St. Joseph's Parish, Saskatoon

Founded in 1928, Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Parish stands as a key religious and architectural landmark in Saskatoon's Nutana neighborhood. Located on 8th Street East, the church occupies a prominent corner at Broadway Avenue, making it a recognizable fixture in the area.

Designed by local architect Gentil Verbeke, the building is a striking example of the Romanesque Revival style. Its thick walls, paired towers, arched entryways, and round Romanesque windows all reflect this architectural tradition. The use of variegated red and brown brick, combined with terracotta detailing, adds visual richness to the cruciform structure. One of the most notable features is the asymmetrical twin towers topped with octagonal domes-originally designed to hold bells, though they were never installed. A large circular rose window and open arcades give the façade a distinctive, almost Colonial flair.

The church interior is marked by harmonious design: oak woodwork, Gothic-style columns with decorative capitals, symmetrical arches, and subdued stained-glass windows create a calm, dignified atmosphere. On the west side, a rectory was built to serve both residential and community functions.

Saint Joseph’s Parish was established to serve the growing Roman Catholic population on Saskatoon’s east side-a community that had worshipped for years in temporary spaces like the Sommerfeld Block and even a converted boarding house. The completion of this church in 1928 marked not only the birth of a third Catholic parish in the city but also the first one east of the river.

Today, Saint Joseph’s continues to be valued for both its architectural significance and its enduring role in Saskatoon’s spiritual and cultural life. The site is protected under a municipal holding bylaw that allows the city time to consider heritage designation in case of any proposed demolition.