Biography - Joseph Costa
Rev. JOSEPH COSTA, O. C., R. D. was born October 18, 1823, in Pettinengo,
Province of Biella, about thirty miles northeast of Turin, Italy. His father's
name was Antonio Costa, and his mother's Angela Maria Facio. His father was
occupied in land-industries, and was also employed in running a tailoring
establishment.
There were four brothers in the family, of whom Joseph was the youngest and the
only one in the ministry. The others followed other professions. The family
records go as far back as six hundred years from the present time. Some of the
members along the line were priests.
Father Costa received the first rudiments of letters and music in his native
town. Subsequently, he entered a college called "Bachette", and began his
studies of Latin under Rev. Professor W. Scaglia. Later on, he pursued his
studies in classics in the city of Biella, and after an interval of two years of
rest, he began his course of philosophy in the College Melerio Rosmini in the
city of Domodossola under Professor Parma, continuing for two years. Having
passed his examination in philosophy and being a member of the Order of Charity,
he applied himself, under able professors, to the study of Divinity in the
Rosminan Institute at Stresa on the borders of Lago Maggiore.
In 1851, as a member of the order, he was sent by the General, the Rev. Antonio
Rosmini, to the English Missions belonging to the same order. In this, his new
country, he reviewed his theology under Professor Caccia and prepared for the
reception of Holy Orders.
On February 18, 1853, he was examined and ordained Priest in the Church of
Oscott College, by the Rt. Rev. Bernard Ullathorne, Bishop of Birmingham. As a
priest, he labored for eleven years in Great Britain, either doing parish work
or preaching at missions or teaching in college.
In 1864, at the request of Dr. Yunker, Bishop at Alton IL, he was sent by the
General of his order to work in that Bishop's diocese.
In the United States, the field of his labors was chiefly in Illinois -
Springfield, Jacksonville, El Paso, Lincoln - and finally in 1877, he was sent
to Galesburg by Dr. John L. Spalding, first Bishop of Peoria, for the special
purpose of establishing Parochial Schools. From that date to the present time,
his labors have been devoted to the wants and improvements in that city for the
Catholic population.
Since his arrival here, Father Costa has worked earnestly and faithfully for the
upbuilding of the church to which he belongs. In the Spring of 1878, the
erection of St. Joseph's Academy was commenced, and in the Autumn of 1879, it
was opened for use, with about ten teachers and four hundred pupils. Stevens and
Parry, of this city, were the builders. The cost of the building, including
heating apparatus and excluding furniture, was $16,858.13.
The convent contiguous to the Academy was erected partly by Jacob Westfall, of
Peoria. Failing to complete the contract, the building was finished under the
direction of Father Costa. The work was commenced in 1880 and finished in 1881.
It cost $11,388.52.
The ground upon which Corpus Christi church stands cost $4,885. The contract of
the building was given to Matthias Schnell, of Rock Island. It cost, including
heater, seats, bell, etc., $38,611.43. Corpus Christi dwelling cost $5,500,
including heating apparatus.
St. Mary's Primary, on the corner of Fourth and Seminary Streets, cost $2,500,
without the furniture.
The lot on which Corpus Christi Lyceum stands was purchased for five thousand
dollars. The building and furniture cost about $42,000. It was commenced in 1891
and finished in 1894. This edifice is private property of the Order of Charity
of this country.
Father Costa has done much in the erection of buildings in this city. For that
purpose and the benefit of his church, he has expended more than $125,000. In
the work of his hands, he has been diligent and fervent in spirit. As a man, he
is kind and gentle in manners, temperate in speech, unyielding in his
convictions, and firm in his ideas of duty and right. He is a Catholic, and
lives and labors for the Catholic faith. He comprehends the duties and
responsibilities of American citizenship, and in a word, has lived a life above
reproach.
Extracted from the 1899 Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and Knox County,
Munsell Publishing Company.
