Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Bishop addresses the future of St. Joseph
Published: July 3, 2025
Bishop Anthony B. Taylor issued the following statement, July 3, 2025, regarding the former St. Joseph Orphanage building in North Little Rock.
"To the people of the Diocese of Little Rock:
"For the second time in three months, I have sad news to share with you regarding the former St. Joseph Orphanage building in North Little Rock. On March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, a fire broke out which heavily damaged much of the building.
"As a consequence, after having been studied by engineering and insurance experts, it has now been determined that the building is structurally unsound and cannot be salvaged at a reasonable rate compared to the cost to rebuild.
"The cost to restore the current building is believed to be over $20 million and that does not include putting in air conditioning, which the current building did not have, or the cost of operating the building once rebuilt.
"Sadly, the most prudent decision for the future of that property and the people of the diocese is to demolish the building — and the Diocesan Finance Council, Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council all concur unanimously in this decision.
"I know this decision will displease quite a few people, but I am convinced that we have no other realistic alternative. This is doubly sad because of all our memories of the good work done by the Benedictine sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery with the St. Joseph Orphanage, as well as our other memories of this historic building and the desire we naturally share to see it preserved.
"But the sad reality is that the projected cost to restore the building to its original state and bring it up to code would be disproportionate to how the building might be used and to the benefit that it would provide to the people of the diocese — who, of course, are my overarching responsibility.
"The mission of the Catholic Church in Arkansas is bigger than any one building, no matter how important or historic. And our priority must always be to evangelize and spread our faith. As Pope Francis reminded a group of pilgrims back on May 20, 2023, 'Our faith is not an artifact in a museum, it is a living witness to the world.'
"The diocese has made an agreement with St. Joseph Center of Arkansas to permit them to continue their activities on the property for the time being, as they have done valuable work over the years in keeping the memory alive for those who benefited from their years at the orphanage.
"Sincerely in Christ,
+Anthony B. Taylor
Bishop of Little Rock"
