St. Joseph was founded in 1942. The first pastor was Msgr. James Foran, who
celebrated Masses in the gymnasium of the public high school until a more
permanent location could be found. The community purchased Sloppy Joe’s
Tavern and transformed it into the first church. The tavern was operational
until the day of the sale, and Msgr. Foran always joked that he should have
kept the beer license! A construction fire set the project back and the first
Mass was finally celebrated in the renovated tavern in March 1943.
It is remarkable that the new community was able to gather
the needed materials and labor during the Second World
War, a time when construction materials were rationed.
The school was added in 1949. For many years Masses were celebrated in the
school basement and gym. In 1988, a new church was dedicated.