Located in Stearns County, the city of Saint Joseph, Minnesota is home to the College of Saint Benedict, a Catholic women's college that opened in 1913.
A southern portion of Saint Joseph is separated from a small, disconnected portion of Waite Park by the Sauk River. Otherwise, the city is completely surrounded by Saint Joseph Township, which is itself headquartered in the city of Saint Joseph. Collegeville is just a few miles northwest, and most of Waite Park is east of Saint Joseph, both connected by County Road 75..
Other roads connecting the city with its neighbors include County Roads 2, 3, 121, 133, and 135. Interstate Highway 94 passes through along the city's southwest border.
Saint Joseph has ragged borders, including a small disconnected piece on the southwest side of the interstate, which houses Stearns Electric Association.
Saint Joseph parks include Millstream Park, Klinefelter Park, Memorial Park, Centennial Park, and Northland Park. A portion of the South Fork of the Watab River passes through northwest Saint Joseph, most of which is included in Millstream Park.
One of the first settlers to arrive in the area was Peter Loso, who came in August of 1854. He claimed the land upon which the village was later platted. Several other German settlers came, and a township was organized in 1858, although it was originally named Clinton.
In 1869, the Church of Saint Joseph was built for the German community, and the township was renamed Saint Joseph, after the church.
Although early settlers came to farm the fertile soil, among them were those who built businesses and, of course, they built homes. The village of Saint Joseph was incorporated in 1890 and, in the following years, a jail, public well, and wooden sidewalks were built, and the city began issuing liquor licenses. Now known as the Saint Joseph Fire Department, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized in 1885.
By 1900, the village had a population of 549, and it has been increasing every census year since. The area was still largely agricultural. After years of severe winters and grasshopper plagues during the summer, farming was beginning to thrive. The availability of milking machines reduced the labor required to operate a dairy farm.
World Wars One and Two took several of Saint Joseph's farmers away from their crops, and the depression had its effects, as well, slowing the community's growth, but not reducing its population. In 1950, the population of Saint Joseph was 1,246.
John Linnemann established the first general store in Saint Joseph in 1855, using the front portion of his log home as a store. In 1899, Martin Loso opened Loso's next door to the Linnemann store, selling several different items over the years. Mike Klein opened a meat market in 1909.
The first schools in Saint Joseph were operated through Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, holding class in the church until a small school was built in 1860. In the late 1870s, a two-story public school was built, although it was taught mostly by the Benedictine Sisters. In 1914, the parish bought the school building, and a new public school was built on the north side of town. This closed in 1936 when the school board rented a room from the parochial school. In 1965, the state decided to close all public one-room schools, and Saint Joseph was again without a public school. Today, the only public school in Saint Joseph is Kennedy Community School, a PK-8th-grade school operated by the Saint Cloud Area School District.
Nearly surrounding the city, Saint Joseph Township borders the western boundaries of Saint Cloud and Waite Park. Organized in 1858, the township was named for the German Catholic Church that had been erected there. In 2018, the city began the process of annexing land under the jurisdiction of the township.
Topics related either to the City of Saint Joseph or to Saint Joseph Township may be submitted to this category. Websites representing city or township governments are appropriate for this category, as are those of businesses, churches, schools, individuals, or events based in either the city or the township.
 
 
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The Roman Catholic congregation meets in its historic church building in Saint Joseph, Minnesota. The church was built by the German Catholic community in 1869, with its tower completed in 1884, and a rectory is east of the church, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is the church that the town was renamed for. Mass and confession schedules, a church bulletin, and parish registration data are included.
http://www.churchstjoseph.org/
College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University
Traditionally, the College of Saint Benedict has been a Catholic Benedictine women’s college in Saint Joseph, while Saint John’s University is a Catholic men’s college in neighboring Collegeville, Minnesota. However, since 1955, the institutions have offered joint evening classes, and men and women attend classes together on both campuses. Its admissions, financial aid, student life, and athletics programs are discussed.
https://www.csbsju.edu/
A campus of the Saint Cloud Area School District #742, Kennedy Community School serves Saint Joseph, Minnesota students in grades K-8, including the core curriculum areas, as well as art, music, gym, and orchestra, and 6-8th graders receive a personal learning device to enhance digital learning. School schedules, a staff directory, contacts, newsletter, and enrollment policies are set forth.
https://www.isd742.org/domain/172
The ministry of this Roman Catholic monastery, associated with the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, and located in Saint Joseph, is described, including it s art and heritage place, gardens, liturgy and worship, spirituality center, its work in social justice issues and it scholars in residence. The history of the Order and facility is also presented, along with information about joining them or assisting in their work.
https://sbm.osb.org/
St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is made up of local businesses and individuals who are interested in the economic prosperity of the Saint Joseph, Minnesota area, and which serves to promote the commercial, industrial, civic, economic, and educational interests of the city and surrounding region. Officers, staff, and contacts are posted to the site, along with Chamber news and announcements, and a calendar of events.
https://www.stjosephchamber.com/
St. Joseph Area Historical Society
In 2002, the Society opened its museum on the second floor of the First State Bank of Saint Joseph, moving to its current location on 1st Avenue NW in Saint Joseph, Minnesota a few years later. The site offers a profile of the organization and offers a history of the city, its businesses, churches, schools, entertainment venues, and sports, as well as a photo gallery, and a calendar of events.
https://stjosephhistoricalsociety.weebly.com/
Located in Stearns County, Minnesota, the township nearly surrounds the city of Saint Joseph and also borders Saint Cloud and Waite Park. The official township website offers a brief introduction and profile of the township, a schedule of upcoming events, as well as any resolutions and annexation issues pertaining to the township. Permit, and park reservation policies and contacts are posted.
https://stjosephtownship.org/
The official municipal website features a city and a business directory, and identifies the city council and boards, offering council meeting agendas and minutes, newsletter, and a calendar of events. City ordinances, maps, and official reports and other documents may be viewed online. Payments to the city may be made online, and information about upcoming elections, voter registration, and polling places are included.
http://www.cityofstjoseph.com/