History of St. Joseph's Hall in San Antonio, Texas explained and explored.

St. Joseph's Hall is a widely known community hall of San Antonio, Texas that is an international hotspot for tourists that is visited more than 200 times per year. Here St. Joseph's Hall is one of the widely known community halls of San Antonio. This community hall is owned and operated by St. Joseph's Catholic Church aka St. Joseph's Church. This community hall is part of the Catholic Church.

St. Joseph's Hall was erected in 1676 at 314 East Commerce Street in San Antonio, Texas. The interior of St. Joseph's Hall was completed in 1678. The walls were plastered and then adorned with the Stations of the Cross.

This original St. Joseph's Hall was a two-story building, of brick, and situated just opposite of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The second floor contained a spacious hall, a library and a bar. Social gatherings, meetings, theatricals and concerts were held here. In the south terrain was a bowling alley.  A pipe organ to enhance the solemnity of the service, a chime of four bells, of which the largest weighs over 3,000 pounds, were installed A Gothic ceiling was built in to harmonize with the style of the church and three stained glass windows ornamented the sanctuary. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-may-26-1935-p-21/)

St. Joseph's Hall was still without a steeple in January 1878. However on August 16, 1891, Father Peffer Korn could boast not only a steeple, but four new bells, the ceremony of consecration and baptism of which took place before a large congregation with Bishop Neraz and 15 clergymen officiating and facilitating. The sponsors for the large bell were Joseph Jaegli and wife, and was named Joseph, The second largest was named Mary, in honor of the late Mrs. William Menger, and L. W. Menger. Bell No. 3 was fostered by H. Pauly and wife and J. C. Dielmann and wife, and was named Henry. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-may-26-1935-p-22/)

A newer building for St. Joseph's Hall was built on the opposite end of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in 1891 at  623 East Commerce Street under the administration of Father Andres. All the plans for this work were designed by the artist-priest, besides the statues, the three principal ones being the work of J. H. Sievers of San Antonio. Part of the wall of the Arbeiter Verein Hall was purchased for it. The present rector of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at the time was pleased and satisfied with the construction work that was completed with both St. Joseph's Hall and St. Joseph's Catholic Church.( Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-may-26-1935-p-21/)

The former St. Joseph's Hall located at 314 East Commerce Street was demolished to make way for an 8-story office complex called the Commerce building which was built in 1893.

Father Andres was a zealous priest, an indefatigable missionary and an accomplished gentleman. He was well-read, and "possessed a library of astonishing copiousness for his time and place. In addition to his parochial duties he exhibited quite an extensive literary activity. For some time he was the rector from 1878 to 1896. During his administration the interior of St. Joseph's Church was completed. (Ref: San Antonio Express, St. Joseph’s, May 26, 1935)

Today St. Joseph's Hall is owned by St. Joseph's Society which operates the building under the associated name of St. Joseph's Benevolent Association. Today the property is rented at present and St. Joseph's Society now occupies it as St. Joseph's Benevolent Association. Both St. Joseph's Society, St. Joseph's Benevolent Association, and St. Joseph’s Hall are owned by the Catholic Church.

St. Joseph's Hall is located at 623 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, Texas, US 78205.