St. Joseph Church was originally constructed in 1955 on a corner site in a residential area in Carteret.  The existing building, of brick and limestone construction, was traditionally organized in a linear plan with a central aisle, and a raised sanctuary opposite the main entry of Carteret Avenue.  The building has two floors which are split-level relative to grade, creating accessibility problems.  The building proved to be unsuited to current parish needs and the directives of the Catholic Church, with poor lighting and acoustics, and qualities unsupportive of social interaction.

 

The renovation involved a complete reorientation of the worship space and entry sequence bisecting the original axis.   The new plan, with pews reconstructed from the old pews, positions people close to the sanctuary and visible to each other, allowing a more active participation in the celebrations. The former elevated sanctuary is now a day chapel providing overflow seating with moveable glass doors.

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The new addition is a baptistery and gathering space sited beside the nave wall. The half-story elevated position of the primary level is dramatized by a radial public stair and terrace.