Tearing Down Old Landmark

One of the lake shore's oldest landmarks is being torn down to make way for the march of modern progress. Workmen are tearing down the steeple on the St. Joseph's Catholic church, corner of Ridge and Lake avenues, Gross Point. A new building will e added to the church proper to be used for school purposes. Since 1868, the year in which the spire was erected, it has been a familiar sight to the residents of the north shore. It is said that the steeple is the oldest in this section of the country.
The new school building to be erected will cost between $35,000 and $40,000. It will be modern and up-to-date in every particular.r The construction will be fireproof throughout, pressed brick and stone facings, cement and steel flooring. The building will have four large school rooms and a large hall. The basement will be utilized for social purposes.

Will Build a New Church
The intentions are to have the work advanced so that some of hte rooms may be utilized by winter and the others finished as soon as needed. After finishing th ebuilding the interior of the church will be redecorated and refinished. Eventually all these buildings will be used for school purposes, and after teh final indebtedness has been cleared away a new edifice will be erected at the south-east corner of Lake and Ridge avenues.
St. Joseph's church is one of the oldest German Catholic congregations in the Chicago diocese, having been formed in 1844. The first church building was erected one year later. It was nothing but a small log cabin, but in those days was all that was needed.
The congregation increased steadily, and in 1850 it was necessary to seek larger quarters. A frame church was erected, and until 1868 it served the needs of the congregation.

Present Church Built in 1868
In 1868 the present brick church was erected. From a small congregation the parish has grown to one that has a membership of about 300 amilies. Between 350 and 400 children are being taught in the school, which is under the direction of the School Sisters of St. Francis.
For the past forty years the Rev. Father Netstraeter has been pastor of the congregation, having assumed control in 1872. During those years he has become personally known to the majority of the old settlers along the lake shore. The Rev. Father Ott is assistant pastor.