Over the years, the cemetery grew in size and more land was purchased to fulfill the need. To preserve the history of the parish members, some tombstone restoration is beginning to take place. The cemetery, containing more than 400 souls is being maintained and cared for by the St. Joseph's Men's Society.

St. Joseph's Parish consists of 74 registered families. The church structure is well maintained and cared for by its members through many and varied committees. As in the beginning St. Joseph's no longer has a resident priest, but feel blessed to have Father Louis Schmit and/or other retired priests from St. Charles Center to offer Mass on Sundays and holy days. Father Brunner was impressed with the quiet and peace of the Egypt community when he commissioned the "Mary's Flight into Egypt" convent to be built there. And that is a feature of St. Joseph's that persists to this day. A more detailed history can be found in the 1996 St. Joseph's Parish History written by parish member, Barb Osterloh.