Take time to visit the Cultural Museum (old Catholic Church) across from Mater Dolorosa Catholic School on the corner of Hwy 40 and Pine St. There you will find artifacts and photographics of Independence's history, as well the St. Joseph Altar display.

During the middle ages a severe drought threatened the people of Sicily with starvation. Prayers to St. Joseph are credited for ending the drought and saving the Sicilians.  In thanksgiving, a great feast was given and thus began the tradition of the St. Joseph Altar. The tradition of devotion to St. Joseph in Independence traces its roots to the Sicilian’s that migrated in droves to the United States between 1880 and 1929. As the immigrants prepared to journey to the United States, they prayed and promised to St. Joseph that if they made it safely, they would make St. Joseph Altars so no one would go hungry.  In about 1920 they organized the St. Joseph’s Society to honor St. Joseph for answering these poor Sicilian’s prayers. Every year on March 19^th, St Joseph’s birthday, a parade is held in his honor through the principle streets of Independence, where many Sicilian families settled. A statue of St Joseph is carried in this procession and donations are pinned to ribbons attached to the statue.  The donations are given to Mater Dolorosa Church and School.  People in the area also build altars in his honor during this time.