Our Mission & Story

The Parish of St. Joseph was founded in 1942.

Archbishop John Gregory Murray asked Msgr. James Foran to leave his position at the College of St. Thomas and found a new parish in a growing area of West St. Paul. The first parishioners celebrated Sunday Mass on September 27, 1942 in the gymnasium of the public high school and continued to meet there for several months until a more permanent location could be found.

Sloppy Joe’s Tavern was purchased and renovated to become the first church. The tavern was operational until the day of the sale. Msgr. Foran always said he should have kept the beer license! The tavern was remodeled to become suited for a church. A construction fire set plans back and the first Mass was not celebrated in the renovated tavern until March of 1943. It is remarkable that the new community was able to gather the needed materials and labor during the Second World War. Many items were rationed and many young men we away serving in the military.

Parishioners desired to found a school. St. Joseph School was dedicated on June 19, 1949.

For many years masses were celebrated in the basement of the school and in the new school gym. In 1988, a new and permanent church was built and dedicated by Archbishop John R. Roach.

St. Joseph’s Parish has continued to flourish in it’s 80+ year history helping many to know and love the name of Jesus. Today it is a vibrant community dedicated to the mission of evangelization.