Architecture

Historic St. Joseph's Church has significance as one of the few buildings in the area documented to have been constructed by one of Mandarin’s early builders, William F. Monson.  The church is an excellent representation of the vernacular or folk adaptation of the Late Gothic Revival Style, evident by steeply pitched gable roofs with intersecting cross-gables, varied window treatment including lancet and cantilevered oriels, ornate window tracery, battlements and towers.  

The church reflects the folk or cracker building tradition that evolved in the lower South during the 19th Century.  The simple frame church was constructed of milled lumber probably produced locally.  It was constructed with light balloon or braced framing covered by wood sheathing.  Structures of this period also reflected the use of currently rare building materials such as superior old growth pines.

The old sanctuary is 2278 square feet.  Constructed on raised brick piers with a lattice panel infill, the side projections form a transept, giving the church a basic cruciform or cross shape. The steep gable roofs of both the main body and the side projections are covered by diamond shaped shingles while the steeple, as well as the 3 small stoops on the back & side, still have the earlier embossed tin shingles.

The west stoop

In the 2000 restoration project, all deteriorated wood on the exterior was replaced and the exterior was pressure washed & painted.  All of the original wooden, double-hung sash window panes and frames were re-glazed and repaired as necessary with any enclosed windows being reopened.  New exterior lighting fixtures were installed. The front of the church was landscaped and new signs were placed.  The two 5-ton air handling units were relocated from the interior of the church to under the building, and a new metal duct system with floor outlets and returns was installed.

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