This I seek: to dwell in the Lord’s house all the days of my life,
to gaze on the Lord’s beauty, to visit his temple.
Priests
Fr. Manoj John, Pastor
Fr. Noble, Parochial Vicor
Deacon
Gerard Glab
Parish Links
Welcome to St. Joseph’s Mission Catholic Church, a small but faithful Catholic community in Mayer, Arizona. For more than a century, generations of parishioners have gathered here to worship God, celebrate the sacraments, and keep the Catholic faith alive in this part of Arizona.
We are pastorally served by St. Germaine Catholic Parish of Prescott Valley. Though our mission is modest in size, our history reflects the enduring strength of faith, sacrifice, and devotion.
Our History
The early history of St. Joseph’s Mission reaches back to the earliest days of Arizona statehood. Historical records differ slightly, but local Catholics believe the mission dates to at least 1913, when Ish Davis of Mayer donated land for a Catholic church. Other accounts suggest Catholic worship in the area may have begun as early as 1908.
What is certain is that the Catholic faithful in Mayer were determined to establish a permanent place of worship.
St. Joseph’s Mission began to take shape when Sara Bell, widow of Mayer town founder Joseph Mayer, donated $800 toward construction. Two carpenters from Prescott were hired to build the church. The first priest assigned to serve the community, Fr. L. Rousell, also helped establish churches in Humboldt and Congress.
On May 13, 1918, Bishop Henry Granjon of the Diocese of Tucson formally blessed St. Joseph Church. At that time, the Diocese of Tucson encompassed the entire state of Arizona.
Faithful Through the Years
Like many rural mission churches, St. Joseph’s Mission experienced seasons of growth and challenge. By the 1970s, weekly Mass attendance averaged around 40 people. Yet the faith of the community remained strong.
During that era, a Society of St. Vincent de Paul store was established, helping support the mission and its charitable works.
In 1983, St. Vincent de Paul contributed $42,000 toward the construction of a new church building, with an additional $10,000 coming from the Bishop’s Charity and Development Fund.
Under the leadership of Fr. Phillip Reiser, remembered as the “builder priest,” the present church was constructed. The first Mass in the new church was celebrated at midnight on Christmas 1983.
An Adoration Chapel was later added in the early 2000s, deepening the mission’s life of prayer and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
Centennial Celebration
In June 2015, parishioners and local residents gathered with Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted to celebrate the centennial of St. Joseph’s Mission.
During the Mass and celebration, Bishop Olmsted gave thanks for those who first brought the Catholic faith to Mayer and for all who preserved it through the generations.
He reminded the faithful that from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome to St. Joseph’s Mission in Mayer, Catholics share the same Eucharistic faith and the same Lord.
Our Mission Today
Today, St. Joseph’s Mission remains a place of prayer, worship, and community for Mayer and surrounding areas.
Since 2025, the mission has been under the pastoral care of St. Germaine Catholic Parish in Prescott Valley, AZ, with clergy serving the sacraments and pastoral needs of the faithful. Previously we were served by St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church of Camp Verde.
We continue to honor our past while looking forward with hope—welcoming all who seek Christ and His Church.
Visit Us
Whether you are a longtime resident, a traveler passing through, or someone seeking a spiritual home, you are welcome at St. Joseph’s Mission Catholic Church.
Come pray with us and become part of a story more than a century in the making.