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Saint Joseph’s has been around for nearly 200 years, 196 to be exact. Through the many years of its existence St. Joseph’s has had many architects and designs. Originally the building was a Spanish style establishment. It was first constructed in the early ....

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.... to reconstruct the church a third time in 1869. On April 23, 1875 the church was completely destroyed by fire. This time an architect named Bryan Clinch was given the job to completely redesign a whole new church. Clinch’s design still stands today after a recent 3 year 17 million dollar restoration. Theodore Lenzen was born in Prussia in 1883. He came to the United States with his family when he was 21 years old. Before he designed St. Joseph’s he was known for a few other local buildings: City Hall; Auzerais House; Vendome Hotel. Bryan Clinch was of Irish decent he was the author of a book called California and Its Missions. Clinch was gi ....