The history of our parish church of St. Josip the Worker goes way back in the year 1966. In that time it was not easy to be a christian or to have a privilege to go to church because of the communism. But still most of the population of town Belišće wished that there is place where working people can go and pray for better days. At first, the vicar from parish Valpovo bought a land in Belišće in Matije Gupca street on number 151 and redecorated the place to serve the mass for local people. 28. of August 1966. there was served a first official mass. The church was called "cardboard catedral".
On the 20th September 1966. the first active pastor Mr. Bernardo Rubinic, whom the local inhabitants called "the icebreaker", arrived from Oberhausen (Germany) with a suitcase in Belišće, and started almost from scratch. With his devotion and with the financial and labor help of local people back then the city of Belišće today has a parish church. Later Mr. Bernardo Rubinic was given a title of honorary citizen of the city Belišće. First midnight mass was served in newly built church in December of 1971. Five tone electric church bell that is still operational is imported from Italy and mounted on the church tower on 23rd of September 1978.
The parish church of St. Josip the Worker today has two branches in Bistrinci and Kitišanci and counts 2580 christian famillies. Also there are many volunteers formed in various associations that together contribute to better Eucharistic celebration. Some of them are Association Faith and Light "Betlehem", The youth of St. Francis called FRAMA, and the most recognized of them all the singing choir M.I.R. (acronym for peace on Croatian that stands for Young Jesus workers) which Maja and me were members for quite some time. In the near vicinity there are local dwelling houses that people call "the Vatican" because they are right next to church. But from the air it looks like horseshoe so it's often called like that also.
Important!
Be aware of the continuous muggles around. It's best for you to come at evening. Don't look for the cache during the Sunday masses that are at 8, 10, 11 and 19 o'clock.
