After the capture of Gibraltar in 1704 the only church that provided religious services for the people who remained behind and for the new settlers was the Parish Church of St.Mary the Crowned and St. Bernard. But as the population increased and people started to settle in the district of Europa (i.e. anywhere south of Charles V's wall) the need to meet the demands of those living there became increasingly more acute. There is no record of what type of hut or building was used temporarily as a Mass centre at Europa, but the minutes of the Junta of Elders for 10th.March 1834 show that they paid a Father Nicholas 15 dollars a month for taking on the Chaplaincy of Europa. They were not prepared to pay him any extra for the incrased efforts he would make during Lent or for any other such exercises. It definitely appears that this was but one of a long established routine practised at Europa at a fixed place.
It was when Bishop Henry Hughes, Vicar Apostolic, was well established in the Cathedral of St.Mary the Crowned and was having problems with his co-workers the Junta of Elders, that he received an attractive proposition. Gabriel Femenias, the son of a hotel owner at Rosio Parade, who was employed by Antonio Mateos' company (Antonio Mateos, who was born on 5th.July 1804,married to Mary Fredgold on 6th.October 1830,with four children, had founded the company in 1852 and died on 2nd.April 1883), heard that the authorities had granted the Mateos family the concession of a plot of land. It was understood that the site was a difficult one to exploit because of its rocky composition. The bishop was advised to request that site from Antonio Mateos, on which to build St.Joseph's church. To everyone's delight the Mateos family agreed to pass on the concession to the bishop, and the construction of the church began.
When Mgr.John Baptist Scandella (later to succeed Bishop Hughes) retured to Gibraltar from Corfu he took it upon himself to see to the church's completion. While it was being built Gabriel Femenias went to study for the priesthood, and when he returned he was placed in charge of the congregation in Europa and, eventually of the newly completed St.Joseph's Church. He was appointed its first Parish Priest when it was raised to the status of Parish in 1885. The church, with its prominent and distinctive pointed round belfry, has been a landmark in the South District for over a Century.
In 1954 Mgr.Carmelo Grech, the then Parish Priest, had the interior of the church completely restored and the altar was greatly improved upon by the construction of the semi-circular reredos in 1956. The restoration was carried out with advice, and under the expert supervision of the late Mr.Cyril McGrail.
More recently, in 1976-77, the interior of the church was entirely redecorated by Messrs.James Frames & Sons, and when this was completed St.Joseph's Church was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Edward Rapallo.

HOME