Photo of the wall altar in 2001 after all the statues where removed. The only religious items in the church were the wall altar from the St Mary’s College and the St. Therese statue which was donated to the church by the Spalding family years ago.
In May 2019 Fr. Martin Linebach visited the St. Joseph Church and was told the story of our journey that started in 2001 to maintain the building as the center piece of our community with the wall altar, a photo of Fr. Erie, and the statue of St. Therese. It was Fr. Martin that asked, “what day in 2001 did Fr. Ernie pass away”? I answered “Oct 01, 2001” Fr. Martin stated, “St. Therese feast day is Oct 01 as well.” I told Fr. Martin, “we remain confident that St. Therese and Fr. Ernie helped us maintain our catholic identity at the Little St. Joseph Parish in western Marion County, Kentucky”. As Fr. Martin and I were walking out of the side door of the church, Fr. Martin said let’s stop a moment and offer a prayer to St. Therese. Fr. Martin said a prayer and asked for St. Therese continued intercession for the St. Joseph Church.