Voices of the Community

“This is the only beautiful church left in the diocese. It is so sad the diocese gutted it more than a decade ago on the pretense of saving the school (which I proudly attended). This beautiful church is my home. It feels like worship in a way new wooden ugly structures just don’t. I know another church is being saved instead, but this church is worth saving, worth preserving.”

“In responding to Joe Cascone’s letter that was written with tender sadness, my perspective is unique in that I am not a parishioner of St. Joseph, but I have been involved there enough over the years to know what a spiritually rich place of holy community St. Joseph’s Church has been for me.”

“St. Joseph is home to many of my friends, colleagues, and peers. It would be a travesty to shut down any more churches when America needs more church presence than ever. Don’t let Satan win!”

“St. Joseph church is a staple of the community.”

“My maiden name was Schaller. My family were early settlers of Dyer — my grandfather owned the State Line Hotel from 1907 to 1956, and my father was born there in 1908. My grandparents and many family members are buried in the cemetery there. I believe a family member donated one of the stained glass windows in the church. I was baptized in St. Joseph’s. We can’t let this happen. Dyer is disappearing and being swallowed up.”

“My wife’s family had been members of St. Joseph’s since 1950. She and her three brothers attended St. Joseph’s school. She married me at St. Joseph’s, and our daughters attended St. Joseph’s school. This was not an exceptional story — it was commonplace for many families. St. Joseph’s is a traditional church in architecture and spirituality. Please pray, asking Our Blessed Mother to intervene and keep Christ in the Tabernacle in St. Joseph Church for another 160 years, for future generations.”

“We, both the wife and I, have found the church that we chose to enjoy belonging to. We attend many Masses every week to support the parish and participate with like worshippers. These parishioners are the family that we like to honor the Lord with. We have gained sound friendships with the welcoming parishioners. Other parishes in the area don’t seem to provide for us. Yes, we are aggrieved that there are plans to close our house of God and St. Joseph. Hopes are that the deciders will see the value of our church to the standing participants and area. We would like to continue our worshiping here, as do many others who belong. Sound providers and prayerful parishioners. God bless our Church!”

“It’s a pillar of the town of Dyer, IN. My twins were baptized and made their confirmation at St. Joe’s and attended CCD classes there.”

“I took CCD classes here for years… This church is a work of art, while other churches nearby, not so much. The town will be so bleak and bland without it. Nothing can replace it!”

“My daughters went to catechism at St. Joseph’s and church on Sundays. It is a historic part of Dyer and needs to be preserved and saved from closure.”

“When I first moved to Dyer, I hoped that the beautiful church ahead was Catholic. I attended and wasn’t disappointed. I love historical landmarks — and to have one in my backyard.”

“The historical presence of St. Joseph in Dyer, IN is a strong reminder of the importance religion has in a community. This church community boldly supports unity and holiness in NW Indiana!”

“St. Joe’s is a Landmark/Institution in our community!!!!! It was disappointing enough when the school was cancelled but the church remained. I’m hoping that this beautiful church is removed from any demolition schedules.”

“I am donating to this worthy cause in honor of my mom’s great grandfather, Henry Keilman, and for John and Margaret Quinn life-long parishioners.”

“In honor of my mother’s and father’s families who supported St Joseph for the past century. I was married there, my sisters were married there, and my parents were married at this beautiful church. My husband and I made the trip from Florida to have both my sons baptized at St. Joseph.”

“I’m not catholic but a beautiful historical church should not be closed and only one of remaining buildings left in Dyer.”

“My Great, great Grandfather was the architect who designed St. Joseph Church, St. Michaels in South Shore, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica and many more churches. This is sad news… Long time Dyer residents remember the historic buildings along route 30…demolished for the widening of route 30. These historic buildings could have been “moved back” now St. Joes is the only historic building remaining…What a shame!”

“I always loved hearing the church bells ring. Sad to hear this”

“Hope it doesn’t close, the best thing is these beautiful old churches. Sure don’t like these cold modern looking churches, awful. They closed our Saint Joseph church in Chicago Heights and tore it down, and it was in very good condition.”

“I attend St Joseph’s in Dyer IN because my home church, St James in Sauk Village IL, was closed down. St Joseph’s is a nice, welcoming, and feels like a church should feel. I cannot understand why churches are continuing to be closed. I would love to hear what Jesus has to say about the closing of these places of worship?”

“May God Bless you. I’m praying for St.Joseph’s Church and parishioners. Don’t feel like you have been forgotten about! I heard about the closing of your church from all the way in Chesterton. Your message for help is reaching people! Stay strong and faithful”

“It’s a beautiful church love the bell tower. And I named my son Joseph”

“After my husband died I moved from Illinois to Dyer Indiana and found a home at St. Joseph’s Church. It’s been almost twenty years here loving this church. I am eighty two years old and when Jesus calls me home I want my last mass to be from St. Joseph’s Church, Dyer Indiana.”

