History of St. Joseph

St. Joseph Parish, Barstow, was founded in 1921 as part of the Diocese of Los Angeles and then San Diego until the Diocese of San Bernardino was created in 1978. It serves the needs of Catholics in the vast expanse of the Mojave Desert, which covers an area of approximately 1,000 miles. Its parish priests serve the needs of parishioners as far away as Newberry and Baker, and oversee the care of St. Philip Neri Parish in Lenwood, which has two populated areas-Lenwood and Hinkley.

St. Joseph is a parish that ministers to a vast array of retirees, military from Ft. Irwin and Marine Corps Logistics Base and, Santa Fe Railway, government and county workers' families. Our Lady of the Desert, Baker, is its Mission.

St. Joseph is blessed with many wonderful volunteer workers who, through the guidance of the pastor, Fr. Charles Patron, have made commitments to plan and work together to meet the future needs of the parish.