St. Joseph's Episcopal Church (Durham, North Carolina)

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St. Joseph's Episcopal Church, located at the corner of 9th and West Main streets, a short distance from Duke University's East Campus. in Durham, North Carolina, is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. It was founded by William A. Erwin in 1900. Previous rectors of the parish include John Shelby Spong, 1955 to 1957, who later became bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.

The parish has traditionally followed a High Church, Anglo-Catholic style of worship, using incense frequently and referring to the Eucharist often as "Mass." Many parishioners demonstrate a Roman Catholic understanding of the role of the Virgin Mary, reciting the Hail Mary at times during regular Sunday worship, and meeting for rosary groups during the season of Lent.

On Easter Sunday 2006, the church's rector, Father Steven Clark, left the Episcopal Church and took roughly half of the congregation with him to organize St. Gregory's Anglican Church, a parish of the Anglican Church in America. Clark had been an outspoken critic of the election and consecration of The Rev. V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. By the time Fr. Clark left St. Joseph's, the parish was significantly diminished in attendance and finances, with many former parishioners—even some of those who also opposed Bishop Robinson's elevation—citing frustration with Fr. Clark's leadership style.

Due to Clark's departure, the congregation is searching for a new rector with the assistance of Bishop Michael Curry. The Rev. Rhonda Lee is currently serving as interim vicar.