Our History

The Beginning

St. Joseph College Seminary in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, was canonically erected by Bishop Peter Joseph Jugis on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19, 2016. Placed under the patronage of St. Joseph, foster father of Our Lord, the name also reflects the heritage of the diocese, which was first shepherded by Bishop Michael Joseph Begley when it was carved out of the Diocese of Raleigh in 1972. The Seminary began its first academic year on August 22, 2016, Solemnity of the Queenship of our Lady.

"We are blessed to be forming strong, scholarly, and faithful men here in our own Diocese where they will one day serve. With your support, they will emerge as good and holy priests, so that the Diocese of Charlotte may be a joyful and vibrant spiritual family now and in the years ahead."
Rev. Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte

Enrollment Doubled in Year Two

In its inaugural year, the college seminary received eight men responding to the call of a priestly vocation. They were housed in an unused convent on the campus of St. Ann Catholic Church in Charlotte. In the second year, eight additional men entered the college seminary, and a second home was purchased and renovated across the street from St. Ann.

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Our First Graduates

In May 2018, St. Joseph College Seminary proudly produced its first two graduates who are continuing their priestly formation in major seminary where they study Theology.

Eight more men joined St. Joseph College Seminary in the fall of 2018 and live in yet a third renovated home.

Many more young men are expected to apply in the coming years. A capital campaign is currently underway in order to build a permanent home for these men to live the communal and formative life.
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Two More Grads Advance to Major Seminary

In May 2019, two more members of our Alpha class graduated from St. Joseph College Seminary. Both are continuing their priestly formation in major seminary at Mount Saint Mary in Ohio.

With an enrollment of 30 for the 2019-2020 academic year, created a need for a fourth temporary home next to the St. Ann Campus where the men will live until construction on our new college seminary is complete this spring.

Many more young men are expected to apply in the coming years. A capital campaign is currently underway in order to build a permanent home for these men to live the communal and formative life.
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Five More Grads Enter Major Seminary

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, five more seminarians graduated in May of 2020: the remaining four members of the Alpha class and one member of the Bravo class. Three of these graduates are continuing formation at Mount St. Mary in Ohio, and two graduates are studying abroad at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

As five seminarians move on, there are nine seminarians ready to move in for the 2020-2021 school year. This is the first year all four classes will be under the same roof in the new seminary building on 22 Arctus Avenue in Mount Holly. Twenty-seven of the 40 available rooms will be occupied by the enrolled seminarians – seven more rooms than the original plans for the seminary dormitory!

As the finishing touches are added to complete the first phase of the seminary building, a capital campaign is still underway to fund this great home for formation and study.