“I have lived in Dyer for 10 years. The St Joseph’s steeple is the heart of our fair town. It defines what Dyer is. I look for it when driving around town, stoic and watchful. We are losing our identity and replacing it with too many gas stations, smoke shops and fast foods and more cement! We are not honoring our past.”

“My granddaughter was baptized at Old St Mary’s Church in Mokena. It is the original St Mary’s and they built a new church a few years ago. People can still go into the old church and pray, reflect or just sit quietly. It has kept its dignity and honor. I love it. It is in the Joliet Dioceses. I know the powers-that-be are different, but not really so much. They saved their church, we can save ours. We have the chance to keep St. Joseph’s as a vibrant part of our community. Be like St Mary’s in Mokena, not like Chicago who closes or sells off their churches with no regard for the parishioners. History is more important than money. I will pray my rosaries for your successful efforts. God bless.”

“History. My father’s family attended there and my father went to school there as well. I have the best memories of going to 8am mass to find my grandma in the pew.”

“As someone looking to join a local church I’m disappointed in the rush to close this parish. At a time when people are moving in and many want to find a way to get involved with their community I think it’s very shortsighted to dismantle this building and this parish. The world needs more, not less community. Let’s strengthen our community with St. Joseph”

“We have been a parishioner of St. Joseph Church since we came here in the US. We are a devoted Catholic family who loves to support our parish. My children started their CCD journey and received their first Holy Communion here. My son enjoyed being an altar server during his younger years, and I had been one of the extraordinary minister volunteers here before COVID time. This church needs to be preserved. This is one of the historic building in Dyer and every time we pass by the area, it reminds us of how strong Catholic faith and tradition has been so meaningful to us. Please hear our appeal to preserve this church. This is the only historic church here in Dyer that would remind our younger generation of Christ and the Catholic faith that really matters to us. Thank you!”

“I live in Dyer and would hate to see such a beautiful historical building demolished.”

“I attended Saint Joe’s from second grade to eighth grade graduated in 1980. There’s nothing more memorable and special to me than my years in Saint Joe’s. It breaks my heart what has happened to the school and now the church. My mother is still a member of the parish and her heart is broken over this news.”

“It’s so sad, heartbreaking to have to lose a church you Love. We need to FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Memories of going there with my family”

“It is part of the community. I hear the church bells from my home and it is a comforting.”

“PLEASE don’t close St. Joseph. I live nearby and so appreciate the bells chiming. Calling us to worship. Causing us to pause and think of God. Please don’t close this church.”

“When we moved to St. John 18 years ago, we attended mass at all the catholic churches in the area, starting with St. Joseph. After an exhaustive search, we came right back to where we started, because St. Joseph had everything we were looking for. We felt welcome in this traditional, reverent, family-oriented parish. We still attend mass every weekend, and are heartbroken that we now need to find a new parish to join.”

“My grandfather was baptized (1904) and made his first communion there (1916). My dad was baptized in 1933 and made his first communion in 1942. My dad also went to school there for a few years.”

“St. Joes was the first church I attended. Completing my first 3 sacred sacraments there. My grandmother lived in one of the neighboring houses and the church grounds were the back drop of the majority of my child hood memories. I met my best friends in childhood who i still speak with to this day. I participated in the children’s Christmas choir which grew my love for our church music programs as well as instilled in me to give back to my parish. Most importantly i learned who God is and how to love and be loved by Him in that building. That will forever make St. Joes one of the most important places to me.”

“I moved to Dyer in 1972. That little strip of businesses on Highway 30 is Dyer’s little “downtown.” I have seen lots of changes, but the iconic beauty of St. Joseph’s rising above all the businesses as they change over the years in brand and appearance is our lodestone. It says, “Here I am. Here is the heart of Dyer, Indiana, — our town hall and our shopping district right here under this lovely church.””

“St. Joseph church reminds me of the church that I grew up going to in Harvey, IL. I am a regular at the 6 pm mass on Sunday. I would hate to see such a beautiful church that holds so much history get demolished.”

“My father, Lee Cataldi served the church weekly until he retired and moved. As a family, we attended mass weekly. My sisters and I all graduated from St. Joseph’s School. I personally attended mass nearly every Sunday from 1970-1984 when I moved away. Find a way to save this beautiful historic Church.”

“As someone who has lost their original parish, it’s more than just about closing doors, it’s about taking a pillar of the community away from, not just its parishioners, but the entire secular community itself.”

“I was baptized at SJE in Saint John, IN at the 2025 Easter vigil (4-19-25). After baptism I started to go to different masses at different churches also to experience the daily mass. I regularly attend 1-2 masses at St. Joes each week. I love the diverse crowd, and also the history of the parish. Attending mass at St. Joes always has felt like a more authentic experience and less “staged” like other churches are. I’m really disappointed that it’s closing, it’s insane to think they are making this decision about a church that has been open since the civil war era !!”